Istanbul to Eskisehir and King Midas' tomb: Private day trip

Archaeological findings date Eskisehir’s foundation back 4000 years, though it’s the Phrygians who are credited with laying the groundwork for today’s city in 1000 BC. Despite its name meaning ‘Old City’, much of Eskisehir had to be rebuilt following the Turkish War of Independence, which paved the way for the city’s new, youthful identity. Thanks to recent developments and a huge student population, Eskisehir feels like a happenin’ European city with its pleasant parks, cafes, and even a riverfront beach! However, head to Odunpazarı, Eskişehir's protected old town, and it feels like you’ve stepped back into the days of the Ottoman Empire. The streets are lined with historic pastel-colored houses, many of which have been converted into museums and cafes, and the 16th century Kurşunlu Külliyesi Complex showcases traditional art and architecture.

The Gordium Ancient City was first settled around the 12th century BC by the Phrygians, and within 300 years became the capital of of their empire. According to legend, when Alexander the Great captured the city in 333 BC, he untied the ‘Gordian Knot’, which prophesied that whoever could do so would rule Asia. The 50 meter tall, man-made mountain overlooking Gordium was believed to have been the Tomb of King Midas for the wealth of objects found within, though now it’s generally accepted to be his father’s. Today, you can still tour the tomb, which is impressive for its construction, especially when you consider the timber is nearly 3000 years old. The rest of the ancient city was reduced to its foundations, but step into the museum and you’ll find a wealth of artefacts ranging from pottery and stonework to cloak pins and stamps, and of course, objects from the tomb.