Did I mention that every corner of Turkey is boiling with ancient cities? There are about 280 ancient cities registered to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in our country, but there are definitely some that have not yet been discovered. Located in Uşak, the city of the Inner Aegean, which is not included in many travel routes. Blaundus Ancient Cityis among our lesser-known ancient cities. I saw my first photos from photographers posing stars at night and added them to my list by saying "I'll go one day".
Turkey's Stonehengereferred to as * Where is the ancient city of Blaundus, how to get there, general information about the ancient city, its history and more in this article. Happy reading!
*Stonehenge: Stonehenge, one of England's most important monuments, is one of the most well-known places in the world, made of 900 different sizes of stones between the Neolithic Stone Age and the Bronze Age.
Where is Blaundus Ancient City, How to Go?
We came to the ancient city of Blaundus from the direction of Murat Mountain. You can also take a route from Pamukkale to Aizanoi Ancient City and visit Blaundus Ancient City and Ulubey Canyon. Blaundus Ancient City is located within the borders of Sümenli Village of Ulubey district of Uşak, approximately 40 kilometers from Uşak city center and approximately 20 kilometers from Ulubey Canyon Nature Park.
The Ancient City is approximately 510 kilometers (6,5 hours) drive away for those coming from Istanbul.
Aizanoi Ancient City You may also be interested in my article, take a look.
Blaundus Ancient City Entrance Fee and Visiting Hours
The entrance to the ancient city of Blaundus is free, there is no toll booth at the entrance of the city. The city does not seem to be under protection at the moment. When we went during the corona period, there was not even a guard. I got information from the internet that the visiting hours are between 15:2 and 09:00 from April 19 to October 00, and between 3:14 and 08:00 from October 17 to April 00, but it is not official information. Since I know that night photography takes place in the city, it doesn't seem like there is an entry-exit restriction, unless it is entered with a special permit.
In addition, there are no facilities in or near the ancient city. I recommend that you bring water or similar needs with you. As in many of the ancient cities, there is no shaded area where you can protect while visiting the city, so it will be beneficial to take a hat and apply sunscreen.
General Information About Uşak Blaundus Ancient City
Blaundus Ancient City is a windy city built on a peninsula-shaped hill above the steep valleys of Ulubey Canyon. The city was founded by the Macedonians during the campaigns of Alexander the Great, so it is also called the Macedonian City of Blaundus. Founded by the Macedonians, the city first came under the rule of the Pergamon Kingdom and then the Roman Empire. The stadium, theater and agora, which are the most important structures of the city, were built during the Roman period, just like in many Roman cities.
Although the following are among the ruins of the city that have survived to the present day, most of them are in ruins;
- Built in the Hellenistic period, the city's most secure structure at the moment the entrance gate of the northern walls,
- Aqueduct,
- mint,
- administrative buildings,
- fortification walls,
- The Temple of Ceres (Temple of Demeter), the temple of the Roman Emperor Claudius, built in the Ionic style, located in the middle of the city,
- stadium with seating on one side only,
- The remains of the theater, located on the southern slope of the city,
- rock tombs.
As you head towards the northern entrance, which is the only entrance to the city, you will see an arch on the right, which is the only aqueduct still standing. I wanted to remind you so that you don't think that there is a continuation inside, like us, and don't pass.
The stadium and theater ruins built on the slopes of the valley are lost in the grass. I read a news that excavations started in the ancient city in 2019, but there was no work visible when I went, probably due to the corona. I hope the excavations continue and more information and documents about this mysterious city will be revealed.
The Building That Is Turkey's Stonehenge
The most impressive part of the city is the stone ruins, which are thought to be a temple or a sanctuary, unique in any civilization living in this region, and placed in different ways, which I call Turkey's Stonehenge. The description of the building, whose purpose it was still not fully understood, was written as a public building, it seemed a little funny to me.
If you are in Uşak, you should definitely include the Blaundus Ancient City, Ulubey Canyon and Clandras Bridge on your list of places to visit in Uşak.
Stay on track!