Ulubey (District)
Uşak province’s Ulubey district is home to a region that hosts both a massive canyon and a thousands-of-years-old ancient city. This is a unique place where the power of nature and the traces of history lie side by side.
The Region’s Deep History
The earliest settlements in Ulubey and its surroundings date back approximately 6000 years, to around 4000 BCE. Over time, numerous distinct communities including the Hittites, Phrygians and Lydians inhabited the area.
During the Lydian period, the region’s importance grew because the famous “King’s Road,” the vital artery of trade, passed through here. Later, the Persians, Macedonians, Romans and Byzantines also came to rule these lands.
Approximately 2300 years ago, soldiers from Alexander the Great’s army arrived from Macedonia and settled here. These people, who called themselves “Macedonian Blaundosians,” built a secure city atop the steep cliffs.
The City on the Cliffs: Blaundos
Blaundos Ancient City is situated on a high rock mass that resembles a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by deep and steep valleys. The city is accessible only through its main entrance gate on the northern side, due to its surrounding precipices. This strategic location made the city highly defensible against external threats throughout history.
Blaundos Ancient City (kültür Portali)
Important Structures in the City
Numerous architectural remains have survived from antiquity within the ancient city. These include a temple built in honor of the Roman Emperor Claudius, a stadium with seating on only one side, and a theater built into the slope. Additionally, many rock-cut chamber tombs carved into the surrounding cliffs are still visible today.
The World’s Great Gorge: Ulubey Canyon
Ulubey Canyon is recognized as the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States of America. This vast natural formation was shaped over thousands of years by the erosive power of the Ulubey and Banaz rivers. The canyon consists of a main valley and dozens of large side canyons connected to it.
Ulubey Canyon (Kültür Portali)
The Dokuzsele Stream flows at the canyon’s deepest point. The region offers excellent potential for various sports such as hiking, climbing and paragliding. Public transportation provides easy access to the canyon from the city center of Uşak.
