Midas Monument (Yazılıkaya) – Han, Eskişehir

Midas Monument (Yazılıkaya) – Han, Eskişehir

The Midas Monument, known locally as Yazılıkaya ("Inscribed Rock"), is the most magnificent surviving religious monument of the ancient Phrygian civilization. Located on a high plateau in the Han district of Eskişehir, this massive rock-cut facade, dating to the 8th-6th centuries BCE, served as the principal open-air sanctuary for the worship of the Phrygian mother goddess, Matar Kubileya, later known as Cybele.

A Temple in the Rock

The Phrygians, who dominated central Anatolia after the fall of the Hittites, believed their gods resided within the living rock of the mountains. Instead of building freestanding temples, they carved monumental facades into cliffs to create sacred spaces. The Midas Monument is the grandest example of this practice. It is not a tomb, as once believed, but a symbolic temple front, designed to serve as a focal point for religious ceremonies.

Architectural Features and Symbolism

  • Monumental Facade: The facade stands over 17 meters tall and is carved with intricate geometric patterns that are thought to mimic the elaborate terracotta tiles or woodwork of contemporary Phrygian palace architecture.
  • The Central Niche: At the heart of the monument is a large, door-like niche. This was not a functional entrance but a symbolic one, a gateway for the goddess to appear to her worshippers. During rituals, a statue or idol of Cybele would have been placed inside this niche.
  • The "Midas" Inscription: The monument gets its popular name from an Old Phrygian inscription found on the upper left part of the facade, which includes the name "Midai." While this once led to speculation that it was the tomb of the legendary King Midas, scholars now believe the inscription dedicates the monument to Midas in his role as a ruler and leader, effectively a posthumous honor. Other inscriptions on the monument explicitly mention "Matar" (Mother), confirming its dedication to the goddess.

The Sacred City of Yazılıkaya

The Midas Monument was the centerpiece of a larger religious complex, often called Midas City. The plateau is dotted with other important Phrygian remains that paint a picture of a bustling ceremonial center:

  • Other Rock-Cut Facades: Several smaller, unfinished, or different-style facades are found nearby, suggesting the area was a hub for this type of religious architecture.
  • Stepped Altars: Large, multi-tiered altars carved from rock were used for making offerings and conducting rituals in honor of the goddess.
  • A Rock-Cut City: The plateau also features a network of rock-cut tunnels, chambers, and cisterns, forming a settlement that supported the religious activities of the site.

Yazılıkaya is the heart of the Phrygian Valley, a unique landscape of rock formations and ancient monuments. It offers an unparalleled glimpse into the spiritual world of the Phrygians and their profound devotion to the Mother Goddess who ruled over the wild nature of the Anatolian highlands.

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Location Information

Latitude:39.203307
Longitude:30.716721
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