AKHISAR

'Akhisar' (''pronounced: ak-hee-sahr'') is a district and a town center of Manisa Province in the Aegean region of Turkey.
Akhisar is the ancient city of Thyatira mentioned in the Bible. 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.).
Archaeological finds indicate settlements reaching well back to 3000 BC. Situated at a key point on the intersection of important roads since ancient ages, Akhisar has always been a busy trade center. It was one of prominent cities of ancient Lydia and historically, "money" was first used in this region. Akhisar (Thyateira, Thyatira) hosted one of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation. It is mentioned several times in the Bible. Akhisar maintained its importance as a regional trade center also during the Ottoman period. A dynasty of virtually independent rulers of western Anatolia in the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th, the ayan family of Karaosmanoğlu launched their power base from their native Akhisar, and there are a number of public works built by the family in Akhisar and its depending township of Zeytinliova, which was their village of origin. Starting with the 16th century, Akhisar had also become the home of a sizable Jewish community.
Modern Akhisar is still a trade and business center for its region. Akhisar's name is internationally brings to mind Turkish tobacco, and the fertile lands of Akhisar produce about 10% of Turkish oriental tobacco production. Its high-quality olives and olive oil are among products that made a name.

Contents

History

Features

Historical sites in Akhisar

External links

History

The town was the most important center in the North ancient Lydia. Findings suggest a possible earlier period of pre-eminence under the Hittites. Persian occupation of the region took place around 500 BC Thyateira was later conquered by Alexander the Great. In later years, Thyateira captured successively by the Seleucid Empire, the Attalid dynasty of Pergamon and by Mithridates VI of Pontus, until the Roman Era that started in 80 BC.
In 214 AD, the Roman Emperor Caracalla promoted the town to the status of a regional and administrative center with powers of adjudication (conventus). The city flourished considerably under the Romans and became a large metropolis with 3 gymnasiums. As of the 2nd century AD, Christianity spread in western Anatolia by the actions of apostles like John the Evangelist and Paul. Thyatira is mentioned twice in the New Testament. The first mention is as one of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor and reference is made to a Thyateiran woman named "Jezebel" who is said to have fought against Christians (Revelation 2:18-29). The second mention refers to another Thyatiran woman named "Lydia" is said to have helped Paul (Acts 16:14).
After the partition of Roman Empire in 395, raids by Arabs resulted in great loss of land for Byzantium and the region of Akhisar witnessed many battles between Byzantine and Arab forces.
In the 1100s, a large-scale inflow of Turkish tribes started. Akhisar swayed back and forth between Byzantine and Turkish rulers during for two centuries. In the 1300s, Turks under the Anatolian Beylik of Saruhan regained all Western Anatolian lands and Akhisar went under Turkish rule in 1307. Towards the end of the same century, Akhisar became part of the extending Ottoman Empire. Under Ottoman administration, Akhisar was at first a subdistrict (''kaza'') in the sanjak (''district'') of Saruhan (corresponding to present-day Manisa Province) within the larger vilayet (''province'') of Kütahya. The sanjak of Saruhan was later incorporated into the vilayet of Aydın until the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1922.

Features

In ancient times, Thyateira was an important center of activity. It was on the ancient roads from Istanbul to Pergamum, Sardis and Ephesus. Thyateira was at the center of many small towns and villages which were administratively and politically bound to it. 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.
This high level of economical activity made Akhisar the most important subdistrict within the sanjak of Saruhan. The first Ottoman records about Akhisar date back to the 1500s. These records indicate that Akhisar was a district center which paid 40% more income tax than the seat of the Saruhan Sanjak, present-day Manisa. At the end of the 19th century, urban population had reached 30,000. In the Republican era, Akhisar pursued its development. Many modern avenues, streets were built. In recent years, a new stadium, grass soccer field, many parks and recreational areas were also built throughout the city. Many banks, shops and tourist hotels are now lined up along the busy main street (Tahir Un Avenue) which connects the train station to the city center.
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 development. Since the city is located on the State Highway 565 between İzmir and Istanbul, Turkey's two most important ports, Akhisar Industrial Zone offers attractive investment opportunities for both domestic and foreign investors.

Historical sites in Akhisar

Ancient Akhisar is almost fully covered 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 column heads in street corners in the older city.
'Tomb of State Hospital'

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 were derived from the tower painted in white which was on this castle. (In Turkish, ak means white and hisar means castle; accordingly, the Byzantine name Asprokastro means the same thing, since, in Greek, aspro means white and kastro means castle). Unfortunately, since the 1940s, the State Hospital is located on part of this small hill which renders further discoveries impossible at present, and only a Hellenistic tablet and sarcophagus can be seen in the Hospital garden.
'Tepemezarı'

Some ruins of an ancient building complex and colonnaded road can be seen in "Tepemezarlığı" area in downtown. The portico is estimated to have a length of 100 m. (330 ft.). It possibly connects the entrance of the large ancient building complex to the city acropolis. Tepemezarlığı was subjected to an in depth archaeological excavation between 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.). The compound is arranged into an archaeological park in the center of the city.
'Akhisar Coins'

It is generally admitted that money was invented by Lydians in the 7th century BC in western Anatolia. Thyateira, being the most important center in the North ancient Lydia, was definitely one of the first towns 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 the rule of Pergamon was prevalent. Thyateira coins usually display the figures of Apollo and Artemis on one side and a double sided axe on the other. 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 of the coins found indicate that there was once an economical alliance between Thyateira, Smyrna (İzmir) and Pergamon (Bergama).
'Plateia Petra (Sahin Kaya =Falcon Rock)'

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.
'Lydian Tombs'

The man-made tombs along modern Akhisar - Gölmarmara 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, Süleymanlı and Eroğlu. There are also a number of Lydian and Phrygian graves carved in rock.
'Ulucami (The Great Mosque)'

This ancient building was transformed to a mosque in 1400s. 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'

Aynali Mosque was reconstructed in practical terms in 1958 since the earlier mosque had considerably decayed. Some ancient columns and building blocks found in the garden suggest 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.
'Zeynelzade Library and Hashoca Mosque'

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

Next to the Reşat Bey Cemetery, there is a Jewish Graveyard of about 673 square meters (7200 ft²). Gravestones with carvings in Hebrew can be seen.
'Jewish Synagogue'

Right behind the modern Turkish Telecom Directorate Building there is an historical synagogue. Unfortunately, not much remains of it except its old gate.
'Kayalıoğlu Jewish School'

The School of Agriculture built by the Jewish family of Kayalıoglu is still in good shape. The building was built in the beginning of 20th century. The three storey building was in use until recently. There are orchards and various trees surrounding the building, which were actually used for the lessons and studies. The basement of the building served for wine making. The building and yard occupies an area of about 2 acres (8,000 m²). Other small buildings accompany the old school building.

External links

★ Akhisar web portal

★ MANİSA Gölmarmara ESELER (İsalar) Village