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Places of Interest
in Turkey |
Visit the historic cities of
ancient Turkey |
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The southwest and the south coast of Turkey has
one of the richest arrays of historical sites to be found anywhere
in the world.The more famous of these are the ancient cities of
Pergamon, Ephesus, Miletus, Cnidus, Xanthos, Myra, Perge, Aspendos
and Side.Whatever our clients stay in a resort hotel or joined the
luxury yacht charters or the discount cruises they feel the mystic
atmosphere of this ancient cities during their stay..
Turkey Yacht Tour and Joint Turkey
Tours
On closer inspection however, there are dozens of other, smaller
sites dating back many thousands of years, the remains of which are
equally as interesting. Perhaps even more superb are the miles of
pristine coastline, indented with small bays and hidden coves and
providing some extraordinary examples of the genius of nature, such
as the eternal flame on Mount Olympos and the inland sea, Ölüdeniz (Blue
Lagoon).
The ideal way to live in the historical sites, is to join a “Blue
Voyage” with the comfortable atmosphere afforded by a “Gulet”. In
the case of an experienced guide in the gulet, whose knowledge of
the area is rich and whose personality is warm and humorous, the
blue cruise in the crystal clear waters in other words in “Turquoise
Coast” would easily be the highlight of a trip to Turkey.
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Bergama |
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Ancient Pergamon was one of the principal military, political, and cultural centers of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Its library, consisting of two hundred thousand volumes, was the second largest in the world, the largest library was that at Alexandria. The famous physician Galenus was from Pergamon. The famous Temple of Zeus once located on the Acropolis of ancient Pergamon was dismantled and taken to Berlin and is now on display in the Berlin Museum. |
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Ephesus |
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Ephesus was an important ancient port city whose remains have come
down to the present day in very well- preserved condition.The
ancient harbor however in time became silted in, with the result
that Ephesus now lies inland from the city. The Temple of Artemis
located in Ephesus was one of the “Seven Wonders” of the
ancient world.Banking in the modern sense got its first start in
Ephesus.The
phlosopher Heraclitos was from Ephesus.The apostle St.Paul lived in
Ephesus. St.John also wrote his gospel here.
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 According to traditional belief, Mary left Jerusalem together with St. John sometime around 40 A.D. and came here where she died. The church dedicated to her name here is the first in the world accepted by the Vatican as a place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
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 Miletos was one of the most important cities of ancient Ionia. It was also the home of a number of the great philosophers of the ancient world; Thales, Anaximenes, and Anaximendros for example were from Miletos. (Thales was an astronomer who, among other things, predicted an eclipse of the sun that took place on 28 May 585 B.C) The alphabet employed at Miletos was adopted by the Athenians in the 5th Century BC. |
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 Bodrum or Halicarnassus with its ancient name, has a history that goes back 5000 years. According to Homeros, the Carians who were the founders of the town had taken part in the Troyan war at the side of the Troyans against the Greeks. And Herodotus(484-425 BC),
the father of history, was born here.
The ruins of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Mausoleum built in memory of the Carian king Maussollos by his wife and sister Artemisia, can still be seen in Bodrum. And dominating the town is the 15th century citadel built by the Knights of St.John, now housing the Underwater Archaelogical Museum.
Owing to its natural and historical treasures, Bodrum is one of the most important touristic sites in the Aegean, as well as the original starting point for the "Blue Voyage".
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 Cnidus was one of the most important maritime
city of
Western Anatolia. Sostratos, the architect who built the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the world, was from Cnidus. The famous sculptor Praxiteles carved his famous statues of Aphrodite for Cnidus. The first nude statue of Aphrodite was a work by the sculptor Praxiteles of Cnidus. The work was originally commissioned by the inhabitants of the nearby island of Kos but when they saw that the goddess was portrayed nude,they refused to allow it on their island and sent it back.
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 In ancient times Xanthos was the largest city in Lycia. In 546 the city was besieged by the Persians and being unable to resist the assault, the soldiers of Xanthos in despair first slaughtered all their own women and children and then setting their city afire they all committed suicide amid the flames. This act was repeated during a siege by Alexander the Great. |
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 A principal harbour of ancient Lycia, Patara can be reached by travelling west out of Kalkan along a winding mountain road, entering the Esen Valley and then after 8 km you come to the ancient harbour. According to mythology, Apollo was born here. Historically, it is known to be the birthplace of St.Nicholas. The ruins are numerous and interesting. This is also the place for beach lovers for it has 22 km. of pure white sand which stretches as far as the eye can see, making it a natural choice for sports like sand-surfing. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches on the Mediterranean, it is ideal for a holiday away from the crowds.
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 An hour from Dalyanagzi by sea, especially enjoyable for yachtsmen, is the island of Kekova, "home of the sun". Kekova is also the name for this entire area of picturesque islands, numerous bays and ancient cities. These bays provide natural harbours in all seasons and here, too, nature is joined by history to create a harmony rarely seen. Geological shifting along the northern shore of Kekova Island (Apollonia) over the years has caused some of the ancient structures to sink under the clear water, creating a sunken city. A bird's eye view of the whole scene of bays, inlets, islands, and yachts sailing peacefully on the smooth water can be seen from the Kaleköy Castle (Simena). The colors of a Van Gogh painting and orange sunsets, together with starry, starry nights, peace and tranquility, playful dolphins, mythological mysteries, and the sparkling sea, Kekova provides all this and more.
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 This
site is the ancient Myra (25 km to the west of
Finike) and it is best known for St.Nikolas, the
bishop of this Mediterranean city during the 4
th century, who died here in 342 A.D.Every year
in December the St.Nikolas Commemoration
Ceremony is held, attracting many tourists who
spend their Christmas holiday on the sunny coast
of ancient Lycia. In ancient Myra, many rock
tombs overlook the splendid theater. Dalyanagzi,
the ancient harbor of Andriace, 6 km west of
Demre, is perfect for swimming as well as
relaxing on the sandy beaches.
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This ancient city is situated on the southern side of Mt. Tahtali. Whether coming by sea or land do not miss the Olympos Valley shaded with oleander and laurel shrubs and the refreshing quiet pools of flowing water. The design of the mosaics in the Olympos bath is enhanced by the play of light while a temple gate and a theatre are of interest along with the other walls and towers around the bay which date from the middle ages.
North of Olympos, up from Çirali Beach is Yanartas (at a height of 300 m) where, according to mythology the fire breathing monster, Chimaera, was slain by Lycian hero Bellerophon who was mounted on his
winged horse, Pegasus. Nearby you can see remains from the Byzantines who attached religious importance to the area.
Tranquil waters and sandy beaches line the Bay of Çavus, situated south of Olympos. This enchanting bay is yours for an unforgettable experience of water skiing on glassy water, for discovering the colorful marine life in waters clear enough to see the bottom, or exploring the incredible sea caves on the northern shore.
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 The Hittites had settlements in this area around 1500 B.C.and St.Paul stopped here on one of his journeys during the time when Perge (18 km from Antalya) was an important city of ancient Pamphylia. The stage of the theatre has very nice marble relief work. On the outer wall is a three-sectioned memorial fountain. Some of the reliefs from the city are displayed in the stadium for easy viewing. Other ruins worth mentioning are the handsome city gate flanked by two lofty towers, a long colonnaded street that was once lined with shops and mosaic pavaments, a large agora, and buildings that used to house the baths and gymnasium.
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 Side is one of the best known classical sites in Turkey. This was an ancient harbour whose name meant "pomegranate". Today it is a pretty resort town, very popular because of its ancient ruins, two sandy beaches, a variety of shops and plentiful tourist accommodation.
There are numerous cafes and restaurants with a view of the sea, and the narrow streets are lined with shops selling typical Turkish handicrafts including handmade leather
and magnificent gold jewellery. Discos are just a part
of the active night life. The magnificent theatre of
the ancient city built on colonnaded arches, is the
largest in the whole area. Next to the theatre is an
agora.
The creamy-white columns of the Apollo
Temple make a striking contrast against the blue sea.
The extensive Roman bath now a museum, houses one of
Turkey's finest archaeological collections. The west
side of Side also has holiday resorts including the
inviting spots of Kumköy and Çolakli (Kamelya). Here,
too, you can enjoy the sun and sea while being close
to antiquity. East of Side tucked in pine forests, are
the three holiday resort areas of Sorgun, Titreyen Göl
(blue flag) and Kizilagaç, all popular for their sandy
beaches and shimmering sea. The atmosphere is relaxed,
accommodation plentiful and the activities endless,
promising an unforgettable holiday.
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 According
to tradition, Aspendos was founded by colonists
from Argos after Trojan War. During the 5th
Century B.C.It was the only place (besides Side)
where silver coins were minted. With its
monumental Roman ruins and theater seating
fifteen thousand, which is still in use today.
Aspendos is one of those rare places where
history is still alive. |
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Cappadocia |
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The surrealastic landscape
of Cappadocia, a strange area of multi-hued
volcanic rock pilliars and t ortouos
valleys sculpted by millenia of rain and wind,
was first refuge for early Christians fleeing
presecution, and in Byzantine times became a
vast complex of churches and monastries,
hollowed out of malleable rock, and adorned with
frescoes depincing biblical scenes and saints.The
Göreme Valley and the Ihlara Valley are the main
sites of these rock churches.
Another extraordinary sight of Cappadocia are
the underground cities of Derinkuyu and
Kaymaklı, hollowed like the churches out of the
volcanic rock and delving seven to nine floors
into the earth, with a labyrinth of corridors,
chambers, storerooms, kitchens and churches.These
are not inhabited, althought there are still
troglodyte dwellings in the rock cones.
The town of Avanos in the area is famous
for its beautiful old houses, pottery and onyx.Most
of the hotels are to be found in Nevsehir, the
largest town in Cappadocia, Urgup and Avanos..
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