| |  It is located on the Central Anatolian plateau. The name of the city in the Scythian/ Galatian language is Kawawana, meaning Ihe country where sheep (or goats) are bred", and from the fertile lands it appears that sheep, cows and lambs were raised in the area, The name of the city which was situated at the border Lycaonia-Galatia later became Ikonia. The Hatti and Galatian tribes included in the Etruscan tribes who moved southwards from the Balkans and via Caucasia circa 3000 B.C., settled down in Central Anatolia. According to Eflatun Pmar rock-carvings 40 km to the west of Konya and the prehistoric remains found on the Hill of Alaaddin in the city centre, it is presumed that the area was an old settlement place. The Hill of Alaaddin was essentially a prehistoric mound, raised with the piling of earth and stone upon it at various times. The area was annexed to the Hittite Empire circa 1400 B.C. and subsequently brought under the rules of Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Macedonians, Seleucids, Kingdom of Pergamum, Romans and. after the disintegration of the Roman empire, Byzantines. Notwithstanding that Turks came to the area for some time in 1069 the main Turkish sovereignty began in 1071. In 1097 Anatolian Seljuk State was founded, with Konya proclaimed as the capital. Konya which experienced its period of prosperity during this time was later brought under the jurisdictions of the Karamanoglu Turkomans followed by the Ottoman State in 1512. The most important personage of Konya is the worldwide famous "Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi". Mevlana who taught in Medrese established "the Mevlevi Order Sufi Philosophy". According to this, besides the imperative prayer to God, the necessity of whirling prayer is also emphasized. In the faith of Mevlevi Order, §eb-i Aruz rituals are performed in Konya every year. The essence of Mevlana's philosophy can be explained as "Still come whoever you may be", According to the Mevlevi Order which foregrounds love for humankind and brotherhood, a person should either "appear as he is, or be as he appears." The Museum of Mevlana is essentially a turbe (tomb) and a dervish convent housing the coffins of Mevlana and his family. The dome of the dervish convent is embellished with green coloured tiles. The works belonging to the Seljuk and Ottoman eras are displayed here. The museum, which is in the form of a complex, accommodates a mesjid, whirling conventicle, chambers of dervishes, carpet and fabric section, ethnographic works of art. epitaphs and the tombstones of Mevlevis. Immediately adjacenl to the museum is the Selimiye Mosque of the Ottoman architectural style ordered to be built by Sultan Selim II. The other museums in the city are the Museum of Monumental Tombs in Sircali Medrese, Ethnographic Museum, Wooden Works of Art Museum and Koyunoglu Museum. Constructed on the Hill of Alaaddin, under the order of Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat, in 1221 is the Alaaddin Mosque of which the Mimber (pulpit) is adorned with tiles. Karatay Medrese is located to the south of the Hill of Alaaddin and was constructed by Vizier Karatay in 1251. The dome of the medrese consisting of various sections is laid with blue and black tiles on the inner side. Its main gate presents one of the most beautiful examples of the Seljuk art of stone-working. Sahip Ata Mosque and Adjacent Complex of Buildings, ince Minare (Thin Minaret) Mosque, iplikgi Mosque, Aziziye Mosque and Kapi (Gate) Mosque are the other mosques in the city. Built in the area are the Binbir (One Thousand and One) Church in Karadag where the remains of the church dating from the Byzantine era lie, Kubadabat Palace on the waterside of the Lake Bey^ehir. Bey§ehir Castle and E§refoglu Mosque, which is the oldest wooden mosque in Anatolia, Karaman Castie in Karaman, Karamanoglu ibrahim Bey Kulliye. Horozlu lnnr Zazadin Inn and the Turbe of Hodja Nasreddin. the worldwide famed satire master who died in 1248. Konya is wellknown today for its Mevlana bonbons, firm (oven-cooked) kebab, meat bread, wooden handicrafts and Ladik carpets. |
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Konya
Knidos
The remains of the ancient city lie to the western tip of the Datca Peninsula in the southwestern Anatolia. As the other western Anatolian cities, it was founded by the Carians, a branch of the Etruscans/ Luwis circa 3000 B.C. The name of the city is originally "Kindada", meaning "the Place with the Mother Goddess". As a matter of fact, the temple built in honour of the Mother Goddess when the foundations were laid, came to be identified with the Mother Goddess Aphrodite because of the evolving culture of faith during the Macedonian era and was transformed into the Temple of Aphrodite. The name of the city which was a major sacrarium of the Carian region changed into Knidos subsequently. As of 2000s B.C. its population increased with the influx of the Lelegians immigrating from the Aegean Islands and direction of the main urbanization was displaced from the southern tip of the peninsula towards the western side where the temple existed. Thus, they grew, in the western fertile part, valonia, almond, olive and fruit trees and engaged in agriculture and hence, obtained major products for export. Together with the other cities in the area a confederacy was established in the name of Hexapolis and subsequently, when Halicarnassus was expelled from this union, the confederacy was named Pentapolis. By exporting the timber and the agricultural products they raised to the various countries in the eastern Mediterranean they both prospered and became highly advanced in maritime trading. In the 5th century B.C. they intended to defend the Peninsula of Datca against the Persian occupation by opening a canal between the Gulf of Gbkova and Bozburun, but were unsuccessful. The Persians who came to the area in 546 B.C. under the command of Harpagos were impressed by the beauty of the city and did not damage it. The city which later fell under the hegemonies of the Macedonians, Rhodians, Romans and Byzantines was devastated by the Arab raids in the 7th century and abandoned after the earthquake in the 9th century.The Turks who came to the area in the 12th century established the settlement of Datga in the south of the peninsula, The ancient city of Knidos was built at the narrowest spanning site of the peninsula, upon terraces towards its acropolis. The remains of the breakwater and watchtowers as lying on the earth-filled harbour and the remains of the parallel colonnaded streets on a wide plan are those that first strike the eye. Situated behind the harbour are the sanctuary of the Goddess of Fertility, DemeterT and her daughter, Core, as well as the remains of a temple.
The excavations carried out here yielded the famed Statue of Aphrodite Praxiteles. Also found are the remains of the Agora Square and two Byzantine Churches and, to the north of the Temple of Apollon, the Cave of Nymphs siting the various depictions of dancing water nymphs. Lying behind this are the remains of the famed Temple of Aphrodite, with a diameter of 17,5 m, lined with 18 columns around its circular podium, and housing the Statue of Aphrodite. A small odeon and the Temple of Dionysus are the other remains.
Kemer
| |  40 km after the centrum of Antalya one arrives at Kemer. 251 species of flowers are grown in the area. According to mythological accounts, Abihayat/ Bengisu. that is, the spring of immortality water, should be somewhere in the sea section of the cape into which Agva creek at the south-western end of the Kemer bay flows. The area was called Abaawa, that is, "sacred water spring" by the Luwians. The name of the city, situated in the ancient Pamph/lia. was later changed into "Idyros". According to the Luwian myth, Adra/Toro/ Toros, the bull-headed chief god and symbol of masculinity, drinks of the sacred immortality water at the shore where Mount £ali§ steeply plunges into the sea and becomes immortal. Luwians, based on this myth, build the Sacred Temple "Adrawana" meaning the country of Adra. Upon the overflowing of the Creek Agva the Temple of Adra remained under alluvial deposits. The plains of Kemer and Agva where the temple was located completely turned into a swamp and were abandoned to mosquitoes in time, It was rebuilt by the Teke Ybruks during the 1800s and the yoriiks coming from the Taurus tablelands in 1916-1917, In order to protect the village a stone wall was built on the slopes of the Mount Kizilcik. This wall was compared to an arch and hence the name Kemer (Arch). In Kemer which became a municipality in 1992 the agriculture and tourism potential developed at a great pace. The Yoruk Park daytime facilities and restaurants, with the ethnographic characteristics of yoruk lifestyle, on the Kemer Ayisjgi Bay are well worth a visit. Kemer is a major tourism centre with its worldwide-renowned touristic facilities. Beycik Hill in Kemer thanks to its low humidity and cool air and the facilities and villas built amidst its natural beauties, has turned into a mountain resort. Since 2000 "Anatolian Rally" is organised as a sportive safari activity on the tablelands of Kemer and recorded in the World Rally Championship under the name "Rally of Turkey", Additionally, "Golden Pomegranate Tourism Carnival" and "Yesilyayla Oil Wrestling Matches" are organized.Furthermore, hiking tours are carried out amidst the natural beauties on the routes of Kemer -Kuzdere -Karatasjar -Sapandere -Aslanbucak. Kemer-Agva Cape provides excellent location for underwater diving. In brief, Kemer, which was set up by the spring of immortality, opens today the doors of its touristic facilities built to high standards for tourists visiting from all over the world, offers means of shopping and grants everlasting memories to them through magnificent excursions into nature. BELDJBJ It is located 25 km west of the provincial centre of Antalya. Beldibi is today included within the "Olympos Beydaglan National Coastal Park". Three families that came to the area, which was completely covered by oak forests until 150 years ago, built up a settlement here and. later with those coming from Anamur the population increased and it became a neighbourhood under the Mukhtar (Village Elected Head) of Kemer. Sprawling on the land with an area of 30-40 acres located above the pool immediately beside Kocasu spring are the remains of the ancient city of Marma. The area where the remains lie is densely clad with forests. Not much information is available as no excavation or research was conducted. The only thing known is that they were punished, because of their plundering, by Alexander who spent the winter in Phaselis with his army in the 3rd century B.C. Beldibi, which became a Mukhtarlik (Village Elected Head's Post) in 1973 and, later, a Municipality in 1994 has today become a major tourism centre thanks to its nature, citrus fruits, parades, daily picnic areas, touristic facilities and neighbouring shopping centres. £AMYUVA is a narrow plain to the west of Kemer irrigated by Agva Creek. Today it is a tourism centre with all its magnificent touristic facilities. The most notable aspect of the natural port of Agva is that it was the place where the ban eships Paris II and Alexandra were sunk during the 1st World War in 1917. KJRJS is a natural bay where the blue sea meets the pine toress and which is home to worldwide-renowned touristic facilities, There are parades through the forest and along the coast between Kiris. - Qamyuva and Kemer. |
Kekova
| |  island that gives its name to the area is in front of the village of Kalekoy and it is accessible by boat. It is a long and narrow island measuring 7,4 km long by 500 m wide, at its section closest to the shore, The deepest point between the island and the shore is 104 m. The island is covered with maquis and red pine trees are found at certain places. Wild olive trees are the most abundant vegetation on the island. The name of the city was "Khawakuwa" in the Luwian/Etruscan language and meant "Land of Sheep Bull". Based on this, it is assumed that a "bull/sheep" cult existed in Kekowa and that it was a shelter and sacred reproduction place for animals such as sheep, bulls and cows, which were considered sacred. The remains of the settlement with the same name as the island are seen on the northern side which faces the mainland. The island sank a few metres in the water during an earthquake in antiquity. The remains of buildings seen under the sea. along the northern shore of the island, confirm this. Following the earthquake, the survivors moved to the sister cities of Simena and Teimiussa on the shore across the island. On the side of the island of Kekova which faces the mainland, one sees the harbour walls, shops, sidewalks and stone steps of the Sunken City. The remnants of the apse of a Byzantine church, apparently built in the 5th century A.D., of square plan and embellished with frescoes are seen on the shore of the Bay of Tersane. SiMENA / OgAGIZ KALEKOY The ancient city of Simena is located on the peninsula right across the island of Kekova, The small fishing village of Kale is situated among the ruins of Simena. The village of Ugagiz, also accessible overland, is 20 kms to the south of the Demre - Ka§ highway. Boat tours are organized to here from Demre/Qayagzi and Kas. The fish restaurants along the shore serve to boat and yacht tourists. The name of Simena appears to be a phonetic variation of "Soamawana" which means "Land of the Great Mother" in the Etruscan/ Luwian language. In one of his books, Stephanos, a Byzantine historian, refers to Simena as Somena. The history of the city dates back to 3000 B.C. After the Trojan War in the 12th century B.C., many Gallipolians who had sided with the Trojan King Hector, appear to have settled in Soamawana. Following the earthquake during which the city of Kekova sank into the sea. the population of Simena increased due to the influx of surviving Kekovans and the city expanded beyond the fortress. The most prominent structure in the area is the fortress. The pointed arches of the towers of the fortress are an architectural feature of the Etruscan/Trak tribe. The main entrance gate of the fortress is rectangular and it is constructed of regularly cut blocks of stone. There are cisterns within the fortress. In addition, there is a small theatre with a seating capacity of 400 and consisting of 8 rows of cavea. This was the smallest theatre in the Lycian region. It may be associated with the male population staying away from home; because they were sailors, they did not need a large theatre. Outside the city walls, overlooking the sea, there is the stoa of the temple of Poseidon. Down towards the shore, the remains of the bathhouse of rectangular plan stand out. The walls of the structure were built using the polygonal wall technique and according to an inscription, it was presented to Emperor Titus. There are more than twenty house-like tombs and they are all carved into rock in the form of doors and windows. Their facades bear inscriptions in the Lycian stating facts about the deceased. Sarcophagi are carved out of rock. Their lids are pointed arched. The ruins of the ancient city of Theimussa are found within the borders of the Ucagiz village. Among the ruins, several towers and various Lycian tombs are the most conspicuous. On the facade of one of the Lycian tombs, there is an inscription of the name of the deceased which was Kluwanimi. This proves that the site was a Luwian/Etruscan settlement and that the settlers were of Luwian origin. |
Kalkan
| |  Kalkan, located to the southernmost end of the Teke peninsula, by the small bay of the same name, is a new settlement unit. Obviously, the first settlers of the area were the Tekelioglu Turkomans who first immigrated to the Gombe and Elmali plateaux and, then, moving down to the south, settled and built their villages in the Esen Valley and the Yesjlkoy-Firnaz plains. Some of the Turkomans who settled in Yesilkoy laid the foundations of today's district of Kalkan which is by the bay on the other side of the hill of the same name in the east of the village. For years. Kalkan remained as a small community annexed to Yesjlkoy. In recent years, however, due to the very low rate of humidity of its fine air and the hotel, motel and pension house businesses, fish restaurants, cafeterias and marina, it has become a popular centre for tourism. Located in the east of Kalkan is the KAPUTA? BEACH with its strand measuring 60 m long by 20 m wide between the sheer falez rocks of 25 m height, is the best known natural bay formed by the Taurus mountains running perpendicular to the shore. In the east of the beach is the BLUE CAVE, with a diameter of 60x70 m, having a pebbly strand and formed of sea erosion beneath the falez rocks. The cave is accessible by touristic boats. |
Kaş
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Gaziantep / Zeugma
| |  From the settlement of Dolike/Dijliik located in the area it appears that the history of the area dates back to the prehistoric times. The prehistoric finds recovered in Gedikli Tumulus and Tumen Tumulus in Islahiye and the Outdoor Statuary Workshop in Yesemek are among the prominent works of art. The Acropolis Castle, built in circa 3000s on both banks of the River Euphrates/Firat in the district of Nizip, later gained importance during the Assyrian era because of its location on the trade route. It became the political and commercial centre of the Northern Mesopotamia. It was expanded as a result of the settlements of Galatians, Phrygians and Commagenians in the 7th century B.C. In the 3rd century B.C. Seleucos Nicator, of the Macedonian generals, founded Zeugma on the banks of the Euphrates in his and his wife's names. It fell under the Roman sovereignty in the 1st century B.C. and the slope of the acropolis was adorned with various temples and villas. A temple was built in honour of Fortuna, goddess of trade and luck, on the acropolis to commemorate the trade thriving off. It was razed to the ground and abandoned as a result of the Sassanid assaults in 252 -A.D. and Arab invasions in the 7th century. In the 12th century the village of Belkis was founded by the Turkomans who came to the area. The GAP Irrigation and Power Project is the largest project in the world, aimed at reclaiming the northern Mesopotamia which has become barren. In the ancient city of Zeugma which will be submerged in the water of the Birecik Dam built for this purpose the rescue excavations started in 1987 under the leadership of the Gaziantep Museum Directorate backed by an international cooperation. 24 instants of mosaic, 93 wall pictures, statues and seals made of clay earth, called bulla, of numerous numbers as the foremost cultural values have been recovered. These objects are on display in the Gaziantep Museum. |
Foça
| |  Located to the north ot the place where the river Gebiz flows into the Aegean Sea is the Foca settlement. The city was founded by the Etruscans/Luwis. The original name of the city is "Pauwaka", meaning "Marshy Ground." In ancient Lydia this name was subsequently changed into Fokaia. The city which grew in population with the influx of those returning from the Trojan War resisted against the Persians in the 5th century B.C. and then, became a member of the Delian League. The city which took part in the Sea Battle of Lade in front of the city of Miletus with 3 ships in 494 B.C. later fell under the rules of Macedonians. Seleucids. Pergamenes, Romans and Byzantines. Despite that Foca was taken over by the Turkish Caka Bey in the 11th century, it was seized by Genoese in 1275. During this period a castle was built outside of the city. Phocaeans were highly advanced as navigators and they, together with the Milesians, founded the cities of Lampsakos, Amisos and, in France, Marseilles. In 1455 Phocaea was annexed to the Ottoman lands. Extant from the ancient era are a rock-carved tomb called S, eytan Hamami (Devil's Bath) and a few pieces of column from the Temple of Athena. Phocaea takes its name from the fish phoca (seal), known by the Anatolian people as seabear, which lives in the underwater caves in the area. The fish has been taken under protection and is a symbol of the city. Foca is today one of the tourism centers with a well-preserved natural structure and well-known for its fish restaurants and underwater sports. |
Ephesus
| |  Erected behind this gate is a colonnaded Byzantine fountain with a round-arched architrave block at the top. Situated behind the monumental tomb are the Dwellings on the Slope visible on the foothills of the Mount Bulbul, built in several floors, with an atrium and various rooms inside and a floor laid with coloured mosaics, which belonged to the well-to-do people of the city. These dwellings are 80 to 180 n2 in width. There were shops on the lower floors of the dwellings facing the street. In the corner where the Street of Curetes meets the Harbour Street there are Brothels built in the Roman era. The walls of the rooms of the houses were ornamented with the frescoes of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. The Brothels are connected through a gallery to the Library of Celsius located opposite. The Library of Celsius, the symbol of the ancient city of Ephesus, was caused to be constructed in memory of Celsius, the Proconsul of Ephesus, in the 2nd century B.C. It is two-storeyed on a rectangular plan, measuring 12x22. On the facade of the library ascended through 9 steps there are 16 columns with Corinthian capitals and quadrangular niches in-between them. The columns at the bottom carry the ornate architrave blocks. The columns at the top have architrave blocks in the form of triangular frontals. Within the niches between the columns there are the statues of various philosophers. The reading section in the form of a quadrangular hall that had existed in the building was destroyed by fire and presumably, here was the statue of Athena, goddess of science. Below the great niche in the hall, the Marble Sarcophagus of Celsius was placed. The square niches on the walls of the reading hall apparently were the shelves on which the papyrus scrolls were placed. Behind the Gate ol Mithridates in the form of a triumphal arch with three passages as located adjacent to the library, there is the commercial agora of square floor plan, measuring 110x110. The agora is surrounded all around by a portico and shops where Ionian, Corinthian and Doric columns are placed. inscription here reads as follows: "Whoever urinates here will be tried.1' The western comer of the agora houses the remans of the Temple of Seraphis which was transformed into a church during the Byzantine era. Apparently, the statues of various emperors, proconsuls, heroes and deities were placed on the pedestals existing on the Harbour Street in antiquity. At the beginning of the Harbour Street a gravure exists on the walkway giving directions, by means of an arrow, to a Prostitute and a Brothel, At the point where the street finishes there is a theatre with a seating capacity of 30 thousand as built resting into the western slope of the Mount Panayir. 68 caveas of the theatre which was built in 117 A.D. were divided with two diazomas into three sections and the spectators could reach the seating benches through an arcaded staircase in the form of a gallery. The facade of the presumably three-storeyed stage building was ornamented with columns with Ionian and Corinthian capitals, with the statues of deities and emperors erected in-between the columns. Existence of a protection wall on the orchestra of the theater for the purpose of guarding the spectators on the first row provides testimony to the fact that the theater was also used as an arena during the late Roman Period. On both sides of the Arcadian Way measuring 10 m wide by 600 m long running from the front of the theatre to the harbour there were colonnaded porticoes. The walkway was paved with mosaics and there were shops behind. In the harbour area, the remains of gymnasium, bath and single-apse Byzantine churches, baptisterium and stadion are visible. Selc.uk/Ayasuluk Hill is an acropolis hill and the city here was rebuilt several times. Lying on the hill are the remains of a basilica, baptisterium and church built in honour of Saint Johannes during the Byzantine era. Situated within the marshy land on the western slope of the hill are the remains of the Temple of Artemision. considered as one of the 7 wonders in the world. The temple which essentially belonged to the Etruscan Mother Goddess Cybele was, upon subsquent identification of Cybele with Artemis, rebuilt.It measures 55x115 m. Around the temple there are 127 columns of Ionic order, rising up to 19 m each. 36 columns located to the west of the temple are carved in relief. The temple which is ascended through 13 steps has an altar in the form of a horse shoe, measuring 22x32 m. The excavations conducted here yielded artifacts of gold and ivory in large numbers. The Temple was destroyed by Goths in 263 A.D. and only one column is extant today. Built upon the Mount Bulbul siting the antique city of Ephesus is the Virgin Mary Sanctuary, at an elevation of 400 m, also with a house church built of masonry inside, in which the Holy Mary resided. During the early periods of Christianity Saint Johannes and the Holy Virgin came to Ephesus and resided in this house. The area has today been proclaimed a "Place of Pilgrimage for Christians" by the Pope. In the Museum established in 1939 within the settlement of Selc.uk, the relics belonging to the prehistoric, Lydian, Roman, Byzantine and Turkish eras as uncovered by the archeological excavations in Ephesus and the area are in exhibition. The most remarkable artifact in the museum is the marble Statue of Artemis, protectress of the nature and animals, with a hat on its head, embellished with various animal and floral relief-carvings, in a position depicting prosperity. Bess, God of Fertility, of worldwide renown, is also on display. |
Düden Waterfalls
| |  They are located 12 km lo the city centre. The waterfalls, formed by a karstic depression, are 20 metres high and also spring from underground at the point where the water falls. By entering into Dilek Magarasi (Cave of Wishes) located underneath the waterfalls it is also possible to pass to the rear side of the water. The location of the waterfalls has the appearance of a botanical heaven thanks to the rich variety of plants. In the deep valley formed by the falling and flowing water of the waterfalls there are promenades and trout restaurants. The rock tombs observed around the valley bring to mind that the area was a sanctuary in ancient times. After 8km the water from the falls forms a small creek, creating a magnificent spectacle as it cascades over the 40 metre high falez rock into the sea in the Lara region. There are restaurants and picnic areas on the falez rock with a view of the sea and waterfalls. Touristic boat tours are organized to the waterfalls from the Marina. |
Doğu Beyazıt and Ishak Pasha Palace
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Diyarbakır
| |  It is located on a depressed plain to the west of the river Tigris in the southeastern Anatolia. The name of the city in the Scythian/Pelasgian language is "Amawanda", meaning "the People of the Mother Goddess." This name subsequently became Amanda, Amida and Amed. Upon the Arab occupation of the area the city was named Diyarbekr by the Arabs in the name of the famous Arab Tribe Bekr. According to the finds unearthed at the Tumulus of Kuyulu and Tumulus of Yukan Darili it appears that the area has been inhabited in the Northern Mesopotamia since the prehistoric times. The Pelasgian branches of the Etruscans who. crossing over the Caucasia, reached the fertile lands of Mesopotamia, first established a fort city near Eghil/lngila in the area and built their tombs on the site today called the Grottos of Egil. Subsequently, during the Assyrian period of peace they descended south from the fort city and settled on the banks of Tigris where Diyarbakir is located today. Later, the area fell under the hegemonies of Hurrians, Mitannis, Babylonians, Assyrians, Medes, Persians, Macedonians, Seleucids, Parts, Bagratids and Romans. The city was then annexed to the Byzantine Empire. It was occupied first by Sassanids and then, in 639, by Arabs. After Abbasids the area was captured by Artukogullan Turks in 1096 followed by Inalogullari, Zengi and Eyyubi Dynasties. In around 1400s it became the capital of the empire established by the Akkoyunlu Turkomans. The city was taken over by Safavids in the 15th century.. Being the second longest city walls in the world they span 5 km long and are with 3 storeys and 72 bastions on them. The walls have 4 gates called Dag Kapi (Mountain Gate), Yeni Kapi (New Gate), Mardin Kapi and Urfa Kapi. Visible within the inner castle are the remains of 2 churches, a mosque and a water cistern. The most remarkable works in the city are Ulu Cami, built in the 11th century, ickale Cami (Inner Castle Mosque), a Seljuk work, HOsrev Pasha Cami, Peygamber Cami, Fatih Cami, Seyh Matar Cami, Hasan Pasha Caravanserai, Mesudiye Medrese and Zincirli Medrese. The Bridge of Malabadi with a pointed arch, located upon the Silvan Way dates from the period of the Artukoglu Turkomans. The Qermik Hot Springs and Hotel are near the Dam of Ataturk to the west of the city. |
Didyma
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Chimaera
| |  The place northeast of the ancient city of Olympos at an elevation of 250 m is known as "Yanarta§/Qiralf. The area is called Yanarta§ (Chimaera) because of the inflammable gas, consisting of a 46% hydrogen and 34% methane compound, issuing from the cracks formed as a result of the tectonic earthquakes at the meeting points of the serpentine land and limestone rocks. According to mythology, Bellerophon, the son of Glaucos, came into the possession of Pegasus, the winged horse much desired by him, and killed with it the dragon called Chimaera sending flames out of its mouth, but could not extinguish the fire. Thus, this was the place where the Olympos torch was fired. The noteworthy ancient ruin is the Byzantine Orthodox Basilica Complex. The ceremonial area made of large, single piece block stones confirms the existence of the Temple of the God of Fire here. Along the ancient road known as "Road of Fire", one big and two more small fires are visible. Further up, the road branches into two, the road turning west is called the Sacred Ceremonial Way. 15 km to the east, however, Goktas, Castle is found at an altitude of 800 m. |
Caunos
| |  It is located on the peninsula to the south of the valley of Dalyan/Kalbis Creek connecting the Lake of Koycegiz to the sea. The name of the city in the Etruscan/Luwian language is "Kadumna", meaning "the . People of the Mother Goddess." The Luwian branches of the Etruscans who came into Anatolia circa 3000 B.C. saw both the fresh water and sea transportation convenience of the area and established a city on the acropolis over the peninsula in the south. These took up sides with the Trojan Hector during the Trojan War and increased in number with the influx of those returning from the war. In the 6th century B.C. they joined in the Carian Confederacy and in the 5th century, fell under the control of the Persians,The city whose population increased with those immigrating from Crete as of the 3rd century B.C. was handed over to the Carian Ada during the Macedonian era. It later fell under the hegemony of the Egyptians followed by the Seleucids, Rhodians, Pergamenes and, towards late 1st century A.D., the Romans. Caunos made very good use of its location during the antique period and shipped to other areas goods, primarily salt, and fish, figs and slaves. When the Creek Dalyan was silted up with alluvial deposits in time, the bay turned into a marshland and as a result of the malaria which broke out the majority of the population of the city perished. Subsequent to this people abandoned the area. Today, the ancient remains are accessible by motorboat services from the settlement of Dalyan (fishery). The tomb monuments, carved into rocks, on the eastern slope of the acropolis city are the first amongst the remains that strike the eye. The acropolis hill, at an elevation of 160 m, is surrounded by the large Cyclopean stones, 40 m long. The Suluklu Lake located between the Qomlekgi Hill in the west and the acropolis was, in antiquity, before being silted up with alluvia, the natural harbour of the city and chained off at the front. Between the stoas surrounding the agora in the harbour all round, the pedestals are seen upon which the statues of Gods and Emperors were placed. Further visible here is a monumental fountain erected in honour of the Emperor Vespasian and, by the edge the fountain, are inscriptions dealing with the customs regulations. To the immediate back of the agora are seen the remains of a temple, a church consisting of three sections and a single apse, and a bath complex. Raised adjacent to the complex is a library. Lying in the northeast are the remains of a theatre, built of two sections and 34 caveas, as resting into the slope of the acropolis. Of the two-storeyed stage building the first floor is extant today, and the entranceway of the theatre is closed with stone blocks and it is assumed that this was the treatment place of the malaria patients. The Iztuzu beach, where Caunos is sited, is a wonder of the nature formed of hundreds of natural islets at the point where the Creek Dalyan flows into the sea. Since the coast is the spawning site of the caretta turtles, it is taken under protection. Located to the south of the Lake Koycegiz is Cleopatra Mud Bath, believed to have curing powers, and Sultaniye Thermal Springs. The Sangerme Beach is an enchanting strand of fine sand at the meeting point of the forest and the blue coloured natural inlets on the Dalaman Peninsula, hosting the most excellent touristic facilities in the world. |
Çanakkale
| |  The area which served as an important passageway between the Asian and European continents during the course of history lies on a level sink alongside the straits of the same name, measuring 65 km long and 100 m deep, between the Marmara and Aegean Seas. The area was inhabited upon the immigration to south of the first Nordic-Etruscan tribes beginning 300s B.C. Upon the settling down of the Etruscans and the Trak branches in the area various settlements were established. The name of the city is "Dadrawana" in the Etruscan language, meaning "the Country of the Man of the Mother Goddess". It is located in the area of the ancient Mysia. Subsequently it became Dardanel. In the 6th century B.C. the area was taken by Lydians, followed by Persians, Spartans and Macedonians, and in 191 A.D. by Romans. After the division of the Roman Empire Byzantines dominated the area. In the 7th century the city was exposed to the Arab raids many times. During the Crusades, the city was attacked by Venetians, Genoese and other Italian states. In the 12th century the Turkish Karasiogullan took Canakkale, and Geiibolu Canakkaie and Canakkale Strait. (Gallipoli) on the other bank, In 1349 it was annexed to the Ottoman lands. The Qanakkale area and Geiibolu, called Kale-i Sultaniye by the Ottomans, sustained the assaults of the Entente Powers during the 1st World War in 1914, however, they were unsuccessful in the face of the incredible defence of the Turkish forces under the command of Ataturk. This defence was included in the war history of the world with the war strategy "Qanakkale is impassable". Today, on both sides of the Qanakkale straits, rise monuments in memory of this unparallelled victory. The grandest is the "Monument of Martyrs", measuring 42 m high, consisting of 4 columns, built upon the Hisarli Hill. The remaining ones are the Monument of Mehmet Qavus. (Sergeant Mehmet) in An Burnu (cape) and the monumental tombs erected in memory of the Turkish and foreign soldiers in the Geiibolu Peninsula. The oldest archeological find recovered in the area is the Dardanos tumulus, located to the south of the city, belonging to Traks, which is a mass grave made of dry rubble. Amongst the other works is the Sultan Castle ordered to be built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452. Located in front of the castle, having a rectangular plan,measuring 100x150 square meters, are embrasures of 2 m each. The castle houses a small mosque. The Kilit Bahir Castle, having a triangular plan, 220x125 m, as built during the same period, means "the Key of the Sea." It was built by the side of the narrowest span of the straits, commanding the best view. The other works of art in Canakkale and the environs are the amphitheatre and the aqueducts in Alexandrea, 30 km west of Ezine, ruins of the Trak temple in Neandrea, Mevlevihane (convent of the Mevlevi dervishes) in Geiibolu, Mausoleums of Bayrakli Baba and Haltaci Mansur, and the Great Mosque and the Kursunlu Mosque. Furthermore, the Jewish Synagogue built in 1897 is of the other works of art. In the Canakkale Archeological Museum, exhibits from the Prehistorical, Etruscan, Trak, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine and Turkish eras unearthed as a result of the excavations in the area are on display. Today Canakkale is situated at the northwestern end of the Anatolian peninsula and has a wealth of varieties of sea products. G6k9eada and Bozcaada are touristic islands well-known for their grapes and wine. Located north of the city are the Kestanbol thermal springs. |
Bursa
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Bodrum
| |  Located in the southwest of the Anatolian Peninsula, it is on the southern shore of the peninsula of the same name. The area is known to have been inhabited by the Carians, a branch of the Etruscans/Luwis, circa 3000 B.C. The name of the city in the original is "Alukariassa". meaning "the castle city of the lighted-up/conscious Carians". This name of the city which was situated at the ancient Caria subsequently changed into "Halicarnassos". The foremost portrait of the city is the worldwide renowned historian Herodotus. The population of the city increased with the influx of the Pelasgians and Lelegians who immigrated into the southwestern Anatolia during the following periods. It developed its maritime trading with Phoenicia, the Aegean Islands, Cyprus and Egypt. In the 6th century B.C. the area fell under the Lydian sovereignty followed by the Persian domination. It led the uprisings of the Anatolian people against the Hellenes in various periods, and in 480 B.C., during the sea battle waged and won against the Hellenes, Queen Artemisia was appointed as the admiral in command of a fleet. The city which joined the Carian Confederacy subsequently became the capital of the confederacy during the era of Maussollos. Upon the death of Maussollos a mausoleum was ordered to be built in his honour by his wife. During the antique period the city won a major sea battle against the Rhodians and gloriously resisted against the Macedonians.  The area which was seized by the Egyptians and the pirates was brought under the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire around the middle of the 1st century. The city which fell into a standstill in the Byzantine era, became a shelter for the Rhodian knights during the Middle Ages. In the 13th century it came under the rule of the Turkoman Mente§e Bey; then, it was reclaimed by the Rhodian knights, and finally, in 1522, was dominated by the Ottomans. Today the most prominent antique remains is the mausoleum belonging to the Carian King Maussollos. The mausoleum which is celebrated as one agora. Around the mausoleum, 55 m high, is a gallery encircled by 36 columns and, to top them, a pyramid-style roof of 24 steps. The triangular frontal of the roof included the statues of the King Maussollos and his wife Artemisia on a chariot drawn by 4 horses. Today in the east of the mausoleum the reliefs depicting various mythological legends are exhibited. Visible in front of the acropolis on the northern slope of the present settlement is a theatre overlooking the sea, consisting of 35 caveas. To the south of the theatre there are rock tombs and the remains of Temple of Apollon. In the harbour there is a fountain in the Salmakis Agora and. at the extremity of the peninsula, a castle built by the Rhodian knights in 1415, measuring 180x185 m, with knight's coats-of- arms numbering 249 as visible on it. Ancient artifacts uncovered in the area as well as the underwater archeological finds are on display in the only Museum of Underwater Archeology of Turkey within the castle. Bodrum is today a worldwide renowned tourism resort thanks to its accommodation facilities, Karaada thermal springs, natural beaches, yachting tours, water sports, underwater diving points, restaurants and entertainment centers. |
Boğazköy
| |  It is situated to the south of the settlement Bogazkale in the province of Corum in Central Anatolia. The name of the city in the Scythian/Khatti language is "Khattuassa" meaning "the Castle of Khattis". In the Khatti language their name also means "silver". The name of the city which is situated between the ancient Galatia-Cappadocia subsequently became Hattusas. The main settlement started and developed in the city circa 2500 B.C. and it became the capital of the Hittite Empire. The Hittites who wrote the golden history of Anatolia signed, as a result of a war, the Kadesh treaty, the first treaty of peace in the world, with Egyptians in 1293 B.C. In around 1200s B.C. the area was sacked by Phrygians followed by Cimmerians and after the Macedonian, Seieucid, Pontus, Roman and Byzantine hegemonies, fell to Turks in 1071. Khattuassa, which was the centre of the Hittite Kingdom, is surrounded by walls of stone, 7 km long. Beneath the walls are hidden underground galleries with a length of up to 100 m also visible. The entrance into the city is through 7 main gates, primarily being the Gate with Lions flanked by lion's sphinxes which is on display in the Archeological Museum of istanbul, the King's Gate with the relief-carvings of the Khatti God which is on display in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Ground Gate. Further, the city walls were extended within the city and transformed into inner castles. These are Yenice Castle, Ni§an Castle and Gen? Castle. Lying behind the walls are the remains of the King's Palace and of various temples primarily being those of the Temple of Mother Goddess visible. Inscriptions, archeological artifacts and . articles of daily use were uncovered in large numbers as a result of the excavations carried out. |
Assos
| |  Situated at the settlement Behramkale on the Bay of Edremit to the south of Q anakkale are the remains of the ancient city Assos. The settlement is positioned as an acropolis city, at an altitude of 200 m, on andesite rocks. According to the artifacts uncovered by the excavations carried out in the area it appears that the city was established by the Etruscan/Luwian tribes coming down from the Balkans circa 3000 B.C. The name of the city is "Assa" in the Etruscan language, meaning "High Place." Name of the city which is located in the area of the ancient Mysia was later changed into Assos. In 365 B.C. Aristotle established a school of philosophy and gave lectures. The name of the city which, in the 3rd century B.C., became a dependency of the Macedonians and then, through the Kingdom of Pergamum, of the Romans, was changed into "Makhramion" during the Byzantine era. The castle city located at an altitude of 200 m on the settlement Behram Kale of today is surrounded all around by polygonal walls reaching up to 20 m and with 7 small gates. Watchtowers of square floor plan are visible on the city walls. At the site of the ruins the first thing that catches the eye is the Temple of Athena measuring 15x30 m, located at a point commanding a good view of the sea, assumed to have been built during the 6th century B.C. The temple with 16 fluted Doric columns measuring 6x13 m built of the Doric order has a pronauos (forecourt) and a cella. The friezes on the front of the architrave block on the columns depict the figures of sphinxes, bulls and the mythological instants. On the section of the temple with mosaic-paved floor a basilica was built during the Byzantine era and a gymnasium of a quadrangular floor plan was added next to the basilica. Located to the east of the gymnasium is the Agora Square encircled with a stoa built in the Doric order, measuring 160x60 m. To the south of the agora are the remains of the temple, odeon, stoa and colonnaded street. |
Aspendos
| |  It is situated on the hill of an acropolis at a height of 40 m, right by the side of the river Eurymedon-KoprQcay near Serik, east of Antalya. The name of the city in the Etruscan/Luwian language was "Asiawanda" meaning "country of horses". Also meaning the country of the believers of As, the name of the city became Aspendos in the ancient Pamphylia. Its history dates back to 3000 B.C. Aspendos was an important trade city because of the convenience of the creek Eurymedon for maritime transport. The horses bred in the area, salt and cheap wines were the most important export products. The foremost work of art surviving from Aspendos is the theatre with a capacity of 12,000, assumed to have been built by Zenon the Architect as a result of a competition in the 2nd century B.C. Today it is the best preserved antique theatre with the best acoustics in the world. Entrance into the theatre with the Roman architectural characteristics is through two vomitories on both sides located between the stage building and the seating tiers. Caveas consisting of a total of 41 tiers are divided in two by a diazoma on the 20th tier and magazine chambers were built on the diazoma where spectators shopped and were sheltered from the sun. The carving of some names in the form of gravures on the cavea benches shows that there were regular customers of the theatre. The orchestral court was 24 m in diameter and, from there, one can reach the upper tiers through 10 steep stone-cut stairs between the caveas. On top of the vomitories, the imperial boxes can be seen. The internal face of the stage building is decorated with 40 columns with Corinthian capitals at the bottom and Ionic capitals at the top. On top of the stage building, the relief of Bachuss, god of entertainment and wine, is visible. Actors finishing their preparations in the chambers appeared, through one big door in the middle and 4 small doors at the sides, on a wooden podium 2 m high and performed their plays on this podium. Women were forbidden to take part in the plays. At the end of the play the actors started a mutual discussion with the spectators on the points criticised which lasted for hours. The spectators, paying stones or metal chips to enter the theatre, sometimes spent their entire day there. The Aspendos Theatre has never been turned into an arena where bloodshed games were exhibited. It was used as an outdoors church during the late Byzantine Epoch and a caravanserai in the wake of capture of the area by the Turks in the 12th century. The Antalya Music and Film Festival gala is performed here every year. On the acropolis hill rising behind the theatre gallery, an agora encircled by a double row of columns and, to the north of this, the remains of a building belonging to the city administration measuring 16 in height with 5 niches on the facade, are visible. The wall projection of the building was also used as a single-basin fountain. Inside the big structure to the south of agora thereused to be shops and further south of this, there was a waste water canal.To the north of Agora, the quadrangular structure with walls measuring 2 m high was an Orthodox Basilica. A complex of small shops lined next to each other and the acropolis city gate exhibit the Roman architectural characteristics. To the north of the theatre is the Stadion built upon arches, with a seating capacity of 10 thousand. A tomb house with a sarchophagus inside and the tombstones with names engraved in the Etruscan/ Luwian language, embellished with a rich variety of Anatolian floral motifs,are noteworthy. Another of the most important remains of Aspendos is the aqueducts carrying spring water into the city from the valleys 25 km away, functioning on the principle of combined containers. Today these are among the best examples of the Roman era aqueducts in the world. Over Eurymedon/ Ktipru Qay is a bridge with foundations laid during the Roman epoch which was later rebuilt by the Seljuks with eight pointed arches upon ruined foundations. Today there are touristic shopping centres and trout restaurants on the banks of the creek. |
Aphrodisias
| |  The remains of the ancient city lie in Geyre extending in front of Babadag to the South of the settlement of Denizli. The name of the city in the Etruscan/Luwian language is "Apadidaassa", meaning the "Marshy Site of the Multi-breasted Goddess Dida". The Etruscan Mother Goddess Dida is a different Anatolian version of the big-breasted Cybele, with several overlapping layers of belly, symbolizing prosperity and fertility. The same Cybele is depicted multi-breasted like the Pergean Artemis Leda/Lada and Ishtar and Aegean Artemis. Legend has it that Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, Beauty and Sensuality, was born of the foams of the seawaves on the shore of the city Paphos in Cyprus, that is, Apauwa in the Etruscan language which means marshy land. Obviously, Dida of the city of Apauwa was first converted into Apuwadida and then into Aphrodite by the Hellenes. The city was established by the Etruscan Luwian branches who came to the area circa 3000 B.C. on the acropolis hill called today as Pekmez Hill. The excavations carried out on the hill yielded various objects dating from the prehistoric eras which are on display in the museum. Previously it was called Lelegenpolis after the Lelegians within the Luwian branches in 2000s B.C. and subsequently Ninova based on the Goddess of Love and Sensuality of Mesopotamia. In the 12th century B.C. the population of the city increased with the influx of those returning from the Trojan War. It then fell under the dominations of Lydia and Caria and besides, obtained concessions such as granting the right of asylum and adapting an autonomous status exempted from tax. Schools of medicine, philosophy and sculpture were opened in the city. After the earthquakes which took place the city was abandoned and passed into the hands of the Germiyanog u Nan Turks in 1260. The first noticeable work in the city today are the remains of the city walls running 3:5 km long. Entering the site of the remains from the eastern direction and passing by the small-domed chapel of square plan and with a single apse, one arrives at the theatre agora of rectangular floor plan, paved with marble on the floor. The agora having a rectangular floor plan is surrounded by columns with Corinthian capitals all around and the remains of the temple of Dionysus of round plan are seen in the center. To the south of the square are the remains of a portico and shops flanked by 12 columns with Corinthian capitals on each side. To the west of the portico are the ; remains of a gymnasium palaestra . (exercise field) and a theatre bath. Built to the west of the complex is a theatre visible ; consisting of 27 caveas and 3 sections, with a seating capacity of 12 thousand people. . as resting upon the acropolis hill, built in the 3rd century B.C. and later restored. Today the uppermost part of the theatre has 1 virtually vanished. The first floor of the stage building, which apparently was two-storeyed, is extant. Lined at the back of the podium are single-row columns of Doric order in the form of prescenion and on top of these, architrave blocks ornamented with lion's head reliefs. As obvious from the protection walls between the orchestra and the caveas the theatre was transformed into an arena where wild animals and gladiators fought during the Roman era. From the western side of the acropolis hill one arrives at the 1 government agora, measuring 220 m long by 200 m wide, beneath the prehistoric excavation zone. The agora is encircled by Ionic columns on 3 sides. The southern portico of the agora called the Portico of Tiberius during the Roman era extended as far as the monumental gate in the east. In the center of the portico are the remains of a pool and to the west of it are those of the baths of Hadrian. Based on the inscriptions found in the bath consisting of 12 sections, it was built during the reign of the Emperor Trijan and dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite.  Lying to the north of the bath is an odeon surrounded by Doric columns on three sides, with 12 caveas and a seating capacity of one thousand in its western portico and north, and with the orchestra . floor paved with coloured marble. The odeon was used for musical concerts and contests and as a town assembly hall. Located adjacent to the odeon is the Metropolitan Palace having a unified appearance with it, in which, apparently, the Carian Metropolitan resided. To the north of the palace is the Temple of Aphrodite with a pronauos (forecourt) and a cella of periphteros plan, considered as one of the most extraordinary temples in Anatolia. The temple surrounded by columns of 8x13 of Ionic order all around was transformed into a temenos on the periphery in 117 A.D. The temple was converted into a church with an apse attached to its cella as well as an altar provided during the Byzantine era. Located behind the apse is a vast, sacred courtyard of quadrangular floor plan, presumably encircled with double colonnade all around and, further, a monumental gate at the entrance onto this courtyard from the eastern direction. This monumental gate has an ornate triangular frontal carried on eight spiral-fluted columns with Corinthian capitals. The face of the frontal having an aspect to the backyard is embellished with the figures of Nike and Eros. It is assumed that the structure of quadrangular plan with a floor covered with coloured mosaics as located to the north of the Temple of Aphrodite was a school of sculpture. Towards the north, in the direction of Mount Babadagi, is the largest stadion of the antiquity in elliptical form, measuring 265x60 m and with 24 caveas and a seating capacity of 30 thousand. The caveas in the northern direction of the stadion were combined with the city walls by the building of supplementary walls at the top. The stadion, encircled with walls in the west, was used as an arena in the Late Roman era. To the east of the stadion lie the remains of a heroon, nymphaeum/ monumental fountain and, opposite the museum, two three-storeyed porticoes, running parallel to each other, measuring 80 m long by 15 m wide, called Sebasteion. The temple with a podium ascended through steps and its altar were used as a place where the cult of the emperor was kept alive. Porticoes join in the western direction, forming a monumental gate. The three-storeyed gate has columns with Doric capital on the first, Ionic on the second and Corinthian on the third floors, with the relief-carvings of Heracles on the columns and statuary in the spaces between them. In the Museum of Aphrodisias, prehistoric objects as well as the statues of emperors, gods and goddesses, friezes, reliefs, household articles, stelae, sarcophagi, coins and jewellery as uncovered in the area are on display. |
Antalya
| |  Antalya is situated on a plain which consists of two flat areas formed of falez rock at a height of 35 m, where the mountains recede from the shore. As a result of the research at the Karain cave it is understood that the area has been inhabited since the prehistorical times. It is known that the Turquoise/Etruscan tribes moving south from the Euroasian steppes in 3000s B.C. settled down in the Antalya area. The area is named Ahhiyava in the Hittite inscriptions. It went under the reign of Qmrrerans in the 7th century followed by Persians. Macedonians, Pergamenes. Romans and Byzantines and, finally, was seized by the Turks in 1207. The name of the city is "Attalia", that is, The city of the divine King Atila" in the Etruscan/Luwian language, also known as Turquoise. Later, this name was in constant use as the king's title in all the Turquoise branches, the Etruscans, Luwians, Kases and Huns. The name of the city which was located in the ancient Pamphylia later became "Adalia". It served as the center of the Teke Sanjak in the lands of Karamanogullari for a while, then subordinated to the province of Konya in the 19th century and finally became a province in 1923. The Old Antalya is located at a place now known as Kaleicj. Kaleigi contains ruins dating back to thousands of years, temples, churches, basilicas and 715 houses and 47 monuments from the time of the Seljuk and Ottoman dwellings. Most of these having been restored, they serve tourism. As a result of the efforts, the Golden Apple, acknowledged as the Tourism Oscar, was awarded to Antalya Kaleicj in 1984. The foremost woik dating from the Roman era in tie regjon is Hadrian's Gate, but n 139 AD. in conmemorabon of the Emperor Hartal's vis* to lie city. Also kncwr. s= I; Kapdv, tNs two-tier nmr;"i gate has three arches and 8 cdums *ih Corintian capitals set upon pedestals at the facade and the rear. There are square wafch towers on either side. On the western fatez rock end of the Antalya Park, the 14-m high, two-tier Hidirlik Tower is visible. Dating from the Roman era, it was used as a lighthouse. The tower, with a square base and the upper part built of rounded carved stone blocks, and remains of frescoes visible on its inner walls, was also used as a basilica. The Panagia Basilica, dating to the Byzantine era, was transformed into a mosque upon the addition of a single-galleried minaret by the Turkish Sultan Korkut in 1467. The building consists of two sections in the shape of a double cross and is remarkable with its arched gate and reliefs on the door-window edges, and marble columns. The fire in 1896 ruined the mosque and its minaret collapsed halfway down. Therefore, it is today called Kesik Minare [The Truncated Minaret). The symbols of the city, Yivli Minare (The Grooved Minaret) and Ulu Cami Kulliyesi, were built upon the remains of the Byzantine church by Sultan Alaaddin in 1.230. The frame of the 45 m high minaret, built of brick on a square stone pedestal, was erected with bracing in form of 8 grooves, and the upper part is embellished with light blue square mosaic stones. The words God and Muhammed are inscribed on the floor surfaces with turquoise stones and tiles. Ulu Cami, standing adjacent to the minaret, has 6 domes covered with roof tiles, raised on 12 columns. Next to the mosque stands Karatay Medresesi, which consists of small chambers. Courses in technology, science, philosophy and psychology were taught at Medrese. To the northwest of the Mosque is Mevlevihane. This 18th century square building is reinforced by cradle vaults and the dome is covered with roof tiles. To the east of Kiilliye is the Tomb of Mehmet Bey, an octagonal construction upon a square floor, walls of dressed stone blocks and a pyramid spire-shaped roof covered with roof tiles. To the west there is a Selcuklu Hamami (Seljuk Hamam) with walls built of rubble stones, a steam room with a square layout and a roof made of round domes.  The Clock Tower is situated at a site known as Castle Gate and is one of the watch towers built on either side of the gate in order to protect it. A clock was placed on it at a later period, Of these 25 metre high towers, the one to the east, which is still standing, has a square layout. Murat Pasa Mosque which was built by Kuyucu Murat Pa§a in 1570 possesses the most beautiful examples of the Turkish-Seljuk art of calligraphy. The altar next to the marble pulpit worked with reliefs is a simple construction. It has two galleries and an ablutions fountain in its garden. Sinan Mosque ordered to be built by Sheikh Sinan during the 16th century with rubble stone is single-galleried and its short minaret is made of dressed stone. Sheikh Sinan's tomb is situated opposite the mosque. Tekeli Mehmet Pa§a Mosque, located behind the Clock Tower at Kalekapisi (Castle Gate), dates back to the 16th century. Balibey Mosque on Balibey street in the city centre was ordered to be constructed by the Cavalry Chief Malkoc.oglu Balibey during the 15th century. MOsellim Mosque, which was ordered to be built by Mehmet Aga, the Head of the Palace Doorkeepers, in 1769 is made of dressed stone. At the northwest corner it has a single-galleried minaret made of brick. The mosque is covered by a large dome on drum frames in three stages, with 4,8 and 10 corners. Ahi Yusuf Mosque, which was built by Ahi Yusuf in 1249, has a square foundation and is made of rubble stone, This little masjid is covered with a round dome with roof tiles. To the east of the city centre are Demirci Karaali Mosque, which was built during the 18th century, and Kir Cami, which was reconstructed with the addition of a minaret. Located at a distance of 50 km to Antalya is the Saklikent ski and recreation centre on Beydaglan. In rivers rafting and canoeing sports and on the Taurus mountains jeep safari, hunting and trekking tours are organized. Alternatively, there is rock-climbing, bird watching tourism, photo-safari, mountain tourism, line fishing and health tourism at the thalasso and dialysis centres in Geyikbayin. Holy tourism activities are organized in Myra, St.Nicholas and Patara. There are underwater diving centers on the coast. In addition, yacht tours are organized. Today Antalya is a world tourism centre with its unique touristic. |
Antakya
| |  Located to the east of the Gulf of Iskenderun in the south of the Anatolian Peninsula, it stretches over the plain Amik irrigated by the river Asi. As a result of the excavations carried out in the 17 living levels in Alalakh in Tel Achana located 22 km to the east of the city of today it has been revealed that the history of the area dates back to the prehistoric times. The name of Alalakh located to the southeast of the Que/Plain Cilicia means "Six Countries" in the Scythian/Khatti language. Life which evolved through various historical epochs here ceased upon the Assyrian assault. Subsequently, the settlement was rebuilt when the cave with a fertile and marshy front in the rocky site located to the northeast of the river Asi today was used as the Sanctuary of the Mother Goddess. The main urbanization started with the city founded in honour of Antiochos, the son of the Seleucid King Nicator. The city which was brought under the Roman jurisdiction in 64 B.C. was appointed the residence of Saint Petrus during the early Christian periods and the previous Temple of Mother Goddess was used as a church and thus, a Christian congregation was created. During the Byzantine era, on the other hand, the name of the city was changed into "Theopolis", meaning the City of God. The area was captured by the Arabs in the 7th century followed by the Crusaders in 1098 and the Mameluken Khan Baybars in 1268 and was annexed to the Ottoman lands in 1517. The most remarkable work of art in the city is the Church of St.Petrus which was converted into a church from the Grotto Temple of the Mother Goddess by the Christian Saint Petrus. There are stairs leading up to the grotto church measuring 15 m long by 10 m wide and 7 m high with its front face wall of the Gothic architectural order. There are coloured mosaic paving on the floor and frescoes on the walls visible. In the centre of the rock-carved apse of the church there is the statue of the Holy Virgin Mary and next to it, a sacred pool, The other works in the city are the 10 m long Roman aqueducts in Defne/Taphe, Roman dwellings, 4-arched Roman bridge, Seleucos Castle on the Mount Neccar and the Castle of Kurs,at in the Village of Sofular and the remains of the ancient city Emma in Yeni§ehir. Antakya has the second largest mosaic museum in the world and the mythological mosaic instants uncovered in the area are on display. Furthermore, there are over 150 mounds belonging to the prehistoric times in Teltainat, El Cudeyde, Alalak and Tel Achana in the area. |
Ankara
| |  Ankara, the capital of Turkey, nestles on a plain of the same name in Central Anatolia. Ankura means "the Temple of the Blessed Mother God" in the Scythian/Khatti language. Subsequently, it changed into Ankyra and Angora, finally becoming Ankara today. Remains were found belonging to the prehistorical era on the Citadel of Ankara, the environs of Hacibayram and the Hill of Anitkabir (Mausoleum). After Khattis / Hittites. the area was dominated by Phrygians, and Galatians who chose Ankara as the capital of Galatia. Phrygians established their capital at Gordion, near Polatli. They adorned the Temple of Cybele. the Mother Goddess, located in Pessmus, with structures all around. The area subsequently fell under the sovereignty of Macedonians in 333 B.C. followed by Persians, Pergamenes, Romans, Pontics and Byzantines. It passed into the hands of Turks in 1073. In 1402, the Ottoman Sultan Bayezit and Timur Lenk, both of Turkish origins, met in a combat in the Plain Qubuk. Ankara which was home to the Turkish national struggle under the leadership of AtatOrk during the War of Independence was proclaimed the capital of the Republic of Turkey on October 13,1923. The foremost work in the city is the Citadel of Ankara located upon a steep rocky cliff. The inner line of walls consisting of two sections and two gates were restored. The 20 towers of the outer line of walls are still standing. Apparently, the Temple of Augustos beside the Hacibayram Mosque originally was the Temple of Anka/ Cybele, mother goddess, which gave Ankara its name, and was converted into the Temple of Men in the process of adaptation of patriarchal faith during the Galatian era, and made a sanctuary to worship the Emperor Augustos during the Roman era, The other artistic works are the Roman Baths on the Street Cankin and Fluted Column of Julianus in Ulus dating from the Roman era. The most important artistic work in Ankara is the Anitkabir Ataturk Mausoleum on an area of 15.000 km2 blending the architectural styles of 11 cultures in Anatolia. It was built on November 10,1953. The remains of Atatiirk are just underneath the marble coffin of 42 tons in the center of the great hall. The way that approaches Anitkabir is 160 m long and flanked by lion's sphinxes all along. The galleries around the Mausoleum have been converted into a museum housing the the articles belonging to Ata are on exhibition. The Ethnographic Museum, Ataturk's House, Museum of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Hacibayram Mosque, Ahi Elvan Mosque, Kursunlu Mosque, Alaattin Mosque, Maltepe Mosque and Kocatepe Mosque are the other works. Artistic works from the prehistoric era are the Castle of Gavur in Haymana, Castles of Kalecrk and Karaoglan. Ankara is well-known for the famed disc of the Hittite goddess of sun, its mohaire from the Ankara Angora goat which has passed into the world literature with the name of Angora, the Ankara cat, its flat bread called bazlama and its diner. |
Anamur
| |  It is located on the promontory Cap Anamur which is the southern extremity of the Anatolian Peninsula. The name of the city in the Etruscan/Luwian language is "Annamura". meaning "place of the sacred mother". The name of the city situated on the ancient mountainous Cilicia later became Anamurium. As a result of the excavations on the acropolis, the remains of a temple were unearthed as erected in honour of the mother goddess Anni. This testifies that the area was used as a sanctuary by the peoples of Pamphylia, Isaura and Cilicia. As of the 6th century B.C. on, Anamur expanded down from the acropolis hillsides and became a city of harbour and trade. It was taken by Seleucids followed by Commagenians and then captured by pirates.Towards late 1st century B.C. it was brought under the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire and subordinated to the province of Isaura. In the Byzantine era it was recognized as a sanctuary and promoted to the status of the seat of diocese. In the 12th century the area passed into the hands of the Gagauz Turkomans who came over from Gulnar Tableland. Today, 300 m up the promontory cap Anamur there is an surrounded by city walls. As a result of the excavations, the remains of a theater, bathhouse, basilica, colonnaded street and aqueduct were revealed. Lying on the seaside are the remains of a government building with a square floor plan and 9 seating tiers and a church with a quadrangular floor pfan. The floor of the church is laid with coloured mosaics and next to it are the remains of a bathhouse. The single, two or three storeyed Cilician type house-like tombs in the necropolis, are the most interesting remains in the area. These tombs have several chambers and there are inscriptions and medusa heads carved in relief on the walls of chambers and the outer faces of tombs. 5 km east of the city of Anamur is the Castle of Anamur located on the seaside, surrounded by city walls, built during the Roman era and restored by Karamanogullari in 1450 and still standing completely with the houses, mosques and various rooms inside.Anamur is well-known for its bananas today. |
Alanya
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On the eastern boundary of Antalya, the first settlement unit situated on a peninsula steeply plunging into the sea, at an altitude of 250 m and 800 m in length, surrounded by natural beaches on both sides, later expanded down to the beginning of the eastern littoral. Today, the area considered as one of the foremost centres of Turkish tourism is covered with banana and citrus fruit plantations. It is known that the city was named "Korakassa'Karakassa" meaning 'Point/Protruding City" in the Etruscan/Luwian language which name became Korakession in the antique Pamphylia. Alaaddin Keykubat, the Seljuk Sultan, who besieged the Fortress Korekession in 1221, demanded the city folk to surrender the city. However, the number of his soldiers was only one fifth of the city's population.The Sultan announced to the city folk that if they did not surrender the city, he would storm the city with an army of 100,000. Indeed, Turks gathered before the walls of the fortress in the darkness of night, with torches tied onto the horns of thousands of goats. The Korekession King surrendered the city. Thus, Aiaaddin Keykubat. the Turkish Sultan, carried out one of the most interesting bluffs in history. During the Byzantine era the city was called Kalonoros meaning "Beautiful Mountain". The name of the city, seized by Turks in 1221, was changed to Alaiye in memory of the Sultan I Aiaaddin and it was adorned with various structures reflecting Turkish Seljuk architecture.
Alacahöyük
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Adana
| |  The city, situated in the center of Cilicia the plain, stretches across the fertile lands of the rivers Seyhan and Ceyhan irrigating Qukurova. In the Etruscan/Luwian language the name of the city is "Atanuwa", meaning "the city of the divine bull king." The name of the city located in the level Cilicia, also known as Que, subsequently became Attania. According to the finds revealed, it appears that the area was inhabited since the prehistorical times. The city, brought under the jurisdiction of the Hittite Federation with the name Atanuwa circa 2000 B.C., was shown within the Autonomous Kingdom of Kizzuwatna. The area fell under the rules of the Assyrians in the 9th century B.C. and Persians in the 5th century B.C. followed by the Macedonians, Romans and Byzantines. It was invaded by the Arabs in the 5th century and dominated by the Gagauz V'c-a^s who came to the area in 1083. The major remains are the ancient Karatas Magarassa which was subordinated to the Hittite Kingdom circa 1200 B.C. and where there are various temples, the Church of Father Christmas. bathhouse, cistern and sa'cophag. Kozartf Sis where there is a castfe built by time Assyrians, Anavarza near Ceyhan which was built during the Hittite era and where the remains of the theatre, stadium and aqueduct are visible and, 25 km to east of Adana, Misis with remains belonging to the Roman era and a Seljuk caravanserai and to the north of Misis, the famed Yilanlf (Snake-infested) Castle on the acropolis. The Roman Bridge with 21 openings is the foremost work of art. Also to be found are Ulu Cami and adjacent complex of buildings built by Ramazanogullan in 1541, Hasan Acja Mosque with a wall bearing the signature of Evliya Qelebi, Yag Cami built upon the remains of an old church and the clock tower, 32 m tall. The most important portrait belongs to Lokman Hekim who was regarded as the master of the physicians in the world. He lived in £ukurova and found "the formulation of immortality",but dropped it in the river Ceyhan.Today Adana is one of the major cities and the foremost cotton production centres in Turkey, well-known for its kebabs, turnip juice and sweets. |
Şanlıurfa
| |  Located to the north of the Plain Harran between Euphrates and Tigris in the southeastern Anatolia is the settlement of Sanliurfa. The name of the city in the Scythian/ Pelasgian language is "Adasa", meaning "the castle of the great goddess," This name subsequently became Edesa and, during the Syriac period. Urtia. The area stretches over the plain Harran to the north of the lands of Mesopotamia, which means "site between two rivers" and is inhabited since the prehistoric times. It remained under the Etruscans/Peiasgians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Aramaeans, Hittites, Syriacs, Keldanis, Persians, Macedonians, Romans. Byzantines and Arabs. In 1086 it fell to the Seljuk Turks. The area, known as the Land of Prophets, was the place where prophet Azeroglu ibrahim lived who was the founder of religions with an only god. He believed in an only god and broke the idols, He was thrown into the fire in Urfa with Aynzeliha, the disciple and own daughter of ibrahim. by Nemrut who heard of this. However, through a divine power the place of the fire turned into 2 large lakes where fish considered sacred started swimming. Later, Halil ibrahim Mosque and Kulliye were built on the banks of these lakes. The house of prophet §uayip and a cave belonging to prophet Eyup, recognized as the symbol of patience, and the healing water spring are of the important sites of visit. Further, the Abbar Christians in Urfa cured sick people by soaking Jesus Christ's handkerchief into the sacred water in Kizil Kilise (Red Church) built by them in honour of Jesus Christ. Another remarkable work in the city is the Castle of Urfa with 3 gates and 25 bastions, built upon a rocky site with two sections as an acropolis city. The flat rocky sites on top of a high hill located on the mountain to the southwest of the city are called the throne of Nemrut. Under these rocks are a variety of rock-carved tombs visible. Further, there are the remains of a castle in Birecik/Birtha. Castle of Siverek Caravanserai of Qarkelik, Caravanserai of Barur and, to the east of Urfa. are the remains of the city of §uayip from the Assyrian era. 40 km south of Urfa is the Plain of Harran, Karrhai which has given its name to the northern Mesopotamia. Since there are no stones on this plain which is always fertile earth sun-dried brick workmanship has highly developed since the antiquities. There are conical dwellings with spire-roofs made of earth and sun-dried brick in the settlements here as were thousands of years ago.The most important characteristics of these dwellings are that they are cool in summers and warm in winters. |
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