Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source 12 places to visit in the Sivrihisar district of Eskişehir: Sivrihisar Rock Formations, Ballıhisar (Pessinus) Ancient City and Sivrihisar Grand Mosque. Plan your trip to Sivrihisar with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Sivrihisar is the largest district of Eskişehir province by area. The district covers 2,748 km², lies at an altitude of 1,108 metres and has a population of 20,189. Sivrihisar is associated with historical figures such as Nasreddin Hoca, Yunus Emre, Aziz Mahmut Hüdai and Hızır Bey.
The district centre lies at the junction of the Ankara, Eskişehir and İzmir roads. Located at the foot of a volcanic rock mass that is an extension of Çal Mountain, the district stands out for its pointed rocks rising into the sky.
Settlement in the district goes back to the Hittite period, and from around the 700s BC the Phrygians began to settle there. The district’s commercial and military importance grew in the Roman period. It was repaired by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and took the name Justinianopolis. In 1074 the Seljuks captured the district, named it Karahisar and turned it into a cultural centre with mosques, caravanserais, hammams and madrasas. In 1289 it came under Ottoman rule. Osman Bey later gave the administration of Sivrihisar, together with the whole Eskişehir area, to his brother Gündüz Bey. An administrative district was established in Sivrihisar in 1684, and in 1912 it was attached to Eskişehir province.
The historic Surp Yerrortutyun Armenian Church, dating from 1650, has been restored. The Grand Mosque, built in 1275 by Eminiddin-i Mikail, one of Mevlana’s disciples, is one of the largest wooden-columned mosques in Anatolia, its roof supported by 67 wooden columns. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism had a representative Nasreddin Hoca house built, and it is open to the public.
Sivrihisar is the largest district of Eskişehir province by area. The Seljuks took the district in 1074 and a building drive followed. The Grand Mosque was built in 1275 by Eminiddin-i Mikail, one of Mevlana’s disciples. Sivrihisar Grand Mosque is one of five medieval wooden hypostyle mosques added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2023. Nasreddin Hoca was born in Hortu village in Sivrihisar in 1208.
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Hortu village, where the famous 13th-century folk philosopher Nasreddin Hoca was born, lies within the boundaries of Sivrihisar. In the district centre there is a museum and statues dedicated to Nasreddin Hoca.
View on mapA historic mansion where a meeting of the Council of Ministers was held on 24 March 1922.
View on mapAn ancient city about 16 km from the district centre. It was an important religious centre of the Phrygian civilisation, and the great temple of the goddess Cybele is located here.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source Built in the 13th century in the Seljuk period, the Grand Mosque with its 67 wooden columns is one of the largest wooden-columned mosques in Anatolia. It holds some of the finest examples of Seljuk woodwork and is on UNESCO's World Heritage tentative list.
View on mapOne of the most important examples of wooden-columned, wooden-ceilinged mosques in Anatolia.
View on mapA church built in 1881, with bell towers on both sides.
View on mapA building in the district centre, decorated with a miniature of the Kaaba and frescoes, and known as the first masjid in Anatolia.
View on mapA museum displaying aircraft, located at the Necati Artan Facilities in Sivrihisar.
View on mapPointed rock formations made of a volcanic rock mass that is an extension of Çal Mountain. They gave the district its name and form a natural area suitable for climbing.
View on mapA clock tower built in 1899 on the orders of the district governor (kaymakam) Mahmut Bey.
View on mapWhile you are in Sivrihisar, you can also see the highlights of Eskişehir province. These places are in other districts; Sivrihisar is about 85 km from the provincial centre.
Sivrihisar Arabaşı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 21 February 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1033). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Sivrihisar Municipality.
Sivrihisar Höşmerim Tatlısı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 28 September 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 547). Product group: bakery and confectionery products, pastries, desserts. Registered by: Sivrihisar Municipality.
Sivrihisar Kelem Dolması was registered as a protected geographical indication on 7 August 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1189). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Sivrihisar Municipality.
Sivrihisar Muska Baklavası was registered as a protected geographical indication on 5 September 2018 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 381). Product group: bakery and confectionery products, pastries, desserts. Registered by: Sivrihisar Municipality.
Sivrihisar is the homeland of the famous folk philosopher and humorist Nasreddin Hoca, who was born in Hortu village in 1208. The International Nasreddin Hoca Culture and Arts Festival, held every year, is the district's most important cultural event.
Sivrihisar and its surroundings have a 10,000-year settlement history and have hosted 13 different civilisations. Rich archaeological remains from the Phrygian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods can be found here.
Sivrihisar's economy is based on agriculture, livestock and tourism. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are the main crops. The Nasreddin Hoca festival and historic buildings generate tourism income. Lokum (Turkish delight) production is a traditional industry.
Sivrihisar is about 85 km from Eskişehir city centre. It lies on the Ankara–Eskişehir road. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.
The 12 highlights in Sivrihisar are: Sivrihisar Rock Formations, Ballıhisar (Pessinus) Ancient City, Sivrihisar Grand Mosque, Nasreddin Hoca Birthplace and Museum, Sivrihisar Grand Mosque, Surp Yerrortutyun Armenian Church, Sivrihisar Clock Tower, Zaimağa Mansion, Hazinedar Masjid, M.S.Ö. Air and Space Museum, Pessinus Ancient City and Sivrihisar Kurşunlu Mosque.
Sivrihisar Arabaşı, Sivrihisar Höşmerim Tatlısı, Sivrihisar Kelem Dolması and Sivrihisar Muska Baklavası are the standout dishes on Sivrihisar's tables.
Sivrihisar is known for Sivrihisar Cebesi and Nasreddin Hoca's Birthplace. Sivrihisar Cebesi is a product registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.
Sivrihisar is about 85 km from Eskişehir city centre. It lies on the Ankara–Eskişehir road. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.
Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and summer (June festival).