Amorium Ancient City

Description

Amorium Ancient City was one of the important centers of Phrygia and held a strategic position during the Byzantine period.

Story

Amorium Ancient City, located near Emirdağ district of Afyonkarahisar, in the town of Davulga, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Anatolia. Founded during the Phrygian period, the city later gained strategic importance during the Roman and especially the Byzantine Empires. During the Byzantine era, it became the capital of the Anatolikon Theme, one of the administrative regions called 'thema', thus playing a major political and military role. This strategic location made the city a frequent target for Arab raids, and it suffered great destruction when besieged by the Abbasid Caliph Mutasim in 838. This siege and destruction are remembered as one of the most tragic events in Byzantine history, demonstrating that the city's strong walls could only be breached through betrayal from within. Excavations in Amorium have unearthed rich cultural layers belonging to different periods of the city. Within the extensive ancient city, many structural remains can be seen, such as city walls, basilicas, residences, agoras, and necropolis areas. Churches and civil structures from the Byzantine period, in particular, provide important information about the architecture of that era. Excavation work in the city is still ongoing.

Visit Tips

• You can have a more enjoyable experience by planning your visit for the spring or autumn months.
• Given that the ancient city spans a large area, opt for comfortable shoes.
• Since there are not enough food and beverage facilities in the region, bring snacks and water with you.
• To avoid damaging the excavation areas, be careful to use the designated paths and roads.
• Don't forget to bring protective items like hats and sunscreen on sunny days.

Photos