Monday, June 13, 2011

What To See Whilst Visiting Turkey

By Mark Walters


For a really brilliant experience, give Turkey a try. It's a beautiful country and there is a lot to see and do. For the attractions not to miss out on while visiting Turkey, read on to find out more. One place you should definitely visit is the Blue Mosque, which was completed in 1616. Its walls are lined with beautiful blue tiles, which are where it gets its name, and the light is reflected through the windows of the building. It's probably the most beautiful mosque in the world.

The Gallipoli Anzacs are now a national park but were once the sight of a bloody battle during the First World War, during which both the Turks and Allies suffered heavy casualties when the Allies tried to open a supply line through the Black Sea to Russia. Eventually the Turks won following some intense warfare. Now you can see some war memorials alongside sandy beaches and beautiful pine forests, all of which are definitely worth exploring on your visit to the area.

You should also visit the Cappadocia region, which is in central Turkey and is considered to be one of the geological wonders of the world. There are lots of unusual valleys and cones, which were created by the eruption of two volcanoes more than 60 million years ago. You can also see more than 600 churches and other buildings cut into the rocks in the region, where you will find quite a lot of frescoes painted onto the walls. Cappadocia has been home to many cultures over the centuries.

The ancient city of Ephesus is another must see sight in Turkey. It's one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world, with over 20% of it being excavated. Its history dates back to 12BC and it used to be an important religious and trade center. It used to be home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis and you can also find one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, where St. Paul lived and preached.

One last place to visit while you're in Turkey is Mount Nemrut, which used to be where the small but rich Commagene Kingdom was based. There are large representations of Zeus and Apollo, as well as the famous sanctuary of Antiochos I. Built by him as a funerary monument, it is more than 150 meters in diameter and more than 50 meters tall, so it's seriously big. Mt Nemrut is part of the Taurus mountain range and is definitely a beautiful sight.




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