HISTORY OF AFYONKARAHİSAR

PHRYGIAN VALLEY

Phrygia, which stretched across the region between Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Eskişehir, and Kütahya, and the Phrygians, who established a remarkable civilization some 3,000 years ago, remain among the legends still traced today. Designed as a thematic cultural route and opened in 2013, the Phrygian Way comprises three main routes, including long walking and cycling paths that meet international standards, enabling travelers to explore Phrygia.

The Phrygian Valley, which was established 3,000 years ago by the Phrygians (the oldest people in history, according to the Greek historian Herodotus), who gave the region its name, by carving houses, castles, and monuments into the rocks, is a truly unique region worth seeing for its boundless beauty and untouched nature. The Phrygian Kingdom, one of the unique civilizations that left its mark on Anatolian history, has been the subject of numerous mythological stories. This valley, where the Phrygians lived for centuries, has also hosted diverse cultures and civilizations throughout history. Surrounded by Phrygian rock monuments and rock settlements, the valley also contains burial chambers and churches from the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Due to the easily processed volcanic tuff rock structure of the region and its geopolitical location, Ayazini was used as a settlement area by the Phrygians, as well as by the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans, who were among the civilizations that shaped civilization.

Because the region is composed entirely of easily worked rock, shelters and castles are found there for shelter, and numerous churches and chapels are found there, stemming from their religious beliefs. Recent investments have contributed to the region's appeal.

Virgin Mary Church

The Church of the Virgin Mary, the most striking and unique structure in Ayazini, is also known as the Carved Church and the Gavur Bath. The structure takes its current name from the monogram meaning "Mother of God," carved in relief in the eastern section of the church's south narthex.

The arrangement of the triple apse, perceptible from the outside, is the most significant feature that distinguishes the structure from other rock-hewn churches in Anatolia, and it is rumored to overlook Jerusalem. Inside this church, a historical and cultural marvel with superb acoustics, cross reliefs and inscriptions are found, and traces of the collapsed six pillars of the columns are visible.

The monument dates back to the Byzantine period, and the entrance corridor and narthex walls bear inscribed with seals belonging to various Turkish tribes. These seals, understood to belong to the Kayı, Afşar, Bayat, and Eymir tribes, are living witnesses to the periods when Anatolia came under Turkish rule.

ASİL'S TOMB

The tomb chamber, with its monumental façade dating back to the Roman period, features a triangular pediment that stands out as a continuation of the Phrygian tradition. In the center of the upper half of the pediment is a worn-out Medusa relief.

On either side of the relief arch are two seated lions, facing each other. To the right of the entrance is an incised cross with anchored ends, in the shape of a Latin cross. On either side of the arch are reliefs of two Phrygian lions, facing each other (antithetically). Three arcosolium tombs (rock-cut tombs with niches) are located on the walls of the tomb chamber, and two simple chamosorions (rock-cut tombs) are in the center. In the center of the chamber, opposite the door, on top of the arcosolium tomb are reliefs of two lions, facing each other. On the ceiling of the chamber are a crescent moon, and on the right side of the entrance are reliefs of a woman and on the left side are reliefs of a man. The presence of two lion reliefs facing each other, as on the exterior, indicates that the tomb occupants held very special status.

ASLANTAS TOMB MONUMENT

The doorway at the front of the Phrygian-era Aslantaş rock-cut tomb features two majestic lions standing on either side, each with a lion cub at its feet. Above the doorway is a relief of a mass resembling a tree of life, surmounted by a winged sun disk extending to either side. The presence of steps at the top of the tomb suggests that ceremonies were held at regular intervals before the monumental tomb. Aslantaş is believed to be the tomb of an important Phrygian king and was built in the 7th century BC.

MALTA TEMPLE

Cybele is an open-air temple with a gabled facade and a mihrab. At the rear of the monument is a well with its covers and an altar. It is believed that this area behind the monument was used for offerings to the goddess Cybele.

Ancient King's Road

The Phrygian Way, or "Ancient King's Road," is one of Türkiye's most popular cultural routes. Its geological structure consists of tufa rocks and features mysterious traces approximately two meters deep, believed to have served as a trade route. The route, a long walking and cycling route built to international standards for modern travelers to follow the Phrygians' footsteps, was registered by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1994.

MEMEC KAYALIKLARI

These ruins, dating from the 8th to the 10th centuries AD, include Byzantine-era living spaces and a chapel carved into the cliffs. On the steep southern surface, churches, burial chambers, and shelters were excavated during the Byzantine period. The most important of these is the church shaft in the center. The film AROG, which brings the Stone Age atmosphere to the audience, was shot in 2008 on the Memeç Rocks in the Döğer town of İhsaniye. The unique structure of the Phrygian Valley was used to create a Stone Age feeling, and the valley's caves, water wells, and flat areas are featured in many scenes of the AROG film.

TRINITY ROCK

In and around Üçlerkayası village, in the İhsaniye district, are Roman and Byzantine-era rock settlements, monumental burial chambers, Roman tombs, and water cisterns on the upper reaches of the rocks. Some of the multi-story rock settlements surrounding the massive rock mass, which gave rise to the name Üçlerkayası, have not yet been excavated. Furthermore, the fairy chimneys and ancient roads in the area are a major tourist attraction.

HEAD RIGHT

Built between 1272 and 1277 in Afyonkarahisar, the Ulu Mosque, built on 40 wooden pillars without a single nail, remains standing tall after nearly 750 years. It has become a rare example of Turkish woodcarving and stonemasonry, and a symbol of aesthetics. A fine example of Anatolian Seljuk architecture with its wooden architecture and glazed brickwork with diamond-shaped inlays, the Ulu Mosque is among the few mosques in the world and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

NATIONAL BATH

It is a fine example of Ottoman architecture. The northern section of the bathhouse is for the men's section, while the southern section is for the women's. It is a masonry structure constructed of rubble and cut stone. Originally known as the "Gavur Hamam" because it was built by Armenian craftsmen, it is now known as the "Millet Hamam." The historic bathhouse was registered as a historical monument requiring preservation in 1981 and was restored between 2003 and 2005. The Millet Hamam, where bathhouse culture is preserved, faithfully displayed with cold, warm, and hot sections, bathhouse tools and equipment, and bathhouse traditions, combines culture, education, and history. It awaits its guests.

GASTRONOMY MUSEUM

& CULTURE HOUSE

It is a three-story, adobe-and-wood structure with a stone base, reflecting the characteristics of late Ottoman architecture. The first floor of this structure houses the Gastronomy Museum, which houses rooms for making Turkish delight, sausage, and poppy seeds, along with rooms for recreating old kitchens and spaces for daily living.

The second floor of the building is home to the House of Culture and Art, which is one of the first places you should visit to see the city's thousands of years of traditions and cultural characteristics. Afyonkarahisar culture is brought to life with silicone sculptures in rooms decorated with various furniture and antiques.

The ground floor is the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Farrier Museum, where various farrier equipment such as oxcarts, heifers, horse ploughs, scarves, pitchforks and rakes are exhibited, including artifacts used in the Seljuk and Ottoman States, in the early years of the Republic of Turkey and in some regions today.

STONE MADRASA

It is part of the Gedik Ahmet Pasha Complex, one of the most important structures built in Afyonkarahisar during the Ottoman period. Consisting of a total of 26 domes, the madrasa has a large rectangular courtyard running east-west. The domes are intersected by Turkish triangles. The Stone Madrasa, which exhibits the fundamental characteristics of Ottoman madrasas with open courtyards and porticoes, features porticoes on two sides, seven cells on each side, and a classroom to the east.

Today, in keeping with its historical mission, the madrasa hosts religious and scholarly activities and the revival of traditional Turkish-Islamic arts. Master craftsmen offer courses in prayer beads, headscarves, felt, glass beads, horn combs, silver and mother-of-pearl embroidery, weaving, marbling, knife-cutting, and wood carving.

BEDESTENER BAZAAR

A covered bazaar was previously built here by Cağaloğlu Rüstem Pasha between 1550 and 1553 by Mimar Sinan, but it fell into disrepair about a century after its construction. The current Hacı Bekir Tiryaki Bedesten was built in its place by a French architect and an Armenian master craftsman. Opening onto the street from four directions, the building has a main entrance on the south. The six gates of the covered bazaar are connected by internal streets, and shops line both sides of the streets. These shops, which primarily specialize in haberdashery, stock wool yarn, lace thread, headscarves, muslin, fabrics, and all manner of needlework materials. Local costumes, henna bags, and covers used in weddings can also be seen.

27. Tashan

Built in the 17th century by Kadı Abdullah Efendi and his shoemaker tradesmen, the historic Taşhan has long served the city's trade. Completed in 2018, this impressive two-story, rubble-built inn underwent renovations and houses shops selling local handicrafts in its lower section. You can find a wide range of products unique to Afyonkarahisar, from carpets and rugs to paintings and decorative items. There are also workshops for felt and prayer beads makers, as well as marbling and reed flute artists.

VICTORY MUSEUM

This is the building where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk arrived in Afyon by car, descending from Kocatepe, after the conquest of Afyon by the 189th Regiment of the 8th Division at 5:30 PM on August 27, 1922. At that moment, this building was declared the headquarters of the Western Front. Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Chief of the General Staff Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, and Western Front Commander İsmet İnönü stayed in separate rooms in this building, which were then designated in their names. This building is where the plans for the Battle of the Commander-in-Chief on August 30, 1922, were drawn up and the attack orders were given.

ŞUHUT ATATÜRK HOUSE

The Hacıvelioğlu Mansion served as the joint headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief, General Staff, Western Front Command, and 1st Army Command on August 24-25, 1922. It was here that Mustafa Kemal Pasha made the final preparations for the Great Offensive and ordered the severance of all communication between Anatolia and the outside world.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha's study in the mansion has been redecorated in its original form. It features a divan facing the window, a closet opposite, a desk, a wardrobe, and a flowerpot and lamp. Additionally, the mansion's first floor houses an exhibition of paintings depicting the War of Independence.

KOCATEPE MONUMENT

Istiqlal Promotion Center

The Independence Promotion Center, established to instill in future generations an understanding of how the homeland was conquered and to instill its spirit, is a panoramic museum depicting the Great Offensive and the War of Independence. Three-dimensional models of monuments and important structures at the site are provided to provide visitors with a better understanding and a realistic portrayal of the Great Offensive. The Independence Promotion Center is located on the route along which the Greek Army attempted to retreat to Dumlupınar after the Battles of August 26-27, the scene of the fiercest fighting.

GIRESUNLULAR MARTYRDOM CEMETERY

The Greek army occupying our country took up positions in the "Kabaçkırar" and "Dedesivrisi" positions within the district's Doğanlar and Karaağaç villages. During the battle, 14 Giresun soldiers were martyred when the Greeks, upon spotting the approaching Turkish soldiers, opened fire. Ahmet Halis, who went down to Doğanlar village to fetch water for his friends, returned with canisters of water to find 14 of his friends martyred. The martyrs were buried where they lay amid prayers and tears. After a 36-hour offensive, the Giresun soldiers succeeded in driving the enemy from Dedesivri.

After the War of Independence ended, Ahmet Halis Asal, a member of the Giresun War Veterans Association, came to the village of Doğanlar in 1964 to visit the battlefields and the graves of his comrades. He decided to build a memorial for his comrades. Asal, who had made a last will and testament: "When I die, bury me next to my martyred comrades. Do not separate me from my martyred comrades," died in 1977. He was taken from Giresun to be buried alongside his comrades in the Giresunlular Martyrs' Cemetery, becoming the 15th person to be buried.