Gordion and Phrygian Civilization Route

Route and Why This Order

This route combines the ancient city of Gordion, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, with its surroundings in Polatlı district. It begins at the Ancient City of Gordion; as the capital of the Phrygian Kingdom, this large archaeological site is the day's longest stop, so it is placed in the early morning. A short walk leads to the nearby Midas Tumulus. At the Gordion Museum, seeing the artifacts unearthed from the site just visited completes the meaning of the morning's walk. The route continues by car to the Alagöz Headquarters Museum (from the Battle of Sakarya era) and ends at the Polatlı City Museum in the district center.

Duration, Distance and Transport

The total distance between stops is about 22 km; the route takes roughly 6-7 hours in a day. The Gordion/Midas/Museum trio is within walking distance of each other; a car is needed for the transfer to Alagöz and the Polatlı center.

When to Go

Visiting the Gordion site early in the morning is the way to avoid the heat on the shadeless grounds.

Local Tip

Reading the information panels at the Gordion Museum BEFORE visiting the site helps make more sense of which structures the on-site remains belonged to; travelers who prefer can plan the day in reverse.