Last updated on December 20, 2023.

From the modern center of Afyon, I walked to the historic part of the city. The old town has some of the most beautiful Ottoman homes in Turkey.

Ottoman homes in Afyon, Turkey
Ottoman homes
Ottoman home in Afyon, Turkey
Ottoman home

It’s best to just wander up and down the streets to admire the homes. A few have been turned into boutique hotels or restaurants serving authentic Ottoman or local dishes. On some of the streets, you’ll find yourself facing some incredible views of the rock.

Şehitoğlu Mansion (Şehitoğlu Konağı) in Afyon, Turkey
Şehitoğlu Mansion (Şehitoğlu Konağı)
Afyon mural in Afyon, Turkey
Afyon mural
Afyon Castle in Afyon, Turkey
Afyon Castle

 

Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum

On my walk through the city, I visited the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum (Sultan Dîvânî Mevlevihâne Müzesi). It’s a Sufi complex dating back to the 13th century. Afyon was once second in importance for Sufis because Rumi’s son, Sultan Veled Çelebi, lived there. The complex was restored in 1908 by Sultan Abdülhamid II and is now a museum that should definitely be visited. Admission is free (as of August 2023).

Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum in Afyon, Turkey
Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum

The museum has the ubiquitous disturbing Sufi mannequins that you typically find in every Mevlevi lodge museum. The first part of the museum is in the former kitchen and shows how Sufis gathered to eat and prepare meals.

Kitchen at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Kitchen
Mannequin making Turkish coffee at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Mannequin making Turkish coffee

The second part of the building shows Sufis in their private cells, either praying, studying, or performing their ritual Sema ceremony.

Private cell at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Private cell
Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Sema ceremony at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Sema ceremony

The last part I visited was the mosque, where the Sema was performed.

Mosque at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum in Afyon, Turkey
Mosque
Prayer hall of the mosque at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum
Prayer hall
Sema floor at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum in Afyon, Turkey
Sema floor

Inside are the tombs of several Sufis, including the tomb of Sultan Divani (Sultan Dîvânî Türbesi).

Tomb of Sultan Divani at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge Museum in Afyon, Turkey
Tomb of Sultan Divani
Tombs at the Sultan Divani Mevlevi Lodge
Tombs

 

Great Mosque

A few blocks away is the Afyon Great Mosque (Afyonkarahisar Ulu Cami), which is the most important mosque in the city. This exquisite work of Seljuk architecture has a flat wooden roof supported by 40 wooden columns. The minaret is made of brick with inlaid glazed decorations.

Great Mosque in Afyon, Turkey
Great Mosque
Inscription above the entrance to the Great Mosque
Inscription above the entrance
Minaret of the Great Mosque
Minaret

The Great Mosque was built between 1272 and 1273 by Hasan Nusretüddin. The architect was Emir Hac Bey. It was first restored in 1341 by Muinuddin Emir Abdullah Bey. The mosque is included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia.

Prayer hall of the Great Mosque in Afyon, Turkey
Prayer hall
Wooden column of the Great Mosque in Afyon, Turkey
Wooden column

The caretaker of the mosque was the only friendly person I met in all of Afyon. He gave me a quick tour of the mosque and explained the history. It’s very impressive to see the columns and the wooden minbar, as well as the Quranic script around the mihrab. Click here for a virtual tour.

Minbar of the Great Mosque
Minbar
Mihrab of the Great Mosque
Mihrab
Quranic script around the mihrab of the Great Mosque
Quranic script around the mihrab

 

Ahmet’s Tomb

In front of the Great Mosque is a tomb of a man named Ahmet (Ahmet Türbesi). I don’t know anything about it.

Ahmet's Tomb
Ahmet’s Tomb

After the Great Mosque, I climbed up to the castle, back down, and walked back to Victory Square. I had a quick bite to eat and went back to the bus terminal.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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