A Glimpse Into the Phrygians
The Phrygians emerged after the fall of the Hittite Empire around 1200 BCE and by the 8th century BCE had established a kingdom with its capital at Gordion, near modern-day Polatlı.
Ancient Phrygia was located in west-central Anatolia, covering parts of today’s Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, Kütahya, and Ankara provinces in modern-day Turkey. This highland region—marked by volcanic rock formations, hidden valleys, and dramatic cliffs—was once home to one of the most intriguing cultures of the ancient world.
Phrygia’s most legendary ruler was King Midas—the mythical king whose touch turned everything to gold. While the myth is symbolic, archaeological discoveries such as the Tumulus of Midas confirm the existence of powerful monarchs in the region.
Phrygia in the Big Anatolia Story
If you zoom out and look at Anatolia the way we like to do on The Other Tour, the Phrygians sit right in the middle of a 10,000+ year relay race:
It starts in the Neolithic, with hunter-gatherers and early farmers raising the world’s first monumental sanctuaries at places like Karahantepe and Göbeklitepe, and then dense house-clusters and early “proto-city” life at Çatalhöyük, where people live in packed mudbrick neighborhoods, paint their walls, and bury their dead beneath the floors. And this deep prehistory is not limited to “faraway” Anatolia: even Istanbul’s story now stretches back around 8,500 years, as the Neolithic layers uncovered at Fikirtepe and in the Yenikapı Marmaray excavations prove.
As we move into the Chalcolithic age – the “copper–stone” era – village farming spreads and the first real specialists appear. Sites like Arslantepe in the Malatya plain, Can Hasan and Beycesultan in central and western Anatolia, or the early copper-working communities at Çukuriçi Höyük along the Aegean coast show us temples, sealings, and workshops. This is where administration, surplus storage, and social hierarchy start to crystallize.
By the Early Bronze Age, places like Alacahöyük in north-central Anatolia are burying their elites in rich “royal tombs” filled with metalwork and prestige objects, while the great Hittite world is taking shape – roads, fortresses, and cult centers you can still trace today in central Anatolia.
Then the Iron Age dawns—and out of this fragmented post-Hittite landscape, Phrygia rises as a new highland power.
Chronologically, the Phrygians shine in the Iron Age, roughly from the early 8th century BCE until their political power fades in the 7th–6th centuries BCE. Geographically, their heartland lies in the west-central Anatolian highlands.
They’re the bridge between Hittite tablets and Hellenistic theaters, between the world of cuneiform and the world of philosophers, whose later footsteps you can follow in our piece on Philosophers of Anatolia.
Where to Go in the Phrygian Region
Phrygia’s ruins are scattered across the Phrygian Valley (Frig Vadisi), offering a magical blend of natural beauty and ancient mystery. Unlike more crowded sites like Ephesus or Troy, these valleys remain tranquil and untouched—making them ideal for travelers seeking authentic historical experiences.
Here are the main highlights you can explore:
Yazılıkaya (Midas City)
📍Han District, Eskişehir
This is the most iconic Phrygian site. The Midas Monument, a towering rock-cut façade with Phrygian inscriptions, dominates the landscape. The site also features steps, altars, and ancient water systems carved directly into the rock.
Aslankaya Monument
📍İhsaniye, Afyonkarahisar
A monumental rock shrine framed by two lions, symbolizing power and divine protection. This sacred site showcases Phrygian religious devotion in its purest form, set in a serene countryside location.
Gerdekkaya Rock Tomb
📍Near Yazılıkaya
An impressive funerary monument carved into the rock face. This multi-chambered tomb is believed to have been used by Phrygian elites and retains much of its original shape.
📍 Yassıhöyük Village, Polatlı, Ankara
Once the royal capital, Gordion is where Alexander the Great cut the Gordian Knot. Highlights include:
Ayazini Village & Rock Monasteries
Experiencing Phrygian Heritage in Turkey Today
For modern travelers, the Phrygians aren’t a museum label; they’re a reason to leave the highway and step into quiet landscapes where history hasn’t been paved over yet.
Gordion and Ankara – High Politics and Deep Time
A perfect Phrygian day starts in Ankara:
Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which traces the story from the Neolithic through the Bronze Age and into the Iron Age. You go from Göbeklitepe-era ritual to Hittite power to Phrygian kings in a single building.
Then head out to Gordion itself. Our content at Gordion – Ancient Capital of Phrygia gives you a sense of how we like to frame that journey: citadel, tumuli, museum, and the feeling of standing in a burned timber city that still whispers.
The Phrygian Highlands – Rock Sanctuaries and Silent Villages
The Phrygian Highlands in the Eskişehir–Afyon–Kütahya triangle are an open-air gallery of:
Rock-cut façades and altars
Smaller tumuli and rural settlements
Villages that live quietly among 2,700-year-old sanctuaries
It’s the kind of place that pairs beautifully with more well-known coastal routes like the Lycian Way or ancient city clusters such as Priene, Miletus, Xanthos, and Aphrodisias.
Weaving Phrygia Into Longer Journeys
Because Phrygia sits in central and western Anatolia, it fits naturally into longer, “deep history” itineraries:
Combining Ankara + Gordion + Phrygian Highlands with Cappadocia’s otherworldly valleys (Paşabağ and Kaymaklı Underground City).
Extending eastward into Mesopotamia, Diyarbakır, or Tur Abdin, where different languages and religions layer over the same hard earth.
Or folding Phrygia into a larger route like The Grand 12-Day Turkey Tour, for travelers who want not just “highlights” but a sense of Anatolia’s full historical depth.
(And yes, one day there may be a dedicated “Phrygian Highlands and Gordion” journey for those who hear the call of tumuli and carved cliffs more loudly than beach clubs.)
Explore Phrygia with Us!
Many of these ancient sites are off the beaten path and not always well-signposted. That’s why our agency offers expertly guided tours designed to bring Phrygia’s stories to life while ensuring safe, smooth travel through rural landscapes.
What We Offer
- Comfortable transport from nearby cities like Eskişehir or Afyonkarahisar
- Experienced guides who explain the myths, archaeology, and local culture
- Curated routes that cover both major landmarks and hidden gems
- Excellent Turkish food along the way and as much flexibility as possible
Travel With The Best
The Phrygian Valley is more than just a historical site—it’s an open-air museum, a geological wonder, and a spiritual journey through time. Whether you’re a history lover, a curious traveler, or someone simply looking for a unique adventure in Turkey, Phrygia promises an unforgettable experience.
Book your spot on one of our Phrygian tours today, and let us guide you through the myths and mysteries of this ancient kingdom.
