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STEP BY STEP TOUR OF ANATOLIA
CAPPADOCIA: THE MEETING PLACE OF NATURE AND HISTORY
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The region of cappadocia is the place at where the nature and the hıstory integrate with the best harmony in the world. With its magnificent nature, unique landscape, and the history stil alive in the present time, Cappadocia is a place rightfully claiming the top place in today ‘s historical and touristic places. Cappadocia region of today is the area covered by the cities of Nevşehir, Aksaray, Niğde, Kayseri, and Kırşehir. Arelatively smaller area, the rocky Cappadocia region encompasses Üçhisar, Ürgüp, Avanos, Göreme, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı, Ihlara, and their environs, While geopraphical forces were laboring hard to compose the ‘fairy chimneys’, in the course of history people were busy carving houses and churches inside them, and decorating them with frescos, in order to carry the traces of the millennia-old history to our times. |
OPEN AIR MUSEUM: EPHESUS
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A very important center of civilization during the antic ages, Ephesus of today is an important touristic center drawing an average of 1.5 million visitors yearly. The largest temple built by the Artemisian culture which worshipped Kybele, the Mother Goddess, is located at Ephesus. This temple is accepted as one of the seven Wonders of the World. Today located inside the Selçuk town connected to İzmir, the first settlement of antic Ephesus city dates back to 6000BC, to the Neolithic ages. Today’s Ephesus, however, was established by Lysimachos, one of the generals of Alexander the Great. Being one of the most prominent centers of the antic world, Ephesus has always had a important role in the fields of civilization, science, culture and arts. |
THE MOUNTAIN OF GODS: NEMRUT
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Nemrut is the crossing point of the East and West civilizations at a pyramid at a height of 2, 150 meters.This place is without doubt the eight wonder of the world. With ravishing statues reaching up to 10 meters, and inscriptions for many meters. Nemrut has easily earned a dıstınguished place for itself in the World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. In addition to the giant statues and monumental tomb at its top, Nemrut mountain is also attracting visitors as a place to admire rhe worlds most beautiful sunrise and sunset. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Nemrut tol ive throuhg this unequalled experince. The Nemrut Mountain is one o Turkey’s important National Parks,with many remains in the vicinity from the Kindom of Commagene. The giant statues and the tumulus at the Nemrut Mountain, Arsameia ( Old Castle), New Castle, Karakuş Hill and Cendere Bridge are within the confiness of the National Park |
KONYA: THE CITY OF MEVLANA
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One of the first settlements in the history of humanity, and carrying the traces of many civilizations throughout history, Konya is almost a museum city itself. In addition to uncountable historical, cultural and natural riches it proudly possesses, Konya is also distinguished with the famous Islamic philosophers and other great people ıt has raised. Throughout history, Konya has been a place on the important roads. It has been one of the most important trading and stopover points of the historical Silk Road. The school of Mevlana is a museum today, drawing countless visitors to its understanding and tolerance. There are also thermals and mineral springs from Roman eras, historical mosques and a bedesten (bazaar) at the town of Ilgın to the North of Konya |
PARADISE: HIERAPOLIS (PAMUKKALE)
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| Karahayit thermal resort, located at Karahayit town 5 kilometers to the North of Pamukkale, draws a very large number of tourists. This place is preferred due to its curing effect against heart and vascular diseases, hypertension, arthritis, sciatica, skin and neurological diseases, lumbago, scabies, pimples, and itches. Pamukkale Thermals are at the area which hosts the antic Hierapolis city, 18 kilometers from the town center. Water coming from carstic layers gradually releases their lime content to produce calcareous tuff, the Pamukkale travertine which resembles cotton bales. The therepeutic effect of Pamukkale thermal waters was discovered at very early ages, and this effect was scientifically proven after centuries. Many religious ceremonies and all kinds of festivals were held araound these waters, and statesmen and wealthy people used to come to Hierapolis for happy. | |
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