Photo: Ingeborg Simon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source 10 places to visit in the İscehisar district of Afyonkarahisar: Seydiler Castle, Seydiler Lake and Docimium Ancient Marble Quarries. Plan your trip to İscehisar with local food, practical tips and transport information.
İscehisar is a district of Afyonkarahisar province. Its area is 489 km², its altitude 1,079 m and its population 25,220. One of its oldest known names is Dokimeion, used since the Hellenistic period. In the Republican period, İscehisar developed rapidly; it became a municipality in 1952 and a district in 1987.
Dokimeion was founded in 321 BC by Antigonos Dokimos as a garrison town to house Macedonian soldiers. Named Docimeium in the Roman period, the city reached its most brilliant era and became famous for its marble quarries. The use of Dokimeion marble in the rebuilding of Rome and in the Vatican shows the world-wide value of the city’s marble. In the Byzantine period the city became famous for the marble it supplied for the construction of Hagia Sophia.
Because the Turks found the city deserted, it was called “İssizcekarahisar”, which later became “İscehisar”. İscehisar passed under the rule of the Germiyanoğulları Principality in 1341 and was incorporated into Ottoman territory in 1429.
One of the districts at the easternmost point of the Aegean Region, İscehisar lies at the 23rd kilometre of the Afyonkarahisar–Ankara road. The district centre is built on 7 hills, and the İscehisar Stream divides the district in two. The average elevation of the district above sea level is 1,079 metres.
The Dokimeion marble quarried in the district is considered 1st-class in the world marble literature. There are more than 650 marble factories of various sizes in the district.
In terms of tourism, İscehisar is very rich, as it lies in the Phrygian Valley.
İscehisar passed under the rule of the Germiyanoğulları Principality in 1341. One of İscehisar’s earliest known names is Dokimeion, a name used since the Hellenistic period. According to the district’s promotional material from its municipality, the district contains many works from the Roman, Hittite, Phrygian and Turkish-Islamic periods.
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İscehisar, known in antiquity as Docimium, was where the most valuable marbles of the Roman Empire were quarried. Docimium marble was used in monumental structures in Rome such as the Pantheon and Trajan's Forum. The ancient quarry remains are still visible.
View on mapThis castle on the rocky hill in the district centre was built in the Byzantine period. Part of the castle walls has survived, and from the hill the İscehisar plain and the marble quarries can be seen.
View on mapPhrygian-period rock monuments in Seydiler village, near İscehisar, date from the 6th century BC. Façade decorations and niches carved into the rock show the characteristic features of Phrygian art.
View on mapAn ancient city founded in 321 BC by Antigonos Dokimos as a garrison town. Named Docimeium in the Roman period, it was known for its marble quarries.
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Photo: Ingeborg Simon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source Built in the Ottoman period from local marble, this mosque reflects İscehisar's marble-working tradition in religious architecture. Its mihrab and minbar decorations are fine examples of marble carving.
View on mapİscehisar is still one of Türkiye's most important marble production centres today. Marble factories and processing plants in the district can be visited as part of industrial tourism, where the transformation of marble from quarry to product can be observed.
View on mapWhile you are in İscehisar, you can also see the highlights of Afyonkarahisar province. These places are in other districts.
İscehisar Mermer Kebabı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 7 July 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1404). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: İscehisar Municipality.
Made by slowly boiling pounded wheat (dövme buğday) and meat and then beating them together, keşkek is the traditional dish of weddings and festivals in İscehisar. It is served with butter.
The signature treat of the Afyonkarahisar region, haşhaşlı çörek is also prepared by İscehisar bakeries using the traditional recipe. It is the essential companion of afternoon tea.
A regional dish of lamb fried with vegetables on a griddle, it is the most loved dish on İscehisar's rural tables.
Tarhana dough made in summer is dried and stored for winter. This soup, made by blending yoghurt, tomato and spices, is an essential of İscehisar's winter tables.
A variety of bükme with a geographical indication belonging to İscehisar district.
A distinctive charcoal-grilled dish prepared in the marble quarry region.
İscehisar has kept its status as a marble production centre for over 2,000 years. This tradition, stretching from ancient Docimium to the present day, forms the basis of the district's cultural identity.
Docimium marble was used in the most prestigious buildings of the Roman Empire. This historical link gives İscehisar a special place bridging the ancient world and today.
Marble working in İscehisar is a craft tradition passed down from generation to generation. Local craftsmen are known for their skill in turning marble into works of art.
İscehisar's economy is largely based on marble mining and processing. There are many marble quarries and processing plants in the district, and the marble produced is sold on domestic and foreign markets. Wheat, barley and poppy are grown in agriculture. The district's location on the Afyon–Ankara road gives it a commercial advantage.
İscehisar is 35 km from Afyonkarahisar provincial centre and lies on the Afyon–Ankara road. Regular minibus services run from Afyonkarahisar. The nearest airport is Afyon-Çobanlar Airport. It can also be easily reached by road from Ankara.
The 10 leading places in İscehisar: Seydiler Castle, Seydiler Lake, Docimium Ancient Marble Quarries, İscehisar Castle, Modern Marble Factories, İscehisar Grand Mosque, Phrygian Monuments in Seydiler Village, Dokimeion (Docimeium) Ancient City, Hasan bin Basri Tomb and Mosque, and the area around Seydiler Lake.
İscehisar Mermer Kebabı, Keşkek, Haşhaşlı Çörek and Saç Kavurma are the standout dishes on İscehisar's tables.
İscehisar is known for İscehisar Marble and Marble Civilisation. İscehisar has been a centre of marble production since the ancient Docimium period. White, cream and coloured marble varieties are used worldwide in the construction and decoration sectors.
İscehisar is 35 km from Afyonkarahisar provincial centre and lies on the Afyon–Ankara road. Regular minibus services run from Afyonkarahisar. The nearest airport is Afyon-Çobanlar Airport. It can also be easily reached by road from Ankara.
Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.