10 Most Interesting Historic Sites In Turkey & The Amazing Stories Associated With Them

Abstract

• Turkey is an historic nation with a wealthy historical past, the place the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires have all left their mark.
• From ghost cities to well-preserved castles, Turkey is residence to unimaginable historic websites that inform fascinating tales of battle and conquest.
• The nation additionally boasts a few of the oldest temples, church buildings, and ruins on this planet, providing a glimpse into the spectacular architectural and inventive abilities of early civilizations.

Turkey is an iconic historic metropolis on the border between Asia and Europe, soaked in historical past, having witnessed the rise and fall of many nice empires. The Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires have all dominated the world now often called Turkey, leaving their historic footprints on its landscapes.

The nation can also be residence to some locations talked about within the Bible, and a few websites listed here are as outdated as time. The record is infinite, however listed here are probably the most unimaginable historic websites in Turkey and the tales that outline them.

Associated: 10 Countries That Are Actually Home To Roman Ruins

10
Kayakoy

Kayakoy is a ghost city close to the vacation resort of Fethiye with an fascinating historical past. The city as soon as bubbled with life and actions till it was abandoned within the early 1900s following a inhabitants swap between Greece and Turkey which had been attributable to a battle between each nations.

The city had been inhabited by Greek Orthodox Christians and Ottoman rulers peacefully, however every part modified when Greeks, Christians, and different minorities had been massacred all through the Ottoman Empire in the course of the first world conflict. The Greek Christians had been then compelled to desert the village and return to Greece, whereas the Turkish Muslims in Greece had been ordered to return to occupy the village.

Because of the rumors of ghosts of lifeless Greeks haunting the village, the Turkish Muslims in Greece refused to return, and so the village was left deserted. It has since been a ghost city, protected for vacationers who come to study of its historical past and roam the cobbled streets the place ruins of church buildings, outdated homes, colleges, and temples might be seen progressively being swallowed by nature.

• Location: Close to Fethiye, Southwest Turkey

9
Alanya Fortress

Alanya Fortress is among the many most spectacular medieval castles in Turkey, standing 250 meters atop a hill within the metropolis of Alanya and overlooking the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea. The citadel dates to the thirteenth century and was constructed on Byzantine and Roman ruins, and it is likely one of the greatest castles in Turkey to go to.

Immediately, the citadel is used as an open-air museum that options the large Pink Tower, cobbled stone streets, a Byzantine church, and stays of a Seljukian palace.

8
Troy

Troy wants no introduction, because it has been standard since historic instances and is likely one of the greatest ruins in Turkey to go to. It was on the gates of this metropolis that males, gods, and demigods fought facet by facet and in opposition to one another in one of the crucial epic wars in historical past. In keeping with the legend, Paris – a prince of Troy – kidnapped Helen, the spouse of Menelaus, King of Sparta, and this single occasion led to the 10-year siege of Troy by the Greeks.

Heroes like Achilles, Odysseus, Ajax, Hector, and lots of others all fought, and a few laid their lives on this conflict which ultimately ended with the Greeks burning Troy to the bottom. Immediately, the traditional metropolis of Troy lay in ruins in a spot in Northwest Turkey.

• Location: Hisarlik, Northwest Turkey

Associated: Where The Ancient City Of Troy Is Located Today, And What Visitors Can Do There

7
The Church Of Saint Nicholas

The Church of Saint Nicholas is a famend East Roman basilica constructed above the grave of Saint Nicholas, a Christian Bishop who inspired the idea of Santa Claus with his secret gift-giving habit. The church was inbuilt 520 AD with the Byzantine architectural fashion by the Roman Empire dominated by Justinian the Nice and is likely one of the world’s oldest surviving Byzantine church buildings, even after a number of modifications.

Historical past lovers can tag their children alongside on a go to to this church, the place Santa Claus initially started, and in addition marvel on the spectacular construction.

• Location: Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey

6
Aspendos Theater

The Romans had a historical past of constructing amphitheaters in every single place they reigned, which served as preventing pits, exhibitions, and leisure facilities. Turkey was not unnoticed of this, because it was as soon as a part of the Roman Empire, and the Aspendos Theater is likely one of the most well-known Roman amphitheaters in Turkey value a go to.

Constructed in the course of the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (160 to 180 AD), the Aspendos Theater in Turkey stands out for its huge dimension and is known for being the best-preserved historic theater on this planet. So far, it’s nonetheless getting used for leisure and hosts the annual Aspendos Worldwide Opera and Ballet Competition. It’s among the many greatest Roman ruins in Turkey to go to for anybody who’s a historical past buff.

5
The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of Turkey’s finest architectural masterpieces, and it additionally comes with an fascinating story. Also referred to as Sultan Ahmet Camii, the mosque was constructed between 1609 and 1617 AD by the younger Sultan Ahmed I to function a present of energy alongside the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which stands far-off in the other way.

Every little thing about this grand mosque evokes a sense of marvel, from its spectacular Ottoman structure to its six minarets to the over 20,000 ceramic tiles that enhance its inside. Immediately, it stays the very best legacy of Sultam Ahmed I, who died on the premature age of 27 and is among the many high sights in Turkey.

• Location: Sultanahmet Sq., Istanbul

4
Topkapi Palace

The Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is one in all Turkey’s well-known historic websites, constructed within the fifteenth century. The palace served as the executive and residential quarters of the Ottoman sultans. Immediately, the previous Ottoman royal residence is a museum and library, and because of its huge dimension, the palace is residence to ample relics and items of historic components unfold throughout a number of buildings inside the palace advanced.

The palace hosts necessary relics, together with Islamic sacred relics and different artifacts harking back to town’s historic previous and the dedication of the Ottomans to Islam.

• Location: Istanbul, Turkey

3
Gobekli Tepe

Because it was found in 1963, Gobekli Tepe has become one of the top historic attractions in Turkey and has fascinated the world in so some ways. It’s well-known for being the oldest temple on this planet, because it was constructed between 9,600 and eight,200 BC. The positioning, residence to a few of the greatest historic ruins in Turkey, is believed to have been erected by hunter-gatherers, and that was even earlier than the invention of agriculture, writing, pottery, and lots of different human discoveries.

What makes this web site so fascinating is the spectacular designs of the buildings and the truth that hunter-gatherers had been artistic sufficient to construct such a posh web site. Merely wanting on the buildings, it’s clear that people have been expert builders far sooner than as soon as thought.

• Location: Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey

Associated: These 18 Ancient Ruins Are The Oldest In The World

2
Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was once a popular Greek city that ultimately grew to become a haven for early Christianity. Human inhabitation of the world dates again to 6000 BC, however the metropolis itself was based within the tenth century BC by the Greeks. All through its historical past, it was captured a number of instances and dominated by completely different powers, together with the Cimmerians, Lydians, Persians, the Romans, and extra.

Town grew to become significantly famed because it served as a spot for early Christianity, but it surely was additionally well-known as a result of Paul the Apostle lived and arranged missionary actions from there for some years. John – one of many twelve disciples – is claimed to have written the E-book of John from town. The church at Ephesus was additionally significantly busy within the early Christian days, because it was addressed within the E-book of Revelation.

Immediately, Ephesus boasts a few of the greatest historic websites in Turkey; it is residence to a well-preserved Roman amphitheater, the Celsus Library, which once had 12,000 scrolls, and lots of different ruins from historic instances. Town was additionally residence to the temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though solely ruins of the temple’s foundations might be seen right this moment.

1
Hagia Sophia

A church turned mosque, Hagia Sophia now stands as the most impressive attraction in Turkey and one of many world’s best monuments. It was constructed within the sixth century AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I as a church till the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

The aftermath of the conquest noticed the conversion of the church to a mosque, a museum, and once more a mosque which is now getting used for prayers, though this has not sat properly with many people, organizations, and worldwide leaders worldwide.

The outside of Hagia Sophia is simply as spectacular as its inside. Exterior, the large monument greets the eyes with its gigantic domed roof, and inside, massive marble slabs, Islamic minarets, and Christian mosaics (coated with curtains) welcome vacationers and worshippers alike right this moment.

• Location: Religion District, Istanbul, Turkey