5 Historical Places in Turkey You Must Visit
Nestled between rugged mountains and breathtaking coastline, Turkey reflects the storied history of people, eras, empires, and cultures. The waves of the Mediterranean Sea are yet to sweep it away, but in every retreating wave, the sea brings with it a rich and invigorating culture that has stood the test of time. Boasting ancient ruins in its inherent exotic charm, Turkey attracts thousands of tourists all year round. If you are planning to explore this magical destination, these five historical places should be on your Turkey itinerary.
Turkey Historical Places / Sites
1. GobekliTepe Archaeological Museum
One of the oldest man made place of worship on Earth, GobekliTepe is a place of mystery. It’s Neolithic megaliths are still being excavated and reports say that only 5% of it has been unearthed. However, what we have seen truly reflects the sculptural excellence of the ancient civilizations. From pillars carved with ancient animal motifs to hieroglyphic inscriptions aged more than the Sumerians’ will be sure to give you goose bumps. The special chamber in the recently-opened Şanlıurfa Haleplibahçe Museum carries the replica of this sacred site.
2. Ephesus
Depicting a picture perfect imposing structure, Ephesus was the Roman capital of Asia Minor. It is also was the cosy abode of more than a quarter of a million people, that included slaves, traders and saints. Archaeological inventions say that the civilization grew to develop 1 AD and 2 AD. The site of the Temple of the Artemis, which also depicts the excellence of Greco-Roman classics, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Presently, it finds place in the list of UNESCO heritage sites.
3. Hattusa
Noted as one of the great ruins of Turkey, it was once the capital of the Hittite Empire. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Hattusa feature ornate gateways, royal homes, and ancient fortifications with exquisite underground passageways.
4. Ancient City of Perge
After being founded at 1000 BC, the ancient city of Perge was conquered by the Persians, which was later followed by Alexander the Great. Later it was included in the Seleucid Kingdom. However, the recent excavations reveal a list of 13 ancient sculptures, significant of which is the sculpture of Emperor Caracalla, a 6ft interpretation of moon goddess Selene, and goddesses Nemesis, Athena, Aphrodite and Tykhe.
5. Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Composed of a wide collection of restored mosaics from the Ancient Roman town of Zeugma, the city carries the ruins of Greek invasion and Alexander the Great’s general Seleucus’s reflection. The zone used to be a military and commercial hotspot and at its peak housing more than70,000 residents. The museum today is the abode of breathtaking mosaics, wall paintings, and frescoes that speak highly of the Roman art.
For those intrigued by ancient history, art and sculpture, Turkey offers a magnitude of attractions across the country. So, pack your bags and set out for a historical rendezvous across Turkey.
