Kitirler, Gerede

Kitirler is one of the neighbourhoods that make up the historical town of Gerede. Gerede is considered to be the continuation of the ancient city of Krateia (Κρατεία), which was a former bishopric centre. According to the 1831 Ottoman census, Kitirler consisted of 70 households. At that time, the Ottoman administration only recorded the male population, and 160 men were registered in the neighbourhood. Accordingly, if the number of women is added to the number of men, it can be concluded that the total population of Kitirler was approximately 320 people. By 1841, the population of Kitirler had not increased; on the contrary, it had decreased by approximately 8 people.^[2]

Today, Kitirler is one of the eight neighbourhoods of the city of Gerede and is located in the centre of the city. The Yukarı Tarihi Hamam ("Upper Historical Bathhouse"), which was restored and reopened in 2024, is located here. The historical structure known as Kiliseli Han or Kiliseli Tüccar Hanı is also within the boundaries of this neighbourhood. It is believed that this structure was a monastery during the Byzantine period. Indeed, traces of this have survived to the present day in the structure, which was used as a han during the Ottoman period and has now been converted into a hotel. On the lintel of the window on one side of the building, the inscription ‘Maşallah 1315’ (1898 AD) is located on the keystone of the central window, while a cross motif is found on the keystone on the right side of the façade.^[3] The Historical Arasta Bazaar is also located in the Kitirler.^[4] The Clock Tower in Kitirler was built in 1882 by Ahmet Usta. The tower is a wooden square tower and has been repaired from time to time.^[5]

• 
  View of Arasta Çarşısı, from the south-west
• 
  View of Arasta Çarşısı, from the north
• 
  View of Arasta Çarşısı, from the north-west
• 
  View of Arasta Çarşısı, interior
• 
  View of Arasta Çarşısı, interior
• 
  Kiliseli Tüccar Hanı, view from the east
• 
  Kiliseli Tüccar Hanı, view of the northern end of the eastern façade with cross
• 
  Kiliseli Tüccar Hanı, subterranean chamber with niches
• 
  Kiliseli Tüccar Hanı, interior
• 
  Kiliseli Tüccar Hanı, cross and other liturgical objects in the subterranean chamber
• 
  Kitirler neighborhood, Tiftikçi Street
• 
  Kitirler neighborhood, Eskiciler Street