Blaundos, Ancient city in Ulubey, Uşak, Turkey
Blaundos, also written as Blaundus, is an ancient city built on a rocky hilltop in the Ulubey area of Uşak, in western Turkey, surrounded on most sides by deep valleys and the Grand Ulubey Canyon. The site preserves remains of a theater, a stadium, temples, a basilica, colonnaded streets, and a large necropolis with about 400 rock-cut tombs.
Blaundos was founded around 300 BCE by Macedonian settlers in the period following Alexander the Great, placed between the regions of Lydia and Phrygia for its military value. The city later came under Roman and then Byzantine control, eventually becoming a Christian bishopric before being abandoned around the 12th century.
The necropolis draws many visitors who come to see the rock-cut tombs carved directly into the valley walls. The carvings on the tomb facades show vines, grapes, and flowers, giving a clear sense of what mattered to the people buried here.
The site is located a few kilometers off the main road in the Ulubey district and is best reached by personal vehicle. The terrain is open and uneven, so sturdy shoes and enough water are strongly recommended before heading out.
During recent excavations, archaeologists found a seal possibly dating to the Assyrian Trade Colonies period, pushing the site's history back much further than previously thought. Researchers also believe many more tombs remain underground, not yet uncovered.
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