The Cradle of Civilization
The Central Anatolia Region

The central plain of Anatolia, dotted with trees and volcanic hills, is the heartland of Turkey.

This plateau has been the cradle of many civilizations At Çatalhöyük, ruins dating back to 8000 B.C. have been uncovered. Home to many different races, a field of battles between East and West, Central Anatolia has won fame as the place where the Hatti, Hittites, Phrygians, Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Selçuks and Ottomans fought and became dominant. Migrating Turks brought the plateau under their control in the 1th century. Throughout its colourful history many conquerors have ruled over this area, including Alexander the Great and Tamburlaine. From the time it first began to be inhabited ten thousand years ago to the present time man has sought to reflect nature and his domestic surroundings in his art. It is posible to see these cultures reflected in the paintings from Çatalhöyük as well as in the determined lines of Selçuk architecture.

Afyon, where the Archaeological Museum and the Open Air Museum introduce one to Anatolian Civilization, is famous for its thermal baths which are very effective in the treatment of a number of illnesses. As well as the ruins of ancient Afyon, the canyons of Eber and Acıgöl are favourite places for ornithologists and photographers while the caves at İnsuyu, Buzluk, and Kurtini offer opportunities to speleologists, and the rich natural surroundings of Akdağ attract those interested in natural scenery and mountain walks. The village of Ayazin in this area, where the tufa rocks resembling those in Cappadocia were used as dwellings, bear the traces of many civilizations. In the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine times these were used as places of refuge, especially by the first Christians in the days when Christianity was prohibited. Ankara, the capital of Turkey is situated in the heart of Central Anatolia and in spite of its present modern appearance goes back to the Hatti civilization during the Bronze Age. In 2000 B.C. the area came under the ruls of the Hittites and these were followed by the Phrygians, the Lydians and the Persians. In the 3rd century B.C. the Galatians, a Celtic race, made Ankara their capital.

At that time it was called Ancyra, a name meaning a ship's anchor. Later it passed into the hands of the Romans and then the Byzantines. This city of strategic importance was then conqured by the Selçuk Turks under the command of Alpaslan in 1073. Almost 300 years later when it was only a town with a small population it came into Ottoman hands under Beyazit. The old part of the city lies within the walls of the ancient castle. Here the Alaaddin Mosque, made of wood, though built in the 12th century under the Ottomans, still bears traces of the Selçuk style of architecture. There are many interesting restored Turkish wooden houses which have found a new lease of life as art galleries or restaurants serving traditional Turkish dishes. The Temple of Augustus, built in the Corinthian style, dates from the 2nd century, the Roman baths from the 3rd century and the Julian Column from the 2nd century A.D.

One of the Edicts of the Emperor Augustus with details of his successes is inscribed on the wall of the Temple of Augustus At one time every temple dedicated to him had such an inscriptoion but this copy is the only one to survive to this day. Near the castle, excavations still continue on the Roman theatre. In the same area is the 15th cntury Haci Bayram Mosque and Tomb The Ethnographical Museum on Ulus Square is famous for its examples of carved doors from the Selçuk period and other objects in daily use exhibited there. Eskişehir was founded on the banks of the Porsuk River by the Phrygians. Among its important monument are the 13th century Alaaddin Mosque and the 16th century Kurşunlu complex. The city's three museums are worth visiting: the Archaeological Museum has a collection of Phrygian artefacts. The most important Phrygian remains are to be found around Ankara, Eskişehir and Afyon. The capital of Phrygia and the place where Alexander cut the Gordian knot is at Gordium (Yassihöyük). This is the site of the tumulus of King Midas whose touch turned everything to gold. Excavations are still being carried on in the vicinity of Gordium and its ruins and the small museum are worth visiting.

On the Ankara-Eskişehir road are the ruins of Pessinus (Ballıhisar) an important religious centre in Phrygian times. The temple at these important ruins bears the name of Kybele, the mother goddess of the Phrygians and is the origin of the development of this Phrygian cult. The best meerschaum in the world is to be found around Eskişehir. Pipes and other objects made from this substance may be purchased at the tourist shops in the city.

Kütahya is one of the oldest cities in Turkey. The monuments, churches, mosques, and medreses bear the characteristics of Ottoman architecture. A 14th century medrese is today the Archaeological Museum, home to historical remains from Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times and ceramics from Kütahya and İznik. Beyond the mountains to the west of Cappadocia is the Roman city of Caesarea, today known as Kayseri.

The city is situated on the skirts of the volcanic Mount Erciyes which rises 3916 metres above the city. It is a perfect place to ski in the winter months. Near the Byzantine castle is the 13th century Huant Mosque and Medrese which is one of the Selçuk buildings in Anatolia. To the south of this complex is the Döner Kümbet of 1276 and the Kösk Medrese which is a Moğol work. Together with these the Çifte Medrese is worth seeing. Kayseri continues its tradtion of making handwoven floral carpets. To the north of Kayseri is Kültepe which was the Hittite trading city of Kanesh or Karum. On the same road is Sultan Han Caravanserai built at the beginning of the 13th century by the Selçuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat.