Historical Sites in Turkey
The Republic of Turkey is divided into two quite different parts – Asian Turkey, which is the vast majority of the land area, and European Turkey. Among the country’s thousands of worthwhile destinations, many are of great historical significance and here are some of the top ones:
- Aspendos. Among the numerous ancient sites in Turkey, Aspendos is known especially for its well-preserved 2nd-Century A.D. Roman Theatre. Aspendos is located near Antalya.
- Damlatas is one of the prehistoric caves of Alanya. Besides its fantastic stalactites, it is famous for its air, said to relieve respiratory ailments.
- Ephesus. Located near Izmir, Ephesus, with a legacy spanning four millennia, is especially important to archaeologists. It is noted for its classic theatre and other ruins.
- “Fairy Chimneys.” The 4th-Century A.D. cave dwellings called the “Fairy Chimneys” in the region of Cappadocia were carved by monks. Some of them still are inhabited; Turks value them for their reputed health qualities.
- Hagia Sophia. Located in Istanbul, it is one of the most famous churches in the world. Dedicated in 360 A.D., it was the principal cathedral of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 1935, it was opened as a museum.
- Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi), the biblical resting place of Noah’s Ark, has been called Turkey’s most scenic mountain; it also is the highest.
- Mount Nemrut, in Kahta, features huge sculptures as high as 9 meters (30 feet) tall, relics of an ancient kingdom.
- Pamukkale has been a healing resort for more than 2,000 years. Its hot mineral springs were created by the shifting of a geological fault. The site is chalky in appearance; its name means “cotton castle.”
- Truva is a Mediterranean city near the epic Troy, the world-famous archaeological site.
Several of the country’s cities themselves rightfully could be termed “must-see” destinations when going on holidays to this amazing destination. They certainly include Istanbul, which straddles the Bosporus Strait. Besides the Hagia Sophia, popular tourist attractions in Istanbul include the Basilica Cistern, Sultanahmet Mosque and Galata Tower.
Ankara, Turkey’s capital, is renowned for its many archaeological ruins, Atakule Tower, and its museums, including the Anitkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Because of Turkey’s size and its many distinct regions, visitors going on holidays to Turkey must choose which historic attractions are of most interest personally. Some tourists have returned to the country annually for decades and still have not discovered all of Turkey’s treasures.
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