Turkey - Phrygia and the Hittites - May 2012 - Part 2

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The Temple of Zeus at Aizanoi, built during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian, circa 125 AD Bust of the Mother Goddess, Cybele, probably from the pediment of the Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi Cybele - The Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi These columns are approximately 9 metres high and are each carved from a single piece of stone The Temple of Zeus is very unusual in being built over a barrel vault, the use of which is not clear...
Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi
         
..possibly for the worship of Cybele, but maybe not? Aizanoi - local ladies are employed to work on the current excavations Aizanoi - local ladies Demir asks the way to the stadium and theatre of Aizanoi Aizanoi is unique in the ancient world for its combined stadium and theatre
Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi
         
Looking back at the stadium from the theatre The theatre of Aizanoi is just a jumble of stones The stage building separates the theatre from the stadium Theatre of Aizanoi - the seating here is well preserved Theatre of Aizanoi - this side is in a poor state
Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi
         
Theatre of Aizanoi - all that remains of the stage building Aizanoi - arches supporting the seating of the stadium The old village of Aizanoi is dying, as people move into newer houses in the nearby town Picturesque, but very basic accommodation in Aizanoi The unusual circular macellum in Aizanoi is amongst these old houses
Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi
         
Bird's eye view of the macellum of Aizanoi A colonnaded street and stoa of Aizanoi - circa 400 AD Colonnaded street of Aizanoi Ancient and modern Aizanoi
Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi
         
Aizanoi - Roman bridge which is still in use A welcome lunch break in the nearby town - Abi, Joan and Ian It was an excellent meal in a cafe used by local people. Aizanoi is very far off the usual tourist trail Waiting for our next journey on the coach Approaching Midas City. Sadly, the Midas Monument is hidden by scaffolding
Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Aizanoi Midas City
         
Midas City is Phrygian, dating from the 6th - 4th Centuries BC This tufa rockface was used for burials by the Phrygians - or is it dwellings? Carved into the tufa rock, the Midas Monument was probably a cult shrine to Cybele - 6th Century BC The rockface is unstable and is supported on both sides by scaffolding Midas City - this
Midas City Midas City Midas City Midas City Midas City
         
...into the cistern below Midas City - the tufa is worn into wondrous shapes Midas City - another Phrygian rock tomb or monument Midas City Midas City
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Midas City This It is sometimes referred to as a throne, cut out of the rock Other evidence of occupation on the Citadel of Midas City An overview of part of the site
Midas City Midas City Midas City Midas City Midas City
         
Our hotel for the night - a thermal spa near Afyonkarahisar How old are we? We giggled a lot! Hittite shrine at Eflatunpinar... ...dating from the 13th Century BC
Afyonkarahisar Afyonkarahisar Afyonkarahisar Eflatunpinar Eflatunpinar
         
Eflatunpinar - you have to look hard to find the many gods and goddesses in this shrine Eflatunpinar - water used to gush from the holes in the skirts of the mountain gods at the bottom Eflatunpinar - bull reliefs Eflatunpinar - enterprising local ladies wait for us on our way out. I now have a super hat to keep the cold out when visiting my horse! Our next stop is Fasillar, a remote village in the hills with a stunning piece of history
Eflatunpinar Eflatunpinar Eflatunpinar Eflatunpinar Fasillar
         
Fasillar - local people gather at a communal water supply Fasillar - a convenient hole through which to sweep animal dung... ...which will be used to make dung patties for winter burning. These are set to dry on nearby walls Fasillar - outside convenience The mosque of Fasillar
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Fasillar - we climb above the village Fasillar - a 13th Century BC carved stone is our goal Remember the copy in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara? Carved not far away from here, from solid basalt, it was abandoned on the hillside for some reason It is suggested that its destination was Eflantunpinar
Fasillar Fasillar Ankara Fasillar Fasillar
         
Fasillar - it was not finished, abandoned, and now puts the remote village of Fasillar on the map It is estimated to weigh about 70 tons Fasillar - across the valley is a far more modern Phrygian rock tomb Fasillar - beautiful carving Looking down on Fasillar
Fasillar Fasillar Fasillar Fasillar Fasillar
         
The Neolithic site of Catal Hoyuk was occupied between 7,500 BC and 5,500 BC Catal Hoyuk - it was built of mud bricks, so only the foundations remain today Catal Hoyuk was densely populated, with no roads between the houses. Entry was through the roofs Catal Hoyuk - there are many levels of occupancy over the years. This is the deepest level Catal Hoyuk - wall paintings were found in some of the larger houses
Catal Hoyuk Catal Hoyuk Catal Hoyuk Catal Hoyuk Catal Hoyuk
         
Wall painting from Catal Hoyuk displayed in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara This Mother Goddess, now in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara, was found in Catal Hoyuk Selimiye Camii, Konya - 16th Century AD Konya is one of Turkey's most religious cities. It is Konya - minaret under repair
Ankara Ankara Konya Konya Konya
         
Konya - the doors of the Selimiye Camii are hung with carpets Konya - the doors of the Selimiye Camii are hung with carpets One of the main streets of Konya Konya - looking back at Selimiye Camii and the turquoise dome of the tomb of Mevlana Konya - the Mevlana Museum
Konya Konya Konya Konya Konya
         
Mevlana founded the sect of the Whirling Dervishes in Konya in the 13th Century Konya - a local cemetery Konya - a local cemetery Aziziye Camii in Konya Konya - henna in a local market
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Konya - a crowd gathers, waiting for the Mevlana Museum to open Wendy is helped to cover up correctly by a lady we met in a shop in the town earlier in the morning Covered up properly and ready for our visit Konya - it is something of a pilgrimage and very crowded The Mevlana Museum - we manage to get in at last
Konya Konya Konya Konya Konya
         
The Mevlana Museum - it is very busy The Mevlana Museum - the inner courtyard with Selimiye Camii in the background The Mevlana Museum - beautiful decoration in the dome The Mevlana Museum - blue overshoes save us from having to remove our footwear Used Galosed
Konya Konya Konya Konya Konya
         
Back in Ankara, the guard is changed at Attaturk's Mausoleum Attaturk's Mausoleum, Ankara Attaturk's Mausoleum - statues of the young men of Turkey - the Intellectual, the Peasant and the Soldier Attaturk's Mausoleum - and of young Turkish women Attaturk's Mausoleum - the Ceremonial Plasa and the Mausoleum
Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara
         
Attaturk's Mausoleum Attaturk's Mausoleum - the Hall of Honour Attaturk's Mausoleum - this coffin is symbolic. Attaturk is buried on the floor below The day before was a national holiday in commemoration of Attaturk's life and achievements Views over part of old Ankara which is gradually being renovated
Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara
         
A much needed cup of tea! Attaturk's statue in Ulus Meydani The flags have been put up for the National Day Last night of our trip - presentation to Gill Gill gives a speech thanking Demir....
Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara
         
...and Demir responds Our last morning - the Roman Baths of Ankara The Roman Baths of Ankara Local ladies clear the ground In the school near the Baths, some students entertain their peers
Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara
         
They seem to be having a ball! Wendy chats to some of the girls Our last morning, and another chance to visit the local market of Ankara We spy a dress, which I try on and buy for Katrina's Libyan wedding. Thank you, Wendy and Juliette! I bought a sheep/goat bell from this shop to add to my collection
Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara
         
Spiky dog collars. I saw some dogs in the countryside wearing collars like these Views of Ankara from the Byzantine Citadel The Akkale or White Fortress of Ankara More views of Ankara Juliette and Wendy
Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara
         
Local enterprise... ...they do try hard! The gateway into the Citadel Last journey in my favourite seat on the coach Ankara airport - waiting to go home
Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara Ankara
         
         
         
         
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