🏛️ Sivrihisar and Phrygia 2026: The Great Mosque, Midas Monument and Ancient Sites

حكايات تركية · Sep 28, 2026

Sivrihisar and Phrygia: timber architecture and rock-cut monuments

Excursions outside central Eskişehir reveal a varied heritage: Sivrihisar's historic mosque and old houses, followed by Phrygian rock-cut sites around Yazılıkaya and Han. For a comfortable pace, divide these into two outings and choose stops to suit your interest in history, walking and photography.

The Great Mosque: World Heritage in Sivrihisar
Sivrihisar's Ulu Cami is the town's leading landmark. It is one of five mosques inscribed in 2023 on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia.

Its present form reflects thirteenth-century architecture. Sixty-seven timber columns support the roof, and details inside include column capitals and a walnut minbar made using kündekâri, a technique that assembles wooden pieces into precise geometric compositions.

Allow time to appreciate the interior quietly and plan around prayer and worshippers. The mosque retains its religious function as well as its architectural significance.

The old town and clock tower
After the mosque, walk through the historic streets and houses before continuing to the clock tower and surrounding viewpoint. The tower's elevated setting gives views across the town's roofs, mosques and neighbouring rock formations.

Another possible stop is the Armenian Church of Surp Yerrortutyun, built in 1881 and also known as the Red Church because of its red cut-stone construction.

Pace the town walk in stages: the mosque and streets first, then the viewpoint, with a break before driving to archaeological sites outside the centre.

Pessinus: an archaeological stop nearby
Pessinus lies in Ballıhisar village, about 13 kilometres from Sivrihisar. The ancient city was associated with the worship of the mother goddess Cybele and contains remains from several periods, including Roman buildings and temples.

A visit helps explain the region before Seljuk and Ottoman times. Some finds are displayed at Eskişehir's Eti Archaeology Museum, making the site and museum a useful combination for following the archaeological story in more detail.

Which part of Phrygia will you visit?
The Phrygian valleys extend through parts of Eskişehir, Afyonkarahisar and Kütahya provinces. This guide focuses on Yazılıkaya Valley and Midas City in Eskişehir province.

Rock-carved façades, altars, cisterns, tombs and traces of old roads are scattered across the landscape. Identify your intended stops by name before leaving: some are far enough apart to require a drive.

The Midas Monument at Yazılıkaya
Midas Anıtı stands in Yazılıkaya village in Han district. Türkiye's Culture Portal places it about 80 kilometres from Eskişehir.

Dating to the first half of the sixth century BCE, the monument is around 17 metres high. It is a religious rock façade with geometric decoration and Phrygian inscriptions. The central niche was associated with the rituals of the mother goddess Matar, also known as Cybele.

Begin with the façade and its details, then choose a manageable part of the site route to explore surrounding carvings and structures. Add the Unfinished Monument or another valley landmark if time and the driving route allow.

For accurate navigation, search for: Midas Anıtı, Yazılıkaya, Han, Eskişehir.

Suggested outings
• First outing: Sivrihisar in the morning, including the mosque, old streets and clock tower. After a break, add Pessinus if time allows.

• Second outing: Yazılıkaya and the Midas Monument, followed by a selected walk and another rock-cut site nearby.

• With one day: choose Sivrihisar for architecture and historic streets, or Yazılıkaya for rock-cut archaeology and landscape walks.

Transport and visitor planning
A car or organised excursion offers flexibility between these scattered sites. If using public transport, confirm your return journey and the final connection to each site before leaving.

Wear shoes suited to natural paths, carry water and schedule exposed walks for the cooler parts of the day. Check official admission arrangements and opening times, which can differ between the mosque, church and archaeological sites.

Official sources
UNESCO — Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia
Türkiye Culture Portal — Sivrihisar Great Mosque
Sivrihisar Municipality — clock tower and viewing terrace
Türkiye Culture Portal — Sivrihisar's Armenian church
Türkiye Culture Portal — Pessinus archaeological site
Türkiye Culture Portal — Midas Monument
Türkiye Culture Portal — Yazılıkaya Valley and mountainous Phrygia

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🏛️ Sivrihisar and Phrygia 2026: The Great Mosque, Midas Monument and Ancient Sites

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