6 places to visit in the Han district of Eskişehir: Yazılıkaya (Midas City), Hüsrev Paşa Mosque and Underground City. Plan your trip to Han with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Han is a district of Eskişehir province, located in the Central Anatolia Region. Its population is 2,126, which places it sixth from the bottom among the 922 districts.

History

In the Mühimme Defteri (Register of Important Affairs) from the era of Suleiman the Magnificent, Han is recorded as the Han-ı Barçın district, and it is noted to have 119 villages.

Culture

The district is very rich in historic monuments. Within its boundaries are nearly 40 Hittite, Phrygian and Roman–Byzantine settlements and ruins, of which about 85% are unregistered.

History and Culture

Han was founded where historic trade and caravan routes crossed. The Midas Monument dates to the first half of the 6th century BC. The Hüsrev Paşa Mosque may have been built on the site of a Byzantine-period church.

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Places to Visit in Han

  • 5 Ancient City
  • 1 Religious
Ancient City

Yazılıkaya (Midas City)

One of the important settlements of the Phrygians, home to the Midas Monument.

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Religious

Hüsrev Paşa Mosque

A historic mosque dating from the Ottoman period.

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Ancient City

Underground City

An ancient settlement in Han district.

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Ancient City

Midas Monument (Yazılıkaya)

A monument in Yazılıkaya village, considered the most magnificent example of Phrygian rock façades.

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Ancient City

Han Underground City

An ancient settlement with underground galleries and chambers carved into rock, which will attract the most interest from visitors.

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Ancient City

Akhisar Castle

A Phrygian settlement built on a high rocky outcrop in Akhisar village, which is attached to Han.

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Places to Visit Around Eskişehir Province

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While you are in Han, you can also see the highlights of Eskişehir province. These places are in other districts; Han is about 40 km from the provincial centre.

  • Odunpazarı Houses — The historic quarter on the hills where the city first grew up; with its winding streets and colourful timber houses with bay windows, it preserves the Ottoman urban fabric and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2012. Many of the houses are now museums, workshops or cafés.
  • Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM) — A contemporary art museum designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma with stacked timber beams, inspired by Odunpazarı's past as a wood market; it opened on 7 September 2019 with the collection of Erol Tabanca, an architect and collector from Eskişehir.
  • Kurşunlu Complex — A complex of mosque, soup kitchen, caravanserai and madrasa built by Çoban Mustafa Paşa in 1525; its caravanserai is counted among the works of Mimar Sinan.
  • Porsuk River Banks — The banks of the Porsuk River, which divides the city centre in two, have been landscaped with bridges, walking paths and cafés; gondola and boat tours run on the river.
  • Midas Monument and Midas City (Yazılıkaya) — A 17-metre Phrygian cult façade carved into the rock around 600 BC in the Yazılıkaya neighbourhood of the Han district; the name Midas appears in the Phrygian inscriptions.
  • Pessinus (Ballıhisar) — A Phrygian and Roman city in the village of Ballıhisar, south of Sivrihisar, and the most important place of worship of the mother goddess Cybele.

Practical Information for Visiting Han

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and summer
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in Han

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  • Çibörek (fried meat pastry)

    Minced meat filling wrapped in thin dough and fried in hot oil, çibörek is the classic flavour of the Eskişehir region. It can be tasted in its most authentic form at local markets and home-style restaurants.

  • Balaban Kebabı (doner meat on pide bread)

    Doner meat poured over pide bread with buttered tomato sauce and yoghurt, balaban kebabı is a dish specific to Eskişehir. It can be tasted in its most authentic form at local markets and home-style restaurants.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Han

  • Caravanserai Tradition

    Han district took its name from the caravanserai built in the Seljuk period. As an important stopover on the Silk Road, the district bears the traces of its tradition of trade and hospitality.

Local Products

  • Han Honey — Flower honey gathered in the district's farmland, a natural and aromatic variety of honey.

Economy

Han's economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are the main agricultural products.

How to Get to Han

Han is about 40 km from Eskişehir city centre. Road access is via Eskişehir.

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Han: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Han?

Six highlights in Han: Yazılıkaya (Midas City), Hüsrev Paşa Mosque, Underground City, Midas Monument (Yazılıkaya), Han Underground City and Akhisar Castle.

What to eat in Han?

Çibörek and Balaban Kebabı are the signature flavours on Han's tables.

What is Han famous for?

Han is known for Han Honey and its Caravanserai Tradition. The flower honey gathered in the district's farmland is a natural and aromatic variety.

How do I get to Han?

Han is about 40 km from Eskişehir city centre. Road access is via Eskişehir.

How much time should I set aside for a trip to Han?

Suggested visit: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and summer.

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Other Districts of Eskişehir

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