Abstract:

Abstract enThe Phrygia region,  which has a significant place in the rich historical geography of Anatolia, is being keenly studied in recent years. Its strategic importance in both military and commercial terms is demonstrated by the road system that it had in the Byzantine period. The structures of the Byzantine period that survived partly today, indicate that Phrygia is also an important religious center. Most of the constructional remains from Byzantine period of Phrygia to date, found in archaelogical excavations, consist of churches and architectural sculpture pieces used in churches. Today, it is possible to see architectural sculptures of the Byzantine period in many towns and villages as spolia,  although Byzantine settlements to which they belong are, not located yet.  This indicates that such settlements were looted over time.  The plundering of regional cities was probably really effective in the course of Arab raids. Between the 7th-9th centuries AD, the constant Arab raids forced people to hide in rock-cut settlements for safety. Hereabouts, this tradition can be linked to the age of Phrygians. Traces still exist to show that rock-cut architecture continued without a break.  In parallel,  it can be alleged that rock structures carved out by the Phrygians were used in Hellen and Roman times, also that new ones were added. It is possible that these people designed protected rock formations as places of worship and living.  Most probably, these places were transformed into places of Christian worship during Byzantine times and new models, including Byzantine architectural types and shapes, were added. Among the rock-cut churches, two different styles have been identified for the structures. One of them exposes plan-shapes which are well known in Byzantine architecture; includes major types of Byzantine church architecture: Aisleless, two naves, three naves (basilica), Greek-cross and Cross-in-square. While the other has been different plan-shapes which are formed of some special analytic structure. This study, aims to identify and introduce the Byzantine Era rock-cut churches which are situated in Phrygia, around Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar and Eskişehir, with their plan types,  functions and decorative features.

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