Church of Virgin Mary
The Church of the Virgin Mary is located in Ayazini and is thought to have been built between the 8th and 10th centuries AD. This building is also known as the Carved Church and Gavur Hamam. The name of the church comes from a monogram in relief technique, meaning ‘Mother of God’, found in the eastern part of the south narthex. The name Oyma Kilise is derived from the fact that the structure was carved into a single tuff rock, while the name Gavur Hamamı (Gavur Bath) was given because it was used as a bathhouse and a sign that it was used by non-Muslims, as large cauldrons were boiled in it for bathing at weddings. In addition, the interior of the church was blackened as a result of the fires lit.
The church has a triple apse arrangement and this structure is thought to face Jerusalem. In this building, which has very good acoustics, there are cross reliefs and inscriptions. In addition, traces of the collapsed six pillars of the columns can also be seen. The plan of the church resembles the shape of a Greek cross and consists of three main parts: side, rear and main volume. The main volume is covered with a dome in the centre and vaults between the walls and piers on the sides. The inner room (Naos) has a curved and semicircular structure. Inside the church, there are arched niches carved on the walls and relief crosses between them. On the side wall of the entrance, there is a relief of letters meaning ‘Mother of God’ in Greek.
Another important feature of the church from the Byzantine period and symbolising the transition to Turkish rule is the stamps of Turkish tribes engraved on the walls of the entrance corridor and narthex. The stamps belonging to the Kayı, Afşar, Bayat and Eymir tribes are witnesses of the periods when Anatolia was under Turkish rule. During the 1921 War of Independence, the site was adopted by Greek soldiers and used for both religious and military ceremonies. This shows that the site was an important place not only for one community but also for many communities.
World's First Apartment
The Metropolis of Ayazini is a historical and unique building that pioneered the concept of modern storeyed settlements. Carved into the southeastern slope of a rock extending in the northeast-southwest direction, this structure has a three-storey arrangement and draws attention with its interconnecting rooms. The settlement consists of large and small rooms and is welcomed with a large hall-like room. On the right side of this room, there are stairs carved out of the rock leading to the upper floors, while the rooms on the left have vaulted ceilings and flat walls, and the rooms on the opposite side are oval-shaped and have hollows in different forms on the floor. In addition, wooden pole pits and silos can be seen on the floor of the large room, while the walls show traces of beam holes and screens related to the room layout.
Access to the upper floor is possible via a staircase carved into the rock through a small room. This floor was probably used as a meeting room and there are eight seats with niches carved into the wall. These seats may be related to the administrators who attended the meetings. One of the interesting features of the floor is the alaturka toilet, which is recognised as the oldest toilet in the world. Opposite the seats, there are large and deep silo pits on the floor. The floor is lit by small windows. The top floor is accessed by a sloping and steep passage and contains three rooms. The observation towers still existing on the hilly area on the opposite side of the building carry the traces of the past to the present day.
Ayazini Metropolis is also known as the place where King Midas' daughter Suna visited in search of healing for her illness and continued her life after finding health from the healing waters of Gazlıgöl. This historical and healing aura makes Ayazini an attractive destination not only for history buffs but also for health tourism. The building is also known as ‘the world's first apartment building’, and its three storeys and transitional rooms point to a pioneering architectural feature.
Noble Tomb
The Noble Tomb is a remarkable historical and architectural structure located at the back of the village cemetery at the entrance of Ayazini. It is thought that this tomb belongs to a prominent family of the village and was known as the ‘Tomb of Nobles’ in time.
The upper facade of the tomb is designed with a high triangular pediment. On the upper half of the pediment, although the surface is worn, there may be a Medusa relief or wreath motifs. On the arched pediment above the entrance door, there is probably a relief of a goddess with outstretched arms.
On both sides of the arch, two Phrygian lion reliefs facing each other (antithetic) are noteworthy. To the right of the entrance door is a relief of a cross in the form of a Latin cross with anchored ends, and this detail may indicate the religious significance of the tomb.
The interior of the burial chamber contains three niche tombs and two simple kick-type tombs. Above the niche tomb in the centre of the chamber are two lion reliefs facing each other, a detail repeated on the exterior and emphasising the high status of the occupants. On the ceiling there is a crescent moon relief, while on the right and left inner sides of the entrance there are reliefs of a woman and a man respectively.
With its historical richness, artistic details and unique architecture, the Noble Tomb reflects both the cultural values and artistic taste of the past to the visitors.
Avdalaz Castle
Avdalaz Castle stands out as one of the remarkable historical buildings of the Ayazini Metropolis. This gigantic tuff rock mass was carved and built by the Phrygians in the II or III century BC for shelter and defense purposes. The castle, which attracts attention with its multi-storey and multi-room structure, provided efficient storage of water thanks to its cisterns, which provided practical solutions to the water needs of the settlers at that time.
On the south side of the fortress, there are more carving and living areas, maximizing the use of sunlight. The passages between these areas made it easier for the Phrygians to move quickly in case of emergency. There is also a 30-meter long tunnel built at an angle of about 30 degrees inside the fortress, which is now blocked with stones. Whether this tunnel was a water well or a secret passage to be used in case of danger is still a mystery.
After the Phrygians, the castle was also used during the Byzantine and Roman periods and has been home to many civilizations throughout its history. The impressive view of Avdalaz Castle can also be observed from the point where the king and queen greeted the people, indicating that the structure functioned not only as a defense but also as a social center.
Academy
It is a unique settlement shaped by the carving of tuff-formed rocks during the Early Byzantine Period. The houses are generally built with one room or adjacent to each other, some of them are accessed by steps, while others are carefully designed to be reached from the inside by tunnels. These houses, which reflect the historical atmosphere and natural beauties of Ayazini, are monuments that carry the traces of the past to the present.
Böcü Caves
The Kaynarca locality of Kıyır Village in the Phrygian Valley is a rock-carved settlement known as Böcü Caves. This unique settlement is located on the southern slope of Laleli Hill on the slopes extending to the south. Situated on tuff terrain and surrounded by fairy chimneys, this area contains many rock-cut churches and settlements dating from the Byzantine Period. The Böcü Dens of the Phrygian Valley attracts attention with its magnificent natural formations and historical heritage. Surrounded by fairy chimneys, this settlement is enriched with numerous rock-carved churches and settlements from the Byzantine Period. These ancient structures offer visitors the opportunity to discover the unique atmosphere of the Phrygian Valley by combining historical and natural beauties. Böcü Lairs represents an important historical heritage that carries the traces of the past to the present in this region that combines natural and cultural richness.
Fairy Chimneys
In Afyonkarahisar province, along the Tourism Belt Road from Bolvadin to Döğer, there are volcanic landscapes with particularly dense fairy chimneys. These impressive natural formations are spectacularly displayed in the town of Seydiler in the district of Iscehisar and the surrounding valleys. The town of Seydiler is located on the side of the Afyonkarahisar-Ankara road, providing easy access to the fairy chimneys.
In addition, Kıyır village, Ayazini town and Bayramaliler village are home to large and various fairy chimneys. While these natural formations significantly increase the touristic attractiveness of the region, they offer a unique nature tour opportunity to tourists who want to discover the immense beauty of nature together with historical ruins.
Aslankaya
Aslankaya on the shore of Lake Emre, one of the unique riches of the Phrygian Valley located between İhsaniye district, Döğer Town and Üçlerkayası Village, represents an eye-catching historical structure. Located on the south face of a high rock, Aslankaya has a temple facade with a vertically cut gable roof. There are two sphinxes (lions with human heads) facing each other in the beam spaces of the gable roof and a relief of Cybele between two lions in a niche on the main façade. The main façade is decorated with impressive geometric reliefs. Both sides of the monument are elaborately carved, and on the north side is a roaring figure of a lion rearing up on two legs. This impressive structure represents a heritage that reeks of history, as it may have been built in the VII century BC.
Aslantas
The Aslantas Monument, as part of the Ihsaniye district, is the legacy of the Phrygians, one of the mysterious civilisations of antiquity. Dating to the late VII century BC, this structure is considered to be the final resting place of a Phrygian king. The doorway in the centre of the monument clearly marks the entrance to the burial chamber and bears witness to the ancient world's rituals of death and beyond. The two lion figures on the front of the monument, standing as sentinels guarding the tomb, reflect the Phrygian themes of power and protection. Under each lion, the reliefs of lion cubs, of which only traces can be seen now, have faded under the erosive effect of nature over time.
The relief of the tree of life, of which only the trunk can be recognised, is considered as a symbol of the rebirth of nature and life in the ancient world. These elements in the design of the monument contain deep meanings about how the Phrygians perceived both life in this world and life after death. The monument is also an indication of the Phrygians' religious beliefs and the subtleties in their understanding of art, and the fact that they regarded these monuments as sacred symbols passed down from generation to generation.
The Aslantas Monument, as a magnificent example of rock tombs and relief art, carries the artistic and architectural achievements of the Phrygian civilisation to the present day. The erosion marks on the surface of the monument, as a document of the natural factors to which it has been exposed over the centuries, reveal the difficulties and continuity of a prehistoric civilisation. This monument is considered a living document of Phrygian history and provides valuable insights into the cultural and religious practices of the people who lived in this part of the ancient world.
Ancient King's Road
This ancient road has a rich history of thousands of years and its total length is about 500 kilometres. Since ancient times, the road bears traces of the vehicles that were used thousands of years ago. Some sections of this road can be two to two and a half metres deep, and these depths are caused by the tracks left by metal-wheeled vehicles on the rocks. The wheels cut the rocks like knives, creating deep crevices, which have resulted in long scuff marks on some parts of the road. Each of these deep and long scars indicates a time difference of at least a hundred years between the track beneath it. It reveals how the road was used continuously for thousands of years and how it was eroded over time. During the Phrygian kingdom, this road was frequently used by kings and important people. Therefore, it is astonishing to think that there are countless kings and important people who have travelled this road throughout history.
Maltas
Located in the Phrygian Valley, about 500 metres away from the monuments of Aslantaş and Yılantaş, Maltaş is a building that is now at the same level with the ground. This ancient building attracts attention with its triangular roof, facades decorated with geometric motifs and inscriptions on it. Maltas, which was probably built in the VII century BC, forms the cultural and historical texture of the region together with other monuments such as Aslantas and Yılantas.
The geometric motifs on the gable roof reflect the aesthetic understanding and architectural skills of that period. These motifs show that the building was designed not only as a functional element but also as an aesthetic object. The inscriptions on it convey the historical and cultural information of antiquity to us, thus carrying the language of the past to the present.
The Maltas monument represents the richness of the cultural heritage of the Phrygian Valley with its architectural features and the fact that it was built in the VII century BC. This monument is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Phrygian Valley, which bears the traces of the ancient period. It offers a unique experience to history enthusiasts and researchers. Visiting Maltas gives the opportunity to open a window to the past and provides a valuable experience for visitors who want to discover the historical richness of the region.
Memec Cliffs
Memec Cliffs are famous for the Memec Rock Church, which is located in İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar and has a remarkable historical heritage. This church is located on the road to Lake Emre, about four kilometres from Döğer Town. This church, which is easy to access, is a unique structure created by carving volcanic tuff rocks. The walls of this church, which is dated between the VIIth and Xth centuries, were completely demolished in time, thus leaving the interior of the building exposed.
Memec Cliffs is not only of historical and religious importance, but also a cultural symbol. Cem Yilmaz, one of the well-known names of Turkish cinema, preferred to shoot in this unique landscape for his 2008 film ‘A.R.O.G.’, and the most important scenes of the film were recorded in this area. These rocks, which are part of the Phrygian Valley, also offer favourable conditions for visitors who like camping with its flat terrain.
This meaningful and impressive geography offers visitors a journey in time with its natural beauties and historical depth, and gives the opportunity to discover its rich history from the Phrygians to the present day. Memec Cliffs and Rock Church are among the must-see values of Afyonkarahisar. This region continues to be an attractive destination for both local and international visitors.
