While on your Turkey holidays, you will discover that this
beautiful country has a very long and fascinating history. There have been
people living in what is now Turkey
since prehistoric times, and some even say that Mount Ararat is the fabled
landing place of Noah’s Ark.
The country of Turkey was
founded in 1923, but before this it was known as the Ottoman
Empire. Many different civilizations have ruled this land, and
there are thousands of stories to unearth in Turkey’s many historical sites.
If you are interested in Turkey’s diverse history, here are some of the
most impressive ancient ruins to visit on your Turkey holidays.
The
Basilica of Hagia Sophia
The world famous Hagia Sophia was built back
in 537 AD by the Emperor Justinian and remained the largest Christian church in
the world for one thousand years. The church was converted into a mosque during
the Ottoman Empire in the 15th
century. The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935 by the Turkish
Government and contains many fascinating artefacts. When you see its impressive
dome for the first time you will be blown away, as it towers more than 200 feet
in the air and is over 100 feet wide. Explore the interior to discover many mosaics
from the Byzantine era which are still remarkably well preserved today.
Sultanahmet
Mosque
This impressive religious structure is one
of the most famous buildings in the Islamic world, and is commonly known as the
Blue Mosque due to the amazing blue and white tiles that cover the interior. It
was built between 1609 and 1616 in the classic Turkish style by the architect
Mehmet. Light pours into the breath-taking interior of this mosque through 260
windows and fills the 141 foot high dome with sparking colour and dramatic
shadow. This stunning architectural wonder is a must-see on your Turkey holidays.
Ephesus
This ancient city has had incredible
influence throughout history as an early centre of Christianity and a major
port which was an important base for commerce and trade in times of antiquity.
In Hellenistic times it was a major city of Anatolia and its population reached more than
200,000. Ephesus
was in its peak during Roman rule and many of the most impressive ruins here
are from that era. It is located only a 30 minute drive from Kusadasi, and Ephesus is a fantastic place to spend the day exploring
spectacular crumbling ancient ruins on your Turkey holidays. It is thought to be one of
the best archaeological sites in the world.
Pergamon
Located 100 km to the north of Izmir, the site of this once-great city is one of Turkey’s best
historical attractions. Pergamon was uncovered by German archaeologists in
1878. Visit the remains of the city’s library, where people used to seek
knowledge amidst nearly 200,000 volumes in the 3rd century AD. There
is also an impressive amphitheatre, a monumental altar to Zeus, a medical
center named after the god of health and temples that were constructed to
honour Dionysos and Trajan. Walking through this ancient city will be one of
the most memorable experiences on your Turkey holidays.
These are just a few of the many ancient
sites that the history lover on Turkey holidays can explore!
Author Bio
If you are interested in the history of
this ancient land, here are some of the best historical sites to visit on your Turkey holidays.
