Mt Ararat

In eastern Turkey very near the borders with armenia and Iran (about 20 km to each). This is the place connected to the biblical Noah story. And no, I didn't find the ark either.
The bleak surroundingBaca lagi
Ishakpasha palace

The 2nd largest palace in Turkey after Topkapi (see post from last year) and built on a similar plan. Mostly a restoration due to earthquake damage and cannon fire from a war with Russia.
TheBaca lagi
Urartu Hall, Van

A significant carpet conservatory. Not just a sales business. They support the many carpet weaving villages around Van as well as serving as a school to teach carpet weaving. The 1st picture looks atBaca lagi
Akdamar Island, Lake Van

Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. Akdamar Island is a beautiful place, famous for the Armenian Orthodox Church and monastery that heave been preserved (see Holy Cross Church post).
The picturesBaca lagi
Holy Cross church

Armenian Orthodox churches are traditionally cruciform with all 4 section of equal length. They are tall relative to the footprint with the central barrel shaped upper section full of light. TheBaca lagi
Diyarbakir Grand Mosque

An unusual 2 mosque complex in one facility, one Sunni, one Shafi and a madrassa for each. The interior pics are all of the Shafi mosque as prayer time began. So we didn't visit the Sunni mosque. I'mBaca lagi
Göbeklitepe

A highlight for me. I found nd archaeology fascinating.
This is a 12,000 year old (carbon dated) site located on high ground at the northern edge of the fertile crescent. It's generally understood asBaca lagi
Harran

Abraham's home town but not his birth town. It is said that this is where he left from to eventually get to the promised land. Harran is only 18 km from the Syrian border.
The 1st two pictures look atBaca lagi
Urfa and Abraham

Here is where Abraham was born. It is said that he would as born in a cave (1st picture) as King Nimrod is said to have ordered a slaughter of the innocents. Somehow, Abe was presented to the king whoBaca lagi
Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep

A spectacular display of 2nd and 3rd century mosaics discovered in an old Roman city, unearthed during dam construction. As they would have been flooded, they were removed to this museum.
The 1stBaca lagi
Gaziantep markets

Traditional market, bazaar, souk, whatever you call it, I thoroughly enjoy these markets with all their glorious chaos. Here, the people are incredibly friendly, warm and generous. Many offering toBaca lagi
Aspendos

2nd century Roman theater. One of the best preserved. This is partially reconstructed. N surprise, as this is an earthquake zone. This is one of the few Roman theaters where the wall behind the stageBaca lagi
Perge

A large and important Greco Roman city that served as the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor before Ephesus. 1st is the main city gate. The next 2 look at monumental parts of the city,Baca lagi
Side

A waterfront city and Roman port. 1 is the temple of Apollo which overlooks the old inner harbor. The 2nd is how the inner harbor looks today, taken from near the temple. 3rd is the agora/forum. TheBaca lagi
Antalya Old Town

Antalya is often called the Riviera of Turkey. The old part of town dates back over 2,000 years. The 1st two pictures are of Hadrian's Gate, the main gate into the old city: the arches and one of theBaca lagi
Antalya Archaeologicsl Museum

Excellent archaeological museum, focused on finds from this region. Most of the statuary is from the theater at Perge (see other posts about Perge and the theater at Aspendos). The 1st 4 pics are fromBaca lagi
St Nicholas Church

Yes, that St. Nick. The actual saint is from here and lived in about the 3rd century. The church that honors him dates to his time, but the oldest portion of what exists today dates to about the 6thBaca lagi
Myra Old City

Myra is an ancient city where St. Nicholas ministered (see other post). This is a Greco- Roman city, as much of what is here predates the Romans. The most important part of this site are the rock hewnBaca lagi
On the road to Fethiye

We travelled about 300 km along the coast road from Antalya to Fethiye. The road runs along with the Targus Mountains to the right and the Mediterranean on the left. Some parts of the road are cutBaca lagi
Xanthos

City that dates to the Hittite era. It is best known for committing mass suicide twice. Once when attacked by Persia and once by Rome. Rather than surrender, they chose to commit mass suicide, allBaca lagi
Patara

This is the town where the guy we know as St. Nicholas was born, and it is another port where Paul changed ships, this time on the 3rd missionary journey.
The most important site here is photos 1-3.Baca lagi
Letoon

This is an unusual place. There is no city wall, no fortifications, etc. What makes this place has unique is its 3 temples. Most small town had one temple to the god to whom the town was dedicated.Baca lagi
Kayaköy

After lots of ancient history, here's s bit of 20th century history, 1923, to be more specific. For centuries, Turks and Greeks lived together, both in Greece and Turkey. After a war between those 2Baca lagi
Laodikeia

Major trading center and site of one of the seven churches in Revelation. That church is long gone. The ruins of the remaining building date to the 6th century and after.
The 1st picture is the mainBaca lagi
Hieropolis

Near Laodikeia. This is known as a healing city as the natural hot water springs contain 17 minerals, I'm told. Probably the most famous feature is the travertine, hot water deposited calciumBaca lagi