In former times these peoples could not stay even a day at one place, as if a tailwind drove them further to new lands. Moving was the only way that gave them solace. Apparently, it was a reason why most of them became warriors or dervishes. Their women did not wear a burqa but sacredly honored the traditions. For many years, the Yuruks, nomadic tribes, had scoured the boundless steppes until they finally settled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in the Turkish town of Kemer.

It was centuries ago; now there is an open-air ethnographic museum called Folkloric Yuruk Park located in the modern Kemer district. The park is situated on the top of Kucukburun Mountain, offering a fantastic view of the picturesque Antalya coastline.

This unique folk park was created by talented Turkish engineer Kutsal Iyicil, who decided to revive the memory of the ancient nomads, to tell the world the story of the Yuruks, to show their life and culture. Opened in 1986, the park has become popular soon and received the status of a national park of Turkey.

Each of the traditional nomadic tents, represented here, tells the history of the Yuruks in a certain historical period. Wax figures aimed to show the scenes of everyday life of ancient tribes. Some expositions demonstrate the daily life, the household utensils, and the traditional dress, some present the artisan’s craft; others show the traditional events and holidays, as well as ceremonial dresses of the Yuruks. One of the most valuable items in the museum is the original loom which was used for weaving famous Yuruk carpets.

The Yuruk Park is especially loved by young children as when they walk along the paths, they can meet pheasants and hens. Goats and sheep live in spacious aviaries as, it is well known, the nomadic people mostly practiced cattle breeding moving from place to place.