Yazilikaya - Midas Monument Yazılıkaya, a village situated in Eskişehir Province, Turkey, hosts an archaeological site featuring Phrygian artifacts and an inscription referencing King Midas. Archaeological findings indicate that the region was inhabited as early as the early Bronze Age, although continuous settlement has not been established. The most prominent structures in Yazılıkaya were constructed between 800 and 600 BC, during which it ranked as the second most important center of Phrygian civilization, following their capital, Gordion. The area was safeguarded by four fortresses situated on nearby hills, known as Akpara, Pişmiş, Gökgöz, and Kocabaş. The Phrygians are believed to have left the Yazılıkaya region around 500 BCE. Later, from about 300 CE, the area saw occupation by Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine peoples who settled in Anatolia, as indicated by nearby ruins and inscriptions. Yazılıkaya features the remarkable Midas Monument, a limestone structure dating to roughly 500 BC, richly decorated with detailed carvings. This monument is sculpted into a vertical cliff face and resembles a temple entrance, with a shallow niche thought to symbolize the gateway to the sanctuary of the goddess Cybele. The monument’s square façade measures about 16 meters on each side and follows the Phrygian megaron architectural style, characterized by a deep hall at the front and a shallow porch or vestibule at the rear. Surrounding the niche are geometric maze-like patterns, topped by an acroterion, although this decorative element has not survived. Above the monument’s façade, an Old Phrygian inscription declares that the structure was dedicated to King Midas by an individual named Ates, who is thought to have been a priest. However, because multiple Phrygian kings were named Midas, the exact historical context remains unclear. Regardless, the Midas Monument stands as a powerful symbol of the artistic and cultural legacy of the Phrygian civilization. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Yazılıkaya - Midas Monument, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via WhatsApp, and we will get back to you promptly.