Akhisar is a charming town that offers a unique blend of history, culture. Attractions here are interwoven with buildings and monuments, the ancient city of Thyatira is a real historical treasure. Walk through the well-preserved ruins of the city walls, Roman baths, and the impressive Temple of Apollo. There is also a theater on site that hosted ancient performances, providing a glimpse into the vibrant cultural life of the past. Akhisar is not a city visited by crowds of tourists, so you will find several hotels here. It is worth relaxing with delicious Turkish tea in a charming city park, admiring the natural landscape.
Little History
Thyateira, now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar, was an ancient Greek city that was located about 50 miles (80 km) away from the Aegean Sea. It was originally called Pelopia and Semiramis, but during the Hellenistic era in 290 BC, it was renamed Thyateira.
What is Akhisar famous for?
Today’s Akhisar is still the center of trade and business in its region. The name Akhisar is internationally associated with tobacco. The fertile Akhisar plain produces about 10% of Turkey’s total tobacco production. The high-quality olives and olive oil from Akhisar are also world-famous. Growing olives, walnuts and almonds is among the important agricultural activities of Akhisar.
What is worth seeing in Akhisar ?
Thyateira Hill Tombs
In the area of Tepe Mezarlığı (Cemetery on the Hill) there are remains of a road from Roman times (from the 2nd century AD), the remains of a monumental gate from the same period and a wall erected in the 6th century AD. an administrative building that may have served as a church for some time. In addition, in the excavation area there are many capitals and drums of ancient columns and stone blocks with inscriptions in Greek.
Many finds from this area, including inscriptions and a statue of Ephebe (i.e. a handsome young man), were transferred to the Archaeological Museum in Manisa. There is also a small museum in Akhisar, entry to which is included in the price of the ticket to the excavation site.
Pasa Cami
It is a spacious, porticoed mosque built in 1469 in the name of Sarı Ahmet Pasha. The mosque, which has a single dome built on column-free arches, has a different feature from other mosques in that it has two prayer rooms, one on the right and the other on the left. The translucent colored glass of the windows on the east and west facades is produced by Turkey’s first glass factory.
Additionally, Sarı Ahmet Pasha has a soup kitchen, a Turkish bath, and shops built to generate income for the foundation.
Akhisar Museum
The Akhisar Museum opened in 2012 and has 1451 archaeological and ethnographic artifacts on display in 11 sections. In the ethnography section, glass bowls, plates, pitchers, and gas lamps from the Ottoman period are displayed, along with so many other artifacts. Plus, the archaeological section has 18–11 million-year-old fossils, ceramics from different ages, and tools from the Christian Period can be seen.
Hüsnü Kahraman Cultural Park
The park is a great place for everyone, especially for families with children. It is the perfect place to get some fresh air and spend time surrounded by nature. An artificial pond with all kinds of attractions, extensive picnics, sports concerts and extensive parks is certainly the most frequently visited attraction in the city.
