The antique city of Gordion in the
Polatlı District of Ankara is one of the important historical places of
Ankara. The first archaeological studies here started in 1901 and reached their most efficient phase in 1949. According to the results obtained from the excavations it was establihed that this place was the capitol of the
Phrygian Civilization. The findings obtained date back to 8th century BC only. On the other hand data about this city was also found in the written records of
Assyrians which was a
Mesopotamian civilization.
The city of Gordion which experienced its most glorious period between 765-725 BC gained back its welfare with the arrival of
Alexander the
Great in 133 BC.
Ancient Gordion known as “
Yassıhöyük” is famous for a series of palace complexes comprising megaron type structures. One of the most important findings here is the
Great Tumulus. The tomb of the
Phrygian King Midas, who according to the
Myth had donkey’s ears, inside the
Great Tumulus is made of wood. At the entrance of the tomb where wooden vaults have been used there is a rather high passage where one can walk easily. The inside of the tomb is illuminated today. All findings from the old bronze age,
Hittite age,
Phyrigian age are displayed in the
Gordion Museum founded in the year 1965. Lately the museum has undergone repair works and the capacity of the display areas has been enlarged and thus more objects can be displayed now. A
mosaic unearthed during the excavations in
Kayabaşı Village in the neighbourhood of
Gordion is displayed at a special area in the museum. The
museum is open daily except Mondays between 08.30-12.30/13.30-17.30
