Kapıkaya Ancient City and Rock Climbing Area

Tucked into a narrow shelf in the rugged mountains of Isparta are the remains of an unknown city that has become the summer escape for rockclimbers looking to get away from the summer heat. The combination of stunning views, ancient history, beautiful rock faces, and cooler weather make it a climber’s retreat.

According to the climbers we spoke to there are nearly 150 routes on the different rock faces at Kapıkaya. In 2014 the local government funded the bolting of routes, the crown jewel of which is the 200-metre ascent up the main peak dubbed ‘El Kapıdan’ for its similarity to the world’s best known climbing mountain: Yosemite’s El Capitan.

While historians have guessed at the name of the city (Sandallion, Minassos, or Tityassos), its identity remains a mystery. The name Kapıkaya, meaning “Door Rock” likely comes from one of the mountain peaks with a large cave opening into it. In the mouth of the cave is a set of steps, though exactly what role the cave played in the ancient city also remains a mystery. It may also come from the narrow opening between two of the summits that opens onto the ancient city.

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Kapıkaya was a city of the Pisidians, a pre-Hellenistic people who took on Greek culture after the arrival of Alexander the Great, though it’s likely that the city wasnt built until sometime after Alexander the Great conquered the region in 333 BC. Sadly there is little remaining of ancient Kapıkaya apart from some wall sections, a few doorways, some niche carvings, and scattered foundations. While nothing is known about when the city was abandoned there is a cross-shaped foundation remaining from a Byzantine era church.

If you’re coming here to camp and climb, there is a good spring in the climbing area with clean fresh water though you’re going to need to bring the rest of your provisions.