Afyonkarahisar

Situated in the mountainous region of western Turkey, Afyonkarahisar is a city of notable diversity and historical importance. Having 251,799 residents as of 2021, this administrative center of Afyonkarahisar Province and District has developed a distinct character for itself in the Turkish scene. Afyonkarahisar, 250 kilometers southwest of Ankara along the Akarçay River, has been greatly shaped by its strategic location.

The name Afyonkarahisar itself speaks to the rich legacy of the city. “Afyon” translates in Turkish as poppy or opium; “kara” means black; “hisar” is a fortress. This vocabulary not only captures the historical relevance of the city but also suggests its varied economic life. Originally known as Akroinon in antiquity, the city is still the site of the remarkable Afyonkarahisar Castle, a silent observer of time passing and the legacy of the city.

Afyonkarahisar is unique among Turkey thanks to several honours. Renowned as the capital city of hot springs and spas, it provides both residents and visitors with the chance to enjoy the therapeutic properties of its naturally occurring thermal waters. The geography of the city is marked by notable geothermal activity, which generates plenty of thermal springs. Five main springs in particular, these ones have high mineral concentration and temperatures ranging from 40 to 100 degrees Celsius. The waters are well-known for their strong healing qualities, which treat many diseases, not only for leisure.

Over the years, the thermal industry in Afyonkarahisar has developed significantly from conventional bathhouses to modern five-star hotels. This metamorphosis has raised the city’s profile in terms of wellness and health travel. The thermal facilities today provide complete health benefits rather than only attraction. To maximize the therapeutic value of the springs, hospitals and colleges have creatively teamed with thermal resorts. Established to fully utilize the thermal waters, the Afyon Kocatepe University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital is a prime illustration of this cooperation.

The fact that Afyonkarahisar claims the biggest residential capacity of thermal resorts in Turkey shows even more its dedication to thermal wellness. Many of these are five-star hotels that not only have opulent rooms but also provide medical treatment given by licensed staff. Afyonkarahisar is positioned as a leader in the field of thermal health tourism by this mix of modern medical knowledge and natural healing features.

The city’s importance transcends its heat sources. In Western Turkey, Afyonkarahisar acts as a vital cross-roads for air traffic, road, and rail. This strategic location has helped to explain both its economic development and significance as a transportation hub. With rail connections to İzmir, Konya, Ankara, and Istanbul, the city is well-served to important metropolitan centers. Moreover, since Afyonkarahisar is on the path of a proposed high-speed rail line between Ankara and Izmir, future infrastructure projects will help her as well. This improved connectivity seems to improve the accessibility and economic possibilities of the city.

Situated 60 kilometers from the city center, the Zafer Airport gives air passengers easy access to Afyonkarahisar. To guarantee domestic connectivity and seasonal flights to international locations, so promoting tourism and business travel, the airport runs four flights weekly to Istanbul.

Built on the pillars of agriculture, industry, and thermal tourism, Afyonkarahisar‘s economy is multifarious. The agricultural industry of the city is especially strong since a good number of people live in rural areas. Due in large part to this demographic distribution, agricultural activity has been greatly stimulated, thus Afyonkarahisar is among the leading provinces in Turkish agriculture.

The part Afyonkarahisar‘s economy plays in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical opium is among the most fascinating features of it. The city is now well-known worldwide for being the biggest producer of this precious resource, so supporting the local economy and the pharmaceutical sector.

Another pillar of Afyonkarahisar‘s economic might is its marble sector. With almost 12.2% of Turkish marble reserves, the city is well-known worldwide for the quality and range of its stone. With such volume of marble produced, Afyonkarahisar ranks second in processed marble exports and fourth in travertine exports inside Turkey.

Prized for centuries, the marble from Afyonkarahisar, once known as “Docimeaen marble,” comes from the ancient quarries of Docimium. The city is proud of unusual marble varieties and colors that have been sought after from antiquity. Among the most revered variants are “Afyon white,” known in historical settings as “Synnadic white,” and “Afyon Menekse,” historically referred to as “Pavonazzetto,” Ancient societies, especially the Romans, who were enthralled by Docimeaen Pavonazzetto‘s exquisite color combinations and fine-grained quality, highly valued these marbles.

Marble from Afyonkarahisar was so appealing that Roman emperors including Augustus, Trajan, and Hadrian made great use of it for their main construction projects. Marble from Afyonkarahisar is used in some of the most famous buildings of the ancient world, including Trajan’s Forum, the Pantheon, and the Basilica Aemilia, so attesting to its ongoing beauty and quality.

The city’s relationship to natural resources goes beyond thermal springs and marble. Kızılay, founded in 1926 by Atatürk personally, is also home to the first mineral water factory in Turkey. After the mineral water from Gazligöl springs healed Atatürk‘s kidneys, he noticed its health advantages and started the building of the factory. From its beginnings, Kızılay Mineral Water has expanded to become the biggest distributor of mineral water in Turkey, the Middle East, the Balkans, so strengthening Afyonkarahisar‘s reputation as a natural source of health and wellness.

One cannot overestimate Afyonkarahisar‘s historical relevance. It is revered as the site of Turkish independence, so imbuing its already rich tapestry of qualities with a layer of national pride. Afyonkarahisar is a city of great depth and possibility because of its natural resources, industrial strength, strategic location, and historical legacy.