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

The city was named Beyazit in memory of Bayazid'i Bistami, of the mystic leaders of the Anatolian Turks, who lived in the 8th century. Dogu Beyazit is a major trading gate of Turkey opening into Asia via Iran. In the vicinity of Gurbulak border gate is the largest meteoric stone pit of the world measuring 60 m deep and 30 m wide. Moreover, there are remains dating from the Urartu era on the Hill of Aznavur in the area. The area is covered with plains formed as a result of the depression of extinct volcanoes such as Agri, Tendurek, Ala Dag, Kose, Ziyaret. Kanli and Siiphan Mountains. In the area called the old Beyazit, 95 km to the east of Agri, is the Ishak Pasha Palace and Kiilliye established upon a high hill dominating the Silk Way. It was built during the 17th century. Ishak Pasha Kulliye is surrounded with structural walls in the form of city walls and the Ishak Pasha Palace inside is two-storeyed and with 366 rooms. In its courtyard are the remains of the single-domed Ishak Pasha Mosque of Turkistan order, with walls twice as high as the palace, and of the turbe made of dressed stone, adorned with floral motifs at the window edges. Rising up on the walls of the Ishak Pasha Palace are pyramidal towers. The main entrance gates evoke the portal of a caravanserai of the Seljuk order.

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

Built on the promontory Tekeagac. to the south of the ancient city of Miletus is the well-known Temple of Apollon. The name of the area in the Etruscan/Luwian language is originally "Didauma". meaning The People of the Mother Goddess". The temple which was earlier built in honour of the Mother Goddess and her son Adra, that is. God of Bulls, apparentty changed after the adoption of the patriarchal system. According to the Patriarchal Zeus Gods Pantheon, Apollon is the son of Zeus and Letoon, having been identified with Adra as the God of Light, Brightness, Male Beauty and Moon. As of the 9th century the Temple of Apollon in Didyma was, after the temple in Delphi, considered as the second greatest oracle center in the world and the pnests here held privileges over those of the kings, Indeed, treasures were donated to the temple held sacred by the Lydians, Persians and Romans and other Anatolian tribes, and the words of the priests of the temple were respected as if they were divine words. In the heydays of Miletus the King's Way was built between Miletus and the Temple of Apollon. The Temple of Apollon which received contributions in all eras tor its construction and restoration could never completely be finished. Therefore, the architects had the construction plan scratched on the northern wall of the cella of the temple in order to be transferred to the next generations. To the north of the temple which was several times despoiled, set on fire and damaged by earthquakes, a single-apse orthodox basilica was erected during the Byzantine era and the Turkomans who came to the area early 12th century A.D. converted fts ctwcn into a mosque. The Temple a rectangular floor plan, is of Ionian ow and with dimensions of 110x52 m. The temple is encircled all around with 124 double colonnades with Ionic capitals, measumg 19,70 m high and with a diameter of 2T40 m. The temple is ascended to through 14 steps at the front and 7 steps at the sides, with a cella at the back entrance visible measuring 54x25 m, in which apparently a statue of Apollon was placed, The cella is in the form of an uncovered courtyard surrounded by walls of 25 m height all around. The cella, where there were a sacred olive tree and a holy water spring inside, led through a staircase of 24 steps into a hall with 3 doors and a marble-faced ceiling, 20 m high, where the augury was revealed by the priests and further ahead lay the pronauos (forecourt) measuring 6 m wide by 14 m high. Obviously, the revealed augury was listened to here. The cella led into the pronauos through arched tunnels and, further, the augury room led up to the roof through a staircase.

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.