Map
Istanbul
Istanbul , the only city in the world built on two continents, stands on both shores of the Bosphorus Strait , where the waters of the Black Sea mingle with those of the Sea of Marmara . The Golden Horn or Halic Bay divides European Istanbul in two. Here on this splendid site, Istanbul guards the precious relics of three empires, of which she has been the capital; a unique link between East and West, past and present.
Once known as the capital of capital cities, Istanbul still remains the commercial, historical and cultural pulse of Turkey . Beneath the unchanging skyline of her domes and minarets, there is the continual bustle and movement of crowds, the rumbling of vehicles along ancient cobblestone streets, the incessant coming and going and the cries of street sellers mingling with shipping sounds from the busy port.
Its variety is one of Istanbul 's greatest attractions: the ancient mosques, palaces, museums and bazaars reflect its diverse history. However long you stay, whether for just a few days or longer, your visit to this eclectic city will be unforgettable.
St. Sophia Museum
Located at the heart of Istanbul , the St. Sophia Museum is just next to the Blue Mosque. Between Ataturk Street and Kilicaslan Street , this must be one of the best examples of what Byzantine architecture truly is. Also known as the Church of Hagia Sophia , Ayasofya Mosque and Old Mosque, St. Sophia was ironically once a church and a mosque. Between the period of 532 to 537 AD, Emperor Justinian I built St. Sophia as the largest Constantinian Church in the world. Translated as "Holy Wisdom" in English, Hagia Sophia was converted into a Mosque when Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453. Headed by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, they added four minarets, a mausoleum, a fountain, and collections symbolizing Muslim culture such as huge wooden shields with Koran calligraphy.
After almost five centuries later, Hagia Sophia was converted into a national museum by the father of Turkey himself, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The museum is open everyday, except on Mondays.
Blue Mosque
Facing Hagia Sophia or St. Sophia Museum , the Blue Mosque of Istanbul is most famous for its blue Iznik tiles and unique 6 minarets, setting it apart from all other landmarks in Istanbul .
Perched on a hill overlooking the Sea of Marmara , its magnificent features highlighted by a series of domes bring visitors' eyes towards the heavens ? attracting them to explore the beauty of the city. Also known as the courtyard of Sultan Ahmet Camii, the infamous Blue Mosque was said to be built by some of the stone masons who helped construct India 's Taj Mahal.
What's so blue about the Blue Mosque? The interior's high ceiling is lined with about 20,000 blue tiles th at give the mosque its popular name. This would be difficult to see unless you haven't been inside the upper level of the museum. Sunlight clearly passes through the beautiful Mosque with its 250 windows made from 17 th century Venetian stained glass.
The mosque also shows intricate 16 th -century Iznik design, with the tiles full of flowers, trees and abstract patterns.
Just like in any other mosques, visitors are required to remove their shoes at the entrance, and women must cover their heads. There is no entrance fee, but is usually closed during the worship time of Muslims throughout the day.
Topkapi Palace
The Topkapi Palace was home to all the Ottoman sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I (1839-1860), a period of nearly four centuries. Today, the place serves as a museum displaying the way of life of the Ottoman royalty. Closed on Tuesdays, the Topkapi Palace Museum is open between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM .
Grand Bazaar
A maze of over 4000 tiny shops selling all sorts of gold, jewelry, leatherwork and fine carpets, the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi in Turkish) is one of the largest covered markets in the world. It resembles a giant labyrinth with approximately sixty lanes and more than four thousand shops. Closed only on Sundays, this place is a real heaven for shoppers that can reach between 250,000 to 400,000 people each day. The bazaar also has four mountains, 2 mosques, 22 gates, and 17 hans or separate inns for specific types of products.
The entrance gate commonly used by people is the "Nuruosmaniye Gate" translated as the "light of the Ottomans." From here, visitors will see a street full of jewelry stores. Carpet shops are also plentiful at the Bazaar. Of course, haggling or bargaining is possible and highly recommended. There are also restaurants, coffee shops and Turkish baths located inside. One can buy anything from handmade and painted ceramic items to silverware, traditional costumes, religious icons on sale, Turkish calligraphies, antiques, colorful carpets, modern branded shirts, beautiful leather jackets and kilim and leather bags.
Yachting is also very popular in Istanbul . This is the only place in the world where you can enjoy the beauty of a mystical landscape while sailing back through time to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times with their magnificent castles, palaces and mosques.
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul . It is the center of the Turkish government, and houses all foreign embassies. Ataturk chose Ankara as Turkey 's new republic, as it lies deep within the heartland, protected and insulated from uninvited guests.
Ankara is generally a formal city because of the parliament and heads of the state residing there. But there are also many interesting museums and sites to visit in Ankara .
Ataturk Mausoleum
The Anitkabir or Ataturk Mausoleum, symbol of the new Ankara , gives tribute to Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938) ? the founding father of the Turkish republic. Designed by the Turkish architect Emil Onat, the mausoleum clearly displays a fusion of ancient and modern Turkish architecture. Built in 1944 atop a hill overlooking the city, this monumental building complex rises like an ancient temple over Ankara . The entire complex is also surrounded by the Peace Park . With an area of 750,000 square meters, it has a museum that houses Ataturk's writings, letters, personal items and an exhibition of photographs narrating his life and his important contributions to the nation. The War of Liberation is also an important exhibition open to the public. Aside from the museum and various exhibits, there is also a Path of Honor and a Court of Honor. The second president of the Republic, Ismet Inonu, is also buried in the courtyard in front of the Ataturk Mausoleum.
Anitkabir is only closed during Mondays. There is also a light and sound show in the evening, especially during summer.
Canakkale and the Ancient City of Troy
Canakkale is one of the Turkish cities located on the Hellespoint at the north-west part of Turkey. The city has always been strategically important because it has been a crossing point for armies, traders, and migrating people since before history.
The Dardanelles Strait highlights the importance of this region. Almost 60 kilometers or 38 miles long, Dardanelles separate the European part of Canakkale to its Asia Minor side. Throughout history, anyone who controlled this gateway commanded a highly strategic area, giving way for Canakkale to take place in two very important battles. One of them is the mythological war of Troy , as immortalized in Homer's Iliad. Here, one can see the ruins of city walls in addition to the Wooden Horse of Troy. Another battle is the Battle of Canakkale in the Gallipoli peninsula that took place during World War I.
Troy : A UNESCO Treasure
Once a legendary city, Troy, with its 4,000 years of history, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Troy brings us back to the famous Trojan War immortalized by Homer in the Iliad where the legendary heroes including Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses and Nestor on the Greek side fought against Priam, Hector and Paris on the Trojan side. Aside from the legendary and creative arts perspective, Troy 's archaeological site (since its excavation in the 1870s by Heinrich Schliemann) also gives immense cultural significance in the understanding of the development of early European civilization.
Visited by about 500,000 Turkish and foreign tourists each year, Troy was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List for its contributions to world cultural history with its rich archaeological heritage and mythological past. Where the East meets the West, Troy also gives great importance to the early years of architecture, theater, art and cinema.
As one visits Troy , ancient mythology will be brought to life, giving a fuller understanding and explanation of the Trojan Wars, Helen of Troy, sacrificial altars, and the battle between Achilles and Paris. Visitors will also get to see Troy 's distinctive 3,700 year old city walls, the Bouleterium ( Senate Building ) and the Odean (Concert Hall). Since its excavation, Troy has been discovered to have nine civilizations built on top of the other. Dating from 3000 BC to 2500 BC, remains of the Houses of Troy I remain intact, as well as the various cities of Troy from Troy I to Troy IX. There are also current excavations in progress, to further deepen the world's understanding of this once distinct city that is Troy .
Kusadasi
One of Turkey 's premier holiday resorts, Kusadasi offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey - 90km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputed for being one of the most attractive cities of the Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, Goddess Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, Seven Sleepers, Didyma, Priene, Miletos - the principal of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers. Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season. The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year.
One can go swimming, windsurfing, water skiing, and sailing given the numerous gorgeous beaches visitors can choose from. Enjoy beach volleyball or just simply relax under the sun. At night, attractive cafes and restaurants add color to Kusadasi's vivid nightlife.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia generously spreads out before visitors an extraordinary and lavish banquet of natural wonders exceeding their wildest imagination and elegantly graced with works by the hand of man.
The region known in ancient times as Cappadocia is the setting for some of nature's most bizarre wonders. At present administratively part of the Nev?ehir province, the entire Cappadocian region extends as far as the provinces of Aksaray, Nigde, Kayseri and Kirsehir. For most people, the name Cappadocia suggests the towns and vicinities of Uchisar, Goreme, Avanos, Urgup, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, and Ihlara, where in the course of millions of years, the land has been shaped into fantastic forms. "Fairy chimneys" that seem haunted, and cities and houses of worship that extend many meters deep into the earth are all enveloped in an atmosphere that is ethereal and unworldly.
Underground City of Kaymakli
The Underground City of Kaymakli is the widest underground city of the Cappadocia region. This was primarily used by early Christian refugees who wanted to escape the terrors brought forth by the Romans, pagans, and Arab invaders. The houses in the village were constructed around the city and the settlers linked their houses to almost one hundred tunnels of the underground city. The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, cellars and stables. Eight stories deep, the Kaymakli underground city can house thousands of villagers. For months, they hide within the depths of this underground city.
At present, only one stable can be seen at the first floor. However, research shows that the top floor primarily served as stables for various domestic animals. There is also a passage with a millstone door that leads to a church. There are also rooms near the stable, possibly used as hiding places. At the second floor, there are also some living quarters, a Christian Church and a cemetery. The third and fourth floor clearly showed the distinct lifestyle of "cave dwellers." There are communal kitchens, deep water wells, storage places, millstones, wineries, wine cellars, grape storages, and wide areas where meetings and ceremonies are said to be held. To provide air and space for the entire city, a vertical ventilation shaft, about 120 meters deep, passes all eight floors like an elevator.
Opened to the public since 1964, only four out of eight floors are open to tourists.
Goreme Valley
The Goreme Valley is famous for its numerous small communities with their own Byzantine thousand-year-old churches. This gives way to the most popular attraction in Cappadocia and another World Heritage Site, the Goreme Open-Air Museum that is only a 15-minute walk from the town of Goreme . The museum is open everyday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM . During winter, the place closes early at around 5:00 PM .
During the 12 th century, the cave-churches were carved by Christian monks from soft volcanic stone. These were then beautifully decorated with primitive Byzantine frescoes.
Due to weather conditions for thousands of years, most of the church frescoes have already been destroyed. But the Karanlik Kilise ( Dark Church ) and Tokali Kilise ( Buckle Church ) house the best-preserved paintings.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale, which means " Cotton Castle " in Turkish, is considered the country's Eight Wonder of the World. The hot springs in the region is currently a candidate in the New Seven Wonders of the World. Located in southwestern Turkey in the Denizli Province , it is considered as a World Heritage Site together with the Ancient City of Hierapolis since 1988. The Cotton Castle of Turkey also resembles the Mammoth Hot Springs in the United States of America and Huanglong in the Sichuan Province of China.
Outside Pamukkale, visitors can see the Red Springs, with boiling waters that have emerged from thousands of feet below the Earth's surface to form ribbons of deep red, blue and yellow on the surrounding rocks.
Antique City of Hierapolis
Another must-see in Turkey , Pamukkale meaning "cotton castle" in English, is most famous for its fairyland look, as it is surrounded with dazzling white, petrified castles. The place has a vast white cliff side with frozen waterfalls and white calcareous castles formed from thermal springs of limestone. Especially in the Antique City of Hierapolis, perched on top of natural terraces of hot springs , this place has definitely become a spa destination since the second century BC. Until today, its thermal waters have therapeutic properties attracting thousands of visitors all year round.
Cited on UNESCO's World Heritage List, one shouldn't miss taking a swim in Hierapolis ' curative thermal pools. The hot, mineral-saturated water comes from a deep underground spring in the region. Flowing at a rate of 400 liters per second, the entire hot spring area can accommodate up to six thousand people a day. With its water temperature ranging between 36 to 38 degrees Celsius , its thermal pools are also high in calcium, magnesium sulfate and bicarbonate. Aside from bathing, the waters can also be used for drinking. Its therapeutic properties are recommended for the treatment of various diseases.
Aside from its hot springs , Hierapolis was also famous for its various temples and social events such as concerts and festivals. Their textile industry was also booming at that time.
Izmir and Ephesus
Known as "Beautiful Izmir," the city lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The climate is mild and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea breezes temper the sun's heat. Behind the palm-lined promenades and avenues which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces, gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains.
Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and its port is second only to Istanbul . A cosmopolitan and lively city all year round, Izmir bursts with an added vibrancy during the International Arts Festival (June/July) and the International Fair (August/September).
Outside the city of Izmir , on the Northern Region of the province, the ruins of Pergamon can be seen -- now known as the modern city of Bergama . The Southern Region includes the town of Selcuk and the ancient city of Ephesus (3 kilometers south of Selcuk).
A visit to Ephesus , an important city of antiquity, is one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey . The city, which had many splendid buildings, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis, whose temple was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World . The nearby Turkish Bath Museum , built in the 16 th century, shows Turkish life at the hamam (bath). There is also an Ephesus International Festival held annually. Furthermore, during the height of the season, world-famous artists and orchestras give performances.
Konya
"Iconium" of the Roman times, Konya is 263 kms from Ankara . The land appears as a wide plateau, and has been continuously inhabited even since the dates extending back to the 8th millennium BC. Also known as the city of Whirling Devishes , Konya became the capital of the Seljuk Turkish Sultanate, which flourished in Central Anatolia from 1071 to 1275. From then on, the city advanced rapidly to becoming a great cultural center.
Alongside a generally high level of instruction and very modern buildings, Konya has a reputation of being one of the more religiously conservative metropolitan centers in Turkey .
Seljuk architectural influences can be clearly seen in Konya , and one of which is the old but beautiful Mevlana Museum , site of the tomb of Rumi.
Mevlana Museum
A famous pilgrimage place for Muslims, the Mevlana Muzesi or Mevlana Museum is the former tekke (dervish hall) of the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes, a mystical Sufi Muslim Group. Located at the very heart of Konya , the museum houses the tomb of Jalal ad-Din-ar-Rumi (1207-1273), the greatest Sufi mystic and Persian language poet. Rumi is considered a saint, given his significant influence on Turkish cultural life. Through his poems, Rumi preached the message of peace, love of God and love for other people. Even if it is considered a Muslim holy place, non-Muslims also frequent the place, giving tribute to the poet-mystic-saint.
The museum is open everyday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with a minimal fee of $2.50. The dervish hall includes a room for the whirling ceremony, a library, living and teaching quarters, and the mausoleum housing Rumi ? crowned with the honorable title of "Mevlana." Many Muslim pilgrims raise their hands in prayer upon facing his tomb.
There are also artifacts inside the museum dating back to more than seven centuries ago. Antique prayer carpets are also on display, as well as the central glass case that holds the relics of the Prophet Muhammed.
During the 17 th of December of every year, the entire Konya celebrates the death anniversary or "union with God" of the Great Mevlana.
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