Turkey Guide: Afyon

 Turkey Guide: Afyon

Brief notes from the area

Afyonkarahisar has always been one of the most important crossroads of the country. You can still see many interprovincial busses stopping there for a break.

Excavations conducted at the Sandıklı Kusura Höyüğü have exhumed numerous artifacts and assemblages from the periods of the Hittites and the Phrygians, rock temples dedicated to Ana Tanrıça, and figurines belonging to the Roman period all inviting attentions from around the world.

 “Afyon” in Turkish means “Opium” in English, an interesting historical name as it appears on the coins found at the ancient city of Synnada. 

In the province that is reach in terms of ancient history, a museum of archaeology in the province exhibits ruins and artifacts chronologically along with many other Museums Important numbers and addresses and historical buildings.

A fire experienced in the province in 1902 required re-planning of the town but as this had to be done in in 6 months and reconstruction to be finished in 3 years, the buildings are in an eye-catching order and they do not block the view of each other. 

Afyonkarahisar that harbors lots of ruins and other worth-visiting sites, specifically the rock settlements and tombs, was built in about 3.000 B.C. 

With a castle that was active in the Roman, Byzantium, and Seljuk periods and many other historical buildings like caravanserais, baths, madrasahs, bridges, and mosques belonging to the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, the city is still center of attraction, this time with its thermal treatment offerings from many parts of the country and the world.

The province is reputed with its thermal tourism and hotels serving for this purpose.

Districts

Başmakçı, Bayat, Bolvadin, Çay, Çobanlar, Dazkırı, Dinar, Emirdağ, Evciler, Hocalar, İhsaniye, İscehisar, Kızılören, Sandıklı, Sincanlı, Sultandağı, Şuhut

Important settlements    

Bolvadin, Çay, Dinar, Emirdağ, Sandıklı, Sultandağı, İhsaniye

Sightseeing 

Afyon Fortress

Sultan Divani Mevlevi (Sufi) Lodge

Gazlıgöl Thermal Tourism Center

Sandıklı-Hüdai Thermal Tourism Center

Ömer-Gecek Thermal Tourism Center

Bolvadin-Heybeli Thermal Tourism Center

Memeç Rock Church

İhsaniye Döğer Ruins

Döğer Caravanserai

Imaret mosque and courtyard

Buzluk Cave

Tea Caravanserai

Commander-in-Chief National Park

Dokimaia Ancient City

Synnada Ancient City

Goynus Valley Open Air Temple

Karacamal Cave

Ayazini Church

Apameia Ancient City

Sandıklı Castle

Kurtini Cave

Avdalas Castle

Ifli Kaya Church

Yedikapılar Monastery

Saricayır Rock Tombs

Phryg Valley

Karahisar Castle

Afyon Grand Mosque

Amorium Ancient City

Museums

1-Archaeological Museum

Address: Kurtuluş Street No: 96 / AFYON

Telephone: 0-272-215 11 91 

Fax : 0-272-213 39 75

Afyonkarahisar Archaeological Museum is open for visits between 8.30-12.00 and 13.00-17.30 ever day except Monday.

2-Zafer Museum (Chief Commander Historical National Park Directorate):

Address: Opposite Anıtpark, Next to the Governor's Office/AFYON

Telephone: 0-272- 214 74 42

Zafer Museum can be visited during working hours on weekdays. 

3-Sultan Divani Mevlevi (Sufi) Lodge

Address: The neighborhood of Mevlana. Türbe Str. No:17 / AFYON

Sultan Divani Mevlevi (Sufi) Museum

Telephone: 0-272 - 214 50 91

4-Bolvadin Municipal  Museum

Address: The neighborhood of Yakup Şevki Paşa.  

Bolvadin - AFYONKARAHİSAR

Telephone: 0-272- 612 75 99

Photographs: Afyon Municipality