Unfinished Monument

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable periods for hiking without being overwhelmed by the heat. In summer, the midday heat makes both walking and photography difficult. A point frequently mentioned by visitors: if you go before 12:30 PM, the sun hits the facade directly, and the motifs appear much clearer. In the afternoon, as the sun shifts, part of the monument remains in shadow.

It is 80 km from Eskişehir city center and 20 km from Han district. If you are going by private car, follow the signs from Han to Yazılıkaya village. There is free guest parking at the village entrance; from here, the monuments are less than a 10-minute walk. For those preferring public transport, Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality occasionally organizes special bus services to the Phrygian Valley; check the municipality's announcements for current schedules and times.

A signpost through the village schoolyard directs you to the back, where the historical area begins. There are about 20 steps and then a gentle slope. You first see the Midas Monument, then walk 200 meters to the Unfinished Monument. Visiting both in the same trip is the most logical approach. The total tour takes no more than half a day.

The Unfinished Monument alone takes a short time, about 1 hour is sufficient. However, it doesn't make much sense to come to the region just to see this and leave. When you include the Midas Monument and the surrounding rock carvings, half a day is needed. For those who want to add other points of the Phrygian Valley, a full-day plan would be more appropriate.

The terrain is rugged, so sports shoes are essential. Bring water, as sales points are limited in the area. In summer, flies can be annoying, so it's good to take precautions. There are also comments stating that the entrance to the site is neglected; the first impression might not be as tidy as you expect. But the monument itself is independent of this section, interesting in its own right.

The angle directly facing the facade, from across the monument, is the most preferred frame. In the morning, the light hits the facade from the side, giving depth to the motifs. When you turn your back to the monument and look at the valley, you get a wide panoramic view. The ancient settlement traces with rock carvings in the vicinity also provide good material for a separate shot.

It gets its name from the disproportionate architectural elements. The facade was not completed as designed. Nevertheless, the niche below it must have been used for religious ceremonies. While most similar Phrygian monuments in the region are adorned with geometric motifs, here there are lotus palmette patterns, which is its distinguishing feature. Although it remains in the shadow of the Midas Monument, it bears the traces of the same period on the same Ancient Road.