subject: The Best Historical Sites To Visit On Your Turkey Holidays [print this page] The country of Turkey was founded in 1923, but before this it was known as the Ottoman Empire. Many different civilizations have ruled this land, and there are thousands of stories to unearth in Turkeys many historical sites. If you are interested in Turkeys diverse history, here are some of the most impressive ancient ruins to visit on your Turkey holidays.
The Basilica of Hagia Sophia
The world famous Hagia Sophia was built back in 537 AD by the Emperor Justinian and remained the largest Christian church in the world for one thousand years. The church was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1935 by the Turkish Government and contains many fascinating artefacts. When you see its impressive dome for the first time you will be blown away, as it towers more than 200 feet in the air and is over 100 feet wide. Explore the interior to discover many mosaics from the Byzantine era which are still remarkably well preserved today.
Sultanahmet Mosque
This impressive religious structure is one of the most famous buildings in the Islamic world, and is commonly known as the Blue Mosque due to the amazing blue and white tiles that cover the interior. It was built between 1609 and 1616 in the classic Turkish style by the architect Mehmet. Light pours into the breath-taking interior of this mosque through 260 windows and fills the 141 foot high dome with sparking colour and dramatic shadow. This stunning architectural wonder is a must-see on your Turkey holidays.
Ephesus
This ancient city has had incredible influence throughout history as an early centre of Christianity and a major port which was an important base for commerce and trade in times of antiquity. In Hellenistic times it was a major city of Anatolia and its population reached more than 200,000. Ephesus was in its peak during Roman rule and many of the most impressive ruins here are from that era. It is located only a 30 minute drive from Kusadasi, and Ephesus is a fantastic place to spend the day exploring spectacular crumbling ancient ruins on your Turkey holidays. It is thought to be one of the best archaeological sites in the world.
Pergamon
Located 100 km to the north of Izmir, the site of this once-great city is one of Turkeys best historical attractions. Pergamon was uncovered by German archaeologists in 1878. Visit the remains of the citys library, where people used to seek knowledge amidst nearly 200,000 volumes in the 3rd century AD. There is also an impressive amphitheatre, a monumental altar to Zeus, a medical center named after the god of health and temples that were constructed to honour Dionysos and Trajan. Walking through this ancient city will be one of the most memorable experiences on your Turkey holidays. These are just a few of the many ancient sites that the history lover on Turkey holidays can explore!
If you are interested in the history of this ancient land, here are some of the best historical sites to visit on your Turkey holidays.
