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.
TheRead more
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.
TheRead more
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 atRead more
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 picturesRead more
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. TheRead more
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'mRead more
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 asRead more
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 whoRead more
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 1stRead more