Where to Visit

Museums

Yalvaç Museum

With more than its share of history, the town of Yalvaç has a beautiful museum in which the artifacts recovered from excavations in the area are displayed.

The archeological and ethnographical items here date back to the pre-historic era. The museum is open 7 days a week between 08.00-16.30.
Museum Tel: (+90 246) 441 50 59

Antique Cities

The Ancient City of Antioch

Antiocheia is was founded about 1 km north of Yalvaç in the province of Isparta on a fertile area lying along the southern slopes of the Sultan Mountains. It was the capital city of the Pisidia and a Seleucid colony like Apollonia. It was built between 281-261 BC by Seleucus's son Antiocheia and named "Antiocheia" in his honor.

In 25 BC with the selection of Pisidia as the site of Rome's first and biggest military colony, the city was rebuilt by emperor Augustus. Augustus brought 3000 soldiers from Rome and settled them here in Antiocheia. The city was given the name "Seven boroughs" and in Latin texts it is referred to as "Res Gestae." For this reason the ancient Roman city and Antiocheia are sister cities with an important place in history.

At this time, there were inscriptions in Antiocheia of two Lefro (V-VII). In the Roman era, the city had, according to inscriptions, a population of over 100,000 people. The official language was Latin but the population at large spoke Greek. In the early part of Emperor Period of Rome the city was rebuilt according to a ordered city plan and many buildings both religious and civil were constructed.

The Sections of the City

The main entrance to the city is via the Western Gate. Cardo Maximus, the main street has narrow but straight side streets leading into it. The city is made up of two main squares (Augustus and Tiberius). These are located in the eastern section or main part of the city.
 
The city walls of Antiocheia in total around 3000 meters. Built in the Hellenistic era, these magnificent walls were expanded and repaired during the Roman and Byzantine periods. The Western Gate, which guards the entrance to the city, is decorated with reliefs of shields and weapons of war and symbolized the might of the city. The grand Temple of Augustus, which crowns the city's sacred high place, makes the presence of the sacred powers felt in an almost tangible way with its consummate architectural style.

The propylon (Memorial Entrance 1st century AD) is situated at the nexus of the Square of Augustus and the Square of Tiberius. The Square of Tiberius (15-40 AD) is located to the east of the Street of Columns, one of the city's most important sections. In the gallery where the shops were located quite a lot of glass, pottery and bronze items have been recovered. The ancient theater was built on the slope of a hill quite close to the city center. The theater is composed of three main parts and unlike most theaters of the day, has a tunnel 56 meters long and 8 meters wide. Decorated with many fine reliefs, the theater's estimated capacity was 5000 people.

The Roman Baths (1st-2nd century AD) located in the northwestern corner of the city, was constructed in a style reminiscent of the prevailing architectural style. In the baths are the cool, warm and hot sections as well as dressing rooms, water jugs and storage areas.

The Stadium, which sits up on the foothills of the Sultan Mountains west of the acropolis, was built during the Hellenistic period. It is 190 meters long and 30 meters wide. This structure which once hosted sports activities such as wrestling and boxing, was destroyed by fanatics. At one time the scene of combat for gladiators and wild animals, the stadium is wrapped in the glory of old Rome.

The church of St. Paul, which is enormously important for tourists of the Christian faith, is the first and biggest church in Antiocheia. It is located 200 meters south of the Roman Baths. It is a basilica. Researchers at the site have discovered a smaller church constructed much earlier than the present one. The mosaics which adorn the floor and the column-lined wall are quite impressive. Underneath the smaller church the remains of a synagogue have been discovered. There are numerous graves and skeletal remains within the church. The name of Optimus, an Orthodox leader who was the bishop of Antiocheia between 375-381 AD, can be found among the inscriptions in the church.

In 46 AD, accompanied by Baranabas, St. Paul gave his first sermon in the synagogue discovered underneath the church. The church was the scene of many more sermons given by famous saints visiting the site.

The aqueducts which have come to symbolize the city, were built in the Roman era. Stretching all along the northern side of the city, the aqueduct brought water from a source 10 km away. These aqueducts, which brought the life-giving water to the city, stand erect today in obstinate defiance of the ravages of time and war.

The Sacred Site of Men

Men is the ancient moon God of Anatolia which was worshipped as far back as the 3rd millenium BC and who occasionally graced the coins minted in the area. One of the Men cult's most important centers, the ancient city of Antiocheia is adorned with many structures dedicated to the Men god. The Sacred site of Men is located 5 km from Yalvaç. The temple can be dated back to the 4th century BC. In addition to the temple, there are 2 churches, a stadium and residential dwellings.

Limenia Island

Located 25 km from Yalvaç, this island in the middle of Lake Hoyran is an unique historical site awash with the mysticism of the past. Walls encircle the island. The location and architectural style of the Rock Tombs carved into the rocky slopes of the island never fail to attract the visitor's attention. Another historically important site on the island is the Monastery dedicated to Mary.

Rock Tombs

There are rock tombs of differing sizes carved into the rocky slopes rising out of Lake Hoyran. The most interesting tomb is the grave adorned with a pediment. It is possible to see Phrygian graves of a different sort here.

Mosques

Devlethan Mosque, Yeni Mosque and Leblebiciler Mosque are some of the well-known famous mosques of the area.

Old Baths

One of the Yalvaç's rarest treasures is the Old Baths built in the Ottoman tradition. Located in the neighborhood of Kaş, the Old Baths have dressing rooms, cold and hot sections, a water storage area and a boiler room.

Tokmacık Fossil Beds

A 9 million year-old fossil of a rhinoceros was found in the town of Tokmacık during excavations in 1994. The fossils of animals which lived 9-10 million years ago and which were unearthed in the excavations directed by Prof. Fuzuli Yağmurlu from Süleyman Demirel University were put on display at the Tortonion Museum in 1995.

Caves

Akar-Donar Cave

Located on the north slope of Koçyata hill 3 km from the village of Dedeçam, it is a dry vertical cave.

Ayı Ini Cave

Northeast of Yalvaç in the southern foothills of the Sultan Mountains, it is on the upper portion of Nazilli Creek. It is a horizontal and dry cave. It appears to have been used for a variety of purposes most likely in the early Byzantine period. There are cisterns inside the cave.

Değirmen Önü (Mill) Cave

One Km Northeast of the Town of Kozluçay, it is Near Su Geçidi Creek. It is Horizontal And Dry.

Promanade

The Old Sycamore Tree, which has listened to the decisions which would affect the future of Yalvaç for centuries, sometimes waves its limbs as a sign of support for the local people. The locals have come to see the Old Sycamore Tree as a sign of good luck for the region.

With the most beautiful hues of pine green anywhere, Hıdırlık Hill is the site of many traditional celebrations. Other sites where history and nature embrace are Hisarardı, Su Çıktığı, Düzkır Forest, Gemen Korusu and Gazniri.