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It was a dizzying climb up the massive rock in the middle of the city of Afyon to Afyon Castle (Afyon Kalesi). It wasn’t easy, especially in the freezing cold.
Walking Up
I had to pace myself and eventually got up to the top in about 20 minutes, stopping to admire the views on the way up. Along the way there were a few kids selling çay, coffee, water, and snacks. The walk was steep at times but it didn’t feel unsafe.
Castle Ruins
At the top are the ruins of a castle. There has been some sort of fortress on top of the rock since Hittite times.
I was exhausted but the views from the top were well worth the hike. I don’t think I’ve seen such an exhilarating view before, staring over cliffs that drop straight down into the city below. It was dead silent except for the howl of the wind, adding to the drama of the moment.
While looking down on the city, I spotted some of the important buildings that I had just visited.
