THE BEST MONUMENTS AND SITES IN TURKEY !

RACECOURSE: The ancient Hippodrome founded in the early 3. Century and renovated by Justinian in 6. Century was the place where the chariot races was taking place and the festivities, is decorated with monuments such as: The Walled Column, the Serpentine Column, Obelisk and the German Fountain.

BLUE MOSQUE: This beautiful mosque 17. Century is located in front of Ste. Sophie, on the place of the racetrack characterized by its six minarets and the harmonious distribution of its domes. Mosque BLEUEE was nicknamed because of its famous blue and green mosaics that adorn the galleries of which one can admire the finesse.

SAINTE SOPHIE: Built originally in 325, the basilica was rebuilt in the reign of Emperor Justinian who wanted to make The Greatest and The Most Beautiful churches that either two architects devoted themselves to masterpiece with more than 10 000 workers and heaps of gold, it was inaugurated in 537, after the conquest of the Ottomans, the church was turned into a mosque and then added her minarets Ataturk in 1935 decided to make a cultural museum inside Ste. Sophie is a marvel its dome that rises 54 meters above the ground, its 107 columns, mosaics of the narthex and Christ in majesty, making it one of the most famous monuments in the world.
BYZANTINE TANK: To conserve water in case of necessity it once existed in Istanbul those hundreds of tanks near Ste. Sophie, unfolds in a sumptuous setting of lights and music, shimmering columns in water.
TOPKAPI PALACE: In 1478 Mehmet the Conqueror decided to install his residence on the site of the ancient acropolis of Byzantium. The palace housed the prestigious court of the sultans for almost four centuries Suleiman the Magnificent are transferred the Harem that can be visited today. You will also be impressed with the kitchens where met a beautiful Chinese porcelain collection and Japan and especially by the treasure that brings unique gems in the world and especially emeralds.
GRAND BAZAAR: This large open market since at least the 15. Century, when traders are grouped by specialty. You can access this veritable city of trade by 18 doors and there are more than 4000 shops distilling all the charms of the Orient.
Dolmabahce Palace: Built in the middle of the 19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit, this huge palace surrounded by gardens overlooking the Bosphorus makes a strange synthesis of Eastern and Western art is where Ataturk died, November 10, 1938 at 9:05 as evidenced by all the clocks in the palace.
BOSPHORUS CRUISE: Long 38 kms. This strait that connects the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea winds between Europe and Asia along the wooded hillsides. A boat trip will allow you to admire the Rumeli fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror to defend the city and yalis are old wooden houses classified today.
GOLDEN HORN: Inlet port that served for centuries digging into old Istanbul. This sea of ​​language whose banks have been cleared of their unsightly warehouse is lined with gardens. But the Horn D'Or has not regained its original purity and its waters are still polluted.
ST. SAVIOUR IN CHORA: This old church has the most beautiful Byzantine mosaics of the 14th century mosaics in gold background retrace the history of early Christianity, and here they are in an exceptional state of preservation. Beautiful frescoes are preserved without the funeral chapel. Not far from Fethiye Camii also has mosaics of the same period.
PRINCES ISLANDS: An archipelago of seven islands in the Marmara Sea of ​​which both are uninhabited and the other five are inhabited. In time the Byzantine period these islands were places of exile for the imperial court.
MARKET SPICES: Also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, this bazaar situated opposite the Galata Bridge, concentrates the spice merchants, perfumes and herbalists. This fragrant and picturesque maze is one of the most attractive of Istanbul.
THE MAGNIFICENT MOSQUE SOLIMAN: Built by Sinan, the most famous architect of the Ottoman Empire, this wonderful mosque by its simplicity and purity of form was built between 1550 and 1557. Its dome, which rises to 53 meters above the ground is supported by four porphyry columns, the whole is of great luminosity. In the nearby cemetery, you can admire the tombs of Süleyman and his favorite Roxelane.
VALLEY GOREME: This valley is famous for its wealth of dozens of churches and chapels that are evidence of popular Byzantine art. Cross built according to tradition, those churches which date mostly tenth and eleventh centuries, have very beautiful arches and frescoes illustrating scenes from the New Testament. The best known are: Church of Ste. Beard, Snake Church, Church of the Buckle, Dark Church, Church of the Apple, the Church Sandals.
UNDERGROUND CITIES AND Kaymakli Derinkuyu: In order to avoid the repeated attacks of the Persians and Arabs, residents construirent, from the 6. Century, ground whole cities that span several kilometers superposed stages.
A Kaymakli, the city has 8 floors, might be the organizing for several months without anyone suspected of a population. Cellars can be visited today, dormitories, common rooms ... At Derinkuyu, the deep well of 60 meters ensured the supply of water to the population. This is one of the most fascinating tours that we can do in Cappadocia.
CHIMNEYS FEES: (Avcilar, Cavusin and Zelve): A Avcilar, residents have abandoned their ancient cave houses to settle in the midst of hoodoos from which one can still admire the pigeon. At Cavusin, the village is located at the foot of a cliff 60 meters. You can see St. John the Baptist Church with beautiful murals. The ancient hamlet of Zelve has many dwellings dug into the cliff. Close to a forest fairy chimneys planted in the middle of jujube and apricot guard access to the valley that leads to the city.
ANKARA: Capital of the country since 1 October 1923, thanks to Ataturk and that broke with the Ottoman tradition with its capital in Istanbul, Ankara is a city at once ancient and modern as it has many Roman remains and Byzantine fortress well preserved. Ankara is visited mainly for its museum of ancient Anatolian civilizations is truly amazing since it covers, with exceptional artworks, 6000 years of history.
KONYA: This ancient Anatolian city is one of the cradles of religious Turkish Islam.
The monuments of the Seljuk era and especially the famous Whirling Dervish convent, now a museum, make it a city of art not to be missed.
PERGAMUM: Current Bergama extends inland in an olive tree plain. The Acropolis and Temple of Trajan at the foot of the city, are there to remind Pergamon, the former capital of the Roman province of Asia. This city that once rivaled Alexandria, especially in the field of letters with parchment invention, has kept some beautiful vestiges including a beautifully restored theater and a shrine to Asclepius.
TROY: Discovered in 19. Century by Schliemann, passionate admirer of Homer, Troy is a mythical site that will evoke the immortal amateur Cade Iliad. The hill has seven levels that correspond to the seven periods of occupation of the city, from the end of the 15th Millennium BC to 5. Century AD
Near the site are rebuilt from scratch the various states of the ancient city and especially the famous Trojan.
IZMIR: The old Smyrna is today the third largest city and the second for port in the country. His dynamism and growth make it a modern metropolis that has managed to preserve a few bastions of tradition. So you will not miss strolling through the bazaar noisy and colorful atmosphere, you will ascend to Mount Pagus where the city at your feet become giant, open the bay.
The chiseled and refined architecture of the clock tower is also to see.
BODRUM: Located at the end of a peninsula that extends the Gulf of Gokova, Bodrum white became one of the capitals of Turkish tourism, visit many artists. As in history under the name of Halicarnassus, it was founded by Dorian settlers. The castle of St. Peter, you can admire some remains of the Mausoleum which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Further, the theater will offer one of the best views of Bodrum to contemplate the sunset. During the day visit the beaches surrounding the peninsula nearest Gumbet. Ortakent among pines and cypresses, and Turgut Reis Torba north.
EPHESE: If there is a site to visit Turkey this is it. Even those who have no knowledge of antiquity, who prefer beaches where villages alive, will enjoy walking in this exceptionally preserved city. Almost nothing is missing: streets, baths, shops, public places, theater, temples .... Ephesus was after Alexandria, the second city in Asia. After the tour of Ephesus, one can make a detour to the House of the Virgin. Where Mary would have spent his last years is a haven of peace.
PRIENE: This small Greek city which part of the confederation of twelve cities was built by a very sophisticated geometric plane. His website clinging to the mountain is especially beautiful. Its theater which retains be noticed, despite alterations to the Romans, his Greek character. The temple of Athena and bouleuterion, decorated with carved bulls heads, are also beautiful.
MILET: Once in the sea, with no less than four ports, Miletus was one of the most powerful cities of Asia Minor. This old hegemony remains today a theater that could hold up to 15,000 people, the terms of Faustine and the Sacred door that does not lack pace.
DIDYMA: the remains of the temple dedicated to Apollo are properly gigantic and impressive. This sanctuary once housed one of the most influential oracles of the Mediterranean world after Delphi. The temple was connected to Miletus by a Sacred Way representative priests of the oracle.
PAMUKKALE "Cotton Castle", such is the literal translation of Pamukkale, is an extraordinary natural site: the hot springs overloaded limestone carved, over time, natural basins bright white descending hillside.
The dripping water continue to flow waterfall and the magical spectacle itself is beautiful to see that it is soft to the touch because of course it is customary for them soak feet or even swim. The waters spring at 53 degrees centigrade and have therapeutic properties for rheumatism. Not far away, on the plateau, you will admire the Great Necropolis Hierapolis which the city was founded in the 2. Century Av. BC by Eumenes II king of Pergamum. This cemetery is one of the largest of the East.
ANTALYA: Protected by the rocky arc of mountains, Antalya opens onto a vast luminous bay. The old city with adobe houses, at irregular old tiled roofs, locks
fragrant gardens. This old fishing district with steep streets is dominated by a Fluted Minaret covered earthenware which was built in the 13. Century. The city, modern, crossing wide avenues lined with palm trees, makes it a very pleasant city, ideal for visiting the region. It has one of the finest archaeological and ethnographic museums in Turkey, both for the richness of the objects by the aesthetics of presentation.
PERGE: Located inland, Perge means "high place" because of its dominant position on a hill. Ancient city founded by the Achaeans, it is still sufficiently well preserved that one can get an idea of ​​what daily city in 2. Century AD. His theater can accommodate 15 000 people and a stage 234 meters long are in very good condition. Beyond the walls, a city emerges with its large porticoed streets, its thermal baths, the agora and gyms.
ASPENDOS: Known to be one of the finest Roman sites in the world with its exceptionally well preserved theater, Aspendos has, moreover, an amazing aqueduct and ancient city. The theater meanwhile, was built by Zeno the reign of Marcus Aurelius, at the time the prosperous city lived in horse breeding. To 5. Century it was conquered by the Persians and gradually fell into oblivion.
SIDE: Located on a peninsula Side is renowned for its magnificent Roman ruins including a theater of 15,000 seats, and the beautiful beaches that surround it. Its old town, full of charm, has many restaurants protected by ramparts.
Termessos: Lost in the mountains covered with lush vegetation, Termessos, at 1600 meters, is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in Turkey. Its location in the heart of a wild national park makes her truly magnificent discovery. Dotted with wildflowers, fairly well preserved ruins have a gym, a theater, houses, agora ... and especially a necropolis with large stone sarcophagi who rushed for time, take on the appearance of Apocalypse.
ALANYA: Among the orange and lemon trees, Alanya is a popular seaside resort, surrounded by two beautiful beaches. The old city walls and the picturesque streets, invites to linger. Just before our era, Alanya was the base for pirates who controlled the entire coastline. The Ottomans set them right order and built a fortress in the 13. Century, the Red Tower, the top of which you will have a superb view of the old town.
TARSUS: This ancient city of Asia Minor is St. Paul's homeland. This was also the intellectual center of the Roman world and the place that marked the meeting of Anthony and Cleopatra. You can still visit the house and the St. Paul wells. A Roman gate reminds the Queen of Egypt. The Church of St. Peter, Kilise Camii was built by Armenians in 14. Century. Turned into a mosque, it retains its original architecture and is part of the beauty that can be discovered in the city.
ANTAKYA: Ancient Antioch along the Orontes River, was once the capital of the Kingdom of Seleucia which dominated the 2nd Century AD Av throughout Mesopotamia.. Rival of Alexandria, she received the first Christians persecuted. St. Peter's cave can still be visited, 2 km northeast of Antakya, where the apostle met his first followers. The Crusaders made it a church construirent between 12. and 13. Century. The city also has some fine Roman remains, in particular, a bridge on the Orontes. Finally Hatay Muzesi, famous museum is full of beautiful mosaics from the surrounding sites and wealthy Roman mansions.
TRABZON After the magnificent road along the Black Sea, through Unye, Ordu and Giresun among the hazel wood, you will approach Trabzon, the former Trebizond, who was one of the main shopping capitals of the ancient world on the road Persia before becoming the center of Byzantine art in 14. and early 15. Century. It is from this period that its beautiful churches, such Ste. Sophie, Ste. Anne and Fatih Camii, the Church of the Virgin in the Golden head.
MONASTERY SUMELA: Clinging to a grand mountain at the foot of which flows the "Golden River", the monastery seems weightless. To mount visit, you will take a steep path. Sumela was one of the most important monasteries of the Eastern Church. Now deserted, the buildings are in poor condition, however, remains the site of an astonishing beauty.
ERZURUM: This ancient caravan city linking the Black Sea to the Persian throne to 1900 meters. This is one of the coldest cities of Turkey. Its rugged landscapes agree with the austerity of its Byzantine walls. Beautiful mosques, the oldest date of 1179, form part of the visits not to be missed.
VAN: Van is a stage town, a modern city, home base for touring a region rich in natural monuments sites. Lake Van is the salt water at 1720 meters, six times the size of Lake Geneva. Surrounded by majestic mountains, it forms a natural boundary between the cold Turkey and southern Turkey.
You will not fail to visit around the lake ancient walled cities of Cavustepe to Guzelsu and especially the island of Akdamar Church whose Ste. Cross is a small architectural masterpiece.
DIYARBAKIR: Medieval town surrounded by a great basalt belt forming a wall of 5 km, has all the charm of an oriental city with its colorful markets, its ancient doors and the shimmer of local costumes. Citadel, caravanserai, home of the Grand Vizier Hasan Pasha, museum and mosques, you are in the land of the Arabian Nights.
ANI: The former capital of the kingdom was in turn Bagratid Seljuk and Armenian before being overrun by the Mongols in 1239. In this tumultuous era are still many monuments: Four beautiful doors, the walls, the Church St. Gregory built in 1000, and a cathedral with beautifully decorated walls.
NEMRUT DAGI: Located on one of the highest peaks of the Upper Mesopotamia, the sanctuary of Antiochus of Commagene populated with gigantic statues lying on the floor, is one of the wonders of the world. Antiochus reigned from 62 to 30 Av. JC, the king built this sanctuary lost in the mountains, to rest among the Gods. The sculptures represent APOLLO, Commagene, the Goddess of Fortune, Zeus, Antiochus and Heracles.
The Greek pantheon had correspondence with the Persians, which is why these solemn statues are the synthesis of styles.
PALACE ISHAK PASA: This palace situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley was built at the end of the 17th century to serve as a summer residence to the vizier, governor of the region. It is a magnificent example of synthesis of Persian architecture, Ottoman and Seljuk. Inside we admire the dome of the mosque, the harem and the meeting room. The top view of the minaret is startling beauty.