It is located in the Gölhisar district of Burdur. Kibyra Ancient City; It is an ancient city of magnificent beauty, which draws attention with its location at the intersection of Lycia, Caria, Pisidia and Phrygia, and being the ancient city with the largest and solid ground mosaic in Anatolia. The beautiful ancient fountain, which was opened to visitors in June 2023, is unique. It is also known as the City of Gladiators because of the gladiator reliefs on the way to the necropolis. What you wonder about Kibyra Ancient City, history of Kibyra, entrance fee and transportation suggestions to Kibyra waiting for you in this article.
What You Will Find In This Article
About the Ancient City of Kibyra
Burdur, like many other cities in Turkey, is home to valuable historical and natural beauties. Hacilar Mound, Sagalassos Ancient City, Lake SaldaThe İnsuyu Cave is the best known of them. The ancient city of Kibyra, where excavations have accelerated in recent years, has been added to this list.
In the excavations carried out by Mehmet Akif Ersoy University for the Ancient City of Kibyra The largest solidly shaped floor mosaic found in Anatolia, moreover, the mosaic is made in the form of a magnificent Medusa. The floor mosaic, which is estimated to have been made around 250 AD, is opened for visitors during the summer months and covered for protection during the winter months. Excavations are still going on in the ancient city, and every time I go, something new is discovered. The most recently resurrected building is the ancient fountain, which was opened to visitors in June 2023.
If I had my current mind, I would have studied archeology at university. Working on that mosaic excavation and unearthing such an artifact must have been an incredibly exciting experience. Especially when so many ores to be excavated in our country that have never been excavated lie under the ground…
Kibyra, City of Gladiators
It is estimated that the name Kibyra belongs to the Luwians, one of the ancient civilizations of Anatolia from the Roman / Hellenistic period. Amasian traveler Strabo, on the other hand, said in his writings that the people of Kibyra were Lydians. It is possible to say that the city had its strongest time in the Roman period.
In the ancient city of Kibyra, the Stadium, Theatre, Agora and the Parliament building, as well as the recently unearthed hammam ruins, are in very good condition. The ancient fountain, which has just been restored, is eye-catching.
The reason why Kibyra is called the "City of Gladiators" is that there are many soldiers in the city, as well as the ancient period on the way to the necropolis. world's longest gladiator friezesto have e. These friezes are currently exhibited in the Burdur Archeology Museum.
The magnificent ancient city where many of the magnificent structures are still standing It is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. is located. I hope it gets a place on the permanent list soon, it definitely deserves it.
Kibyra Stadium
When you follow the brown Kibyra direction signs in the Gölhisar district of Burdur, you will reach the entrance of the ancient city. The first parking area is close to the stadium and the second parking area is close to the hamam, theater and odeon. To see the stadium, you must enter the ancient city from the lower parking lot.
It is quite impressive to enter the ancient city from here, because a large part of the stadium where gladiators competed hundreds of years ago is still standing. BC in Kibyra Stadium Gladiator shows have been held since the 1st century. Gladiator statues fighting around the stadium were also found, but the statues are not exhibited in the area, you can see the finds unearthed here in the Burdur Archeology Museum.
The stadium, which has a capacity of 10.000 people, was made in a U-shape, the filled part collapsed, but the part with the rock bottom is quite solid.
Agora of Kibyra – Marketplace
When you go up the hill from the stadium, you can think of the Agora of Kibyra, that is, the market place of the city, like today's shopping malls, built on 3 terraces, that is, a 3-storey shopping mall. It is possible to see the water and sewerage structures of the city on the roads leading to the agora.
There used to be a road from the stadium to the agora, and now part of the road has been exposed.
Kibyra Temple
There is a temple at the entrance of the Agora of Kibyra. What remains of the temple is the door in the photo above with its magnificent engravings. There is no clear data that this place is a temple, but it is estimated to be a temple due to its location and structure.
Kibyra Theater
It has drawn your attention that there is a stadium and a theater in all old cities. Kibyra Theater is one of the biggest theaters of Anatolia with its capacity of 8000 people. The theater is in very good condition, restoration work continues.
Kibyra Music House & Medusa Mosaic
The building, which has been used as the music house building, the parliament building and even the court, also served as a theater during the winter months. This building has a capacity of 3600 people. The largest covered ancient public structure in Anatolia was also recorded.
A mosaic in the shape of Medusa was found on the floor of the building, which is like the stage covered with gravel in the photo below. The largest and strongest mosaic found in Anatolia 95% of Medusa remained intact under the ground. The 1700-year-old Medusa mosaic has a diameter of 11 meters, it is a really large and very impressive structure.
Traveling Tip: The top of the Medusa Mosaic is opened during the summer months and closed during the winter months for protection. Also, if you want the mosaic to look better in the photos, it is better to come in the afternoon, not in the morning.
Kibyra Bath
Kibyra bath from the late Roman period The first historical hamam in Turkey to be found intact has the feature of being Its size is truly astonishing. It is estimated that the bath is at least 800 years old.
Kibyra Necropolis Road
When Kibyra is a big city, its necropolis is also big, of course. There is a stone necropolis road leading down to the necropolis from the part of the stadium. You can see sarcophagi and cemeteries around the road. The gladiator friezes* on this road are exhibited in the Burdur Archeology Museum.
* Frieze is the name given to the plain or embossed strips between the floor beam and the roof in architecture.
Kibyra Antique Fountain
Every time I go to Kibyra, a new place is unearthed. During my visit in March 2021, a fountain was unearthed on the hill on the right of the road leading from the agora to the theater. It could also be seen where the waters flowing from the fountain poured into the road in the form of waterfalls.
In June 2023, the ancient fountain was reopened and opened to visitors at the place where its original source flowed. In the construction of the fountain, 168 parts, 192 of which were original, were combined and the fountain took its present form. The city's theater is visible in the background in the photo.
The view of the fountain and Gölhisar Plain from the music house is also wonderful, when you climb to the top of the steps you will see the view above. The plain view from the entire ancient city looks very beautiful, let's not go without saying.
When we visit the ancient city in 2021, we can see the remains of many pipes, namely earth pipes through which water flows, next to the fountain. It is possible to say that water is carried to the city from here.
Kibyra Basilica
There is also a basilica between the Kibyra Stadium and its Agora. This is a point that visitors usually skip because it is a bit difficult to access. If you use the path at the top of the stadium instead of following the signs, you can quickly reach the basilica. The basilica has neither ceiling nor full walls, but it still has great acoustics, if you sit in the apse and shout loudly when you go, you will understand what I mean.
Traveling Tip: Kibyra is a very beautiful and quite large ancient city that I will never get tired of visiting. I suggest you spare at least 3-4 hours to tour the city properly. If you are going to visit the ancient city in summer, do not forget to take a hat, sunscreen and water with you. Since the distances in the city are long and the roads are dirt, you will be comfortable if you wear comfortable sneakers.
Kibyra Ancient City Video
I have been to the ancient city almost every year in recent years. During my visit in June 2020, I shot a vlog. Click to browse my Kibyra video and subscribe to my channel.
It's time to shoot a new video with Medusa Mosaic and Ancient Fountain!
Kibyra Ancient City Entrance Fee 2023
Until June 2021, there was no checkpoint or entrance fee at the entrance to the Ancient City of Kibyra. However, when I went in March 2021, a hut was placed at the entrance and a building that I guessed would be a visitor center was built.
As of JUNE 2023, the entrance fee to the Ancient City of Kibyra is 90 TL, and you can visit it free of charge with Müzekart.
Kibyra Visiting Hours
Kibyra visiting hours are listed below.
| Kibyra Visiting Hours | 09:00 - 19:00 |
There are two car parks, one by the stadium and the other by the Turkish bath, to enter the Kibyra Ancient City. Thus, it is possible to drive up to very close to the point where the Medusa Mosaic is located. You can leave your vehicle wherever you want.
Where is the Ancient City of Kibyra, How to Go to the Ancient City?
The ancient city of Kibyra is located within the borders of the Gölhisar district of Burdur, on the hills overlooking the district. This is a fairly large city, spread over three hills separated by deep cliffs, and the view is quite beautiful.
The ancient city is 72 km from Salda Lake, 108 km from Burdur, 112 km from Denizli, 111 km from Fethiye and 172 km from Kas.
You can take the Gölhisar minibuses from the center of Burdur to go to Gölhisar district, which is 110 km away from the city center of Burdur. However, it is absolutely necessary to leave the city center by car, it is far to walk and there is no public transport as far as I know.
If you are coming by private vehicle; You can reach the city by following the signs for Gölhisar, Gölhisar on the Burdur-Fethiye highway and then Kibyra. Since it will be on your way to Fethiye and/or Kaş during the summer months, I recommend you take a few hours to visit the city.
Traveling Tip: Since the ancient city is spread over a very large hilly area, I recommend that you prefer comfortable shoes, wear a hat and take water with you..
The ancient city of Kibyra, which has a deep-rooted state tradition founded in 300 BC, is shown as one of the most important ancient cities in the world with its stadium, parliament building and agora.
What to Eat in Gölhisar?
If you want to drink a different coffee in Gölhisar; to drink black cumin coffee Memiş's Black Cumin GaveWhat can you do? If you want to take a lunch break, even if it is not local, you can visit the Gölhisar bazaar. Parsley DonerYou can eat doner in . Besides, it becomes open as soon as it is a holiday or a holiday.
When you come to the ancient city of Kibyra, go to the town of Dirmil (now Altınyayla), which is 20 kilometers away. well kebab I recommend you to eat.
Burdur Travel Writings
- If you want to see where to go when you go to Burdur, here is the whole list: Burdur places to visit
- A canyon close to Kibyra Ancient City: Darkdere Canyon
- Famous as Turkey's Maldives; Lake Salda
- For Burdur dishes; What to eat in Burdur, where to eat?
- thousands of years of history Sagalassos Ancient City
Stay on the Road!
3 Comments
Congratulations everybody. Retired teacher, we struggled a lot in bringing this place to tourism and promoting it. It's a good introduction. Gölhisar is a district rich not only in history but also in nature and culture. I would like to meet you on your next visit. Greetings and regards.
Thank you Yılmaz Bey, I am also from Karaman. I visit Kibyra once a year.
I liken it to the ancient city of Aphrodisias in the Aydın region. Gladiators are performing here as well, I've heard that a kind of regional qualifying tournament is organized, lastly before I went to Rome.