Çayırhan puts Juliopolis at the heart of a stay focused on archaeology and history. The ancient city is located in Çayırhan, in the Gülşehri locality. This connection encompasses an archaeological protected area, a necropolis, excavation findings and the landscape around the Sarıyar Reservoir. Visitors who choose the area for its history can explore several distinct topics: Juliopolis’s place in antiquity, the history of excavations and finds, and the link between archaeological remains and the lakeshore landscape.

Juliopolis and the Archaeological Sites

The Juliopolis Grade I and III archaeological protected area is in Çayırhan neighbourhood, in the Gülşehri locality, and is registered as an archaeological site. The Kanlıtepe Necropolis is also in Çayırhan neighbourhood, in the Gülşehri locality; it is registered as a Grade I archaeological site. The locality description therefore identifies two distinct archaeological points of interest: a protected area associated with Juliopolis and the Kanlıtepe Necropolis. Their names and classifications give the historical context greater precision than a general reference to antiquity.

Excavations and the History of Finds

A total of 434 tombs were unearthed during archaeological excavations at the Juliopolis Necropolis. Since 2009, excavations have been carried out by a team of museum archaeologists. Numerous coins from the Juliopolis mint, found during the excavations, helped identify this area as part of the ancient city’s necropolis. The number of tombs and the coins tell different aspects of the research history: the 434 tombs document a specific excavation finding, while the coins played a role in the archaeological identification.

Between Reservoir and River

Some remains of the ancient city of Juliopolis are partially visible on the northeastern shore of the Sarıyar Reservoir. The ancient city’s necropolis lies on a limestone promontory on the northern shore of the same reservoir. These location details describe two different relationships with the water: visible remains on the northeastern shore and a necropolis on a promontory on the northern shore. The Aladağ Çayı also divides the necropolis area. The shoreline, limestone promontory and river course thus describe different features of the historic landscape.

Ancient Border and Historic Route

Juliopolis can also be placed in its ancient historical context geographically. The city stood on the border between Bithynia and Galatia and was Bithynia’s easternmost border city. An ancient route leading to Ankyra via Chalcedon, Nicomedia and Nicaea passed through Juliopolis. In Roman times, armies and civilians used the ancient road. The border location and the course of the road answer different questions: the former places Juliopolis politically between Bithynia and Galatia, while the latter connects the city to a route to Ankyra.

A Closer Look at the Bridge

The arched Çayırhan (Davutoğlan) Bridge adds a distinct architectural point of interest. It features a construction technique typical of the period in which it was built. This makes the bridge a different focus from the necropolis: the bridge draws attention to its arched form and construction technique, while the necropolis is associated with tombs, excavations and coin finds. If you choose Çayırhan for its historical attractions, this distinction offers two different perspectives on cultural heritage: archaeological work around Juliopolis and construction techniques at a named bridge.

Discover more destinations: Beypazarı, Ayaş, Karahisar, Kızılcahamam, Gölbaşı, Şereflikoçhisar, Yıldırımbeyazıt Mahallesi, Dikmen.

For the broader travel overview: Ankara.