Afyonkarahisar (Turkish for the black opium castle) is a city in western Turkey, also known simply as Afyon (i.e. opium) or as Karahisar-i Sahip. Older spellings include Afium-Kara-hissar and Afyon Karahisar. It is the capital of Afyon province. It is located 250 km south-west of Ankara along the Akar River at an elevation of 1 034 meters. It has a population of 128 516 and is an important railroad junction between Izmir, Konya, Ankara and Istanbul. The region is traditionally the main producer of opium in Turkey, thereby its name.
Afyon was known as Acroënus until the reign of the Byzantine emperorLeo III who after his victory over Arab besiegers in 740 renamed it Nicopolis (Greek for the Victory City). The Seljuk Turks changed its name to Kara Hissar (the black castle) after the ancient fortress situated upon a volcanic rock 201 meters above the town.
Apart from the partly ruined fortress which has given the city its name, famous buildings includes the Ulu Camii (Great Mosque) and the Altigöz Bridge, both built by the Seljuks in the 13th century. It is the seat of an Armenianbishop.
Afyon is bordered with Konya to the east, Usak to the west, Kutahya to the northwest, Denizli to the southwest, Burdur to the south, Isparta to the southeast, and Eskisehir to the north.
Afyon is a spa-center with thermal baths in Gazligol Kaplicasi (25 km northwest), Gecek and Omerli Kaplicalari (15 km and 14 km northwest respectively), Hudai Kaplicasi 68 km southwest of the town, and Heybeli Kaplicasi at 30 km from city center.
Afyon Citadel which was built during the Byzantine period previously was used as a fortress by the Hittite King Mursil II, is another monument to see in the city.
Afyonkarahisar (Turkish for the fl opium castle) is a city in western Turkey, also known simply as Afyon (i.e.
It is located 250 km south-west of Ankara along the Akar River at an elevation of 1 034 meters.
Afyon was known in Hittite records as Hapanuwa, and in Greek times as Acroënus (Akroinon) until the reign of the Byzantine emperor Leo III who after his victory over Arab besiegers in 740 renamed it Nicopolis (Greek for the Victory City).