Akhisar
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Akhisar (pronounced: ah-kee-sahr; or Tepe Mezarligi) is the name of a county and of a town center located in Manisa Province, apart of the Aegean (Western Anatolia) region in Turkey. Akhisar is the biblical Thyatira.
Archaeological findings prove settlements going well back to 3000 BC, Akhisar has always been a busy trade center on the intersection of important roads since ancient ages. It was one of important ancient Lydia cities where "money" was first used. Akhisar (Thyatira) hosted one of the seven churches of the Book of Revelation. Akhisar maintained its importance as a regional trade center under Ottoman Empire. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Akhisar had also become the home of a sizable Jewish community.
Today's Akhisar is still the trade and business center in its region. Akhisar's name is internationally recalled along with oriental tobacco, as fertile Akhisar land provides about 10 per cent of Turkish oriental tobacco production. Its high-quality olives and olive oil are also among very well-known products.
A brief history of Akhisar
The town was the most important center in the North ancient Lydia. Findings suggest a period with possible Hittite pre-eminence. Persian occupation took place around 500 BC and later, Thyateira was conquered byAlexander the Great and submitted to Macedonian rule 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 AD 214. The city flourished in Roman Era and became a large metropolis with 3 gymnasiums. Right after the partition of Roman Empire in 395, the Eastern part was renamed as Byzantine Empire. Arab 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 John the Evangelist and Paul. Thyatira appears twice in the New Testament: the first is as one of the Seven Churches in Asia Minor, where a Thyateiran woman named "Jezebel" is said to have fought against Christians (Revelation 2:18-29); the second time is when a Thyatiran woman named "Lydia" is said to have helped Paul (Acts 16:14).
Turkish tribes from Central Asia had been to Asia Minor in 8th century AD. However, in the 1100s, a large-scale Turkish inflow started. Akhisar continuously went back and forth between Byzantine and Turkish rules during this century. During the 1200s, 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 the 1300s, Turkish regained all Western Anatolia and Akhisar submitted to Turkish rule in 1307. In subsequent years, the 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 become a part of Aydin State until 1922.
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 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. 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 Ottoman records about Akhisar date back to the 1500s. Those records tell us that Akhisar was a county center paying 40% more income tax than the capital of Saruhan Sanjak. At the end of the 19th 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 tourist hotels are now lined up along the busy 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 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.
Historical findings and sites in Akhisar
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 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 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.
Tepemezari
Some ruins of an ancient building complex and colonnaded 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.
Akhisar Coins
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 (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 - 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.
Ulucami (The Great Mosque)
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
Aynali Mosque was almost reconstructed in 1958 due to excessive wear. 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 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 constructed in 20th century at another part of the city, serving students and researchers of Akhisar.
Jewish Graveyard
Next to the Resat Bey Cemetery, there is a Jewish Graveyard of about 673 square meters (7200 ft²). Gravestones with Hebrew carvings can be seen.
Jewish Synagogue
Right behind the modern Turkish Telecom Directorate Building there is an historical synagogue. Unfortunately, not much remained except its old gate.
Kayalioglu Jewish School
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 (8,000 m²). Other small buildings accompany the old school building.