Photo: Gülhan K. HORUZ (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 8 places to visit in the Çavdarhısar district of Kütahya: Aizanoi Ancient City, Temple of Zeus (Zeus Tapınağı) and Aizanoi Stadium and Theatre. Plan your trip to Çavdarhısar with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Çavdarhısar is a district of Kütahya province. It covers an area of 429 km², has an elevation of 1,005 metres and a population of 5,503, and was established in 1990.
Settlement at Aizanoi goes back to the Bronze Age, and in the Hellenistic period the ancient city changed hands between the kingdoms of Pergamon and Bithynia. Aizanoi continued to mint its own coins in the Roman period, and the monumental buildings of the city were erected from the early Imperial period to the 3rd century AD. Beneath the Temple of Zeus there is another vaulted space, which is thought to have served local devotion to the mother goddess Cybele. Inscriptions on the walls of the Macellum record many commercial values, from slave prices to teachers’ salaries, and this structure came to light when a mosque built on it collapsed in the 1970 Gediz earthquake. Art circles describe Aizanoi as the ‘second Ephesus’ for its cultural character, and the city is home to what is described as the best-preserved Temple of Zeus in the world. Aizanoi began to decline in Late Antiquity, and in 2012 it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
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Photo: Gülhan K. HORUZ (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source Settled from the 3rd millennium BC, Aizanoi enjoyed its golden age in the Roman period. The ancient city, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, lies at 1,000 metres elevation on the bank of the Penkalas (Kocaçay) stream. Structures uncovered in excavations include a temple, stadium, theatre and macellum.
View on mapThe most important structure at Aizanoi, the Temple of Zeus is one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Anatolia. Its 48 columns, combining the Ionic and Corinthian orders, are notable. A cave dedicated to Cybele lies on the lower level of the temple.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source The stadium and theatre in the ancient city were built adjacent to each other, an arrangement unique in the Roman world. The stadium holds 13,500 people and the theatre 20,000.
View on mapA round structure dating to the 2nd century AD, considered the oldest known exchange building in the world. Inscriptions relating to price regulations by Emperor Diocletian were found on its walls.
View on mapA round building constructed in the second half of the 2nd century AD at Aizanoi. It is considered the oldest exchange in the world; its inscriptions contain information on the prices of goods sold.
View on mapCombined theatre and stadium structures north of the Temple of Zeus at Aizanoi. Construction began in the 2nd century AD and continued at intervals until the 3rd century.
View on mapA colonnaded street north-east of the Macellum at Aizanoi. Dating to around AD 400 and thought to have survived until the 6th century, it was built with columns removed from older ancient structures and brought here.
View on mapAizanoi's great cemetery. This area contains examples of Phrygian door-shaped gravestones; men's tombs feature bulls, lions and eagles, while women's tombs feature wool baskets and a mirror.
View on mapWhile you are in Çavdarhısar, you can also see the highlights of Kütahya province. These places are in other districts; Çavdarhısar is about 57 km from the provincial centre.
Dumplings made with small pieces of dough filled with minced meat, served with yoghurt and a butter sauce.
A traditional dessert made with cheese, flour and sugar, one of the distinctive flavours of the Kütahya region.
Çavdarhısar is home to Aizanoi, one of Anatolia's most important ancient cities. Known as the 'second Ephesus' of Türkiye, the city reveals the architectural and commercial richness of the Roman Empire period.
Çavdarhısar's economy is based on agriculture and tourism. The progress of the Aizanoi Ancient City in the UNESCO process is increasing its tourism potential.
Çavdarhısar is 57 km from Kütahya provincial centre and 30 km from Zafer Airport. Transport is by road.
8 prominent places in Çavdarhısar: Aizanoi Ancient City, Temple of Zeus, Aizanoi Stadium and Theatre, Macellum (World's First Exchange), Macellum (Exchange Building), Theatre-Stadium Complex, Colonnaded Street and Necropolis.
Kütahya Mantısı and Höşmerim are the standout flavours on Çavdarhısar's tables.
Çavdarhısar is known for Wheat and Barley and the Aizanoi Ancient City Heritage. Wheat and barley are grown on the fertile plains of Çavdarhısar.
Çavdarhısar is 57 km from Kütahya provincial centre and 30 km from Zafer Airport. Transport is by road.
Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn months (April–June, September–October).