Eskisehir, Turkey

Han Underground City and Surroundings

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Han Underground City is an archaeological site located in the Han district of Eskişehir, featuring rock-carved galleries and arcosolium sarcophagi from the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Han Underground City is an archaeological site located southeast of the Han district center in Eskişehir, with a history dating back to the Hittite period. This area, where Roman and Byzantine remains are found together, was brought to light in 1992 through excavation work carried out by Eskişehir Museum officials. Its location on the famous King's Road route clearly reveals the region's strategic position in ancient times.

The structure, consisting of three rooms carved underground, features striking arcosolium sarcophagi. Rosette motifs and various decorations adorn the upper parts of the room walls and ceilings. The entrance to the burial chamber faces southeast. This point in the Phrygian Valley offers a much more comprehensive ancient experience when visited along with other historical sites in its vicinity, such as Han Yazılıkaya, Han Areyastis Monument, and Yörükkırka Fairy Chimneys.

Related discoveries: Historical Places, Eskişehir historical places, Nasreddin Hodja's House.

Experience Summary

Guide's Note

Han Underground City and Surroundings
Located in the Han district of Eskişehir, Han Underground City is an important archaeological site from the Roman and Byzantine periods, featuring rock-carved galleries and arcosolium sarcophagi. This ancient site, where Hittite traces can also be seen, is a valuable stop for those interested in the cultural heritage of the Phrygian Valley.
Sıdkı Alper NeresiGezilir Editor

Best Time to Visit

The most suitable period to visit Han Underground City is between April-June and September-October. During these seasons, the weather is mild, allowing you to comfortably explore the surrounding Phrygian Valley ancient sites. In mid-summer, temperatures rise, so visiting in the early morning hours will make your visit more comfortable. In winter months, access roads to the region can sometimes become difficult.

How to Get There

Han Underground City is located in the Han district, southeast of Eskişehir. It can be reached by road from Eskişehir city center via the Çifteler district. Coming by private car is the most practical option; public transport connections are quite limited. Searching for "Han District, Eskişehir" on navigation apps will be sufficient.

Phrygian Valley Route Suggestion

Han Underground City is part of a more comprehensive cultural tourism route in the Phrygian Valley. On the same day, you can also visit Han Yazılıkaya, Han Areyastis Monument, and Yörükkırka Fairy Chimneys. Nearby, the ancient city of Şarhöyük and Karacahisar Castle are other historical points that can be included in the route. We recommend allocating at least a full day to complete this itinerary.

How Many Days to Allocate

A visit of 1-2 hours is sufficient for Han Underground City alone. If you consider it together with other ancient sites in the Phrygian Valley, it would be more appropriate to plan half to a full day. If you also want to include Eskişehir city center in your travel program, you might consider at least a two-night stay.

Photography Spots

The ceiling and wall decorations inside the underground galleries, especially the rosette motifs, are the most interesting details for photography. The rock-carved architecture at the entrances of the burial chambers also offers impressive shots. In indoor spaces where natural light is limited, having a flash or a portable light source will improve the quality of your photographs.

Things to Consider Before Visiting

Underground spaces can be humid and cool; we recommend bringing appropriate footwear and a light top layer. Since Han district is a small settlement, dining and accommodation options in the vicinity are quite limited. It would be more practical to meet your needs from Eskişehir city center or Çifteler. For visiting hours and entry conditions, we advise calling the Culture Portal or Eskişehir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism in advance.

Historical Significance

Han Underground City is a multi-period archaeological site that bears traces of the Hittites, one of Anatolia's oldest civilizations, with Roman and Byzantine layers added on top. The excavations carried out by Eskişehir Museum teams in 1992 marked an important turning point in the scientific documentation of the region. Its location on the famous King's Road route reveals how strategic this settlement was in terms of trade and transportation in ancient times.

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FAQ

It is located southeast of the Han district center in Eskişehir. It can be reached by road from Eskişehir city center via the Çifteler district.

The area has a multi-layered history, starting from the Hittite period and extending to the Roman and Byzantine periods. Various archaeological findings from these periods have been unearthed during excavations.

It consists of three rooms carved into the rocks. The rooms contain arcosolium sarcophagi; rosette motifs and various decorations are found on the upper parts of the walls and ceilings. The entrance to the burial chamber faces southeast.

Han Yazılıkaya, Han Areyastis Monument, Yörükkırka Fairy Chimneys, the ancient city of Şarhöyük, and Karacahisar Castle are other important points that can be visited on the same route.

1-2 hours is sufficient for Han Underground City alone. If planned together with other ancient sites in the Phrygian Valley, it is more appropriate to calculate half to a full day.

Public transport connections to Han district are quite limited. The most practical transportation option is a private car. We recommend researching current transportation options before your visit.

Confirm with official sources before visiting.

Confirm with official sources before visiting.

Han district, located southeast of Eskişehir, can be reached by road via the Çifteler district. A private car is the most practical option; public transport connections are quite limited.

1-2 hours (half a day with surrounding ancient sites)

Spring and autumn months are the most suitable periods in terms of both weather conditions and natural beauty in the surroundings.
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