Historical Sites Nearby
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Gordion (Yassıhöyük)
Yassıhöyük (Gordion), the former capital of Phyrgians, is located near Polatlı (on Izmir highway), about 93 kilometers away from Ankara and was named after King Gordios, founder and ruler of this state. A high passage and houses belonging to royal family was founded on the excavations made on the upper part of the city. Tumuli are also discovered and the most famous one belongs to King Midas with its 53 meters height and 300 meters width and it is the second biggest tomb of the world in its type.
Today the Gordion Museum chronologically displays artifacts and every period is represented with characteristic examples; pots, pans, tools made from steel and textile looms from Antique Bronze Age, Pre-Phrygian Period which was ended with King Midas. Moreover Greek ceramics of BC 6 – AD 4, materials belonging to Hellenistic Age and Roman times, the seals and coins are also being exhibited.
According to “Gordion Knot Legend”, only the person ruling Asia could untie the Knot. When Alexander the Great occupies Anatolia he cut the knot with his sword and seized the key of conquering Anatolia.
The excavations still continues on the area and you can see several historical remains while wandering around. Artifacts such as bronze seals, cauldrons, bowls and plates, ornamented cauldron handles, and terracotta wall decorations belonging to Hittites and Phrygians, statue of Phrygian Goddess Kybele are now being exhibited at Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi.
Gavurkale (Pagan Castle)
Constructed on a hill, 60 meters from the bed of Dedeyakup River,
Gavurkale is 60 kilometers Southwest of Ankara. Name given by the locals due
to the old and demolished walls around it. According to the results of excavations
it is supposed that the Hittites constructed upper walls of the castle. The
second layer carries traces of Phrygian culture. Since there was not many artifacts
found it is believed that the Romans and Byzantium used Gavurkale as a jail.
Karalar köyü
Karalar is a small village about 60 km northwest of Ankara.
The village has been a continuous residential area for centuries. The remains
of a Galatian castle were discovered on the excavations at Sarkaya. Artifacts
of Hellenistic period are found in the tumuli. Moreover the antique coins tell
us existence of trade relations between Egypt and Syria.
Karaoğlan
Karaoğlan is 25 km south of Ankara on Konya highway. This
tumulus consists layers of Old Bronze Age, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman
and Byzantium periods. It is one of the most important places having Hittite
and Phrygian civilization layers.
Yumurta tepe (Demetevler Timülüsü)
This tumulus is located at Çiftlik-Demetevler crossing
on the left, towards Demetevler road. Terracotta artifacts of Antique Bronze
Age have been found in a small and round structure on top of the tumulus.
Also See:
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