Umair AnXari
Deeply steeped in the history of landscapes and rolling hills. Turkey has served as a gateway between Europe and Asia for thousands of years. Being a center of trade and cultural exchange has made Turkey a rich and diverse country. The point at which the East meets the West. The richness of culture and the wide range of influences left a mark and is revealed in the country as well as countless religious monuments and archeological sites. Here is the list of top 10 places to visit in Turkey
1)Bodrum
Bodrum is a port city in Mugla Province, southwestern Turkey, at the head of the Gulf of Gokova. Known in ancient Greek as Halicarnassus, this city was the home of the Mausoleum in Halicarnassus. It is also known as the Mausoleum Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Castle of St. Peter, also known as Bodrum Castle, is one of the main attractions on the peninsula. The fort was built by Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century and the walls of the castle contain some fragments of the ruins of the Mausoleum, as it was used as a source of building materials. The Castle of Bodrum preserves its original design and character of the Knights period and reflects Gothic architecture. It also contains the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archeology, a museum opened by the Turkish government in 1962 to find underwater ancient shipwrecks in the Aegean Sea.
2)Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia officially The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
It was originally built by Roman Emperor Justinian I as the Christian archbishop of Constantinople of the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical church between 532 and 537, and was designed by Greek geometers Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, officially called the State Church. Sacred Wisdom also at that time became the largest inner space in the world and among the first to rent a dangling dome in full. It is considered an example of Byzantine architecture
and it is said that “we have changed the history of construction”. The current Justininin building was the third week with the same name to take place, as the previous one had been destroyed by the Nika bombers. As the bishop saw the archbishop of the church of Constantinople, it remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, until Seville Church was completed in 1520.
3)Ankara
Ankara is historically known as Ancyra and Angora is the capital of Turkey. Located in central Anatolia, the city has a population of 5.1 million in the city center and more than 5.7 million in the province of Ankara making it the second largest city in Turkey after Istanbul.
Ankara is a very ancient city with a variety of Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman archeological sites. The historic center of the city is a rocky outcrop rising 150 feet [150 m] above the left bank of the Ankara Çayı, a challenge to the mighty Sakarya River, ancient Sangarius. The hill is always full of the ruins of an old castle. Although few of its surviving works, there are well-preserved Roman and Ottoman architecture throughout the city, most notably the Temple of the year 20 BC of Augustus and Rome boasting of the Monumentum Ancyranum, a document recording the Res Gestae Divi Augusti.
4)Konya
One of the oldest cities in the world and best known for its magnificent Seljuk buildings and the Whirling Dervishes, Konya is a large city located in the Central Turkish Republic of Turkey. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Konya flourished as a capital under the rule of the Seljuk Empire. Today, impressive architecture of the period can be acclaimed as the Alaeddin Mosque, with several sultan tombs. Another famous example is the Ince Minare Medrese, now a museum depicting artefacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman times.
Despite the ruins, the Seljuk Palace is also worth a visit. The most impressive building of modern day is the Seljuk Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Turkey, with a round restaurant on the upper floor.
Konya has a reputation for being one of the largest religious institutions in Turkey.
5)Antalya
Antalya is the fifth most populous city in Turkey and the capital of the Province of Antalya. Located on the southwestern coast of Anatolia on the Taurus mountain range, Antalya is the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast outside the Aegean region with over a million people in its area.
Antalya being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey is not surprising, thanks to its luxury hotels, stunning beaches and an amazing collection of fascinating historical sites to take with you.
6)Side
Side, situated halfway between Antalya and Alanya, is not only a popular resort on the Mediterranean coast but also a magnificently preserved ancient city. In ancient times it flourished in the slave trade, which contributed to the wealth and power of this settlement. Even if you are not beach bunnies, do not miss out Side as located on the ruins from the Hellenistic and Roman times are a huge tourist attraction, and the local museum, operating in former Roman baths, has many interesting exhibits.
7)Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient port city with a well-preserved ruins in present-day Turkey. The city was considered the most important Greek city and the most important commercial center in the Mediterranean region. Throughout history, Ephesus survived many attacks and changed hands among the conquerors.
Ephesus is near the west coast of present-day Turkey, where the Aegean Sea meets the headwaters of the Kaystros River, about 50 miles [80 km] south of Izmir, Turkey.
Ephesus is known for being one of the world’s most preserved ancient cities, with important historical sites such as the Library of Celsus, St. Basilica of St. Petersburg. John, and the Temple of Artemis. It is also very close to holy places such as the Seven Sleepers, and the Temple of the Virgin Mary.
8)Cappadocia
Famous for its unique rock formations and amazing opportunities for hot air balloon, the Cappadocian landscapes are one of the most famous natural wonders in Turkey. Extraordinary honeycombs rise from the plains of Central Anatolia and, for centuries, serve as a historical gem in an equally pleasing way. This area was once the seat of the Hittite Empire and later produced the first Christian philosophers. Cappadocia is now a major tourist destination and one of the best tourist destinations in Turkey. To help you learn more about this region, we have included ten fascinating facts about Cappadocia.
9)Topkapi Palace
madness beyond belief, Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace takes you to a wonderful, magnificent royal palace.
From here, during the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Ottoman emperors recorded a empire that would expand to Europe and then down through the Middle East and Africa.
The interior, with its versatile flexible style and elaborate jewelery, is an unforgettable peak of the Ottoman power base.
In particular, do not miss the structure of the Council of State, where state business was run by Grand Vizier; a collection of weapons presented to the State Treasury; a world-class collection of miniature paintings; and the glittering rooms of Harem, designed by renowned Ottoman artist Sinan.
The surrounding community gardens were once the exclusive court of the Royal Court but are now open to the public and provide a peaceful, green atmosphere on the city streets.
10)Istanbul
Istanbul has a timeless charm that owes much to its rich history. The city was historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople. It served as the base for several ancient kingdoms. Many architectural monuments, remnants of these kingdoms, still stand tall in the center of the city. These include Hagia Sophia, who has lived for a long time and continues to impress with her glamorous paintings.
In addition to the historic sites of Istanbul, you can also find modern architecture and malls. There are cool places in and around the city to escape, some of which offer spectacular views of the city and the Bosporus Strait. Continue reading for more ideas on what to do in Istanbul, to help you get the most out of this fascinating Turkish city and the melting pot of culture.
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