Gözede, Kestel

Gözede is a neighbourhood in the Kestel district of Bursa Province, Turkey. It was formerly a village before the 2012 local government reorganization. It is situated on the northern slopes of Uludağ mountain.

There are two main theories regarding the origin of the village's name, based on historical records and local folklore:

• Göze'de (Geographical): In Anatolian Turkish, the word "Göze" means "water source" or "spring". The suffix "-de" indicates location (locative case). It is believed that the name derived from the phrase "at the spring" (Göze'de), referring to the abundant water sources in the area. This theory is supported by Ottoman archives where the village was also recorded as "Pınarlı" (Place with Springs).^[1]

• Köz Dede / Göz Dede (Historical): Local folklore attributes the name to a saint named "Göz Dede" (Eye Grandfather). However, historical archives from 1487 describe the villagers as "Sultan's Coal Burners" (Charcoal makers). It is hypothesized that the name originally referred to "Köz Dede" (Ember Grandfather), symbolizing the charcoal fire, and phonetically shifted to "Göz Dede" and eventually "Gözede" over centuries as the charcoal industry faded.

Gözede is one of the oldest Manav (native settled Turkmen) settlements in the Bursa region, with its foundation dating back to the 14th century.

According to the 1487 Hüdavendigar Tahrir Registers (Tax Survey Books) of the Ottoman Empire, the village held a special status. The villagers were recorded as "Sultan's Coal Burners" (Sultanın Kömürcüleri). Instead of paying regular taxes, they were tasked with producing charcoal for the Ottoman Palace and the army, granting them tax exemptions.^[1][2]

While early 16th-century records show the village attached to the İnegöl district, documents from 1805 indicate it had become part of the Bursa central district. An archival document from 1805 (Hijri 1220) details a legal case filed by a female resident, Ümmügülsüm Hatun, regarding property rights inheritance from her father against an encroachment by another resident. This document highlights the established legal structure and property rights for women in the village during the early 19th century.^[3]

In the early 20th century, an Arsenic (Orpiment) mine was discovered within the village boundaries. The Ottoman archives reveal a significant connection between this mine and the Hejaz Railway:

• 1909 Concession: An Imperial Decree (İrade-i Seniyye) granted the mining concession to Ibrahim Dervish Bey and his partner Mehmed Fahri Efendi. The concession contract stipulated that a portion of the mine's revenue would be transferred to the "Teshilat Fund" to support the construction and financing of the Hejaz Railway.^[4]
• 1913 Cancellation: Due to the operators' failure to meet obligations, the concession was annulled in December 1913 following a decision by the Council of State (Şura-yı Devlet) and a subsequent Sultan's decree.^[5]

Following the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), Muslim refugees (Muhacir) from the Balkans settled in the village, diversifying its demographics. During the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), the village was occupied and partially burned by Greek forces but was rebuilt after the war.

Gözede is located 22 km from Bursa city center and 10 km from Kestel. It sits on the northern slopes of Uludağ at an elevation of 619 meters. The terrain is rugged and forested, featuring chestnut, oak, and hornbeam trees.

While generally exhibiting a Marmara climate, its high altitude results in harsher winters with significant snowfall compared to the district center.

Historically driven by charcoal production and mining attempts, the economy is now based on agriculture.

• Fruit Growing: The village is known for producing export-quality "Napoleon" cherries, peaches, walnuts, and the famous Bursa chestnuts.
• Forestry: Being a "forest village," residents are also employed in seasonal forestry works under the state forestry directorate.

The village square houses a historic Hamam (Turkish Bath) dating back to the Ottoman period, which is currently in a ruined state. There are also several historic fountains reflecting the village's abundance of water sources.