Off the main highway today and passing through townships which don't look like they have developed much since the Ottoman times. The Anatolian Steppe rolls along between 1100 and 1200 meters and temperatures today rise above 30° on the road.
Volcanic rock formations provide a formidable location for Afyonkarahisar Castle held by all the major empires and finally Ottoman Turks. It is breathtaking image and the outcropping rocks make dramatic scenery. Afyon was the main centre for opium production - recently regulated. Famous too for white Turkish Delight....the powdery variety!
Imarit Cami mosque is dramatically illuminated at night in the centre of this fairly relaxed city. But the castle on top of the big rock, overshadowing the town, simply involves too much climbing (today anyway!)
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
Amazing progress Dad. Really interesting places you are seeing. So very different to our way of life in quiet relaxed towns. Eirian, if you see this, this is the place for you, you love Turkish Delight :)
ReplyDeleteYou are not seeing the grimy side of life here and Afyon is relaxed in comparison with other big towns, where you are not expected to be still for very long 😉
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