"Eskisehir" a Eskisehir Travel Page by Arkeolog

City of ancient Gods...

Yazilikaya (Midas City):

Yazilikaya, 39 km far away from Çifteler County, was built on rocky platform thousands of years ago. It is on Phrygian Plateau which has a shape like rectangle and 1315 meter elevation. The writers, lived in Roma age, had written that air on this region was healthy and soil was fruitful. Bardakçi stream passes from there also. Midas monument is typical sample of Phrygian art. This monument is not a grave monument, and done for placing a Kybele (Mother God) statue like seen in many samples of rock monuments in Phrygia. Since there are Phrygian writings on the monument, it is called as “YAZILIKAYA” (which means rock with writings on) and “MIDAS Monument” because writings are about “MIDAS”. It is a cult monument. Midas Monument is supposed to be built in B.C. 550. It is processed as a side of a temple on a rock. Its face looks to East. The most interesting issue about the monument is that there are three writings which are not solved yet and were published by Ch. Texiker in 1839 for the first time.

First Inscription:

The inscription has writing with letters of 45 cm size and a length of 11 m on the frontal rock extension. The words “ATES” and “MIDAI” are read well, which are related with Phrygian language. Ates is one of the Phrygian gods. According to the legends, Midai is the mother of King Midas and protector of the products. At the same time, discovery of iron is related with the goddess. As a result, the monument is related with the iron industry.

Second Inscription:

The inscription is written on a rectangular indentation on both sides of Midas monument with letters of 45 cm height.

Third Inscription:

The inscription is written on a rectangular pole with letters of 25 cm height, beginning from top to bottom. The word “BABA” is read easily at beginning of the inscription.

Small Yazilikaya:

The monument was started to be processed and craved from up to down at 210m far from Southwest of Midas Monument, however bottom part of the monument was undone. It has specialties like Midas Monument. There is a decorative frontal on top, geometrical motives on both sides unites on the top by a horizontal motive. The part worked on is 180 meters. It is assumed that the monument was started to be built for religious celebrations like Midas Monument.