Yalvaç
Yalvaç is a city in the Lakes District of Mediterranean Turkey, with a population of 22,500 in 2022. The main reason to visit is the ruins of Antioch of Pisidia at the northeast edge of town.
Understand
[edit]A cursory reading of the biblical "Acts of the Apostles" might make you think that Saint Paul so often went to Antioch, it must have been his weekend cottage. But there were 16 towns named for the 4th century BC ruler Antiochus, and Paul was born in one and visited at least three others, falling out with folk wherever he went. Antioch of Pisidia was under Roman rule when he reached it in 46 AD, a fortified town on a hillside at a chilly 1000 m altitude. It became de-populated after the Arabs captured it in 713 AD and was eventually forgotten. Resettlement in the 11th century under the Seljuks was lower down the valley close to arable land. This town was called Yalvaç, meaning "The Prophet", thought to refer to Paul (as he'd caused such a commotion) rather than the Prophet Muhammed. Antioch was re-discovered in the 1820s and excavation has continued in fits and starts ever since.
Get in
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Yalvaç is on highway D-320 from Denizli to Beyşehir and Konya.
Flixbus runs twice a day from Ankara, calling at Yalvaç on its way to Isparta. Luks Aksel run once a day from Istanbul. Dolmuşes ply from Isparta and Akşehir.
1 Yalvaç bus station is just a draughty parking lot 1 km south of the centre, junction of Turgut Özal Blv and Öğretmenoğlu Sk.
Get around
[edit]Antioch of Pisidia is a short walk from town. Temple of Men is 4 km east in a straight line, but 8 km by the rough track where you'll need 4WD.
See
[edit]- 1 Çınaraltı is the leafy main square, with Devlethan Mosque on its west side.
- 2 Yalvaç Museum, Gizi Paşa Cd, ☏ +90 246 441 5059. Tu-Su 08:30-17:30. Small museum of local history and prehistory. Free.
- 3 Antioch of Pisidia, Cezaevi Yolu Cd, ☏ +90 246 441 5059. Extensive ruins of a city inhabited from circa 300 BC to 700 AD: "Antioch" was the name given to some 16 cities by the Seleucids. In the Roman era, St Paul's sermon at the synagogue got him and colleague Barnabas run out of town. The site's main features are the West Gate, Decumanus Maximus Street its east-west main street with the theatre, and Cardo Maximus at a right angle with the Temple of Augustus, Roman church and Nymphaeum. Adult 100 TL.
- 4 Temple of Men is a ruined shrine dedicated to the moon god Mēn Askaenos. It hasn't been excavated but looks to have been in use from 4th century BC to 4th century AD, then smashed as an unchristian pagan abomination. It's open free 24 hours and reached by a dirt track from town.
Do
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- Yalvaç Hamamı - traditional Turkish baths - are in the shopping centre on Leblebiciler, 200 m southwest of the museum, open daily 09:00-00:00.
- Yalvaç Stadyum is a sports ground and events venue 2 km north of town centre.
Buy
[edit]- A101 and Migros are the main supermarket chains.
- Yalvaç Halk Pazar Alanı is the farmer's market, held Monday 09:00-17:00. It's at the corner of Turgut Özal Blv and Çay Boyu Cd, 200 m south of Hotel Psidia.
Eat
[edit]A dozen eating places cluster in town centre.
Drink
[edit]Some cafes serve alcohol.
Sleep
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- 1 Hotel Psidia, Mescit Cd 2, ☏ +90 246 441 2532. Clean friendly place near town centre.
- 2 Oba Otel, Hastane Cd 36, ☏ +90 246 441 6544. Modern central business hotel.
- Hotel Yalvaç is a basic but acceptable place at Yoğurt Pazarı Girişi 7, a block east of Oba Otel.
- 3 Yalvaç Konaklari, Ara Sk 1, ☏ +90 541 716 6303. Cafe and pansiyon in an Ottoman mansion.
Connect
[edit]Yalvaç and its approach roads have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of Dec 2024, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.
Go next
[edit]- In Beyşehir the top sight is the wooden Eşrefoğlu Mosque, built in 1296.
- Akşehir has a few sights but is best known as the home of Nasreddin Hoca, the "wise fool" who rode his donkey backwards.
- Konya is a must-see for its Seljuk architecture.