PLACES TO VISIT
Karahisar Castle
The Karahisar Castle (Karahisar Kalesi) which is located in a protected area within the city centre, is the place identified with the city for its closely associated with the formation of the name of Afyonkarahisar.
The history of the castle built on a volcanic mountain dates back to 1350 BCE. The Karahisar Castle was used for storing the state treasury during the Ottoman times. The castle is 226 meters high with a gorgeous view.
At the summit of the castle, traces of the Phrygians have been encountered, and there are many worship places dedicated to the Mother Goddess Kybele and 4 large cisterns. During the period of Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat, the walls were repaired, and a small mosque and a palace were built next to the castle. Also a must-see is the Maiden Tower, located somewhat higher next to the castle.
The Karahisar Castle has become a wishing place for those who want to marry, have children etc. Those who want to get married shout down from the Maiden Tower, saying "O my faith, my faith, O my golden throne, it is my time to get married". Sometimes "It is time to have a child " wishes rise from the castle. There is a rumour among the locals that those who go to the Karahisar Castle will stay in Afyonkarahisar for seven years.
Phrygian Valleys/Ayazini Ruins
It is known that the Ayazini Village (Ayazini köyü) was as settlement place since Phrygian Period. The family and single-person rock-cut tomb chambers from the Roman and Byzantine periods, the churches and rock-cut settlements from the Byzantine Period are carved works, as the land was suitable for such a settlement. There are masterpieces of art such as the grave chamber with standing lion figures, the grave chamber with columns, and a church carved into the rock with exterior and interior architecture work. In addition, there is the Avdalaz Castle (Avdalaz Kalesi), where the rock mass was carved and turned into a settlement, with a cistern inside. Phrygian tourism festivals are held every year in the Ayazini tourism centre. The village, which is considered Phrygia’s heart, will soon become a major tourist attraction titled, “Ayazini Village Tourist Reception Centre”.
Ayazini Rock Houses: The area around the entrance of the Ayazini District and on the left side to the town was formed of Tuff. The first settlements were carved into the formation already in the Early Byzantine Period. Some houses have single rooms, some are carved side by side and one on top of the other, adjacent to each other or separately. Some can be reached by steps, while others are reached through tunnel-like passages inside.
Ayazini Rock Tombs: The rock-cut tombs for family or single-person rock tombs belong to the Roman and Byzantine periods. Some of them are carved as double floors. The fact that the cemetery of Ayazini Town is in the same place, gives the important information that people preferred the same areas for cemeteries. The entrances to the grave chambers have facades with engraved Medusa heads, and triangular shaped pediment, which is followed by an ante-space, opening to the arched chamber with an arched door, which contain cist graves. Some of them are decorated with lion reliefs, and one with reliefs of the husband and wife.
Ayazini Church (Ayazini Kilisesi): It is a church carved into the rock in a steep tuff that you can see when entering the Ayazini Town. The characteristic of the church structure is that it has an apse and a dome carved into the rock surface as an exterior facade. It is a monastery structure built in the 1000s with the rock chambers adjacent to it.
Sultan Divani Mevlevihanesi
The establishment of the Sultan Divani Mevlevihanesi, one of the most important Mevlevi lodges in Anatolia after the Konya Mevlevihanesi, dates back to the 13th century. The mentioned Mevlevihane was built by Sultan Divani, one of the grandchildren in 7th generation of the famous Mevlana, in the 16th century, and became a very important centre among the Mevlevi orders.The Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge has been the centre of many activities related to Mawlawiyya, since its foundation. The meditation cells, where the dervishes used to seclude themselves for 1001 days, as well as their tombs are among the most important sections that visitors should see.
Afyon Ballon Tour
Ballon tours that start early i the morning allow you to see the city from a whole new perspective.If you want to explore the uniqe view of the lake with a ballon, the Mysterious City Afyonkarahisar is waitin for you.
Akdağ Nature Park
Akdağ Nature Park (Akdağ Tabiat Parkı), which contains the most beautiful examples of lush forests, vast meadows, water resources and wildlife, is a unique place for visitors who seek peace and want to be alone with nature.
Akdağ Nature Park was declared a "Wildlife Protection Area" by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. An excellent experience on the social facilities, horse-back riding routes, hiking, trekking and biking trails, wild life viewing points, canyons and caves, and the ponds await the excursionists and campers.
Historical Mansions
Each of the historical mansions in Afyonkarahisar constitutes the best examples of civil architecture. The Karahisar Castle and the Hıdırlık foothills, where these mansions are concentrated, and the neighbourhoods around the castle are the first residential areas. These places are under protection as urban sites. The mansions, where the historical houses of Afyonkarahisar are represented in the best way, have been restored and opened to tourism. These historical mansions, where you will take a journey in history during your visit, serve as a museum, restaurant, café and boutique hotel in our days.
Afyonkarahisar Thermal Springs
Afyonkarahisar is known as the thermal capital of Türkiye. As such, the city is most famous for its thermal facilities, physical therapy, medical spa facilities, and natural therapies. Afyonkarahisar, which has all the resources required for health tourism with its thermal springs, springs, mud baths and mineral waters, offers great opportunities to local and foreign tourists.
The city where people find healing since thousands of years, the "City of Healing Afyonkarahisar" is also known under the name "Healing Phrygia". Afyonkarahisar is one of the richest basins in the world with its mineral-rich thermal sources. In Afyonkarahisar services are provided by specialist doctors and physiotherapists in thermal tourism centres, each operating in different specialities.
The thermal hotels in the city, have thermal pools, indoor and outdoor pools, children's pools, family pools, Jacuzzis, mud baths, sauna, steam room, massage room, aromatherapy room, skin care room, salt room, straw room, sand room in the most thermal hotels operating in the city , There is also provided ozone sauna, foot detox and doctor fish. Some thermal facilities also provide physical therapy units.İhsaniye Gazlıgöl, Bolvadin and Sandıklı Thermal Springs and mud baths are known as important thermal centres and healing points in Afyonkarahisar.
2019 UNESCO Gastronomy City AFYONKARAHİSAR
The developed agriculture and animal husbandry in Afyonkarahisar were among the determining factors of the city's food culture, traditional cuisine and local delicacies. The most frequently used are products, grown in the region, and meat and dairy products of Afyonkarahisar. With its rich cuisine, Afyon has been included in the UNESCO "Creative Cities Network" in the field of gastronomy in 2019.
Also, with its difference and reputation; Afyon Kaymağı (Cream), Afyon Kaymaklı Ekmek Kadayıfı (sweet pastry with cream and syrup), Afyon Bacon, Afyon Sausage, Afyonkarahisar Potato Bread (Afyonkarahisar patatesli ekmek), cherry from the Çay District, and Şuhut Keşkeği (keshkek), are among the geographically marked Proprietary Products.
Besides these flavours, of which one can never have enough, mercimekli bükme, the eggplant, which is used in more than 20 dishes; ağzıaçık, haşhaşlı bükme, sakala çarpan, çullama köfte, Özbek pilavı, ekmek kadayıfı, vişneli ekmek kadayıfı, ilibada dolması and many more is offered to the visitors.
