Harmancık is one of the charming districts of Bursa, bordered by Domaniç and Tavşanlı to the east, Gökçedağ station and Dursunbey to the west, Keles and Orhaneli to the north, and Simav to the south. It is located at the intersection point of the provinces of Kütahya, Bursa, and Balıkesir. The district lies 96 km away from Bursa, with a surface area of 365 km². While the province’s average altitude is 650 meters, the lands of Harmancık range between 500 and 1,000 meters. According to the Address-Based Population Registration System, as of December 31, 2007, the central population was 4,192 and the total population was 8,340.
The town center of Harmancık is popularly called “Çardı”, a name believed to have originated from either four rivers or four hills. The foundation of the district dates back to the early Ottoman era, following the conquest of Adronos (Orhaneli) in 1324–1325. The ancient city of Adronos was established by Roman Emperor Hadrian, who used the region, particularly present-day Orhaneli, as a hunting ground and commissioned the construction of baths. The remains of these baths can still be found above the Ilıcaksu hot springs within Harmancık’s borders.
The settlement of the Harmancık center (Çardı) began with the Sipahi clans, followed by the Habiboğulları and later the Kara Veyisler nomadic tribes. During the early Ottoman period, Harmancık was a small village under the administration of Adranos (Orhaneli). At certain times during the Ottoman era, it was even considered a district center; for instance, in 1869, Orhaneli (then Beyce Sub-district) was administratively linked to Harmancık. In later years, Harmancık continued as a sub-district and township.
Among the district’s historical heritage, the Karaveyisoğlu Mansions, classified as first-degree historical artifacts, held great importance. Unfortunately, a large portion of them was destroyed in a fire on October 3, 2004. These mansions belonged to a family that was granted certain privileges by the Ottoman administration. In addition, basilicas from the Roman period can still be found near Nalbant village.
Economy
The district’s economy relies mainly on mining, agriculture, and livestock. The principal crops include barley, wheat, chickpeas, corn, sunflower, strawberries, sugar beet, and anise. Harmancık is particularly rich in chrome reserves. Notably, chrome was first discovered in Turkey in 1848 by American geologist Lawrence Smith in Harmancık. The district also hosts magnesite and marble deposits. Its land use includes 13,220 hectares of agricultural fields and 23,016 hectares of forests and scrublands, with vegetation such as beech, red pine, and juniper.
Harmancık is the only district in Bursa with a railway station, the Gökçedağ Train Station, which provides convenient access to Balıkesir, İzmir, Eskişehir, and Ankara. The station is located 10 km from the Ilıca hot springs.
The district comprises 22 villages: Akpınar, Alutça, Balatdanışmend, Bekdemirler, Çakmak, Çatalsöğüt, Dedebali, Delicegüney, Dutluca, Gedikören, Gökçeler, Gülözü, Harmancıkakalan, Hopandanışmend, Ilıcaksu, İsaklar, Kışmanlar, Kocapınar, Kozluca, Nalbant, Okçula, and Yeşilyurt.
Social and Cultural Activities
Since 1946, Harmancık has hosted a traditional fair every August, featuring exhibitions and concerts that attract significant participation from the community.