Hidden paradise welcomes visitors in northern Aegean

With a past that stretches back to antiquity, Çanakkale's Ye?ilyurt village is drawing more and more interest from tourists eager to sample its natural beauty and view its old stone housesWith its unspoiled nature and old stone houses, the Ye?ilyurt village on the skirts of the Kaz Mountains has become a favorite getaway for those seeking to escape the stress of city life. 

"This place is a hidden heaven," said Çanakkale Culture and Tourism Director Kemal Dokuz. 

"Ye?ilyurt is one of the most important tourist destinations in the region. I am sure its brand value will increase in the future. Ecotourism has become popular in recent years. The houses of villagers here have become small and boutique hotels. Both the north and south of the Kaz Mountains have different beauties. The region is home to the world's most important endemic plants," Dokuz said, adding that the region's silent environment offered a paradise for those who want to rid themselves of the stress of big cities.

Situated in the Küçükkuyu area in the northwestern province of Çanakkale's Ayvac?k district, the village especially attracts visitors from Istanbul and ?zmir. 

Located on the westernmost part of the Kaz Mountains, the village is on the slope of a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea. 

According to mythology, the world's first beauty contest was held on this mountain. The region, which has been settled for millennia and which has been home to the Lycians, Persians and Romans, was also one of the most important transition points in Ionia. 

Ye?ilyurt village was established in 1355 by one of the O?uz tribes, the Çepni.  

Both Greeks and Turks had lived together in Ye?ilyurt, which was formally known as Büyük Çetmi, until the...