The Bahşeyiş Monument is a rock-carved monument dating to the Late Phrygian period, located near Kocadere Stream in Seyitgazi district of Eskişehir; it features a gable roof, a deep niche, and a vertical well descending from the roof to the base, with free entry.
The Bahşeyiş Monument stands approximately 1 km southwest of Gökbahçe village, part of Seyitgazi district in Eskişehir, on a steep rocky slope on the west bank of the Kocadere Stream. The old name of the village was also Bahşeyiş; the monument bears this name. The entire rock has been carved and shaped: a gable roof form, flattened side walls, and an overall silhouette resembling a guardhouse when viewed from the front. The deep niche opening onto the facade symbolizes a building entrance, but it is not a space that can be entered. It is merely a symbolic door.
The detail that makes the structure stand out is the vertical well descending from the top of the roof to the base. Such wells are not common in Phrygian rock monuments, which is why Bahşeyiş is considered a detail that distinguishes it from similar monuments in the region. The monument, dated to the Late Phrygian period, is not as well-known as the Midas Monument or Aslantaş, and therefore receives fewer visitors. There are no crowds around, so you don't have to wait in line to take photos.
Reaching the monument requires some effort. There is a short walk on the rocky slope from the village, which, according to current route records, takes approximately 1 km round trip and about 25 minutes to complete. The difficulty level is marked as easy, but sturdy shoes are required as the path passes over uneven terrain.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Eskişehir historical places, Nasreddin Hodja's House.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Since there is little shade on the rocky slope, it's wise to avoid the hottest hours of summer. Spring and autumn are more suitable in terms of both temperature and scenery; the surrounding vegetation is also more vibrant during these periods. The path can become slippery after rain, so if you plan to visit in winter, inquire about ground conditions beforehand.
How to Get There?
From Eskişehir city center, you can reach Seyitgazi district and then Gökbahçe village by car. Public transport is infrequent on this route, so going by your own car or a private transfer is the most reliable way. After arriving at the village, there is approximately a 1 km walk along a rocky slope to the monument. This part cannot be traversed by vehicle.
How Much Time Should You Allocate?
30-45 minutes is sufficient for the monument itself and the short walk around it. According to Wikiloc route records, the round-trip moving time is 14 minutes, with a total duration of about 25 minutes including breaks. If you add Seyitgazi town center and other Phrygian monuments in the vicinity to your itinerary, your day can be fully occupied.
Combine with Other Phrygian Monuments in the Area
Since the Bahşeyiş Monument is quite remote to visit alone, it is more time-efficient to combine it with other Phrygian rock monuments in the region on the same day: Aslantaş, Yılantaş, Maltaş, Aslankaya, Ayazini. Seyitgazi center is also a natural stop on this route; it serves as a good intermediate point for those who wish to see the Seyyid Battal Gazi Complex.
Things to Pay Attention To
The path to the monument is unmarked. It can be difficult to find the way without a GPS route or a pre-downloaded map. Sturdy-soled shoes are essential on the rocky terrain. Do not go without water in summer as there is no shade. Local authorities particularly emphasize that fires should not be lit and cigarette butts should not be left unextinguished in the forested parts of the region due to fire risk.
Good Spots for Photography
The deep niche on the monument's facade and the well descending from the roof are more clearly visible with side lighting; therefore, the hours before noon may be preferable. Wide-angle shots looking down into the Kocadere Stream valley from the rocky slope are another advantage of the route.
Why is it a Little-Known Place?
Because it is not as promoted as the Midas Monument or Aslankaya, the Bahşeyiş Monument is one of the region's overshadowed structures. There are only 11 reviews and a 4.3 rating on Google, which indicates that the number of visitors is still low. For those seeking a quiet historical trip away from crowds, this situation turns into an advantage.
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