Monday, June 13, 2011

Turkey - Things 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.

The Cappadocia region is considered to be one of the geographical wonders of the world and you must visit it. Located in central Turkey, it has been home to many cultures over the centuries but it was first shaped 60 million years ago by the eruption of two volcanoes, which created lots of unusual cones and valleys. You can also find more than 600 churches cut into the rock in the region, some that have frescoes on the walls to give an idea of what life used to be like.

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.

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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