City of Akhisar - A Brief Summary

Akhisar is a county and its town center located in Aegean (Western Anatolia) region in modern Turkey. With its 152,693 people (1997) and 1,750 km2 land, it is the largest county in its region.

With archaeological findings proving settlements going back to 3000 BC, Akhisar has been a busy trade center with its strategic location at the intersection of important roads during ancient and medieval ages. It was one of the cities where money was first used. Akhisar also hosted one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Thyateira, Thyatira). The name of the city is mentioned several times in the Holy Bible. Akhisar maintained its importance as a regional trade center during 600 years of Ottoman Empire.

Today's Akhisar is still the trade and business center in its region. Akhisar's name is internationally recalled with tobacco. The fertile Akhisar Plain produces about 10% of total Turkish tobacco production. Its high-quality olives are also globally very well-known.

The town was the most important center in the North ancient Lydia. Findings suggest a period with possible Hittite preeminence. Persian occupation took place around 500 BC and later, Thyateira was conquered by Alexander the Great and went under Macedonian rule at around 300 BC. In later years, Thyateira captured by Seleucids, Kingdom of Pergamum and Pontos, until Roman Era starting at 80 BC.

Roman emperor Caracalla announced the town as a regional and administrative center with the power of adjudication (conventus) in 214 AD. The city flourished in Roman Era and became a large metropol with 3 gymnasions. Right after the partition of Roman Empire in 395 AD, the Eastern part was renamed as Byzantine Empire. Arabic raids to Anatolia in the purpose of spreading Islam resulted in great land loss for Byzantium. Akhisar plain witnessed many battles between Byzantine and Arabs during the Crusades.

In 1st and 2nd centuries AD, Christianity was spreading in Western Anatolia by the help and leadership of apostles like St. Jean and St. Paul. [see Ancient Map of Asia Minor]. One of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor was in Thyateira. Thyateira appears twice in the Holy Bible, (Revelation to John 2:18-29, Acts 16:14). First, in one letter to the Seven Churches in Asia Minor, St. Jean mentions a Thyateiran woman named "Jezebel" who fighted against Christians. Second, another Thyateiran woman named "Lydia" who helped St. Paul is mentioned.

Turkish tribes from Central Asia had been to Asia Minor in 8^th century AD. However, in 1100s AD, a large-scale Turkish inflow started. Akhisar continuously went back and forth between Byzantine and Turkish rules during this century. During 1200s AD, Akhisar was within the boundaries of Byzantine state. Meanwhile, Anatolian Turks were threatened by Mongolian raids from the East. Turks got through Mongols and then attacked to Byzantine. In 1300s, Turkish regained all Western Anatolia and Akhisar went under Turkish rule in 1307 AD. In subsequent years, small Ottoman State (Osmanli Beyligi) became the great Ottoman Empire extending from today's Germany to India and Morocco. In Ottoman administration, Akhisar was a county in Saruhan Sanjak of Kutahya State. Later, Saruhan Sanjak had became a part of Aydin State until 1922 AD.

In ancient times, Thyateira was an important center of activity. It was on the ancient roads from Istanbul to Pergamum, Sardeis and Ephesus. Thyateira was at the center of many small towns and villages administratively and politically bound to itself. Cloth and pottery trade was the main activity in town. Production of wool, linen, brass goods and tanning were other commercial activities. The city remained as a center of trade activity for centuries. Akhisar's cloth and cords were reputable in Istanbul markets. Among the other agricultural merchandise were olives, olive oil, water melons, grapes and raisins. Tanning was also an important activity in the town.

This high level of economical activity was making Akhisar the most important county in Saruhan Sanjak. The first records about Akhisar in the Ottoman documentation date back to 1500's AD. Those records tell us that Akhisar was a county center paying 40% more income tax than the capital city of Saruhan Sanjak. At the end of 19^th century, downtown population had reached 30,000. After the declaration of Turkish Republic, Akhisar continuously went for its development. Many modern avenues, streets were constructed. In later years, development continued with a stadium, grass soccer field, many parks and recreational areas throughout the city. Many banks, shops and touristic hotels are now lined up along the busy street (Tahir Un Avenue) connecting the train station to the city market.

An industrial zone specializing in automotive repair and small parts production and a number of factories such as olive oil production plants, brick factories, tobacco (cigarette) factory were constructed. The Greater Akhisar Industrial Zone is currently under construction. Since the city resides on the State Highway 565 between Izmir and Istanbul, two important ports of Asia Minor, Akhisar Industrial Zone offers impressive investment opportunities for domestic and foreign investors.

Ancient Akhisar is almost all covered over by the buildings and streets of modern town. However, some ruins from ancient and middle ages can still be seen all over the town. It is very likely to see ancient stones or columnheads in street corners in the older city.

This is a man-made tomb in the city center with Hellenistic ruins. However, some houseware findings on this hill reveal the existence of some primitive settlements dating back to 3,000 BC. Archeologists assume that the hill once hosted the acropol of ancient Thyateira. The Byzantine and Turkish names of the city was derived from the white painted tower on this castle. (Turkish name Akhisar, in Turkish: Ak = white + hisar = castle or, Byzantine name Asprokastro, in Greek Aspro=white + kastro=castle). This small hill has been hosting the State Hospital since World War II. Today, a Hellenistic tablet and sarcophagus can be seen in the Hospital garden.

Some ruins of an ancient building complex and collonaded road can be seen in "Tepemezari" area in downtown. The portico is estimated to have a length of 100m. (330 ft.). It possibly connects the entrance of the large ancient building complex to the city acropol. Tepemezari was subject to an archaeological excavation during 1969-1971. These excavations revealed the walls of a rectangular Roman building along North-South direction with dimensions of about 40 m. by 10 m. (140 ft. by 30 ft.). For actual pictures of Tepemezari, please see the pictures page.

Money was invented by Lydians in 7th century BC in West Anatolia. Thyateira, being the most important center in the North ancient Lydia, was definitely one of the first towns on the earth where money was used. Towards 200 BC, important trade centers started printing their own coins.

Oldest Thyateira coin is made of bronze and belongs to times when Pergamum Rule was prevalent. Thyateira coins usually display the figures of Apollo and Artemis on one side and double sided axe on the other side. During 50s AD, Thyateira printed coins bearing figures of Roman emperors, local governors and city administrators. Roman coins also revealed some sports activities and festivals in Thyateira.

Some coin findings indicate that there was once an economical alliance between Thyateira, Smyrna (Izmir) and Pergamon (Bergama).

Plateia Petra is a big high rock in the Eastern county territory. It hosts some ancient and middle age ruins. This big mass of rock has a very strategic location controlling Akhisar and Pergamum plains, a large part of Lydian territories. The location and castle indicate that the settlement was a defensive sentinel station. Access to Plateia Petra is possible by a tough walk of 3,050 steps ancient stairway carved to the rock.

The man-made tombs along modern Akhisar - Golmarmara road are ancient Lydian graves. These tombs usually have one single grave room.

Similar tombs can also be seen near modern villages of Beyoba, Mecidiye, Suleymanli and Eroglu. There are also some Lydian and Frigian graves carved in rock.

This ancient building was transformed to a mosque in 1400's. The year of construction is unknown but it is evident that the building was formerly a Roman temple and a Byzantine church. There is even a possibility for the building to be one of the famous Seven Churches of Christianity.

Aynali Mosque was almost reconstructed in 1958 due to excessive wear. Some ancient columns and building blocks found in the garden suggests that there was a large building of ancient Thyateira in the area. Mosque garden also hosts the finest samples of the Turkish art of stone carving.

The library was constructed in 1798 by Zeynelzade's, a reputable family of Akhisar. The building is located in Hashoca ward, close to Hashoca Mosque. According to records of 1805, there were 923 volumes of manuscripts. A modern library with the same name was contructed in 20^th century at another part of the city, serving students and researchers of Akhisar.

Next to the Resat Bey Cemetery, there is a Jewish Graveyard of about 673 sq. meters (7200 sq. feet). Gravestones with Hebrew carvings can be seen.

Right behind the modern Turkish Telecom Directorate Building there is an historical synagogue. Unfortunately, not much remained except its old gate.

The School of Agriculture built by Jewish in Kayalioglu town is still in good shape. The building was built in the beginning of 20th century. The 3 story building has been recently abandoned. There are orchards and various trees surrounding the building, once used in practical studies. The basement of the building served as a winery. The building and yard occupies an area of about 2 acres. Other small buildings accompany the old school building.

Karaosmanoglu dynasty once had a strong effect on Saruhan rulers built a mosque and a palace in Zeytinliova town. The mosque and the palace have fancy ceiling embellishment. Click here for pictures of Zeytinliova town center and Karaosmanoglu Mosque.

Roman Eros Figurine	Roman Altar (82 cm., 2.7 ft.)
Early Roman Statue of Goddess Nike	Hellenistic Gravestone (1.72m., 5.7 ft.), carved 4 lines of Greek inscription
Roman inscription (1.2 m., 4 ft.)	Gold Ram Figurine, 500 BC, Gokceler village old cemetery
Silver Bowl, 500 BC, Gokceler village