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Valleys of Wonder: Phrygian Valleys, Fairy Chimneys & Thermal Spas

Phrygian Valley

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The Phrygian Valley is one of the newest hidden gems for travel in Türkiye. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, Phrygian Valley is waiting to be discovered with its extraordinary landscape and serene atmosphere. The valley, which is spread over a region within the borders of Eskişehir, Kütahya, and Afyon provinces today, is home to historical ruins and ancient artifacts bearing traces of the Phrygian civilization. The Phrygians are peoples who migrated into Anatolia from the Balkans, where they first appeared on the stage of history circa 12th century BCE in Thrace. With this movement, they have been the source of many mythological stories ever since.

Hot Springs

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Termal Hot Springs (Termal Kaplıcaları) are located in the city center of the Termal district of Yalova and they stand out as the most complex hot spring area of Türkiye. Famous for its hydrangeas, Termal also hosts quite rare trees. It has 39 types of deciduous trees, 26 types of evergreen trees, 25 types of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, and 18 types of ivy type plants. There are pine, magnolia and other types of trees in Güney Park. Influenced by different cultures in history, Termal gained importance during the Roman period. According to the research, Termal Hot Springs, known to have emerged as a result of a prehistoric earthquake have been named Pythia Therma since the 6th century. This was because it was thought to belong to an underground god because of the steam and hot water that emerged in the earth’s crevices. The Elixir of Life thermal baths, built by Constantine and restored by Justinian, are among the most popular thermal springs. The thermal springs, which gained importance again in the time of Sultan Abdülhamid, took their final shape during the period of Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He frequently visited Termal to get some rest and spend some time here. Termal Hot Springs waters were examined by the Society of Medicine in 1892, and a hotel and a bath were built here after it was discovered that the waters were of equal quality with the waters of Aix Les-Bains. Various votive steles, tombstones, a church and a tunnel, columns bearing the monogram of the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian II (C.E 565-578) were found in the studies launched in 1932 with the excavation order given by Atatürk.

Seydiler Fairy Chimneys

Due to the geological structure of Afyonkarahisar province, there are many fairy chimneys in different shapes, with or without a cap. These are located in the İhsaniye, İscehisar, Bayat and Bolvadin Districts on volcanic soils. These fairy chimneys, formed by the erosion of volcanic rocks over time, are one of the natural beauties that attract the attention of local and foreign tourists in Afyonkarahisar. For visitors, who want to explore these natural beauties, there are walking and sightseeing routes connecting the districts of İhsaniye, İscehisar, Bayat and Bolvadin.