13 places to visit in the İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar: Döğer Caravanserai, Emre Lake and Phrygian Valley (Phrygian Cultural Route). Plan your trip to İhsaniye with local food, practical tips and transport information.
İhsaniye is a district of Afyonkarahisar province; it covers 849 km², has an elevation of 1,097 m and a population of 27,636. It gained district status by Law No. 7033 on 1 April 1959.
Around 1085, the Döğer and Alanlı areas were settled by Oghuz Turks. Sultan Murad II stayed at Döğer and ordered the construction of Döğer Caravanserai. Founded as a village in 1888 by migrants from Bulgaria, it later took the name İhsaniye from the railway station on the line. It was occupied by the Greeks on 13 July 1921 and suffered under enemy oppression for 13 months and 14 days. It was liberated from the enemy invasion on 27 August 1922.
The district’s average elevation above sea level is 1,102 metres, and it covers an area of 90,900 hectares. The plain areas are covered by steppe, while the mountainous parts are partly covered by oak and pine forests. There is no significant river in the district, but small streams that dry up in summer are present.
Being far from the sea and surrounded by mountains, the district has a typical continental climate, with very cold winters and very hot, short summers.
The district economy is based on livestock farming, cattle fattening and agriculture. There are private sector enterprises such as the Kızılay Madensuyu and Yıldız Madensuyu bottling plants. The Gazlıgöl Hot Spring lies within the district boundaries, 25 km from Afyonkarahisar.
Historic remains at the Döğer, Ayazini and Kayıhan settlements are considered to date from the Phrygian period. İhsaniye was occupied by the Greeks on 13 July 1921 and endured an occupation of 13 months and 14 days. The district’s neighbourhoods became the starting point of the Great Offensive. The mountainous Phrygian Valley has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2015. In Ayazini there are rock-cut tomb chambers from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Asar Castle became an important settlement called Kedrea in the Byzantine period.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source The Phrygian Valley within the boundaries of İhsaniye contains the most important remains of the Phrygian civilisation, dating to the 8th–6th centuries BC. On the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, this valley, with its rock monuments, tumuli, rock tombs and ancient settlement areas, lies at the heart of the 506 km Phrygian Cultural Route.
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Photo: Bluetime93 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source This rock settlement in Ayazini village, attached to İhsaniye, consists of rock-cut churches, dwellings and tombs from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The rock church known as Meryem Ana Kilisesi (Church of the Virgin Mary) stands out for its wall frescoes and is important for faith tourism.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source The rock tombs in Döğer town, attached to İhsaniye, are monumental structures from the Phrygian period. The facade decorations and geometric motifs carved into the rock reflect the characteristic features of Phrygian art.
View on mapThe Seydiler Monument, one of the most impressive rock monuments in the Phrygian Valley, is a cult structure dedicated to the Phrygian goddess Cybele. The facade and niches carved into the rock are important examples of 6th-century BC Phrygian art.
View on mapThe archaeological site in Ayazini village, used as a settlement since the Phrygian period.
View on mapA Phrygian monument in the south-west of Göynüş Valley, an open-air place of worship.
View on mapA tomb adjoining the mosque; it contains sarcophagi belonging to the disciples of Karacaahmet.
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Gazlıgöl town, within the boundaries of İhsaniye, is known for its rare thermal springs containing natural carbon dioxide. The waters, at 36–42°C, are preferred especially for treating the circulatory system and skin conditions.
View on mapA caravanserai built in the 15th century by Sultan Murad II; it has Ottoman architectural features.
View on mapWhile you are in İhsaniye, you can also see the highlights of Afyonkarahisar province. These places are in other districts.
Keşkek, prepared by long simmering and pounding of cracked wheat and meat, is the traditional dish of wedding and bayram feasts in İhsaniye. It is served with butter.
The poppy seed pastry, the signature flavour of the Afyonkarahisar region, is also prepared with a traditional recipe in İhsaniye's bakeries. The aroma of the poppy seeds gives the pastry a distinctive taste.
This soup is made from the liquid obtained by cooking lamb with its bones in a tandır oven, thickened with flour and yoghurt, and is indispensable on İhsaniye's winter tables.
This traditional bread, cooked on a griddle (sac), is an indispensable part of village tables in İhsaniye. It is eaten at breakfast with fresh butter and honey.
İhsaniye is the area with the most intensive remains of the Phrygian civilisation. Rock monuments, tumuli and cult structures are living witnesses of Phrygian culture of the 8th–6th centuries BC.
Rock-carved settlements in villages such as Ayazini and Döğer reflect a unique way of life that has come down from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Some rock dwellings were used until recent times.
The 506 km Phrygian Cultural Route is a long-distance walking trail passing through İhsaniye. The route attracts international walkers and history enthusiasts to the region and contributes to the development of cultural tourism.
İhsaniye's economy consists of agriculture, livestock farming and tourism. The Phrygian Valley and Gazlıgöl Hot Springs are the district's most important tourism assets. Wheat, barley and poppy are cultivated in agriculture. Small and large livestock farming is the main livelihood in rural areas. The thermal facilities at Gazlıgöl and cultural tourism in the Phrygian Valley have developed in recent years.
İhsaniye is 30 km from Afyonkarahisar city centre and is reached by road. The district lies on the Afyonkarahisar–Eskişehir road and has regular minibus services. The nearest airport is Afyon–Çobanlar Airport. A private vehicle is recommended for reaching the Phrygian Valley.
The highlights of İhsaniye are 13 sites: Döğer Caravanserai, Emre Lake, Phrygian Valley (Phrygian Cultural Route), Ayazini Rock Settlement, Gazlıgöl Hot Springs, Döğer Rock Tombs, Seydiler Rock Monument, Ayazini Archaeological Site (Metropolis), Karacaahmet Tomb, Göynüş (Köhnüş) Valley, Aslantaş Rock Tomb, Maltaş Monument and Yunus Emre Tomb.
Keşkek, Haşhaşlı Çörek, Tandır Çorbası and Bazlama are the standout flavours at İhsaniye tables.
İhsaniye is known for thermal water products and the Phrygian civilisation heritage. The naturally carbonated thermal waters of Gazlıgöl are bottled and sold as health products. This rare thermal spring is İhsaniye's most valuable natural resource.
İhsaniye is 30 km from Afyonkarahisar city centre and is reached by road. The district lies on the Afyonkarahisar–Eskişehir road and has regular minibus services. The nearest airport is Afyon–Çobanlar Airport. A private vehicle is recommended for reaching the Phrygian Valley.
Suggested visit duration: 2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.