RouteAnkara

Day Trip to Gordion: Phrygian Capital and the Tomb of Midas

Just 90 minutes from Ankara lies Gordion, ancient capital of the Phrygians and home to the legendary King Midas. Explore the archaeological site, peer inside the great tumulus believed to be his tomb, and visit the on-site museum.

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1
Gordion Archaeological Site
The excavated remains of the Phrygian capital, including the gate complex, mosaic-floored megaron and streets dating back over 3000 years. Active excavations continue to reveal new finds.
2
Midas Tumulus
The largest burial mound in Anatolia at 53 meters high, believed to hold a Phrygian king. Inside is a remarkably preserved intact wooden burial chamber from around 700 BCE.
3
Gordion Museum
A compact but excellent museum displaying finds from the tumuli and city excavations: bronze fibulae, ceramics, ivory inlays and the famous Gordion knot story explained through exhibits.
4
Tumuli Field
The surrounding plain holds more than 80 burial mounds of varying sizes, creating an eerie and evocative landscape of Phrygian aristocratic burials stretching to the horizon.
5
Village of Yassihoyuk
The modern village sitting alongside the ruins offers a glimpse of rural Anatolian life. Local families sometimes sell handmade crafts and the village tea house is a welcoming stop.
6
Ankara Transport Hub
Getting to Gordion requires a bus or dolmus from Ankara's main bus terminal to Polatli, then onward transport. Guided tours from Ankara make access easier and add historical context.