| The Kuscenneti National Park near Lake Manyas is an ornithological site where 239 different species of birds flourish. Every year, over three million birds fly through this preserve. April and May are the best months to enjoy the wildlife.
THE AEGEAN REGION
Turkey's humanised landscape is inseparable from its culture.Between 2000 BC to 1500 AD, this land was the centre of world civilisation.The main archaeological sites such as Pergamon, Ephesus, Miletus, Priene, Dydima, many costal villages and towns are blessed with their own Anatolian ruins on the outskirts.
Pergamon was an ancient city founded by colonist on the Aegean coast of Anatolia and attained a high culture in the Hellenistic era, boasting an outstanding an outstanding library that rivalled in importance that of Alexandria, a famous school of sculpture and excellent public building and monuments of which the Zeus Altar is the best example.
Izmir (Smyrna) is the home of the Aegean University and an archaeological museum.The excellent port facilities and the introduction of the railroad contributed to early industrialisation.
Sart (Sardis) was an ancient political and cultural centre of Anatolia, and the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia. The King of Lydia was Croesus and he was very rich. He is even referred to in saying "as rich as Croesus".
| Ephesus is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world. It formed a focal point in the ancient world because of its protected harbor and as a starting point for the Royal Road via Sardis to Susa. It was also a cult centre attracting thousands of pilgrims for traditional worship of the female, Cybele, Artemis and finally the Virgin Mary in the Christian period. The Artemis Temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the World and located in Ephesus. |
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Pamukkale (Hierapolis) has always been a very popular settlement where the hot spring were believed to have healing powers, so the city became the centre of a pagan cult in antiquity and a spa resort today.According to a popular belief in the region, these waters help improve circulatory, neurological and kidney ailments as well as rheumatism and stroke.They also relax and improve the skin.Running warm spring water, at a temperature of 35 C containing calcium bicarbonate formed the terraces. When the water loses its carbon dioxide it leaves limestone deposits. |
| THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION
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In Antalya, the pine-cald Taurus Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear sea forming an irregular coastline of rocky headlands and secluded coves.If you come to Antalya in March and April, you can ski the slopes in the morning and in the afternoons swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.Important historical sites await your discovery, amid a landscape of pine forest, olive and citrus groves and palm, avocado and banana plantations.Since its founding in the second century BC by Attalos II, a king of Pergamon, who named the city Attaleia after himself, Antalya has been continuously inhabited.The Romans, Byzantine and Seljuks successively occupied the city before it came under Ottoman rule.Near Antalya are many place to see such as Lara Beach, Duden Waterfalls, Kursunlu Waterfalls, Nilufer Lake. |
At Demre, the ancient Myra, many splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theatre. St. Nicholas was the bishop of this Mediterranean city and died here in 342.
Aspendos theatre is the best-preserved theather of antiquity with seating for 15000. Still used today, the theatre's galleries, stage decorations and acoustics all testify to the architect's success.Nearby stands the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in Antalya.
Tarsus is the birthplace of St. Paul.Important monuments of particular interest: Cleopatra Gate, through which Mark Antony and Cleopatra passed when they came to Tarsus to meet, an ancient church, and the Ottoman Ulu Cami. You can get the feel of bygone days if you walk though narrow streets past an old houses to find St.Paul's well.
The Antakya Museum houses one of the richest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. These fantastic mosaics in stone were uncovered mostly at excavations in Antakya and nearby Daphne. Outside the town, the Grotto of St.Peter is the cave church from which the apostle preached for the first time and where he established the Christian community. The church was declared a holy site by Vatican in 1983.
THE CENTRAL ANATOLIA REGION
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Ankara is the capital of Turkey. Anitkabir, Mausoleum of Ataturk is believed to represent the Turkish Nation under the name and personality of Ataturk.Therefore it included statues, inscriptions and reliefs on topics from Turkish history and Ataturk's life.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations is one of the most beautiful and richest museums in the world with regard to its exhibits.The exhibits are arranged from Palaeolithic to Assyrian Colonies and later periods until today. |
The Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes is a mystic group whose members are followers of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, a great Turkish poet and mystic.The brotherhood is based in Konya, where its founder is buried. Mevlana was never the head of an order, and the brotherhood was not established by himself but by his followers and devoted companions. The order derived its essence, rites, moral code and discipline from the mystical path first shown by Mevlana.
Sultanhan Caravansary was built by Sultan Alaattin Keykubat in 1229.In these buildings they provided the caravans with every possible service such as places to sleep, hamams, mosques, doctors, veterinarians, kitchens, coffeehouses, libraries.
| Cappadocia can be viewed from three different aspects, natural,historical and religious. When the volcanoes in the region were active, the lava, which poured out, covered all previously formed hills and valleys forming a high plateau. This plateau consists mainly of tufa and some rare layers of basalt. The basalt is less affected by erosion when compared to the tufa and has served as a protective cover, which are known as fairy chimneys.
The other interesting places : Goreme open- air museum, Uchisar, Pigeon Valley, Avanos (famous for it pottery and carpets), Underground cities. |
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THE EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION
The tremendous diversity of the eastern and southeastern land surprises travellers: the red ochre plateau of Erzurum; the forest, waterfalls and green pastures of Kars and Agri; the permanent snow-cap on biblical Mount Agri (Ararat); the immense Lake Van with its deep blue waters. Despite a generally austere life, the people of the area are generous and hospitable.
The region's long and turbulent history has left monuments to its various civilisations: Byzantine monasteries and churches, Selcuk mausoleums and caravanserais, elegant Ottoman mosques and hilltop citadels. To the inveterate traveller and lover of adventure, this region of Turkey fascinates, astonishes and informs.
Van, the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa, temps visitors to its location on the eastern shore of the lake. An imposing 9th century BC citadel overlooks the new and the old parts of the town. Steps carved in the rock lead to the Urartian fortress; halfway up, inscriptions in cuneiform pay homage to Xerxes. The women of Van produce beautiful kilims woven in blue, red and white patterns.The exotic Van cat, a protected animal, has thick white fur and one blue and one green eye. 41- km. southwest of Van, on Akdamar Island stands the 10th century Church of the Holy Cross, now a museum, whose outer stone walls are richly carved with Old Testament scenes and figures. After sightseeing, swimmers and picnickers can enjoy themselves around the island almond groves.
Erzurum is the largest city in eastern Anatolia. As you enter the city, the large Aziziye monument will catch your eye. Palandöken, only 6 Km. from Erzurum.This centre has longest ski run and the best snow quality in Turkey, and is a favourite haunt of expert skiers. |
