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Echoes of the Past: Unveiling Burdur’s Ancient and Cultural Treasures

Hacılar Mound

Hacılar Mound, considered one of the oldest settlement areas in Western Anatolia, is an important archaeological site. Discovered in 1956, the mound was excavated between 1957 and 1960 by the renowned British archaeologist James Mellaart, revealing 16 settlement layers ranging from the Neolithic to the Early Chalcolithic periods. These phases, where agriculture began to be practiced and permanent settlement emerged, provide significant insights into prehistoric eras. During the excavations, many valuable artifacts, such as stone-based mudbrick houses, ceramics adorned with geometric patterns, and figurines of the mother goddess, were unearthed. Exhibited at the Burdur Museum, the Hacılar finds connect visitors with this rich historical heritage, while Hacılar Mound stands out as a unique destination for those interested in exploring one of Anatolia's earliest settlements.

Kibyra Ancient City

Kibyra Ancient City's image
Kibyra Ancient City (Kibyra Antik Kenti), which was included in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2016, sits on the western slope of Gölhisar district. One of the most important cities of the Hellene and Roman civilizations, the city plan features symmetrically placed structures that do not obstruct each other’s views. At the entrance of Kibyra is a stadium with a capacity for 10,000 people; it was one of the most magnificent stadiums in Anatolia during the Ancient age and is known to have featured gladiator exhibitions. In addition, the Odeon of Kibyra, which served as a concert area, parliament, court, and a covered theatre, features an intact mosaic of the head of Medusa on the floor of the orchestra section. This building, with a capacity of 3,000 people, was an important structure of the ancient city and is the largest known Odeon in the world. In Kibyra, the Basilica, lower and upper Agora, a bath, a gymnasium, a theatre, a parliament building, monumental tombs, an arch with a round tower and waterways also stand out as historical buildings that draw attention.

Muallim Mustafa Sırrı Özkan Culture House

Muallim Mustafa Sırrı Özkan Culture House's image
The Master Sırrı Mustafa Özkan Culture House (Muallim Mustafa Sırrı Özkan Kültürevi) was built in 1928, the early years of the Republic Period. A stellar example of the traditional architecture of Gölhisar, the two-story mansion also served as a guesthouse for the statesmen of the period. Today, objects of ethnographic value are exhibited in the mansion, which today is a Culture House presenting the heritage of Gölhisar and the region to visitors.