The tale of Gordion: Where history and mythology intertwine
Türkiye is shrouded in historical splendor. Its UNESCO-recognized sites have long enticed travelers, with the likes of Nemrut Dağ, Hattusha, and now Gordion, awakening their curiosities about the forgotten stories of buried kingdoms.
Echoes of the past
Standing as an unassuming gem in Türkiye’s treasure chest of World Heritage Sites is the ancient city of Gordion (modern-day Yassıhöyük). Located just an hour’s drive from the capital, Ankara, city-goers are in touching distance of a settlement steeped in over 5,000 years of history and countless mythical tales.
Reaching its apex during the Phrygian Empire (1200–675 BCE), Gordion was one of the most important political centers of the ancient world. Not only was it strategically positioned at the intersection of a major east-west trade route, but it was once ruled by a leader whose name would go on to be the subject of legend—King Midas, renowned for his ability to turn everything he touched to gold.
Today, a monumental gateway, burial mounds, and stone ruins are all that remain of the citadel, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of his kingdom. Accompanied by the Midas Tümülüsü (Mound) and the Gordion Museum, the archaeological site presents visitors with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of its inhabitants and the myths that were born from their time.
Legacies of a king
Gordion is home to over 125 burial mounds, with the largest reaching a colossal height of 175 feet—the second-largest in Türkiye. Despite being named the Midas Tümülüsü, it is believed to be the resting place of King Midas’ father, Gordias, who ruled ancient Phrygia in the early part of the 8th century BCE.
Legend has it that Gordias became king after fulfilling the prophecy of a local oracle, who declared that the heir to Phrygia would be the next man to enter the city on an ox-cart. As a former farmhand who rose to power, Gordias is one of the earliest protagonists of a “rags-to-riches” story.
Travelers can write themselves into this millennia-old narrative through a visit to the Midas Tümülüsü. Thanks to a well-lit excavation tunnel, they can walk directly to the burial chamber of King Gordias, where a tomb built of pine and juniper wood awaits. As the world’s oldest standing wooden structure, it is a true spectacle of the ancient craft of preservation.
Gordion is home to over 125 burial mounds, with the largest reaching a colossal height of 175 feet—the second-largest in Türkiye. Despite being named the Midas Tümülüsü, it is believed to be the resting place of King Midas’ father, Gordias, who ruled ancient Phrygia in the early part of the 8th century BCE.
Legend has it that Gordias became king after fulfilling the prophecy of a local oracle, who declared that the heir to Phrygia would be the next man to enter the city on an ox-cart. As a former farmhand who rose to power, Gordias is one of the earliest protagonists of a “rags-to-riches” story.
Travelers can write themselves into this millennia-old narrative through a visit to the Midas Tümülüsü. Thanks to a well-lit excavation tunnel, they can walk directly to the burial chamber of King Gordias, where a tomb built of pine and juniper wood awaits. As the world’s oldest standing wooden structure, it is a true spectacle of the ancient craft of preservation.
Exhibiting Bronze Age relics; early Phrygian textiles; cookware from the Iron Age; Ancient Greek ceramic pieces; and tools dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman eras, visitors can gaze in awe at findings from several historical eras—a lesson into why Türkiye is largely considered a “cradle of civilizations”.
To gain further insight into Gordion’s expansive past, museum curators are on hand to offer visitors expert and localized knowledge. They are also best informed to extract the truth from the mythical stories associated with Gordion, from ‘Gordias and the Ox-Cart’ to ‘Alexander the Great and the Gordion Knot’ in which the famed conqueror supposedly discovered his fate to rule all of Asia Minor.
A cradle of civilizations
Across the way from the Midas Tümülüsü is the Gordion Museum, set proudly against the backdrop of Yassıhöyük’s serene landscape. Just a five-minute drive from the main archaeological site of Gordion, it displays some of the many artefacts found during excavation.
Exhibiting Bronze Age relics; early Phrygian textiles; cookware from the Iron Age; Ancient Greek ceramic pieces; and tools dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman eras, visitors can gaze in awe at findings from several historical eras—a lesson into why Türkiye is largely considered a “cradle of civilizations”.
To gain further insight into Gordion’s expansive past, museum curators are on hand to offer visitors expert and localized knowledge. They are also best informed to extract the truth from the mythical stories associated with Gordion, from ‘Gordias and the Ox-Cart’ to ‘Alexander the Great and the Gordion Knot’ in which the famed conqueror supposedly discovered his fate to rule all of Asia Minor.
Sivrihisar, known as Mountainous Phrygia due to its alpine landscape, is home to the Phrygian Way, where hikers can venture into the deep valleys of one of Türkiye’s most prominent walking trails. It is also a perfect middle ground between Gordion and an area that is equally intertwined with the legacy of King Midas—Yazılıkaya. Known as “Midas City”, it is here that travelers can view a spectacular rock monument, believed to be inscribed with a dedication to the former Phrygian king.
Set on a hilltop that shares a skyline with dramatic volcanic formations, Yazılıkaya is an ideal destination to observe nature in all its wonder. Plan your trip around sunset and watch as the stone façades of ancient tombs, winding staircases, and Phrygian reliefs (sculptures) are cloaked in a golden hue, reminiscent of the “Midas Touch”.
Touches of gold
Few facilities are available in Gordion, allowing visitors to truly indulge in its historical magnitude. However, after a fulfilling day of time travel, the nearby town of Sivrihisar in the Eskişehir Province boasts a selection of amenities to help travelers unwind, including comfortable hotels, authentic restaurants, and green spaces.
Sivrihisar, known as Mountainous Phrygia due to its alpine landscape, is home to the Phrygian Way, where hikers can venture into the deep valleys of one of Türkiye’s most prominent walking trails. It is also a perfect middle ground between Gordion and an area that is equally intertwined with the legacy of King Midas—Yazılıkaya. Known as “Midas City”, it is here that travelers can view a spectacular rock monument, believed to be inscribed with a dedication to the former Phrygian king.
Set on a hilltop that shares a skyline with dramatic volcanic formations, Yazılıkaya is an ideal destination to observe nature in all its wonder. Plan your trip around sunset and watch as the stone façades of ancient tombs, winding staircases, and Phrygian reliefs (sculptures) are cloaked in a golden hue, reminiscent of the “Midas Touch”.
Becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, Gordion is one of the most recent examples of Türkiye’s rich historical offering. Whether travelers journey here to explore what remains of the ancient city or to unravel the mysteries of its past, they are sure to embark on an unforgettable journey through time and mythology.
