Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 7 places to visit in the Seyitgazi district of Eskişehir: Yazılıkaya - Midas City, Seyit Battal Gazi Complex and Phrygian Valley (Upland Phrygia). Plan your trip to Seyitgazi with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Known in antiquity as Nakoleia, Seyitgazi lies 43 km south of Eskişehir. The district takes its name from Battal Gazi, who fell as a martyr in the Arab campaigns to spread Islam into Anatolia. The district covers 1,578 km², has an elevation of 987 metres and a population of 12,565.
The first settlement dates from between 3500 and 3000 BC, and the main period of settlement began around 800–600 BC. After the area was taken from the Byzantine Empire, 70–80 Turkmen households were settled there and it was named Türkmen Köyü (Turkmen Village). After the Seyyid Battal Gazi Complex was built, the settlement took its name from it and became a lively centre. In 1531, six quarters, Karacapınar, Hatıplar, Belenk, Kalfal, Yenice and Özbek, were established by a decree sent by Suleiman the Magnificent.
Traditional weaving types include zili, cicim and gökmendil. Hand-knitted socks are common in the district, with patterns such as ram’s horn, notched and bramble-leaf motifs. Handmade lace (oya) is widespread in the district, and bead, shuttle and thread lace are made.
The district’s economy is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Apart from Eti Maden İşletmeleri, there are flour, feed, oil, explosives and chemical-machinery industries. Grains, sugar beet and pulses are commonly grown, and people get their bread from ovens known as tandır.
Seyyid Battal Gazi was martyred in 740 near Seyitgazi in Eskişehir, from a wound he received in battle. Seyitgazi lies on the Istanbul–Baghdad–Hijaz route and became a stopping point for those travelling on pilgrimage. Suleiman the Magnificent visited Seyitgazi during his Persian campaigns and had additions made to the complex. The complex first became the centre of the Kalenderi dervishes and later of the Bektashi order.
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One of the important centres of the Phrygian Kingdom in the 8th–7th centuries BC, Yazılıkaya is famous for the monumental Midas Monument carved into the rock. The 17-metre rock monument, with its geometric decorations and Phrygian inscriptions, is one of the most important works of Anatolian archaeology.
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Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The complex houses the tomb of the legendary Islamic warrior Seyit Battal Gazi, who lived in the 8th century, and consists of a mosque, madrasa, soup kitchen and dervish lodge. Expanded in the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, it is one of Anatolia's most important places of pilgrimage.
View on mapSpreading over a wide area around Seyitgazi, the Phrygian Valley is effectively an open-air archaeological museum, with rock-cut temples, tombs, cisterns and water channels. It bears traces of Phrygian civilisation from the 8th century BC.
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Photo: KGKUCUK (CC BY 3.0) · Source Located within the Phrygian Valley, Kümbet Church is a rock-cut Byzantine church. Its interior walls, with their frescoes and architectural details, make it an important building from the Christian period of the region.
View on mapThe complex that took shape around the tomb and mosque commissioned by Ümmühan Hatun, mother of Alaeddin Keykubat I. During the Ottoman period a madrasa, imaret (soup kitchen), dervish lodge and dergâh were added.
View on mapHoused in the Seljuk Hammam, the museum displays information and samples on boron mining, old household items, farming tools and handicraft products.
View on mapLandforms shaped by the erosion of tuff and tuffite formations. It is a first-degree natural protected site.
View on mapWhile you are in Seyitgazi, you can also see the highlights of Eskişehir province. These places are in other districts; Seyitgazi is about 45 km from the provincial centre.
Minced meat wrapped in thin dough and deep-fried in hot oil, çibörek is the best-known street food of the Eskişehir region.
Balaban kebabı, a dish specific to Eskişehir, is prepared by pouring doner meat, buttery tomato sauce and yoghurt over pide bread. Because it is made with seasonal ingredients, it offers a different flavour in every season.
Small pieces of dough filled with minced meat, cooked and served with a garlic yoghurt sauce. It is one of Seyitgazi's traditional dishes.
In Seyitgazi, meadow mushrooms are gathered and cooked into a variety of dishes, and are also eaten grilled over embers with salt sprinkled on them. The source is a news report dated 2016.
Seyitgazi was one of the important centres of the Phrygian Kingdom in the 8th century BC. Yazılıkaya (Midas City) and the rock-cut monuments, temples and tombs of the Phrygian Valley are the most important remains of this civilisation.
The district takes its name from the legendary Islamic warrior Seyit Battal Gazi, who fought against Byzantium in the 8th century. For centuries, his tomb and complex have been an important place of visit and faith.
Seyitgazi's economy is based on agriculture, livestock and tourism. The Phrygian Valley and the Seyit Battal Gazi Complex bring significant tourism income. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are grown in farming.
Seyitgazi is about 45 km from Eskişehir city centre. It is reached by road via the Eskişehir–Afyon route. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.
The 7 highlighted places in Seyitgazi are: Yazılıkaya - Midas City, Seyit Battal Gazi Complex, Phrygian Valley (Upland Phrygia), Kümbet Church, Seyyid Battal Gazi Complex and Tomb, Seyitgazi Boron and Ethnography Museum and Fairy Chimneys (Seyitgazi).
Çibörek, Balaban Kebabı, Seyitgazi Mantısı and Meadow Mushrooms (Kızılpınar Plateau) are the standout flavours on Seyitgazi's tables.
Seyitgazi is known for Lüle Taşı and Phrygian Civilisation Heritage. Lüle stone, also quarried around Seyitgazi, is Eskişehir's best-known local product.
Seyitgazi is about 45 km from Eskişehir city centre. It is reached by road via the Eskişehir–Afyon route. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.
Suggested visit length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.