A Journey Through Time: The History of Afyonkarahisar

Located in the heart of Anatolia, Afyonkarahisar is an ancient city whose history stretches back thousands of years. It is a place where the past is carved into stone — a timeless epic in physical form. The first traces of settlement date back to around 3000 BCE. The Phrygians, one of the early Anatolian civilizations, left behind their beliefs, myths, and rock-cut monuments. Today, sites like Ayazini and the Phrygian Valley still whisper their stories to those who listen. During the Roman and Byzantine periods, Afyon became a critical military stronghold. The iconic Karahisar Castle, towering over the city, is a powerful legacy of that era. More than a fortress, it stands as a symbol of endurance through centuries. After the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, Afyon entered a new chapter with the arrival of the Seljuks. The city flourished with mosques, madrasas, and dervish lodges. Structures like the Grand Mosque and the Mevlevihane reflect the spiritual and artistic soul of the time. Under the Ottoman Empire, Afyonkarahisar became an important hub on the trade routes of Western Anatolia. Caravansaries, public baths, and thermal springs made the city a vibrant resting point. Its marble, poppy fields, and healing waters also brought economic prominence. Then came 1922… Afyonkarahisar took center stage in Turkey’s War of Independence. From the hills of this city, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk launched the Great Offensive. That night in Kocatepe, not only military plans were drawn — but also the blueprint of a free and independent nation. Today, Afyonkarahisar proudly preserves its past while embracing the future. In every street, every stone, you can find a different layer of history waiting to be discovered.

War of Independence

Afyonkarahisar was not just a city on the map during the Turkish War of Independence — it was the very nerve center of the final blow that would liberate a nation. In the summer of 1922, Turkish forces, under the command of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, were preparing for the decisive operation that would change the course of modern Turkish history. The city of Afyonkarahisar, with its mountainous terrain and central location, was chosen as the launching point of the Great Offensive (Büyük Taarruz). On the night of August 25, Atatürk and his generals climbed Kocatepe, a peak overlooking the battlefield, and spent the night planning every detail of the operation. The silence of that night was not empty — it was filled with the weight of hope, strategy, and an unwavering belief in independence. At dawn on August 26, the Turkish artillery opened fire. The offensive began from Afyon and quickly broke through enemy lines. Within days, the path to İzmir was clear, and the occupying forces were in full retreat. Afyonkarahisar had become the starting point of a historic victory. Today, Kocatepe is more than a hill — it is a symbol of leadership, resistance, and the rebirth of a nation. The echoes of that night still resonate across the city, reminding visitors that freedom was not given, but earned — and Afyon was where it all began.