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Afyon has a few points of interest in the city center. I started exploring there before checking out some more important sites.

 

Victory Square

My first stop was at Victory Square (Zafer Meydanı). Among the backdrop of a giant rock in the center of the city is the Victory Monument (Zafer Anıtı), a very creepy monument of an Incredible Hulk-like Turkish soldier attacking an invader during the Turkish War of Independence. As disturbing as it is, it’s quite an impressive piece of art.

The bottom of Victory Square in Afyon, Turkey
The bottom of Victory Square
Victory Monument in Afyon, Turkey
Victory Monument

 

Victory Museum

Across from Victory Square is the Victory Museum (Zafer Müzesi), a museum dedicated to the Turkish victory in the War of Independence at nearby Dumlupınar. It’s housed in the old Government House (Hükümet Konağı) and has some interesting artifacts and photos from the war and the Greek occupation of Afyon. In fact, Greek forces used the building as a headquarters building from July 13, 1921, to August 27, 1922. Admission is free and it’s open daily except Sundays (as of September 2024).

Victory Museum in Afyon, Turkey
Victory Museum

It was in this museum where I encountered my first of many grumpy Afyonlu. I smiled and said “merhaba” to the front desk attendant and he looked at me and turned around as if I wasn’t there.

Atatürk's office at the Victory Museum
Atatürk’s office

 

Interesting Buildings

From there, I got curious and walked down the nearest big intersection at Ordu Boulevard (Ordu Bulvarı) for a couple blocks. There was some interesting architecture including the Afyon High School (Afyon Lisesi), which was founded in 1894; the Atatürk Cultural Center (Atatürk Kültür Merkezi); and a cool building with marble statues on the corner of each level.

Afyon High School in Afyon, Turkey
Afyon High School
Atatürk Cultural Center in Afyon, Turkey
Atatürk Cultural Center
Cool building

 

Gedik Ahmed Pasha Mosque Complex

Along the same road as the Victory Museum is the Gedik Ahmed Pasha Mosque Complex (Gedik Ahmet Paşa Külliyesi), a beautiful complex built in 1472. Gedik Ahmed Pasha (d. 1482) was an Ottoman Grand Vizier. The Imaret Mosque (İmaret Camii), has some beautiful stained glass windows and is worth a look inside. Click here for a virtual tour.

Imaret Mosque in Afyon, Turkey
Imaret Mosque
Prayer hall of the Imaret Mosque in Afyon, Turkey
Prayer hall
Decorations in the Imaret Mosque
Decorations
Dome of the Imaret Mosque in Afyon, Turkey
Dome

Also on the grounds of the complex is the Imaret Hamam (İmaret Hamamı), a Turkish bath that’s still in operation; the Kadınana Fountain (Kadınana Çeşmesi); and Taş Madrasa (Taş Medrese) a former religious school.

Imaret Hamam in Afyon, Turkey
Imaret Hamam
Kadınana Fountain in Afyon, Turkey
Kadınana Fountain
Taş Madrasa in Afyon, Turkey
Taş Madrasa

 

Walking Through Historic Afyon

I backtracked a bit and headed towards the historic part of Afyon. I had to walk along a road that has three names – Otpazar Street, Köprübaşı Street, and Zaviye Türbe Street. Then I passed a couple nice squares along the way and through the market district. The most historic market I noticed was the Bedesten, built in 1914.

Bedesten in Afyon, Turkey
Bedesten

On the edge of the old town is the Mevlana Family Tea Garden (Mevlânâ Aile Çay Bahçesi). It’s a small park that’s used as a tea garden in warmer weather. In the center is a fountain with a whirling dervish on the top.

Mevlana Family Tea Garden in Afyon, Turkey
Mevlana Family Tea Garden
Whirling dervish fountain at the Mevlana Family Tea Garden in Afyon, Turkey
Whirling dervish fountain
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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