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Afyonkarahisar information, Turkey

Afyonkarahisar, or Afyon for short, is located between the Aegean sea and Anatolia. The unique name is derived from the Turkish word for the castle at the south of the city and opium plant. Afyon is bordered by Konya to the east, Burdur to the south, Usak to the west and Eskisehir. The origins if Afyon stretches back to the 3000 B.C. It was home to various groups such as the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Phyrgians, Lydians, Byzantines and Ottomans. The Seljuk Turks conquered Anatolia on 1071, after which Afyon was taken under the rule of the Turks. Afyon then was taken under the rule of the Seljuk State Sahipoðullarý Principality, Germiyanoðullarý Principality and finally by the Ottoman Empire in 1428.

Afyon is quite popular for its “Turkish Delight, “Sucuk ” which are spicy sauges, and “Kaymak”, which is a kind of cream put on desserts. Afyon is also famous for its opium fields, which are under strict supervision by the Government.

Visitors can relax in one of Afyon’s many thermal baths. Afyon is a spa-center, with thermal baths scattered all around the region, from Gecek to Hudai Kaplicasi and all the way to Heybeli Kaplicasi. No trip to the region is complete without seeing the Archaeological Museum and the War of Independence Memorial. If archaeological wonders are your thing, there’s also plenty of that in Afyon such as the Phyrgian remains that come in the form of cult rocks. The city is also home to the Afyon Citadel, which is called Karahisar by the Seljuks meaning Black Castle in Turkish. Another must-see places are the Grand Mosque and the Altigoz place.

Situated south of Afyon are seven big lakes that make up the “Lake District.” These beautiful, tranquil lakes are home to many migrating birds every year, and the serenity of the lakes adds to the mystical, dream-like feeling to the place. Because the lakes were once inhabited by the Hittites, remnants that recall that magnificent civilization can be seen. These include the Eflatunpinar, which is a Hittite monument made of huge blocks from rock that stands in an all-natural pool. The mineral waters of Afyon are also renowkned for their supposed healing qualities, so visitors wishing to relieve themselves of an ailment, or visitors simply wishing to test the local hearsay also stop by this place.

Afyon is the heart of an agricultural area and the whole region has a quaint, country feel to it. While there are relatively few bars, cafes and live music, Afyon is slowly and steadily becoming a booming town. Afyon holds vast reserves of marble, intricate handmade weavings and cement.

The city enjoys a continental climate, meaning hot and dry summers, rainy springs and cold, snowy winters. Afyon is the intersection of the routes from Ankara to Izmir, and from the Turkish capital Istanbul to Antalya. As such, there are a number of well-established restaurant businesses that capitalize on weary travelers wishing to dine on the fantastic local cuisine. Afyon is also a prime spot for hotel businesses, as the city’s many tourist spots attract many visitors from both local and abroad.

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