Termal

The town of Termal, referred to as "mountain bath" in ancient documents, takes its name from a thermal spring located on the northern slope of Mount Samanli. The thermal springs has an exclusive history from the early ages. A number of different types of visitors have visited them. According to Evliya Celebi the traveller, every year during the cherry season, Termal becomes a summer place because of thermal springs. But the one who has really discovered Termal and given the popularity it enjoys today is Ataturk. He passed most of his time in Termal when he came to Yalova. He helped to revitalise its roads and baths. He aimed to make Termal a well-known thermal spring and treatment centre. And today this is realised.

Ottomans came to know Termal during the raids led by Orhan-gazi. Akkoy, which still keeps its existence today, was founded in 1326 after the conquest of Karamursel. The first settlers of Akkoy were green groceries that were from Oguz Turks one branch of Kayi. Certain quarters of the centre area were al­lowed to settle down by immigrants from Batum and Georgia.

For this reason, the quality of constant residing place was added to its quality of summer residence place. Local people took part in Canakkale Wars bravely and many of them became martyrs.

In short time, Termal became a town. First of all, in 1992 villa­ges of Gokcedere and Uvezpinar was connected to it and they became a small town.

The economy of the town is mainly based on tourism and agri­culture. Most percentage of tourism basically revolves around the thermal springs. In town centre, there are pensions and certain tourism services for visitors. Addition to this, in Akkoy and Yenimahalle watery and dry agriculture is made which inc­lude decorative plants, vegetables and fruits. Green house ve­getable and fruit growing and bee keeping have improved a lot in the recent years.

In terms of historical places to visit, Termal is one of the main places among the other towns of Yalova.