The historical journey of Afyon Violet marble begins with its extraction by the Ancient Romans from the Dokimeion (İscehisar) marble quarries. Known as “pavonazzetto” in antiquity, this unique marble was one of the most essential building materials of the ancient world.
According to Greek mythology, the Dokimeion region, home to many marble quarries, was considered a sacred area dedicated to the Great Goddess Kybele, located on Mount Persis, which is now known as Bacakale. Myth has it that Kybele’s lover, Attis, while hunting on Mount Persis, was attacked by a wild boar and gravely wounded. His blood fell onto the white marbles of Dokimeion, turning them a purple hue. Thus began the legendary journey of Afyon Violet marble, which has been used as a key material in iconic structures from the Temple of Apollo to the Pantheon, from Hagia Sophia to the Vatican, since the 1st century BC.
Pantheon (A.C. 126)
The most significant factor that made Afyon Violet marble so valuable in the Ancient World and allowed it to spread throughout the Roman Empire was its unique color. The production of purple pigment in antiquity was an arduous and costly process, making the color a symbol of royalty, nobility, and divinity. This precious purple marble was not only a status and power symbol but also represented the grandeur of the empire.
Papal Basilica of St Paul (Rome Italy) 4th century A.D.
Researchers suggest that the quarries in İscehisar were operated extraordinarily well for their time. Studies reveal that blocks extracted from the quarries were cut into rectangular or square shapes, while columns were shaped cylindrically. After rough processing and transportation, the final work was done elsewhere. To reduce the weight of the material being transported, excess pieces were discarded, and imperfect sections were left in the quarry. When the quarries could no longer be deepened, they were filled with waste material known as “pasa.” Even today, traces of ancient stonework, including whip marks, quarry pits, and carvings, can still be observed in the quarry area.
Barbarian Statue
Roman Woman Statue
The large blocks and columns of Afyon Violet marble were loaded onto sturdy wagons and transported by oxen. According to research, it took about five days for the marble to travel from İscehisar to Ephesus, first by land through Denizli and then by sea, spreading throughout the Roman Empire. The Büyük Menderes River is also thought to have been used for transporting large blocks during that time.
After centuries of stagnation, the quarries of İscehisar resumed activity during the Republican period. These quarries, once renowned for their unique quality and abundance in antiquity, continue to be operated using modern technologies. Today, Afyon Violet marble, one of Turkish Stones’ globally recognized emblematic products, continues to shape some of the finest examples of contemporary architecture worldwide.
