Afyon Attractions
West Anatolian highland
Afyon, the provincial capital, lies on the western edge of a large basin in the northern foothills of the Sandikli Dag.
Afyon, the provincial capital, lies on the western edge of a large basin in the northern foothills of the Sandikli Dag.
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Karahisar
Although probably standing on older (Cyclopean) foundations of the Hittite period, the fortress ruins, which now crown the isolated trachyte outcrop high above the center of Afyon, date back to Alaeddin Keykubad I (1219-36). Vestiges of a tower (Kiz Kulesi) and remnants of substantial walls, cisterns, a palace and a small mosque (1235) survive. The hilltop also commands a fine view over the town.
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Ulu Cami
The Ulu Cami at Afyon dates from the late 13th C and although nondescript on the outside, boasts of an impressive interior.
Altigöz Köprüsü
On the northern edge of Afyon, near the railway station, the Akar Çayi is spanned by a Seljuk bridge bearing an inscription from the year 1209.
Imaret Külliyesi
The Imaret Külliyesi in Afyon, with a colored marble portal, is typical of a 15th century Ottoman stone building. Constructed in 1472 (renovated 1477), with a medrese and baths, it is also known as the Gedik Ahmet Pasa Külliyesi after its founder Mehmet, one of the conquering viziers. The medrese, asymmetric in plan, with an open schoolroom for summer use and an enclosed one for winter, now houses the ethnographic museum.
Mevlevihane Camii
The Mevlevihane Camii in Afyon (1710; in Kuyulu Cadde) is a shrine of major significance to the Dervish Order, being second only in importance to the Mevlana türbe and monastery at Konya. Many monks of the Order are buried here. Various items belonging to the Order can be seen on display in a small museum.
Old Town
The old part of the town of Afyon with its narrow alleyways, interesting old houses and market, which is well worth visiting, clusters around the foot of the citadel hill.
Wars of Liberation Museum
The Wars of Liberation Museum, devoted to the historic Turkish victory at Dumlupinar (1922), occupies the former town hall in Afyon.
Zafer Abidesi
Standing in the main street (Cumhuriyet Meydani) in the town center of Afyon near the park, the Zafer Aniti Victory Memorial commemorates the Battle of Dumlupinar (58km/36mi northwest) where, on September 27th 1922, Kemal Pasa (Atatürk) vanquished the opposing Greek forces.
Afyon Surroundings
Arslankaya (Kaya Kabartmasi)
Situated 40km/25mi north of Afyon to the east of Ihsaniye/Döger, this Phrygian site (not easy to find; guide recommended) was dedicated to the cult of Cybele. There is an altar with a niche and a shrine cut into a huge tuff monolith embellished with a relief. The figure of Cybele is flanked by two large lions (hence the name, meaning "lion-skin") with two sphinxes on the rock gable above.
Arslantas
The "Lion Stone", among a cluster of rocks known as "Asarlik" about 3km/2mi west of Ayazini, is another Phrygian rock shrine. It too features a pair of lions in relief.
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Ayazini, Turkey
The city of Ayazini is known for its cave dwellings that are similar in nature to the ones located at Cappadocia.
Kapikaya
Also known as Kybele Kapikaya or Büyük Kapikaya, this Phrygian monument on open ground northeast of Liyen (40km/25mi north of Afyon) is again of interest - a rock niche with a surround in geometric design (Maeander relief) and a carved figure of Cybele.
Aci Göl
This 153sq.km/59sq.mile salt lake (altitude: 836m/2,742ft) south of Dazkiri dries out almost completely in summer, a white salt crust forming over it. Known in antiquity as Anaua Limnae, the historian Herodotus records that Xerxes and Alexander the Great both marched their armies along its shores.
Anitkaya, Turkey
Anitkaya (formerly Egret), a village 30km/19mi northwest of Afyon, lays claim not just to one but two Seljuk caravanserais. The Egret Hani is a triple-aisled hall-like building dating from the 13th century, with a columned portal and interior arcades. The Yenice Köy Hani, only 5km/3mi northwest, is thought to be of Early Seljuk origin.
Baskomutan
Two large country areas, scene in 1922 of decisive engagements during the Turkish War of Liberation against the Greeks, are now National Parks (signposted). One lies immediately south of Afyon, the other north of Dumlupinar (53km/33mi to the west).
Within the park is an Open Air Museum and Memorial, as well as cafes with music and entertainment.
Within the park is an Open Air Museum and Memorial, as well as cafes with music and entertainment.
Bolvadin, Turkey
As well as two Ottoman caravanserais, Selcuklu Han and Kursunlu Han, Bolvadin, 60km/40mi east of Afyon, has a bridge built by Sinan (Kirkgöz Köprüsü), the Alaca Fountain, the Esireddin Ebheri Türbe, the Rüstempasa Camii which are well worth a visit, and the Rüstempasa Hani (Ottoman caravanserai). Formerly a caravan halt, Bolvadin (Byzantine "Polybotum") was fortified against the Seljuks in the 12th century though nothing from that period now survives.
Sources of the Maeander
Not far from Dinar rise several sources of the Büyük Menderes (Great Maeander River), tributaries of which include the Orgas (flowing north), Obrimas (flowing south) and Marsyas. Between the Samsun-Ak Dag and the Kir-Kizkuyu Dag, two mountain ranges east of the town, stretches an extensive polje (depression), the Dombay Ovasi, harboring the very swampy Çapali Gölü (ancient: Aulokrene reed lake). The basin traps water from a number of surface streams and large karst springs (Kavak Pinari, Pinarbasi), which then disappears into a karst swallow hole (ponor) at the foot of Akdag on the western edge of the swamp before emerging again on the far (west) side of the uplands in the guise of sources of the Maeander. The river has three principal sources at the western foot of the Samsun-Ak Daglari: the southern source near Bülüç Alani, the main source on the eastern outskirts of Dinar, and the northern source "Kapi Pinari" 20km/12mi northwest near Gökgöl which are all karst springs emitting substantial volumes of water, most of it drawn from the mountainous hinterland to the east via the karst drainage systems.
