Monday, June 13, 2011

Turkey : Attractions Not To Miss Out On

By Mark Walters


If you are due to visit Turkey, then there are thousands of attractions for you to visit. It's a lovely country where east meets west and we've put together this guide on the attractions not to miss out on while visiting Turkey. The Blue Mosque is one of these attractions and it gets its name from the famous blue tiles that line the walls. Completed in 1616, the light from the tiles is reflected through the building's windows, making it one of the most beautiful mosques in the world.

Another place definitely worth visiting is the Gallipoli Anzacs, which are now a national park. The area was once almost invaded in the First World War when the Allies tried to open a supply line to Russia via a Black Sea route. The Allies and Turks both suffered high casualties but eventually the Turks won following a period of warfare. Now the area is home to war memorials, which are positioned against a backdrop of beautiful forests and sandy beaches, all of which are worth visiting.

One of the geological wonders of the world is the Cappadocia region in central Turkey. 60 million years ago, two volcanoes erupted and created an unusual landscape of valleys and cones. Also, there are more than 600 buildings, including churches that have been cut into the rock in the region. Some of them have frescoes on the walls, reflecting the many cultures that have lived in the region over the centuries of long ago. This is definitely the place to come for culture lovers.

Ephesus has a history dating back to 12BC and it is now one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world, with around 20% of the city being excavated. It used to be home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as well as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation where St Paul lived and preached. Ephesus was one an important trade and religious center and you definitely can't leave Turkey without paying a visit.

Finally, you should definitely pay a visit to Mount Nemrut, which is a beautiful sight. It is part of the Taurus mountain range and used to be where the small but rich Commagene Kingdom was based. You can see the famous sanctuary of Antiochos I, which he built for himself as a funerary monument. This is a massive head that is more than 50 meters tall and 150 meters in diameter. There are also huge representations of Zeus and Apollo.




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