An ancient tomb carved into rock in the historic Phrygian Valley of western Turkey has sparked national outrage after being illegally converted into a café. The 3,000-year-old burial site, located in Ayazini village in Afyonkarahisar province, is part of a region often described as Turkey’s “second Cappadocia” and is listed on the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
The unauthorized transformation of the ancient Phrygian tomb to a cafe in Turkey drew immediate criticism from archaeologists, heritage officials, and the public.
Photos and videos shared by the café on social media showed the interior redesigned with carpets, couches, lights, and decorative furnishings. Captions praised the “glory of the stone rooms.” Swings were added outside to attract visitors, and transparent doors were installed for winter use.
Yanına belli bir mesafeden bile yaklaşılmaması gereken Afyon’da bulunan 3 bin yıllık tarihi mezar kafeye dönüştürüldü.#Afyon pic.twitter.com/61bolKDogo
— Haber kulisi (@haberkulisitr) June 29, 2025
The business, operating under the name Taş Bahçe (Stone Garden), also placed coal and wood-burning stoves directly inside the tomb’s burial chambers. These changes were made without any approval from Turkey’s Regional Conservation Council, which oversees the protection of archaeological sites.
The case was first reported by journalist Salim Uzun of Hürriyet. Public reaction was swift. Experts described the act not only as a violation of cultural preservation laws but also as a moral disregard for the sacred nature of the site.
“This isn’t just ignorance—it’s deliberate misuse,” said Prof. Nevzat Çevik, an archaeology professor at Akdeniz University. “You’re not even allowed to place a chair next to a registered historical site without a permit, let alone convert it into a restaurant.”
Prof. Havva İşkan, a leading archaeologist in Turkey, echoed the concern. “These tombs have deep spiritual value,” she said. “Drilling into sacred rock to install electricity is appalling. They’ve unfortunately turned a site of cultural heritage into a theme park.”
Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism quickly launched an investigation. According to Birol İnceciköz, Director General of Cultural Assets and Museums, earlier inspections had failed to detect the modifications because café staff had removed evidence before officials arrived.
“Although the land is privately owned, the rock tomb itself is a registered archaeological asset,” İnceciköz said. “All infrastructure changes were illegal. We’ve begun legal proceedings and are actively monitoring the site.”
Authorities have now removed all furnishings, wiring, and heating equipment, restoring the tomb to its original state.
Despite the backlash, the café owner defended the move. “We just wanted to help the local economy and tourism,” he said. The owner claimed he had applied for usage permits and paid a compensation fee for nearby operations, but admitted the tomb itself was not covered.
He confirmed that while the café continues to operate in the area, all activity inside the tomb has ended.
