Gordion

This historic settlement, situated near the Sakarya River, was home to the political, economic and cultural life of the Phrygians for many years. Its history dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE, and it gained particular importance during the Phrygian Kingdom in the 9th and 8th centuries BCE.

One of the best-known stories associated with Gordion is the legend of the Gordion Düğümü (Gordian Knot). According to the legend, the person who was to become king of Phrygia had to untie a complicated knot that fastened a cart to a temple. It is said that when Alexander the Great visited Gordion in 333 BCE, he cut the knot with his sword. For centuries, this event has symbolised overcoming difficulties through unconventional methods.

Gordion’s archaeological heritage includes burial mounds from the Phrygian period, rock monuments, defensive structures and palace remains. The best-known of these is the Büyük Tümülüs (Great Tumulus), traditionally associated with King Midas. The Gordion Archaeological Site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 in recognition of its value in reflecting the history of the Phrygian civilisation and the cultural diversity of Anatolia. Today, with its structures bearing traces of the past, Gordion remains an important historical destination for those who wish to discover Anatolia’s ancient civilisations.