Discover Turkey's hidden gems: treasures, canyons, and ancient ruins

Uşak, Ulubey Canyon, Kula, and Blaundus are just a few of the points on the Turkish map worth noting for the upcoming holidays. All are well connected with tourist resorts, but the closest access is from Izmir or Kusadasi.

It's worth visiting the Archaeological Museum in Uşak. It houses exhibits from the Karun find, known as the treasure of Kroesus. The collection includes pure gold ornaments, as well as coins and vessels. The collection is impressive, just like the history of the treasure itself.

The treasure was discovered by Turkish peasants who were digging on one of the hills near the city. What they found in one of the caves exceeded their wildest expectations. And it wasn’t about the mummy they also discovered, but about the quantities of gold objects hidden in the rocks. The news quickly spread around the area, and by the time archaeologists and scientists arrived in Ikiztepe, the tomb had already been ransacked. While the gendarmerie searched for the missing valuables, specialists examined the surviving items, determined the age of the mummy, and tried to establish its identity.

It quickly turned out that the tomb belonged to Kroesus, the legendary king noted for his wealth. This ruler was the first to mint pure gold coins with his likeness. For 2,500 years, no one knew of his grave, making the discovery priceless.

When Kroesus ascended the throne in 560 BC, Lydia (a historical region in western Asia Minor) entered its greatest period of prosperity. The king increased its wealth by expanding the country's territory by conquering cities in Asia Minor and then levying tributes on them. Lydia also traded successfully with neighboring countries. The state treasury filled with gold, and scientists suspected that a significant part of it was in the tomb, raising the value of the discovery. Almost everything, however, was stolen, and despite the investigation and searches, the treasure could not be recovered. It was established that someone from nearby Izmir bought the valuables, but by the time they were reached, the treasure had already ended up in the hands of American antique dealer John J. Klejman, who smuggled it across the ocean.

After many years, the valuables were exhibited at New York's The Metropolitan Museum of Art, but the artifacts were not listed in the museum's catalogs. Every time the Turks tried to find out something about the treasure, they were turned away. Eventually, the museum informed that it had bought the exhibits from John J. Klejman for nearly $1.2 million. This meant that Turkey had no right to claim the artifacts' return.

In 1993, The Metropolitan Museum of Art realized it had acquired stolen valuables and sent them back to their homeland, Turkey. Kroesus' treasures were placed in the museum of the city of Uşak. In 2006, another twist occurred when it turned out that all the exhibits were forgeries. Arrests began, including the museum director, who sold the artifacts due to gambling debts and replaced them with copies.

The treasures were finally recovered, and after long court negotiations, they returned to Turkey. According to legend, the attorney who recovered them was to receive a fee of 4 million dollars. Today, the treasure itself is considered priceless.

About 31 miles from Uşak is Ulubey Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. The rocky cliffs and chasm were created by the Büyük River, which was known in Greek times as the Meander because it was very winding (hence the term "meandering" for something very convoluted).

The canyon is a geological wonder, with numerous limestone formations sculpted by water over millennia. The nature in this place lives its own life. One can encounter wolves, bears, and turtles in the local forests.

One of the biggest attractions is the glass observation platform suspended about 230 feet above the rocky precipice. Admission to it costs about 1.25 USD, and the experience is unforgettable. However, this attraction is not recommended for people who suffer from a fear of heights. Thrill-seeking tourists can also opt to explore the local caves.

The canyon is not only a treat for nature lovers but also for history enthusiasts. The rocky cliffs contain burial chambers, and the oldest of them may be around 1,800 years old. Scientists are currently mapping some of them.

Walking along the canyon, one can also reach the ruins of the ancient city of Blaundus. Although these excavations are less known than those in Ephesus or Troy, they have their unique character and immediately bring to mind the construction of Stonehenge in the UK. Here too, the stones stand in an enchanted circle, dating back to the times of Alexander the Great.

Additionally, one can see the remains of ancient buildings, such as theaters, temples, and agoras. You can sit under an ancient column and, for example, read a book, as few tourists are here. Excavation work in this location is ongoing, so we may encounter archaeologists or excavators while visiting. For the rest of this year, the excavation site can be viewed for free. Starting next season, the ticket is expected to cost 3 euros.

It's worth a trip to the mysterious Kula as well. Few people live here because most of the wooden houses from the 19th century have seen better days. But they are beautiful and have a unique charm: stucco, colors, and wooden construction make an impression. Stone plaques have inscriptions explaining where the barber was (hands with scissors carved in stone) or the year the house dates from. There are also so-called kissing houses, which touch roofs and were built from a father's love for his daughters whom he was marrying off. Here, one of the few women’s prisons post-revolution was also located.

It's also worth stopping by a small family café, where, among trees adorned with the eyes of the prophet, they serve homemade lemonade and Turkish coffee for symbolic fees. The people here are humble but exceptionally kind and proud of their area. They will show you, with gestures and very broken English, what to visit in the area and will host you with fruits from their own garden.

The village has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but no one has yet taken care of the unique buildings, so let's enjoy their sight while they last. They may lose their mysterious charm after renovations.