MUDANYA IN ANCIENT TIMES

History of Mudanya dates back to 7^th century BC. The first-ever name of the town was Myrleia and it was founded by Colophons, one of the 12 Ionian city-states. According to scholar Prof. Dr. Bilge Umar, the name “Myrleai” dates back to period before Hellenistic migrations and means “strait/pass of great mother goddess”. According to another study, the name was derived from “Myrlius” a Colophon ruler.

In early 3^rd century BC, Myrleia was seized and devastated by Prusias, King of Bithynia and King Philip of Macedon. Philip granted the region to his son-in-law Pnisas, who founded a new city instead of Myrleia and named it “Apameia” after Philip’s daughter Apame. Apameia was the first-ever Roman colony in Anatolia during Roman era. Following the defeat of Mithridates of Pontus, the city remained in turmoil for a while, before being transformed into a military base by Roman Emperor Augustus, whereupon it became a Roman colony under the name of “Colonia Julia Concordia Augusta Apameia”. During the Fourth Crusade, Istanbul was invaded in 1204 and Latin Empire was established. Crusaders took control of Marmara coasts and surroundings of Mudanya. Crusader army, which consisted of French, came to Mudanya and around. For some unknown reason, they named the city “Montaneia”. It is argued that the name is derived from Latin “mons” for “mountain”, and signifies highlands, land of mountains. During the same era, the name had several versions, including “Moutagnac”. Apparently, the modern name of the town is derived from this version.

BYZANTINE PERIOD

During the divide of Roman Empire in 395, Apameia fell to share of Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. Until its conquest by Ottomans in 1321, it is unknown whether the town remained under Byzantine rule during Arabian and Seljukid eras. Seljuks defeated Byzantine army under command of Kamytzos. Upon the beginning of Crusaders, Apameia (Mudanya) gained importance, just as Kios (Gemlik). As Latin Empire was founded in Istanbul during Fourth Crusade, the French Crusader Army left Constantinople on board for Kios and Apameia. Two coastal towns provided Anatolian crusaders with logistic support.

OTTOMAN PERIOD

Mudanya was annexed by Ottoman Empire upon its conquest by Orhan Ghazi in 1321. For a while, the town lost its importance, whereupon Kurşunlu became the port of Bursa Province. Nevertheless, Mudanya recovered in the course of time. Particularly as of 19^th century, Mudanya became the exportation port of raw silk in Bursa and surrounding region. This activity brought popularity to the town. In 1873-1874, a railway line was projected in order to ensure railway transport between Mudanya and Bursa; a French company undertook the task. During late Ottoman era, Mudanya came into prominence thanks to world-famous olive and olive oil, and also as a trade port. Apart from town center, settlements including Tirilye, Kumyaka, Dereköy, Burgaz, Güzelyalı and certain villages were home to many Christian Ottoman citizens. In the wake of Great War, British Army wanted to invade Mudanya, with their first attempt on 25 June 1920. Nevertheless, Sergeant Şükrü, a patriot of Turkish War of Independence, prevented this attempt. On July 6^th, British navy and air forces opened fire and battered the town once again. In the end, Mudanya was invaded by the British. After a while, the British were replaced by Greeks. The town remained under Greek rule for more than two years, before being liberated by Kocaeli Troops commanded by Halit Pasha on 12 September 1922. Mudanya has an important part in our recent history, due to Armistice of Mudanya signed on 3-11 October 1922.

ARMISTICE OF MUDANYA - 11 OCTOBER 1922

Mudanya is the host of a treaty that ended hot war period, formed the basis for diplomatic proceedings and laid the foundation of Republic of Türkiye… Armistice of Mudanya foresaw peace; accordingly, intense effort was displayed in order to ensure peace. The steps taken for peace in Mudanya back then solidify our present slogan for Mudanya as “Capital of Peace and Fraternity”. Ernest Hemingway, who describes Mudanya as the coastal town where Westerners came to ask for peace, tells the historical negotiations as follows: “East and West came across in Mudanya, a hot town on the coast of Marmara Sea, with second-class crooked earth roads. Despite the gray, fatal masts of British flagship with Allied Generals onboard to meet Ismet Pasha, the Westerners came to ask for peace, not to demand it or not to dictate their conditions. 23 October 1922, The Toronto Daily Star -Mudanya – Turkiye)”

On the night of 1 September 1922, Greek Government found out that the defeat at the front turned into a rout. As the Great Offensive ended with victory, Allies issued a call to Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT) for armistice. Negotiations began in Mudanya on 3 October 1922. In the negotiations, GNAT Government, under presidency of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was represented by Ismet Pasha, the Commander of Western Front. Fevzi Pasha and Rafet Pasha were ever-present in Mudanya throughout the process. Britain was represented by General Harington, while General Charpy and General Mombelli were present for France and Italy, respectively. As a direct party to armistice, Greece appointed General Mazarakis and Colonel Sariyanis; nevertheless, Greek delegates did not participate in negotiations in person and waited on the board of a British ship off Mudanya. Actually, Türkiye fought against Britain. Indeed, the British policy for the region was to establish and improve British rule in East Mediterranean. This is why, through stimulation and incentives, Britain encouraged Greece to invade Anatolia and fight Turks. Negotiations, which began on October 3^rd, were frequently interrupted because of issues such as clearing of East Thrace, Bosphorus and Dardanelles, and their return to Türkiye. Occasionally rising tension brought along the risk of end of negotiations and Turkish army was preparing for campaign once again, when the parties found reconciliation on 11 October 1922. Armistice of Armistice of Mudanya was signed between Türkiye and 3 Allied States at 6 a.m. on October 11. Armistice came into effect three days following signature. Ankara Government achieved its goal and got back Thrace without firing a shot. Meanwhile, GNAT appointed Rafet Pasha for reception of East Thrace and establishment of Turkish sovereignty in the region. The era of battles came to an end in War of Independence; after military victories, GNAT had won a political victory. According to Armistice, Türkiye would take entire Thrace and Edirne without war. Britain, which had not recognized GNAT Government until then, thus accepted the political existence of Türkiye. Besides, Ottoman Empire became legally null and void as Bosphorus and Dardanelles were left to GNAT Government. Mudanya witnessed a milestone in the history of Republic of Türkiye as the host of armistice negotiations. Proud host of peace, Mudanya commemorates the occasion every year on October 11^th. 

PHRASES THAT MADE HISTORY…

İsmet İnönü: At the end of war, it was Greeks who were beaten and sought armistice with us; however, it was Allies who fronted and negotiated with us… I was the chairman of conference. General Harington presided over negotiations on behalf of Allies. He was the greatest challenge, since he was apparently the most astute. General Harington often said to me he thought nothing but peace and tried to convince me. Indeed, we were in a state of mind where we believed in no word or act by the British. This is how the conference came to an end.

General Harington on İsmet Pasha:

He was apparently a small man. Besides, he was hard of hearing, though I don’t know if this was a lack or advantage. He seemed very stubborn in his relations with us. He was a master of details. He read each line very carefully and reflected for a few minutes before expressing his opinion. He never revealed his excitement.

İsmet İnönü during his visit to Mudanya for 37^th anniversary of Armistice in 1959: The most important aspect of Armistice of Mudanya is that a vast land like Thrace, as well as the Straits, was left to us without firing a shot. In last few centuries of our history, this is the only victory without firing a shot.