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.
TheLäs mer
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.
TheLäs mer
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 atLäs mer
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 picturesLäs mer
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. TheLäs mer
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'mLäs mer
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 asLäs mer
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 whoLäs mer
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 1stLäs mer