Gültepe Necropolis

Necropolis, in ancient Greek, means "city of the dead". Gültepe Necropolis perfectly fits this definition: a sacred area outside the city limits where the ancient city of Nicomedia buried its dead. Accidentally discovered in 1991 during the construction of the TEM highway, the site contains both Roman period tomb structures and a hypogeum (underground sacred structure) remnant dating to the Byzantine period. This time frame, extending from the 2nd to the 9th century AD, reveals how long the area was in use.

Ancient Nicomedia, founded where present-day İzmit stands, was one of the most important cities of the East during the Roman Empire. Gültepe Necropolis served as the burial ground for this great city, offering concrete evidence of the death rituals, tomb architecture, and religious practices of Roman and Byzantine civilizations. The hypogeum remnant, in particular, is an archaeologically valuable find as it bears traces of Byzantine Christianity in the region.

However, the area has not been adequately protected since its discovery in 1991. Illegal excavations and natural degradation have damaged a significant portion of it. This situation is frequently brought up in discussions about Kocaeli's cultural heritage.

For Gültepe Necropolis, an open-air archaeological site, the most suitable periods are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). In summer, İzmit's humid and hot weather can make an open-air visit difficult. In winter, rainy and muddy ground conditions make access to the area challenging. Morning light is more favorable for photography.

Gültepe Necropolis is approximately 2 km from İzmit city center, on the old Istanbul road and by the TEM highway. If you are coming by private car, you can use the Gültepe exit from the TEM; the area is located south of the highway, east of the Gültepe park area, and slightly elevated from the park. If you prefer public transport, you need to research municipal lines operating between İzmit center and Gültepe. For current schedule information, you can call Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality's transport line.

Gültepe Necropolis is not a large-scale archaeological park; it is a relatively limited open area. 30 to 60 minutes is sufficient to see the tomb structures and hypogeum remnant, take photos, and explore the surroundings. If you have a deep interest in archaeology or ancient history, you can extend this period slightly. It is also possible to combine the site with other historical places in İzmit to plan a half-day cultural tour.

You can create a meaningful travel itinerary by combining Gültepe Necropolis with other historical and cultural points in İzmit. The İzmit Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, with its exhibits of artifacts from ancient Nicomedia, is a natural complement to a necropolis visit. Historical structures in the city center and other archaeological sites in Kocaeli can also be included in the same day's program.

The area has been subjected to illegal excavations for decades and partially destroyed. During your visit, it is important not to touch the remains, not to climb on structures, and not to move any objects, both for safety and cultural heritage preservation. Wear comfortable walking shoes due to the open terrain conditions. You can get information about the visiting hours and entrance conditions from Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality or the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism beforehand.

Among the most striking elements of the area are the stone tomb structures and the entrance to the hypogeum remnant. Side light in the morning hours makes the texture on the stone surfaces more prominent, allowing you to capture stronger shots. Wide-angle photos taken from the section of the area facing the TEM highway create an interesting contrast, documenting the juxtaposition of ancient times and modern infrastructure.