2-Day History and Nature Exploration in Eskişehir

Eskişehir is a city full of surprises, where history intertwines with modern urban fabric. On this two-day itinerary, you'll have the opportunity to explore both the city's green spaces and the traces of the thousands-year-old Phrygian civilization on your own. One day we will delve into the parks around Odunpazarı, and the other day into the depths of Phrygian Valley.

Dede Korkut Park

Located in the Sümer neighborhood of Odunpazarı, Dede Korkut Park has been a resting area for Eskişehir residents since 2014. In this approximately 70,000 square meter green space, you can walk, use sports equipment, or simply spend time in the shade of the trees. Being one of the large wooded areas in the city center makes it a peaceful starting point, especially in the morning hours.

Dede Korkut Monument Wall

This monument wall, rising within Dede Korkut Park, was built as part of the 2013 Turkish World Cultural Capital program. Both sides of the 46-meter-long wall are covered with İznik tiles, miniatures, and calligraphy depicting Dede Korkut's 12 epics. The selsebil (water dispenser) and water curtains in front of it make it special as the first structure to combine tile and water architecture on this scale.

Sazova Science, Culture and Art Park

In the afternoon, our route turns to Sazova, Eskişehir's largest park. This 400,000 square meter area features many thematic sections such as a fairy tale castle, pirate ship, space museum, and zoo. The general green areas of the park can be visited for free, but you may need to pay a fee for the thematic sections. The architecture of the Fairy Tale Castle, in particular, makes it attractive for those who want to explore it with childlike joy.

Eskişehir Regulator Picnic Area

To end the day, you can stop by the Regulator Picnic Area, located at the 5th kilometer of the Eskişehir–Kütahya road. With its 30,000 square meters of green space, it is one of the large recreational areas close to the city center. Since there is also a market inside, you can easily meet your basic needs and relax amidst the greenery to shake off the day's fatigue.

Midas Monument (Yazılıkaya)

On the second day, we set off for Yazılıkaya Village in Eskişehir's Han district. The Midas Monument is one of the most striking traces left by the Phrygian civilization in Anatolia. Dating back to the 8th-6th centuries BC with its giant rock-carved facade, this monument is a great stop for open-air archaeology lovers. You can see inscriptions written in the Phrygian alphabet on the 17-meter monument and explore the surrounding ruins of Midas City.

Phrygian Valley Yazılıkaya Valley

Right next to the Midas Monument, Yazılıkaya Valley, one of the most important sacred areas of the Phrygian civilization, is located. Here you can directly feel approximately 3,000 years of history with its rock-carved monuments, the ruins of Midas City, and the Midas Monument, which is on the UNESCO Tentative List. Turkey's 3rd largest trekking route, the Phrygian Way, also passes through here; take short walks in the valley and enjoy nature.

Gerdekkaya Tomb Monument

Hidden among the steep rock masses of the Phrygian Valley, the Gerdekkaya Tomb Monument is a Hellenistic period structure dating back to the 3rd-1st centuries BC. Carved entirely into tuff rock with a design resembling a Doric temple facade, this monument was also used during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Gerdekkaya, one of the best-preserved rock tombs, presents historical layers together.

Seyitgazi Boron and Ethnography Museum

Located in Seyitgazi district, this museum, established within a Seljuk bath from the Ottoman period, exhibits Turkey's boron mineral wealth and ethnographic artifacts belonging to the region. Admission is free. You can see boron mineral samples brought from Kırka and Bigadiç, and traditional household items unique to the region. You will encounter both a historical building and an interesting collection.

Sheikh Sücaeddin-i Veli Complex and Tomb

Located in Arslanbeyli Village, affiliated with Seyitgazi, this complex is a deeply rooted group of structures dedicated to Sheikh Sücaeddin-i Veli, the founder of Western Anatolian Alevism and the Babai order. In this spiritual stop, which houses a tomb, imaret (soup kitchen), mosque, madrasah, and Bektashi lodge, you can also see important structures such as the Demirtaş Pasha Tomb and the four-domed imaret building. It offers a calm atmosphere with its dodecagonal-pooled courtyard.

This two-day itinerary in Eskişehir is ideal for exploring both the modern face of the city and its thousands of years of Phrygian heritage. For food, you can taste local delicacies in Odunpazarı, and for transportation, you can consider trams and buses within the city, and private car or tour options for the Phrygian Valley.

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