Turkey’s Historical Sites: A Step Back in Time
Turkey is a land where history comes alive. From the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the soaring minarets of the Blue Mosque, there’s a wealth of historical sites to explore in this fascinating country.
Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site in southeastern Turkey that is believed to be the oldest temple complex in the world, dating back to around 10,000 BC. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its massive stone pillars and carved animal figures.
Göbekli Tepe was discovered in the 1960s, but it was not until the 1990s that archaeologists began to seriously excavate the site. Since then, they have uncovered a complex of over 20 circular enclosures, each with its own central pillars and carved animal figures. The pillars are up to six meters tall and weigh up to 60 tons. The animal figures include foxes, snakes, vultures, and boars.
Göbekli Tepe is still under excavation, and archaeologists are still learning about its purpose. It is believed to have been a religious site, but it may also have been a place for social gatherings and trade.
How to get to Göbekli Tepe:
Göbekli Tepe is located about 15 kilometers from the town of Şanlıurfa. The easiest way to get to Göbekli Tepe is by taking a taxi or tour bus from Şanlıurfa.
What to see and do at Göbekli Tepe:
Visitors to Göbekli Tepe can see the ruins of the temple complex and learn about its history from the on-site museum. There are also guided tours available.
Tips for visiting Göbekli Tepe:
- The best time to visit Göbekli Tepe is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade at the site.
- Be respectful of the site and its religious significance.
Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city located on the Aegean coast of Turkey. It was once one of the most important commercial and cultural centers in the Mediterranean world. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, with its well-preserved ruins and the iconic Library of Celsus.
Ephesus was founded in the 11th century BC by Ionian Greeks. It quickly became a major center of trade and culture, and by the 1st century AD, it was the second largest city in the Roman Empire. Ephesus was home to a number of important buildings and monuments, including the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theater.
The city began to decline in the 4th century AD, due to a combination of factors, including earthquakes, malaria, and the rise of Christianity. Ephesus was eventually abandoned in the 15th century AD.
How to get to Ephesus:
Ephesus is located about 15 kilometers from the city of Selçuk. The easiest way to get to Ephesus is by taking a taxi or tour bus from Selçuk.
What to see and do at Ephesus:
Visitors to Ephesus can see the ruins of the ancient city, including the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theater. There are also a number of museums in Selçuk that house artifacts from Ephesus.
Tips for visiting Ephesus:
- The best time to visit Ephesus is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade at the site.
- Be respectful of the site and its religious significance.
Pergamon
Pergamon was an ancient Greek city located in western Turkey. It was once a major center of learning and culture, and it was home to one of the largest libraries in the ancient world. Today, Pergamon is known for its impressive ruins, including the Acropolis, the Red Basilica, and the Asklepion.
Pergamon was founded in the 4th century BC by the Greek general Attalus I. He built a number of important buildings and monuments in the city, including the Acropolis, the Red Basilica, and the Asklepion. The Asklepion was a healing center that was dedicated to the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios.
Pergamon was conquered by the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC, but it continued to be an important center of learning and culture. The city began to decline in the 4th century AD, due to a combination of factors, including earthquakes, plague, and the rise of Christianity. Pergamon was eventually abandoned in the 15th century AD.
How to get to Pergamon:
Pergamon is located about 15 kilometers from the city of Bergama. The easiest way to get to Pergamon is by taking a taxi or tour bus from Bergama.
What to see and do at Pergamon:
Visitors to Pergamon can see the ruins of the ancient city, including the Acropolis, the Red Basilica, and the Asklepion. There is also a museum in Bergama that houses artifacts from Pergamon.
Tips for visiting Pergamon:
- The best time to visit Pergamon is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade at the site.
- Be respectful of the site and its religious significance.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia’s unique landscape is the result of millions of years of erosion. The region was once covered by a shallow sea, and the sedimentary rocks that formed on the sea floor were later uplifted and exposed to the elements. Over time, the softer rocks were eroded away, leaving behind the harder volcanic tuff that forms the iconic fairy chimneys, hoodoos, and other unusual rock formations that Cappadocia is known for today.
Cappadocia has been inhabited for thousands of years, and its unique landscape has provided shelter and inspiration to its inhabitants. In the early Christian era, Cappadocia became a center of Christianity, and its cave churches were used by persecuted Christians for worship and refuge. Underground cities were also carved into the soft tuff, providing shelter for thousands of people.
Today, Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination, and visitors can explore its unique landscape and cultural heritage by hiking, hot air ballooning, and taking cultural tours.
How to get to Cappadocia:
Cappadocia is located in central Turkey, about 250 kilometers from the capital city of Ankara. The easiest way to get to Cappadocia is by flying into the Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) or the Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV). There are also regular bus and train services to Cappadocia from Ankara and other major cities in Turkey.
What to see and do in Cappadocia:
Visitors to Cappadocia can explore its unique landscape and cultural heritage by hiking, hot air ballooning, and taking cultural tours.
- Hiking:Cappadocia has a number of hiking trails that wind through its unique landscape. Visitors can hike to fairy chimneys, hoodoos, and cave churches.
- Hot air ballooning: Hot air ballooning is a popular activity in Cappadocia, and it is a great way to see the region’s unique landscape from a different perspective.
- Cultural tours: There are a number of cultural tours available in Cappadocia. Visitors can take tours of cave churches, underground cities, and other historical sites.
Tips for visiting Cappadocia:
- The best time to visit Cappadocia is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade in the region.
- Be respectful of the region’s cultural heritage and environment.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known for its white travertine terraces and thermal pools. It is a popular destination for swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the natural scenery.
Pamukkale’s travertine terraces were formed by hot springs that are rich in minerals. The minerals precipitate from the water and form white terraces. The thermal pools at Pamukkale are also rich in minerals, and they are said to have therapeutic properties.
Pamukkale has been inhabited for thousands of years, and the Romans built a spa town at the site in the 2nd century AD. The town was abandoned in the 7th century AD, but the travertine terraces and thermal pools remain.
How to get to Pamukkale:
Pamukkale is located in southwestern Turkey, about 60 kilometers from the city of Denizli. The easiest way to get to Pamukkale is by taking a taxi or tour bus from Denizli.
What to see and do at Pamukkale:
Visitors to Pamukkale can swim in the thermal pools, relax on the travertine terraces, and explore the ruins of the Roman spa town.
Tips for visiting Pamukkale:
- The best time to visit Pamukkale is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade in the region.
- Be respectful of the region’s natural heritage.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is a former imperial palace in Istanbul that was the residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. Today, it is a museum and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey.
Topkapi Palace was built in the 15th century by the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II. It is a complex of buildings and gardens that was used by the sultans for living, governing, and religious ceremonies.
The palace is divided into four main courtyards: the Outer Courtyard, the Middle Courtyard, the Inner Courtyard, and the Harem. The Outer Courtyard was used for public ceremonies and receptions. The Middle Courtyard was used for administrative purposes. The Inner Courtyard was the private residence of the sultan and his family. The Harem was the women’s quarters of the palace.
Topkapi Palace is home to a vast collection of Ottoman art and artifacts, including jewelry, weapons, and clothing. The palace also houses the Treasury, which contains some of the most valuable treasures in the world, including the Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker’s Diamond.
How to get to Topkapi Palace:
Topkapi Palace is located in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, near the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The easiest way to get to Topkapi Palace is by taking the tram to the Gülhane Park stop.
What to see and do at Topkapi Palace:
Visitors to Topkapi Palace can see the palace’s courtyards, buildings, and gardens. They can also visit the Treasury and the Hagia Irene Church, which is located within the palace grounds.
Tips for visiting Topkapi Palace:
- The best time to visit Topkapi Palace is in the morning, when the crowds are smaller.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade in the palace grounds.
- Be respectful of the palace’s religious significance.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is an iconic building in Istanbul that has served as a church, a mosque, and a museum over the centuries. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey and a symbol of the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century AD by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. It was a church until the 15th century AD, when it was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II. Hagia Sophia served as a mosque for over 400 years, until it was secularized in 1934 AD.
Hagia Sophia is known for its massive dome and its beautiful mosaics. The dome is one of the largest domes in the world, and it is a marvel of engineering. The mosaics are from the Byzantine period, and they depict scenes from the Bible.
How to get to Hagia Sophia:
Hagia Sophia is located in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, near the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. The easiest way to get to Hagia Sophia is by taking the tram to the Sultanahmet stop.
What to see and do at Hagia Sophia:
Visitors to Hagia Sophia can admire the building’s massive dome and its beautiful mosaics. They can also learn about the building’s history and its significance to both Christianity and Islam.
Tips for visiting Hagia Sophia:
- The best time to visit Hagia Sophia is in the morning, when the crowds are smaller.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen, as there is very little shade in the Hagia Sophia grounds.
- Be respectful of the building’s religious significance.
Official Travel Resources
- Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism: https://www.ktb.gov.tr/?_Dil=2 (English available)