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The capital of modern Turkey is situated at the heart of the extensive Anatolian plateau, at the foot of the mountain chain known as Elma Dagi, point of encounter for a radiating system of important communication routes. Ancient Ancyra (later Angora), a center for the production of angora wool which is still of economic importance for the textile industry, was taken over by the Seljuk Turks in 1147. The fortunes of modern Ankara second only to Istanbul in population, can be attributed in great part to Mustafa Kemal, better known as Ataturk (the "Father of the Turks"), who created the modern state of Turkey and promoted and encouraged the process of westernization, bringing Turkey much closer to Europe than the purely geographical distances might seem to indicate. The Mausoleum of Ataturk is set at the top of a hill overlooking a scenic boulevard, flanked by granite statues of lions, which leads to a sqoare at the base of the monumental staircase. The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara can be numbered among the most interesting museum collections in all of Turkey, in particular as far as the material regarding the ancient civilization of the Hittites is concerned. |
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Amasya is located in the Yeşilırmak Valley of the Central Black Sea Region. The archaeological studies have shown that many civilizations has flourished in Amasya throughout the history. The first settlement in the city goes back to 5500 BC. Since then, many civilizations were born and died in this region. The Hittites, the Kimmers, the Iskits, Lydians, Persians had once lived here and the Hellenistic, the Roman, the Byzantine, the Seljuk and the Ottoman Empires had ruled for centuries in these lands. |
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Antalya, or Adalia as it is called nowadays, is the center of the coastal strip famous for
its tourism; with its modern hotel facilities, sports grounds, tourist harbor and numerous
camping grounds, Antalya boasts ever-growing numbers of tourists, who are attached by its
historic and artistic heritage and civilisation, together with its spectacular scenery.
Antalya is one of the few cities existing today whose ground was inhabited in remote times.
Greek Aspendos, modern Belkis, ancient city of Pamphylia, now in southwestern Turkey. It is noted for its Roman ruins. A wide range of coinage from the 5th century BC onward attests to the city's wealth. Aspendus was occupied by Alexander the Great in 333 BC and later passed from Pergamene to Roman rule in 133 BC. According to Cicero, it was plundered of many of its artistic treasures by the provincial governor Verres. The hilltop ruins of the city include a basilica, an agora, and some rock-cut tombs of Phrygian design. A huge theatre, one of the finest in the world, is carved out of the northeast flank of the hill. It was designed by the Roman architect Zeno in honour of the emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned AD 161-180) The present-day Belkiz was once situated on the banks of the River Eurymedon, now known as the Kopru Cay. In ancient times it was navigable; in fact, according to Strabo, the Persians anchored their ships there in 468 B.C., before the epic battle against the Delian Confederation. Yivli Minare, or grooved minaret, 37 meters high, was built at the beginning of the 13th century. The original mosque no longer exists. You will notice another strange sight: the "broken minaret" of Kesik Minare Mosque. In fact, the tapered minaret of the mosque was struck by lightning. The latter was originally a Byzantine basilica with three naves dedicated to Our Lady. The finds from all over Antalya are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum. An important city of ancient Pamphylian, Perge (18km from Antalya) was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 B.C. St. Paul preached some of his first sermons here. The theater's stage has finely carved marble reliefs; other carvings from around the city are displayed in the stadium. Amateur archaeologists will want to see the handsome city gate flanked by two lofty towers, a long colonnaded road once paved with mosaics and lined with shops, a large agora, the public baths and a gymnasium. |
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The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Assos,
now known as Behramköy, are laid around a rocky hillside,
facing the narrow ocean inlet which separates this stretch of the
ancient Troad from the Greek island of Lesbos.
The Temple of Athena, of which unfortunately only a few scattered traces remain, was built around 530 B.C. on the highest part of the acropolis. Originally in Doric style, it reveals Ionic superpositions; the outline of the stylobate can still be followed, surrounded by a row of 13 columns on the long sides and 6 on each short side. Along the terraces that slope down from the acropolis can be seen what is left of the Agora, the Gymnasium and a Theatre. North of the acropolis stands a Mosque erected by the Turks in the time of Murat I (14th century) |
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The ancient region of Cappadocia lies in central Anatolia,
between the cities of Nevsehir, Kayseri and Nigde. Here, the traveller finds one of the
most fantastic landscapes in the world. Three million years ago, violent eruptions of the
volcanoes Mt. Erciyes (3891m) and Mt. Hasan (3250m) covered the surrounding plateau with tuff.
Wind and weather have eroded the soft volcanic rock into hundreds of strangely shaped pillars,
cones and "fairy chimneys", often very tall, and in every shade from pink through yellow to russet
browns. Since the most ancient of times, men have hollowed out troglodyte dwellings in this soft rock, and here, at the dawn of Christianity, the early Christians made countless cave churches, chapels and monasteries. There are over 600 churches scattered through the valleys. The art style of the churches can best be considered in two categories: the 8th and 9th centuries are the iconoclastic years, with decorations in red earth tones and symbolism in simple geometric motifs; the 10th to the 13th centuries saw decorations on a plaster base and show the lives of Christ and various saints. Interestingly, in some of the churches the frescoes of the later period have fallen off, revealing earlier decorations underneath. The architectural plan of the churches is uncomplicated. Also in this region are a number of underground cities which were used by Christians as places to retreat to and live in until danger from their enemies had passed. These cities were well-hidden and safe. There were rooms for grain storage, stables, sleeping chambers, kitchens and air shafts. Today they are well-lit and would be an interesting part of your tour. Goreme is an important area for shopping, with its wonderful carpets and kilims, onyx souvenirs, and very fine local wines. It is also a wonderful region for trekking and for photo-safaris. The scenery is breathtaking in all four seasons: miniature poppies in the springtime, the touring hot-air balloons and flowers of summertime, autumn's grapes and blaze of gold, and the winter blanket of snow. Devrent Valley : The wonderful and impresive valley of fairly chimneys. A short walk through this enchanting valley using your imagination to see the different shapes at the top of the fairy chimneys. Pancarlik Valley: Where you can stop to see the 12th century chruch with its splendid frescoes. Mustafapasa (Sinasos): The traditional stone houses with carved and decorated facades evoke another age. Taskinpasa: The 14th century Karamanid Mosque and Mausoleum Complex and the remains of a medrese portal on the edge of town, make for a pleasant diversion. Zelve : An importand and ancient town in Cappadocia comprised of dwellings in the rocks. An adventurous hour is spent here walking through the three valleys in which the town was located. Pasabag : (The Monks Valley) in this spectecular spot you can see the fascinating fairy chimneys unique to this location, as well as the hermitages carved into fairy chimneys. Avanos : A charming town divided in to two by the Red River. This town is a poterry making centre. The ancient pottery techniques are still use today in Avanos. Göreme Open Air Museum : The monastic complex of rock churches and chapels covered with frescoes is one of the best known sites of central Anatolia. Göreme Town is sitvaled in the middle of the valley cones and fairy chimneys. Uçhisar : The ancient citadel for a panaromic view of the rocky Cappdocia. The castle is the highest point in Cappadocia. Güvercinlik : (Pigeons Valley) A stop here for a panaromic view of the valley and to learn something about the importance of pigeons in the history of Cappadocia. Underground Cities : The most famous, the largest and biggest under ground city in the region eight levels open for inspection. Ihlara : (Collapsed land) The Melendiz River has eroded this impressive canyon into the walls of which Byzantine rock chapels covered with frescos, have been cut. Soganli : 50 km south of Ürgüp, is a picturesque valley of innumerable chapels, chruches, halls, houses and tombs. The frescoes, from the 8th to the 13th century, trace the development of Byzantine painting. Devrent Valley : 4 km north of Ürgüp, is the wonderful weather has eroded the stone into peaks, cones and obelisks called fairy chimneys. |
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One of the most important cities in Turkey, with a significant architectural and artistic patrimony, Bursa lies on the northwest slopes of Mt. Ulu Dağ, once known as the Mount Olympus of Misia. The closeness of the southern riviera of the Sea of Marmara and the presence of curative hot springs, long known and exploited, make Bursa one of the most popular cities for foreign visitors. The most famous building in Bursa is the Yesil Camii (Green Mosque), built early in the 15th century together with the nearby Yesil Türbe (Green Mausoleum) by Mehmet I Celebi. Thanks to restoration the mosque has regained its original splendour, enabling the public to admire the splendid turquoise blue tiles which give the complex its name. The Green Mausoleum has an octagonal ground plan and is covered by a conical dome. Built to house the mortal remains of Mehmet I Celebi, its most striking architectural features are those which d istinguish it from the usual type of manifest clarity to the ensemble. The Ulu Camii or Great Mosque was built over a period of time that ranges from the second half of the 14th century to the first half of the 15th. Extremely lucid structurally, its twenty small domes make it highly visible.Other outstanding elements include a wooden mimber (pulpit), the mihrab (prayer niche), unfortunately altered by later interventions, the sadirvan (abulation fountain) and an interesting library with rare and valuable manuscripts. Nor should the Bayazit Camii, built at the turn of the 14th century, be overlooked. Its innovative architectural plan in the shape of an upturned T was to be canonised in the later religious architecture of the city. |
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From a strategic and military point of view this small town is of major importance for it guards the entire strait of the Dardanelles (Canakkale Bogazi) at its narrowest point. While the strait of the Dardanelles which joins the Aegean to the Sea of Marmara was known in antiquity as Hellespont, its present name is related to the myth of Dardanus, the legendary founder of Troy. Its enormous strategical importance has always made it the object of attention on the part of the emerging powers. More recently attention centred on Canakkale as a result of the dispute which arose when, in September of 1922, a small garrison of British soldiers found themselves confronted with the troops of Mustafa Kemal. Open war between the two countries was avoided only when Britain's ex-allies explicitly refused military intervention against Mustafa Kemal's soldiers. In the following month a preliminary agreement between the two parties paved the way for the treaty of Lausanne which was signed in 1923 and which allowed Turkey to annex extensive areas. |
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In antiquity a Sacred Way connected Miletus to the port of Didyma and its famous temple. The last stretch of road was flanked by statues of sphinxes and reclining lions, now to be seen in the British Museum in London. This important street dating back at least to the 6th century B.C. confirms the hypothesis of the existence here of a small archaic temple, far earlier than the foundation of the colossal place of worship dedicated to Apollo. Traces of this original building have in fact been identified inside the large temple. The Temple of Apollo Didyma is one of the largest of the Hellenistic classical period, preceded solely by the Artemision of Ephesus and the Temple of Hera in Samos. |
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Diyarbakir , known in ancient times as Amida, spreads across a basalt plateau close to the banks of the Dicle river. The triple black basalt walls which encircle the old town give the city a rather ominous appearance. These ramparts with 16 keeps and five gates, inscriptions and bas-reliefs are among the longest in the world (5.5 km) and represent a superb example of medieval military architecture. The Ulu Mosque built by the Seljuk Sultan Melik Shah is notable for its original plan and the utilisation of Byzantine and more ancient architectural materials. The mihrab of the nearby Mesudiye Medrese is made of the local black basalt. The Nebii Mosque represents the typical Ottoman mosque style while the Safa Mosque exhibits Persian influences in its tiled minaret. The third century Aramaic Church of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Kilisesi) which is still in use today makes an interesting visit. |
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The foundation of Ephesus by colonists unquestionably of Hellenic stock took place between the l6th and 11th centuries B.C. In the 7th century the city and its greatest symbol, the Artemision, were totally destroyed by the Cimmerian hordes. Rebuilt by Croesus, king of the Lydians, it was subjugated by the Persian king Cyrus in the middle of the 6th century. After varying vicissitudes, Ephesos pacifically and painlessy passed to the Romans. Evidence of the importance Ephesus had in the Roman world are the visits paid by such illustrious figures as Brutus, Cassius, Antony, and Cicero himself. In the Augustan age it was a real Asian capital. The city grew and soon became an active commercial center, headquarters of the Roman governor and one of the first five cities of the Empire. Subsequently the preaching of the apostle John (buried here in St. John's church) and a tradition according to which the Madonna chose it as her residence after the Crucifixion, turned Ephesus into one of the places that distinguished itself in the history of Christian thought. Its decline began in the second half of the 3rd century when it was conquered and sacked by the Goths. In 431 the Third Ecumenical Council was held here. During the long dark centuries of the Middle Ages it was little more than a village, subject to continuous raids by the Arabs and pirates. After the early years of Ottoman rule, it fell into complete oblivion. Abandoned and deserted, all trace of it almost disappeared until 1869 when the first of the archaeological excavations which were to restore to the world the ancient and unforgotten beauty of the city was undertaken. |
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The exact origins of the ancient town of Telmessos, over which the modern town of Fethiye is built,
are not known. Yet it was the largest town in Lycia and an influential member, during the 5th
century B.C., of the Delian Confederacy. Two earthquakes in 1956 and 1957 destroyed a large number of its ancient monuments. Fortunately the collection of rock tombs cut into the cliff has remained intact. In fact, it can be said that Fethiye boasts some of the best Lycian tombs in the region, going back to between the 6th and 3rd centuries B.C. In the place known as "Bademli Bahce", meaning "garden of the almonds", one can admire the most spectacular tomb of the entire collection. "Tomb of Aminta" is engraved into the stone; it is dated the 4th century B.C. and imitates the shape and style of the Greek temple known as "templum in antis": in fact, the facade is formed by two Ionic capitals inserted between two pillars, supporting the decorated pediment. Behind is a false door divided into four panels. |
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Gaziantep, the biggest city in the southeast of Turkey and sixth biggest one in Turkey, is one of the first settlements in Anatolia. Ruins which belong to the Stone Age, calcoholitic, Copper age, Hittite, Mitani, Assyrian, Roman and Byzantine, Islam and Turkish-Islamic Period can be traced everywhere in the area. |
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Two of the most famous caravanseries from the Seljuk period remian in the environs. Just 40 km west of the city is the well preserved Sultanhan Caranvanserai built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat and 50 km towards Nevşehir is the Agzikarahan Caranvanserai. |
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The vestiges of the mythical city of Hattusas, the capital and cradle of Hittite Civilisation, are scattered over a steep terraced slope that overlooks the houses of Bogazkoy. Hattusas (easthern 217 km from Ankara) there is a early Hittite sites lie with impressive double walls, in which are set the Royal Gate, the Lion Gate and the Yer Kapi (an underground tunnel), ring the Hittite city of Hattusas, known today as Bogazkale. This city was the Hittite religious center, also was known as the City of Temples because over 70 temples stood there. The largest ruins are those of the great temple of the Storm God Tesup. The Acropolis contained government buildings, the Imperial Palace and the archives of the Hitite Empire. In 1180 B.C. the Phrygians devastated the city. After through excavations at the site, the city walls are now being extensively restored. The top most part of acropolis is occupied by the majestic ruins of the Buyukkale or Great Citadel entrance to which is through the so called Gate of Lions, flanked by two lions in hard bazalt. The citadel complex contained by living quarters of the Hittite sovereigns and a number of rooms to be used by the public, including one thought to have been a library from which numerous exambles of cuneiform writing have come, and in a particular a baked clay tablet incised with the Treat of Kadesh, stipulated between the Hittites and the Egyptians in 1279 B.C. |
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Istanbul the only city in the world built on two continents, stands on the shores of the
Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus) where the waters of the Black Sea mingle with those of the Sea
of Marmara and the Golden Horn. On a spit of land at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea stands the Topkapi Palace, the maze of buildings all the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. Built in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdul Mecit I, the facade of Dolmabahce Palace stretches for 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosphorus. The vast reception salon, with 56 columns, and a huge crystal chandelier weighing four and a halt tons and lit by 750 lights never tails to astonish visitors. The Basilica of St. Sophia, now called the Ayasofya Museum is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dorne rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. The Archaeological Museums are found just inside the first court of Topkapi Palace. The newly renovated Archaeological Museum includes the celebrated Alexander Sarcophagus among its treasures of antiquity. Near St. Sophia is the sixth century Byzantine cistern known as the Yerebatan Sarayi. Three hundred and thirty-five massive Corinthian columns support the immense chamber's fine brick vaulting. The 11 th century church of St. Savior in Chora, the Kariye Museum, is after St. Sophia, the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul. The ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, stood in the open space in front of the Blue Mosque, an area now called Sultanahmet. Çamlica Hill, the highest point of Istanbul. We will drive here to admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul as well as the beautiful landscaped gardens. Known as Leander's Tower, Kız Kulesi is one of the romantic symbols of Islanbul. First constructed in the 12th century on a tiny island at the entrance to Istanbul's harbor, the present building dates from the 18th century. Grand Bazaar, is very interesting place to go shopping. You can find what ever you want. Spice Market, also this bazaar is varied. You can find what ever you want especially different spices. |
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Konya, one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities was known as
Iconium in Roman times. The capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th centuries,
it ranks as one of the great cultural centers of Turkey. During that period of cultural, political and
religious growth, the mystic Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi Order known in the west as the
Whirling Dervishes. The striking green tiled mausoleum of Mevlana is Konya's most famous
building. Attached to the mausoleum, the former dervish seminary serves now as a museum housing manuscripts
of Mevlana's works and various artifacts related to the mysticism of the sect. Every year, in the first
half of December, this still active religious order holds a ceremony commemorating the Whirling Dervishes.
The controlled, almost trance like turning or sema of the white-robed men created a mystical experience
for the viewer. Alaeddin Mosque, built on the site of the ancient Konya citadel in 1220, during the region of the great Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat, commands Konya's skyline. To one side of the mosque are the remains of the Seljuk Imperial Palace. The Karatay Medrese, now a museum, displays bold and striking Seljuk ceramics. On the other side of the mosque, the Ince Minareli Medrese of 1258 is remarkable for its marvelous baroque Seljuk portal. other Seljuk works include the Sircali Medrese and the Sahip Ata Complex. Visitors find Konya's Archaeological Museum of exceptional interest. The collection of the Koyunoğlu Museum is a varied one; among its displays one is devoted to natural history and another to old kilims. Within the museum complex, the restored Izettin Koyunoglu house illustrates the way of life of a prosperous Konya family. |
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The importance of this town, in a picturesque site overlooking the gulf of the same name stretching out towards the Aegean, depends as much on its atmosphere and landscape as it does on the fact that it is an ideal point of departure for excursions. Kuşadasi is in fact a charming seaside resort with good hotels and restaurants, as well as functional well-equipped international tourist complexes. The surroundings furnish the occasion to admire some of the most qualified and interesting archaeological sites in all of Turkey: from Ephesos to Priene, Miletus, Colophon. The spacious gulf of Kuşadasi is circumscribed on the north by an irregular peninsular appendix which separates it from the gulf of Izmir, terminating opposite the island of Chios. In the southern portion a promontory extends towards the island of Samos, leaving a narrow arm of the sea open. In front of the inhabited center, on an isle connected by a road to the mainland, rises the Kucukada Kalesi, an ancient fortress still surrounded by imposing turreted glacis. This fortress became famous during the 16th century when it was used as base for the exploits of the pirate Khair ad-Din better known as Barbarossa. The famous corsair together with his brothers raged along the Aegean coasts of North Africa, and established a small kingdom in Algeria which served as a bridgehead for further conquests in the Mediterranean basin. After the occupation of Tunis (1533) the Turkish sultan Suleyman entrusted him with the command of the Ottoman fleet against Charles V and the marine republics of Venice and Genoa, which he long kept at bay, acquiring great prestige and riches. |
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With its archaeological, ethnographic, architectural, historical and
visual values and richness, Mardin is one of those poetic cities of Southeastern Anatolia which
give observers that the time is not running. Archeological excavations and researches conducted
in the area indicate that Mardin and its vicinity had its first human settlements back in 4500 BC.
The area is an outstanding open air museum blending many remains coming from the times of the Subari,
Hurri, Sumer, Akad, Mittani, Hittites, Assyrians, Schytians, Babylonians, Persians, Macedonia, Abgar,
Romans, Arabians, Seljuk Turks, Artuklu and the Ottoman. There are still many points in the city
where archaeological excavations can be made. Further efforts in this line will give us a more
complete picture about the history of the city and the area.
Deyrü'zaffaran Monastery (Mor Hananya) |
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North of Denizli a road leads to Pamukkale, the site of a unique natural phenomenon, and to the important archaeological zone of Hierapolis. The name Pamukkale means Castle of Cotton and this is particularly apt in describing one of the most extraordinary landscapes to be found in nature. Here, in a landscape fascinating in its own right, the action of various mineral springs which contain calcium oxides has left fantastic concretions on the travertine structures. The resulting effect is spectacular: these mineral-rich waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels designing bizarre solidified cascades, dazzling in their radiance and changing their color according to how the sunlight strikes them. From a distance this whitish mass stands in evident contrast with the color of the surrounding uplands and brings to mind enormous stretches of cotton. On approaching this incredible succession of terraces, one discovers the existence of basins full of mineral water which flow into other natural basins below, and are the source of stupendous mineral conglomerations in the form of fantastic stalactites, sometimes of considerable size and resembling organ pipes. The continuous dynamics of erosion and transformation of the natural landscape has resulted in an ambience unequalled elsewhere and which constitutes one of the most unique phenomena to be found in nature. Hordes of wonderstruck tourists swarm daily through this fabulous lunar landscape. The excellent curative properties of the waters, known from ancient times in the neighboring Hierapolis, have permitted the construction in modern times of spas, generally annexed to the hotels in the area. The entire territory of Pamukkale is at the center of particular attention on the part of the competent authorities who intend to safeguard the integrity and respect of this truly unique territory. |
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Trabzon, the major city of the region, was founded in the 7th centruy B.C.
by Miletian colonists and was at the center of the Comnene Empire established after the fall of Istanbul.
The exiled Byzantine court ruled until 1461 when the Ottomans conquered the area. The restored 13th
centruy Byzantine church, used for centuries as a mosque and now the Ayasofya Museum,
is the jewel of Trabzon's monuments. Splendid frescoes, some of the finest examples of Byzantine
painting, cover every surface of the interior church walls. Several other churches were converted
to mosques, such as the Fatih Mosque and the Yeni Cuma Mosque.
The Ottoman Gulbahar Mosque, a typical provincial style building, is set in a lovely tea garden.
Wooden houses fill the old quarter, which lies within the ancient fortifications, and still retains
the spirit of a medieval town. The house in which Ataturk stayed has been made into a museum. Boztepe Park on the hills above Trabzon offers a beautiful view of the city and the coastline. On the western slopes of Boztepe Hill stands the Irene Tower, built by Empress Irene of Trabzon in 1340. Just east of the city, the village of Sürmene has an impressive l9th century mansion known as the Kastel. Near Trabzon, south of Akcaabat, lovely highland meadows Karadag, Hırdırnebi and Erikbeli - are ideal hiking and picnicking grounds. The road inland from Trabzon winds through spectacular mountain landscape before reaching the Zigana Tunnel, the longest in Turkey. Nearby, Hamsikoy, a charming mountain village, has gained a national reputation for its excellent cuisine, and is also convenient for the Zigana Ski Center. Beautiful meadows and highland pastures (Gürgenagac Yaylasi, Kirazli Yaylasi and Solma Yaylasi) are ideal sites for outdoor activities and picnics. Altindere National Park provides a magnificent setting for the 14th century Sumela Monastery perched on a cliff face 270 meters above a deep gorge. The church within the ruins of the monks' dwellings is covered inside and out with brilliant frescoes. |
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In the great plain of High Mesopotamia, Sanli Urfa, known in ancient times first
Ur and later as Edessa, proudly exhibits the legacy of all the civilizations that
have prospered in this region. In the second millennium B.C., it was a city of a Hurrite state.
Tradition relates that Abraham was born in a cave near where the Mevlid Halil Mosque
now stands. A pilgrimage site today, flocks of pigeons do not seem to disturb the elderly men
praying around the cave's entrance. The remains of a castle with two lone Corinthian columns
rising above the ruined walls stands atop a small crest. At the foot of the hills, the lovely
Halil Rahman Mosque is built around a quiet pool in which holy carp swim. Believed to be the ancient city of the same name mentioned in the Old Testament, Harran is known more now for its unusual beehive dwellings than as the place where Abraham spent several years of his life. The archaeological remains include those of the largest ancient Islamic University, city walls dating from the 8th century, four gates and a citadel. |
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Van Castle (Ancient Tushpa): It is the first capital of the Urartu. Van Castle was built by the Urartu King Sarduri I, towards the middle of the 9th century B.C. The enterence of the castle which has reached us in rather good form is in northwest. Sarduri I. Tower (Madır Tower) stands to the west of the enterence. It has inscriptions written by Sarduri I in Assyriann language. There is the grave of Urartu King Argisti I going up from the northwest corner of the castle and annals on the walls inscribed in caneiform script. There are grave chambers of Urartu kings in the southern section of the castle. In the south, there are remains from the old city of Van. Among these the Grand Mosque from the Seljuk period and Kaya Çelebi and Hüsrev Pasha mosques from the Ottoman period are of interest. Çavuştepe (Cavus Hill) (Ancient Sardurihinili): Çavuştepe Castle which is situated 24 km southeast of Van was built by the Urartu King Sarduri II who reigned during 764 - 735 B.C. excavation are being carried out since 1961 by the Turkish scholars. The Lower and Upper castle are joined in the center with the main entrance. There is a large rock platform at the Upper Castle, which is in the east, and a temple which belongs to Chief God of Urartu, Haldi. There are a great number of workshops in the Lower Castle, 4-5 m. high stone walls, a palace, depot, cellars and the Temple of Urartu God İmuşini. Hoşap Castle : It is 40 km east from Çavuştepe. It was built by Sar Süleyman who was the Leader (Bey) of the Mahmudi dynasty, which was tied to the Ottomans. The castle rises above the sharp rocks of the river with the same name. The west - facing entrance of the castle and its original door have reached us without being destroyed. There is an inscription in Farsi about its construction and lion reliefs above the door. Time has not been kind to the old bath, religious school, fountain, cictern, cells and rooms. Akdamar Church : Akdamar Island, is 55km. from Van and a twenty minute motor ride from the jetty on Van - Tatvan highway. It is known for its original church. Akdamar Church was commissioned to architect priest Manuel by King Gakik I of the Vaspurakan dynasty during the years 915 - 921 B.C. |
