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Antique Cities

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Home to the world’s earliest settlements and numerous civilizations ranging from the tiniest of communities to the greatest of empires, Anatolia invites you to discover its ancient cities.

Aphrodisias


Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias

With a history dating back to 5000 BC, the ancient city of Aphrodisias was established during the Greek and Roman times and is one of the most valuable settlements that have survived to the present day. Located in Aydın province, the city is dedicated to Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty.
As a center of art, sculpture, architecture and worship, Aphrodisias has always attracted the attention for its magnificent Temple of Aphrodite. The value of the unearthed monuments and artifacts in the area has been rising exponentially while the excavation works are still in progress.  The ancient city has also an archeological museum bearing the same name of the site.

Halicarnassus


Halicarnassus

Halicarnassus

Named Halicarnassus in the ancient times and one of the most beautiful districts of Muğla province, Bodrum is home to a variety of ancient monuments of great value today. Halicarnassus is literally an open air museum with a history going back to 5000 years and its famous Mausoleum is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The ancient city where you can sightsee highly valued antique monuments such as the Myndos Gate, the Theater or Temple of Mars (Ares), is located amidst magnificent nature.

Harput


Harput

Harput

Located within the province of Elazığ today, Harput has a history dating back to 2000 BC.  The majestic Harput Castle has survived from the ancient times and bears the indelible traces of the Urartu era.
The ancient town of Harput is surrounded with many historical monuments of great significance and is representative of the traditional landscape of Anatolia.

Iotape


Iotape

Iotape

Located in Antalya province among the Mediterranean cities with the warmest climate, the ancient city of Iotape was named after the wife of king Antiochus of Commagene. The historic site is home to a variety of ancient monuments from the Roman and Byzantine period.
Situated by a cove in Alanya a district of Antalya province, the ancient city by the turquoise sea is surrounded with magnificent natural wonders where visitors can embark on enjoyable excursions.

Knidos


Knidos

Knidos

Among the major settlements of the ancient times, Knidos is located at the edge of the Datça Peninsula which is a district of Muğla famous for its natural wonders. The city was once the center of art, architecture and science and is not only noted for its scientists but also for its Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
A seaside resort surrounded with ancient monuments, Knidos is home to many ruins like the Temple of Apollo and the round temples, sacred groves, the necropolis, the hillside houses and the largest graveside of the ancient times.

Phaselis


Phaselis

Phaselis

Nestled amidst the lush green nature in Antalya province, the ancient city of Phaselis was founded in the 7th century BC. Said to be founded as a Rhodesian colony, the city is well known for its variety of ancient monuments and artifacts.
A major tourist attraction with its harbors, its agora and ancient coins bearing inscriptions revealing that the city was once a major port, Phaselis has numerous hidden corners and monuments waiting to be explored.

Priene


Priene

Priene

An ancient Ionian city, Priene is located within the borders of Aydin province. With a history going back to 2000 BC the city exemplifies the finest city planning of the ancient times.
Constructed by employing the “grid system”, the Temples of Athena and Zeus Olympus, the theater and the agora are among the ancient structures still extant today welcoming visitors who want to get steeped in ancient history.

Smyrna


Smyrna

Smyrna

Smyrna is the ancient name of Izmir which is not only one of the earliest settlements but also one of the most beautiful cities of the Aegean Region.
The two historical sites located in the city center were established in the 11th century.  Many ancient monuments such as the sophisticated houses, sacred structures and monumental fountains that have survived the ancient times are now being brought to light through excavations conducted in the Bayraklı and Kadifekale districts.

Stratonikeia


Stratonikeia

Stratonikeia

The ancient city of Stratonikeia, situated near the town of Yatağan in Aydin province, was a member state of the Khrysaor Union and founded in the 3rd century BC. The monuments and ruins of the ancient city are still extant today and opened to visitation.
A wide range of ancient ruins such as the ruins of the city’s castle, the entrance door, small theater and gymnasium are waiting to be explored by history enthusiasts.

Troy


Troy

Troy

One of the richest cities of the ancient times and among the worldwide popular tourist attractions, Troy is located in the heart of nature in Çanakkale province.  The ancient city of Troy was founded 5000 years ago and is now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mentioned in many myths and legends the magnificent city was uninterruptedly inhabited by settlers for more than 3000 years. The city has a rich historical heritage and abounds in ancient monuments. The archaeological excavations are still under progress at Troy which is known to be the setting of Homer’s the Iliad and Odyssey. 

Corum-Alacahoyuk


Corum-Alacahoyuk

Corum-Alacahoyuk

Situated in Alaca town in the city of Corum, Alacahoyuk predominantly shows the Hittite influence during the Bronze Age, although ruins belonging to four different cultural phases can also be seen.

Numerous objects belonging to various periods have been unearthed from this ancient site which is continuously settled since the 4th millennium BC. These objects are waiting for their visitors curious about the unfolding of history, in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations where they are exhibited.

Anavarza


Anavarza

Anavarza

Situated in the Cilicia region in Adana province, the founding date of this ancient city is not known. It emerged during the Roman era but was somewhat overshadowed by Tarsus, the capital of the Cilicia region. In later times, Anazarbus continuously passed hands among the Arabs and Byzantines. Many historic remains along with a majestic Anavarza castle can be seen.

Aspendos


Aspendos

Aspendos

Situated in the Serik town in Antalya province, Aspendos impresses its visitors with its elegant amphitheatre and other ancient remains. Because of its location close to the trade routes and the Koprucay River, Aspendos has always been a rich town many rulers desired to dominate.

The amphitheater in Aspendos is the oldest Roman theater in Anatolia. The visitors find it very exciting to watch concerts, plays and ballet performances on a stage that has witnessed many centuries. The aqueducts in Aspendos are also very impressive to mark the advanced engineering of its time.

Zeugma-Zeugma City


Zeugma-Zeugma City

Zeugma-Zeugma City

Founded approximately in 300 BC by the generals under Alexander the Great, Zeugma is situated in the Nizip town of Gaziantep. The famous mosaics of this ancient city are exhibited in the Zeugma Mosaic Museum.

On the Silk Road that connects China and Antioch, Zeugma is the trading center of the region. Its location as one of the outposts of the Roman Empire has also contributed to its wealth. Today most of this ancient city is covered with water but the excavations fortunately saved most of the artwork.

Kars- Ruins of Ani


Kars- Ruins of Ani

Kars- Ruins of Ani

The ancient citadel of Ani is situated on the barren plains above the Arpaçay Valley which separates Turkey and Armenia. The site is surrounded by an imposing fortified city wall, currently undergoing intensive restoration. This one time prominent city used to house over 100.000 citizens in it’s hey-day. Once an important station on the ancient Silk Road, serving as a trading post and caravanseray for merchants travelling with heavily laden camels between east and west, it is now a ruined ghost town. Ani quickly fell to the Mongols in the 13th century who left the city ransacked in turbulent disarray, then Tamerlane rampaged through and mercilessly destroyed what was left. When the trade routes moved further south, the once bustling metropolis lost its revenue from trade and soon the entire province died. It was again destroyed by earthquakes in the 14th century. What remains now are several Armenian built churches, a ruined Seljuk palace, a couple of mosques and caravanserays and a cathedral. The colorful frescoes and paintings in the churches are still in fine condition although time has left its mark as well.Stepping back into the turbulent history of unspoiled Eastern Turkey is a refreshing change from the well-worn tourist track. Exploring in the remotest corners of this timeless land, a quest not for the faint-hearted, priceless treasures can be enjoyed at leisure and unforgettable memories retained for a life-time. A truly voracious adventurer can create his own footprints through the ages.

Archaeological Site of Perge


Archaeological Site of Perge

Archaeological Site of Perge

Ancient Perge, one of the chief cities of Pamphylia
Perge, the long-established city of Pamphylia region, is located 18 km east of Antalya and 2 km north of Aksu Village. The Archaeological site of Perge has been excavated systemically by Istanbul University since 1946.Perge is famous by the fact that when Saint Paul started his journeys, he visited Perge in 46 A.D. and preached his first sermon here. That’s why it became an important city for the Christians during Byzantine period.The first excavations began in 1946 by the Istanbul University, and they resulted in many important discoveries. A theatre exists there, consisting of three main sections: the seating, orchestra and stage. It held 12,000 spectators, with 19 rows of seats on the lower section, 23 on the top section, and a 52-metre stage.The stadium measures 34 square metres, with 13 rows of seats on top of the vaults. The eastern and western sides have 30 vaults each and the northern side has 10. For every three vaults there is an entrance to the stadium, and the other two were used as shops.The Agora was the commercial and political centre of the city, with shops surrounding the central courtyard, some of which have mosaics on the floor.The agora measured 76 square metres, with a circular structure, in the centre with a diameter of 13.40 metres.

The colonnaded boulevard lies between the Hellenistic Gate and the nympheum on the slopes of the acropolis. On both sides of the street, 20 metres in width, are porticoes, some up to five meters high, behind which are shops. The street is divided into two, by a 2-metre wide water canal running through the middle.

Other structures include the necropolis, city walls, gymnasium, Roman Baths, memorial fountain and the Greek and Roman gates.

Bodrum Telmissos


Bodrum Telmissos

Bodrum Telmissos

Telmissos is on the Bodrum-Turgutreis road, three kilometres past Ortakent. The site is in the village of Gürece, which is two kilometres before the turn for Gümüşlük, with the hill where the remains are to be found to the north of the main road. You can see remains of the Hellenistic period, mainly the towers of the city’s walls. The historian Herodotus said that the Temple of Apollo was found here, and that it became famous for its oracles. However, no traces of the temple have survived.

Colossae


Colossae

Colossae

Situated in the outskirts of Denizli province, Colossae is one of the six great cities of Phrygia. It reached its wealthiest period under the Persian rule but lost its importance when Laodicea was founded.

The ruins belonging to the city of ancient Colossae are on the mound which is at the same time the acropolis, and also found in the surrounding territory. To the north of the mound are the rock-cut tombs, ranging in size from room-type to house-type.

Burdur Archaeological Site Of Sagalassos


Burdur Archaeological Site Of Sagalassos

Burdur Archaeological Site Of Sagalassos

The archaeological site of Sagalassos is located in southwest Turkey, near the present town of Ağlasun (Burdur province); roughly 110 km to the north of the well-known port and holiday resort of Antalya.

Large-scale excavations started in 1990.Most of the buildings in Sagalassos are from Hellenistic and Roman periods and well preserved, one of them is the great theater with a capacity of 9,000 people. This is a theater built on the highest altitude in the world. The city has many tombs carved into the rocks, a library, Heroon, Bouleterion (city council), temples, baths, agoras (market place), and monumental fountains which are also intact or restored. Many marble sculptures found during the excavations, belonging to ancient gods such as Ares, Herakles, Hermes, Zeus, Athena and Poseidon, and colossal statues of the emperor Hadrian, emperor Marcus Aurelius, and Faustina as the wife of the emperor Antoninus Pius, are one of the best examples of this art in Anatolia.

Konya-Catalhoyuk


Konya-Catalhoyuk

Konya-Catalhoyuk

Founded 9 thousand years ago in the Cumra town of Konya, Catalhoyuk is inscribed on  the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the earliest human settlements in history, Catalhoyuk reveals a variety of lifestyles.

Consisting of two mounds to the east and the west, Catalhoyuk settlements have been continuously inhabited for 2 thousand years. The people of this territory constitute the first agricultural societies. With its dense population, sophisticated culture and art world, Catalhoyuk carries universal significance.

İzmir – Ephesus


İzmir - Ephesus

İzmir – Ephesus

Situated in the town of Selcuk in Izmir province, Ephesus is one of the twelve cities of Ionia. Founded in the 6th millennium BC, this magnificent city is home to many civilizations.

The ancient city of Ephesus lived its heyday under the Hellenistic and Roman rule, when its population reached 200,000. With its numerous important sites such as the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, Ephesus takes its visitors on a mesmerizing journey in time.

Hattusha Open-Air Museum


Hattusha Open-Air Museum

Hattusha Open-Air Museum

The capital of the Hittites, located in Bogazkale in the city of Corum, Hattusa is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage. Its first settlements dating back to 3000 BC, Hattusa was highly developed in arts and architecture.

The unique archeological findings include containers in the shape of bull head that are used in rituals, and cuneiform tablets. This culturally rich site also bears layers from the Hattian, Assyrian, Phrygian, Galatian, Roman and Byzantine eras.

Kalamaki


Kalamaki

Kalamaki

Situated in the town of Kas in Antalya province, also known as Kalkan, is impressive for its closeness to the ancient cities in the region and for its natural beauty.
The city’s historic significance is partly due to its location on the Lycian Way that leads to the cities of the Lycian Civilization and partly due to its quality as a safe harbor. The ancient cities of Patara, Letoon and Xanthos are close by. Also of interest is the Pigeons Sea Cave, home to a large number of pigeons.

Letoon


Letoon

Letoon

On the Fethiye-Kas highway, Letoon is originally founded in the name of Leto, mother to the Olympian divinities Apollo and Artemis. The ancient city is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage.

Being the city of this proud mother, Leto, Letoon is the religious center of Lycia. There are three important temples where visitors can see mosaic depictions of famous scenes from mythology. Hosting many other ancient works of art, the city was deserted in 7th century AD.

Laodicea


Laodicea

Laodicea

The ancient city of Laodicea, in Denizli province, used to be one of the most well-known and important Anatolian city in the 1st century BC. In addition to the numerous ancient buildings that still survive, Laodicea is unique for Christianity for being the home of one of the seven churches in Asia Minor.

Architecturally rich with its theaters, stadium, gymnasium, government building, the Temple of Zeus and the church, Laodicea also sheds light into the lives of its citizens through the inscriptions and the coins. An earthquake in the year 194 AD completely destroyed the city.

Miletus


Miletus

Miletus

Situated near to Soke, a town in Aydin province, Miletus earned its independence in the year 38 BC with the help of Roman emperors. Growing up to the size of a metropolis among the Ionian cities with such imperial support, many remains of Miletus still survive.

Miletus is originally a harbor city but in time the Buyuk Menderes River has deposited a large amount of alluvial soil so that the site is now at an inland location.

Myra


Myra

Myra

An ancient Lycian city, Myra is situated in the fertile lands of the town of Kale in Antalya. Although a Lycian metropolis during the early days of Christianity, the remains from the ancient times have been destroyed except for the great theater.

Myra houses impressive rock-cut tombs, proper to its name which means “the Place of the Great Mother Goddess.” The Church of Santa Claus is another site of attraction. Myra and Limyra are known to have strong trade exchange with maritime affairs.

Perge


Perge

Perge

Situated in the town of Aksu in Antalya province, Perge was founded during the Bronze Age. Considered to be one of the richest and most elegant cities of the Hellenistic era, Perge is home to many civilizations, the precious remains of which survive till today.

Foça – Phokaia


Foça - Phokaia

Foça – Phokaia

Situated in Foca in Izmir province, Phokaia is one of the twelve Ionian cities. Originally founded as a colony by the settlers from Phokis in Grecce, Phokaia quickly developed into an important port city.

The Ionian uprisings that lasted until 494 BC finally resulted in the Persian invasion, after which the ancient city of Phokaia lost its power. Fortunately many archeological findings still survive.

Manisa-Sardis


Manisa-Sardis

Manisa-Sardis

The capital of the kingdom of Lydia, Sardis is situated in the Salihli town of Manisa province. Sardis was a great center for trade and commerce during the Hellenistic and the Roman eras, and under Byzantine rule it continued to hold its importance as the center of episcopacy.

At a close location are the Mounds of Bintepe which were built as tombs for the royalty and have become famous during the antiquity. Today Sardis and Bintepe are nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Patara


Patara

Patara

Located between Fethiye and Kalkan, the ancient city of Patara is known as the birth place of the Greek sun god Apollo. In time, the ancient port in Patara which once thrived as a capital of the Lycian League, has been covered with sand.

Scattered towards the surrounding hills, the ruins consist predominantly of sacred places and a theater. The magnificent beaches adorn the shores of this ancient port city. Visitors looking for crystal clear blue sea and bright sun are welcome here.

Telmessos


Telmessos

Telmessos

Located close by Fethiye, Telmessos takes its name from the sun god Apollo’s son. Although the ancient texture has remained under modern Fethiye, the excavated structures can be seen.

Leaning against the skirts of Mount Mendos, Telmessos has everything to offer from its ancient theater and rock-cut tombs to the charming beaches that meet the Mediterranean Sea. The wonderful union of blue and green is at its best in this ancient city of natural beauty.

Xanthos


Xanthos

Xanthos

Located around Fethiye, the ancient city of Xanthos once functioned as a capital of the Lycian League. The city witnessed several wars and was destroyed to be built again eventually. Also the center of episcopacy during Byzantine era, Xanthos is enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage.

An important city of the Lycian, Persian, Roman civilizations and Byzantium, Xanthos strongly bears Hellenistic and Roman influence. Deserted due to the Arab raids, the ancient city today survives among the pine forest, ready to reveal its history to its curious visitors.

Pamukkale-Hierapolis


Pamukkale-Hierapolis

Pamukkale-Hierapolis

Located close by the natural wonder of Pamukkale, the ancient city of Hierapolis was founded in 190 BC. Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hierapolis flourished under the Roman era. Today many remains can be seen at the museum and outdoors.

Hierapolis also holds a sacred quality for the Christian world because Saint Philip, a disciple of Jesus, was murdered here. Visitors to the famous curative spring resorts of Pamukkale never fail to see this important ancient city.

Antalya Termessos


Antalya Termessos

Antalya Termessos

Built on a natural platform on top of the Mount Güllük (Solymos), Termessos is one of the best preserved ancient cities in Anatolia. Due to its natural beauty and historic significance, the site is preserved as National Park in the province of Antalya.

Six temples of various sizes and types, along with other ancient structures can be seen. Having no current archeological excavation, Termessos is waiting to whisper its deepest secrets to its visitors who would climb the highest mountain around and trace the antique footsteps through the wild foliage.

Antalya – Limyra


Antalya - Limyra

Antalya – Limyra

Located in Finike in Antalya province, Limyra served as the capital of the Lycian civilization for a period. Most of the ancient remains from Limyra have survived. A center for episcopacy during the Byzantine era, this ancient city was deserted because of the Arab raids.

Limyra, also called Zemuri, is known to exist since the 5th century BC. The gradually thriving city became the capital of the Lycian League built in resistance against the Persians. The eternal fire of freedom of Lycia was set here.

Sagalassos


Sagalassos

Sagalassos

 

Close to Aglasun, a town of Burdur province characterized by its natural beauties, Sagalassos is known to be the first of the Pisidian cities. After natural disasters and several unlucky events, such as the Arab raids, the ancient city of Sagalassos was deserted.

The earliest human settlements in Salagassos are thought to date back as early as the 3rd millennium BC. Salagassos was raised to prominence as the city of Alexander the Great. Thanks to the ongoing excavations in the area, each day brings new light to important findings left back in antiquity.

Assos


Assos

Assos

Its history dating back to the 6th century BC, Assos is built on a dormant volcano of andesite rock, in the modern city of Canakkale. Among many others, the famous ancient remains of Assos are the sarcophagi made of andesite rock, known for its hardness and durability.

The rich antique legacy of Assos, where the famous philosopher Aristotle once lived, includes a school of philosophy. The Temple of Athena, majestically sitting on top of a crag, is dedicated to the city’s protector and is significant for its Doric style, the only one in Anatolia.

İzmir-Pergamon


İzmir-Pergamon

İzmir-Pergamon

Pergamon is founded in the county of Bergama (Izmir), where the Aegean and Anatolia regions come together. Pergamon’s ancient riches include many architectural structures such as a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, revered as the protector of the city.

The first settlements in Pergamon are known to date back as early as 3000 BC. Because of its lucky location at the heart of commercial and cultural activity, the ancient city never fell from prosperity. While staying in Izmir, one of the nicest modern Aegean cities, you can visit Pergamon with its acropolis, the ancient medical center of Asclepion (built in honor of Asclepius), basilica, and the ancient spa settlement, Allianoi.

Adıyaman Nemrut


Adıyaman Nemrut

Adıyaman Nemrut

The Nemrut mountainside with the tumulus containing the tomb of King Antiochus of the Commagene Kingdom and several giant statues was inscribed to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1987.
Nemrut Mountain is also known as the highest open-air museum in the world. With its enchanting statues standing ten metres high, and meters long inscriptions and the ancient Commagene sanctuary, it is situated in the Kahta county of Adiyaman province.
Nemrut Mountain was one the most majestic place of worship in ancient Anatolia. According to the inscriptions, Antiochus built a monumental tomb, a tumulus of cut stones built over the tomb, and terraces along the three edges of the tumulus.Those terraces are known as the East, West and North Terraces. On the East and West Terraces are giant statues, inscriptions and reliefs. Five statues depict the gods, and, among the deities, the figure of Antiochus.

The East and West terraces have five statues of gods, set in the same order on both terraces. The statues made of stone blocks, each weighing 7-8 metric tons, sit on thrones about seven metres above the terrace floor. The heads of the statues have toppled down and are scattered on the terraces.

The row of statues starts with a lion and eagle statue. The lion, the king of animals, represents earthly power, and the eagle, herald of the gods, represents heavenly power.

The East Terrace contains the Gallery of Gods, the Gallery of Ancestors and the Altar. The West Terrace was built similarly, however it has been far better preserved. The North Terrace was used as a passageway between East and West Terraces, and it was surrounded by a sandstone wall. Behind the stone blocks making the thrones of the statues of East and West Terraces there is a cult inscription of 237 lines, written in Greek letters. The inscription was the will of Antiochus, and contains information about the sanctuary as well as rituals that should be used for practicing the cult.

The Nemrut Mountain, with the most majestic panoramas of sunrise and sunset in the world as well as Its giant statues and monumental tomb, is waiting for its visitors.

Aydın Aphrodisias


Aydın Aphrodisias

Aydın Aphrodisias

This unique ancient city was named after Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love. The origins of the city could be traced back to the late Neolithic ages. Following the rise of the Roman supremacy in the region during the 2nd century BC, a holy attribute had been added to the city. Aphrodisias is located 38 km south of Nazilli, in the Geyre village of the Karacasu district. Despite the devastating effect of a major earthquake in the 7th century AD that had hit the city, it is a very well-preserved ancient site. The Temple on the north side is at the centre of the city. Together with this temple, Tetrapylon, the richly decorated gate erected in the 2nd century, is among the must-see remnants of the city. Also, the Agora, the Odeon with a capacity of 8000 seats, the Bishop’s Palace and the Baths make the scene in Aphrodisias spectacular. Prof. Kenan Erim, who started the first excavations in the area in 1961, is now buried in Aphrdoisias to which he remained fully devoted and had personal affection throughout his life. Today, only a quarter of the city has yet been brought to daylight.

Cappadocia-Historical Places


Cappadocia-Historical Places

Cappadocia-Historical Places

Göreme, in which there are many fairy chimneys and churches, is declared as an open air museum. Tokalı Church, the Priestesses and Priests Monastery, Saint Basil Chapel, Elmalı Church, Saint Barbara Chapel, Yılanlı (Saint Onuphrius) Church, Karanlık Church, Çarıklı Church, El Nazar Church, Saklı Church, Mother Mary (Kılıçlar Kuşluk) Church, Saint Eustathios Church and the Durmuş Kadir Churches, all of which are found within its territories, are valuable places to visit.

The valleys, which are composed of tuff rocks, between Göreme Valley and Aktepe, are known as Büyük and Küçük Kılıçlar. Kılıçlar Church is found in this valley, which has an impressive appearance with tunnels, fairy chimneys and curious shaped rocks.

Pembe Valley

The most stunning examples of the local landscape and the Fairy Chimneys can be seen along the route to Avanos. Many of these rock formations resemble animal (camels and rabbits can be seen frequently).

Kızılçukur

As a centre of grape and wine production, Kizilcukur, a couple of kilometres northwest of Ürgüp, contains churches cut into the strange rock formations and decorated with grape figures. The rocks are adorned by different colours, making them a spectacular sight at sunset.

Mustafapaşa

Located 5km from Ürgüp, the small village of Mustafapasa has old stone houses with attractive carved facades dating back to the end of the 19th century, as well as a cluster of small churches. Once known as Sinasos, while it was a thriving Greek community before World War I, it makes an interesting trip from Ürgüp, although it is not easily accessible by public transport. Places of interest include a 19th century medrese, the Ayios Vasilios Church, and the Church of Sts Constantine and Helena. There are several small guest-houses and restaurants.

Sarıhan

Sarıhan (Yellow Caravanserai), about 10km north of Ürgüp, was constructed by the Seljuk Sultan Alaattin Keykubat in 1217. It has a huge courtyard with an elaborate gateway, and was used for the loading of animals and as a resting place for travellers. It is also a unique example of the Seljuk-Turkish architecture. The road was re-laid and the building was restored in the late 1980s, and is now functioning as a museum and a cultural centre for the performances of whirling dervishes in the summer. There is rarely public transport to Sarıhan.

Halacdere

Engraved in the tuffs, these basilica-type churches were thought to have been used as hospital buildings by the Christians, and are now almost destroyed. Similar structures can also be seen in Ortahisar, such as St Peter and St Paul Churches.

Fıratkan

Firatkan is a small complex of churches, located on the road to the Göreme Open Air Museum. They have two storeys, consisting of a dormitory, dining hall, kitchen and storerooms. The storeys are connected to each other through tunnels.

Ortahisar

This village, 3 km southeast of the Goreme Valley, is most famous for its 50m high rock-castle, which is visible from the main road. It is possible to climb the rock, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area. This attractive farming village also exhibits the traces of the monastery lifestyle, and is a prominent cultural and commercial centre. Other places of interest in this area include the Harim Church, Sanca Church and Cambazlı Church.

Zelve

About 5 km from Avanos and 1 km from Paşabağlari, Zelve was founded on the steep northern slopes of Aktepe. Consisting of three separate valleys, the ruins of Zelve is the area with the most ‘fairy chimneys’ – a famous sight special to Cappadocia – which here have sharp points and thick trunks. It is not known exactly when people began living in the dwellings carved into the rock, found in places like Uçhisar, Göreme, Çavuşin and Zelve. What is known is that Zelve sheltered a Christian community and became a religious centre in the 9th and 13th centuries, where, the first religious seminars for priests were held in the vicinity.

Çavuşin (Nicephorus Phocas) Church

This ancient city is found beside the Göreme-Avanos road, 2.5 km out of Göreme. The narthex of this church has fallen down. It has tunnel vaults, a high nave and 3 apses. It dates back to 964-965 A.D.

Güllüdere (St. Agathangelus) Church

This ancient city is located in the far left draw of the Güllüdere valley, about 2 km from the village of Çavuşin. It was founded at the mouth of the draw on top of a steep slope.

The shape of the nave is square, with a flat ceiling, and it has a single broad apse. The apse was added in the 9th or 10th century to the main structure dating back to the 6th – 7th century. There are 2 or 3 layers of frescoes in the apse which indicates that it was painted regularly. Symbols of Gospel authors are drawn symmetrically and are sitting on the right and left of an enthroned Jesus.

In the middle of the flat ceiling is the relief of a cross in the middle of a circle surrounded with palm leaves and garlands. This sort of relief, most probably, belongs to the Iconoclastic period. The people of the area had a great love for the cross and it continued to be used as a motif after the Iconoclastic era because it symbolized the “Holy Cross” in Jerusalem.

Özkonak Underground City

Located 14 km northeast of Avanos, this underground city was built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis, in an area with strata made up of volcanic granite. The extensive galleries of the city are spread out over a large area and connected to each other by tunnels. The underground cities in Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, are very narrow (5 cm) and there are long holes between the different levels of the city that were used to provide communication between the different levels of the city. The ventilation of these neatly carved out rooms was provided by these holes when the city was sealed up against enemies.

The city was discovered in 1972 by the local muezzin and farmer Latif Acar, when he was trying to find out where the water disappeared, which was supposed to run towards his crops.

Similar to Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, Ozkonak has a ventilation system, a water well, a winery and rolling stone doors.

Opening hours: Summer 08.00 – 19.00; winter 08.00 – 17.00

 

 

 

The post Antique Cities appeared first on Turkey Travel Guide and Touristic Regions information.


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