What sights has Turkey reserved for tourists? What to see in Turkey?

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What sights has Turkey reserved for tourists? What to see in Turkey?
What sights has Turkey reserved for tourists? What to see in Turkey?
Anonim

Despite the fact that the main purpose of buying a ticket to Turkey for most tourists is a luxurious beach holiday, spending time on the Mediterranean coast may not be the only interesting and enjoyable activity in this country, because there are numerous man-made and natural attractions on its territory. Turkey is a country with a rich history, so if you set out to diversify your passive vacation a little, you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

Istanbul Architecture

To begin acquaintance with the sights of Turkey, it is best, probably, from the cultural capital of the country - Istanbul, more specifically, from the rich architecture of this city. On its territory there are many Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman architectural monuments. Mosques, churches and cathedrals of various construction times located everywhere deserve the greatest attention in Istanbul.

So, Hagia Sophia must be included in the list of places worth visiting, all tourists who, preparing for a trip, are thinking about what to see in Turkey.

attractions Turkey
attractions Turkey

Once upon a time, a pagan temple of Artemis was located on this site, then a small church built by Emperor Constantine, and in the VI century, by order of Emperor Justinian, a new grandiose temple was erected, the construction of which lasted 5 years. In the 15th century, after Constantinople was conquered by Sultan Mehmed II, the cathedral was turned into a Muslim mosque, after adding minarets. In 1935, it was decided to make a museum in the temple, which is still there today.

Also worth a visit are the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet), Galata Bridge, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Rumelihisar Fortress, Archaeological Museum, St. Irene Church, Istanbul University, Şehzade Mosque, Parade Pavilion, Whirling Dervish Museum, etc.

Natural Attractions of Istanbul

In addition to numerous man-made objects, there are also natural attractions in Istanbul. Turkey has many unique places on its territory that cannot be ignored while relaxing in this country. The most popular among them are the following: the Bosphorus, Sultan Ahmet and Gulhane parks.

The uniqueness of the Bosphorus lies, firstly, in the fact that it divides Istanbul into Anatolia and Rumelia, and secondly, it connects the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Everyone can ride along the strait on a pleasure boat and see the local attractions. Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, have a lot of them on their territory, and some are close to the Bosphorus.

Gulhane Park, which means "yard of roses", was part of the huge garden of the Topkapi Palace during the reign of the Ottomans. In 2001, its general reconstruction was carried out, and now the citizens and guests of Istanbul have the opportunity to walk along its alleys, admiring the fountains and relaxing on the benches.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale, which means "cotton castle", is one of the most famous natural attractions in Turkey. This place is located near the city of Denizli. Pamukkale is a plateau, characterized by a unique bizarre shape, which it acquired thanks to a source rich in calcium that comes to the surface here. This place is represented by several travertine terraces and beautiful undulating cascades of snow-white color.

what to see in turkey
what to see in turkey

Pamukkale is included in the UNESCO list. In the course of research, it turned out that the hot water that appears here on the surface first passes through an underground channel 320 meters long. That is why many people are sure that this place is a must to see in Turkey. And also swim in the local waters, as they favorably affect the functioning of many organs and systems of the human body.

Ancient City of Ephesus

The largest and best preserved is the ancient city of Ephesus, located on the shores of the Aegean Sea. According to legend, its construction began with the construction of the temple of Artemis by Androclus, the son of the ruler of Athens, Kodra. But in the 3rd century, an earthquake occurred, as a result of which 80% of the ancient settlement turned into a swamp, and the city and port were moved to a new location. In 262 a.d. e. Ephesus was destroyed by the Goths, after which everyone forgot about it for many years.

In 1896, British archaeologists discovered the first fragments of the city that survived the earthquake, and then many of its other quarters. Today, ancient Ephesus is included in the list of things to see in Turkey, formed by many travelers.

Alanya: architecture and nature

One of the favorite Turkish resorts for vacationers from all over the world is Alanya. In addition to excellent hotel service and luxurious beaches, Alanya offers tourists to explore its natural and man-made attractions. Turkey has many defense installations on its territory. And one of them is located in Alanya - a powerful fortress built in the XIII century. The most beautiful place of the fortress is the octagonal Red Tower, symbolizing the power of the Turks over the Mediterranean coast.

what to see in turkey
what to see in turkey

As for the natural unique objects of Alanya, first of all it is worth mentioning its numerous caves. The most famous among them are the following: Lover's Cave, Pirate's Cave and Phosphorus Cave.

Cappadocia

Looking at the sights of Turkey on the map, you will definitely stumble upon Cappadocia. This area is a vast territory covered with avalanches and volcanic magma frozen in various forms. The bizarre forms of these hilly valleys and rocks are also significantly influenced by such natural elements as wind, water flows, rain, sun and snow.

what to see in turkey
what to see in turkey

Mostly, Cappadocia surprises tourists with a variety of dwellings carved into soft tuff rocks, monasteries, churches and even entire underground cities, fully equipped for life. There are about a hundred such cities, but only a few of them are open to the public. These are Ajigol, Kaymakli, Mazy, Derinkuyu, Ozkonak and Tatlarin.

Sights of Antalya

If you don't know what to see in Turkey on your own, then you should head to Antalya. The old part of this city is literally full of sights. Noteworthy are the gates of Emperor Hadrian (built in 130), the Yivli Minaret, the Temple of Artemis of Ephesus, the tomb of King Mausolus, the Archaeological Museum, the Clock Tower, the Hidyrlyk Tower and the Mosque of Murat Pasha.

Turkey landmarks photo
Turkey landmarks photo

It is also worth a stroll through the small Karaalioglu Park, which is famous for its magnificent botanical garden. A wonderful panoramic view of Antalya opens from Mount Tunektepe. And lovers of evening walks can visit the fountain show, which is held every evening opposite Republic Square.

Konya - the city of dervishes

For more than two hundred years, Konya was the capital of the Rum Sultanate. The city has a museum of the Sufi poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi (Mawlana), who founded the order of whirling dervishes. The activity of Sufi monks was banned in 1925 by Ataturk, after which the tomb of Mavlana was turned into a museum. After many years, the dervishes reappeared in Konya. However, now they are exclusively a community of lovers of ancient traditions. It is in this city that you can see the original theatrical performance with spinning dervishes.

Turkey attractions on the map
Turkey attractions on the map

Besides the Mavlana museum, the travel museum, which was opened in 1927, deserves the attention of the guests of Konya, although it was moved to the current building only in 1962. Visitors will be able to see exhibits of the pre-Seljuk period of Turkish history, from the Neolithic period to the Byzantine period. The Museum of Stone and Wood Carving, the Koyunoglu Museum and the Aladdin Mosque also deserve attention.

No matter what time of the year you visit a country like Turkey, the sights (photos of which are presented in this article) will make your vacation unforgettable.

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