تويت
Land of Civilizations Turkey
TURKEY
Turkey is a plethora of ancient cultures, fascinating landscapes and archaeological ruins that span 13 successive civilizations. It is a land whose known historical origins date back almost 10,000 years ago to one of the world’s earliest communities at Catalhoyuk and is acclaimed as the "Cradle of Civilization."
Although not known as Turkey until recent times, the Koran, the Torah and the Bible refer plenteously to this ancient land. Muslims, Jews and Christians share a common heritage in Abraham, the Patriarch who lived in Haran almost four thousand years ago among the Hittites, an advanced civilization of Indo European speaking people who settled in Anatolia. Two thousand years after Abraham, St. Paul, the Apostle was born in Taurus, a city in southern Turkey and his work throughout Asia Minor is reflected in his letters to the Galatians and the Ephesians of Central and Western Anatolia. Roman rule gave way to the rise of Byzantium in
Asia Minor and many churches and monasteries of this era remain.
Asia Minor and many churches and monasteries of this era remain.
With the arrival of the Turks from Central Asia, Islam was established as the religion of the land. Mosques of great beauty, holy sites and shrines are located all over the country. In the 13th Century, the philosopher, poet and Sufi saint, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi lived and taught in Konya. He is among the greatest of the mystical masters and his tomb in Konya is one of Islam’s most revered shrines. In the 15th century, there was an influx of Sephardic Jews from Spain. They were expelled by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand for refusing to convert to Catholicism and were offered refuge by Sultan Bayazid II. However, Jews had already been resident in Turkey for many centuries. One of the oldest synagogues in Asia Minor is found in Sardis and dates back to 3 AD. Perhaps the greatest symbol of Turkey’s mixed culture is the Hagia Sophia museum in Istanbul. It was the most magnificent church in all of Byzantium. Minarets were added when it was converted to a mosque and the Star of David is imprinted on its beautiful chandelier.
For thousands of years, the famed silk and spice routes passed from India and China to the west through Anatolia. Control of this land bridge was a lucrative business until the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, established a sea route to India around Africa. The decline of the Ottoman Empire coincided with the lessening importance of these ancient trading land routes. It is interesting to note that today, Turkey is uniquely positioned as yet another bridge: a link between the west and the former Soviet Republics of Central Asia. Already, Turkey is the main supplier of manufactured goods to these struggling republics and ancient trade routes to the Caspian are bustling anew. As the west continues to negotiate access to the tremendous oil reserves of the Caspian region, Turkey is sure to play a pivotal role. Once again, we may recall the legends of ancient Anatolia: The Lydian King Croesus is
associated with great wealth and Phrygian King Midas turned everything he touched into gold.
Turkey’s incredible history dates back to pre-historic times, ever since the first man was seen on earth. It was remarkable to see so many sites under excavation, each one of them more incredible than the next. One could spend weeks touring all of the sites to be found in Turkey. Below are the ones we saw in just 3.5 days. We spent a lot of time in the car driving to and from each destination. I would recommend doing this trip over a longer period of time.
Troy
After overnighting in Cannakale, we headed to the legendary city of Troy where Greek and Trojan heroes fought the Trojan War—the first of many ancient sites that we would see. You are probably familiar with the story of the Trojan Horse and the role it played in the burning of Troy in 1200 BC. The horse in the picture below was donated to the city of Troy, after it was used in the Brad Pitt movie depicting the battle, and stands prominently near the city center.
For thousands of years, the famed silk and spice routes passed from India and China to the west through Anatolia. Control of this land bridge was a lucrative business until the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, established a sea route to India around Africa. The decline of the Ottoman Empire coincided with the lessening importance of these ancient trading land routes. It is interesting to note that today, Turkey is uniquely positioned as yet another bridge: a link between the west and the former Soviet Republics of Central Asia. Already, Turkey is the main supplier of manufactured goods to these struggling republics and ancient trade routes to the Caspian are bustling anew. As the west continues to negotiate access to the tremendous oil reserves of the Caspian region, Turkey is sure to play a pivotal role. Once again, we may recall the legends of ancient Anatolia: The Lydian King Croesus is
associated with great wealth and Phrygian King Midas turned everything he touched into gold.
Turkey’s incredible history dates back to pre-historic times, ever since the first man was seen on earth. It was remarkable to see so many sites under excavation, each one of them more incredible than the next. One could spend weeks touring all of the sites to be found in Turkey. Below are the ones we saw in just 3.5 days. We spent a lot of time in the car driving to and from each destination. I would recommend doing this trip over a longer period of time.
Troy
After overnighting in Cannakale, we headed to the legendary city of Troy where Greek and Trojan heroes fought the Trojan War—the first of many ancient sites that we would see. You are probably familiar with the story of the Trojan Horse and the role it played in the burning of Troy in 1200 BC. The horse in the picture below was donated to the city of Troy, after it was used in the Brad Pitt movie depicting the battle, and stands prominently near the city center.
Troy’s history goes as far back as 3,000 BC and excavations are visible of Troy I through Troy IX, the Troy of the Roman period.
Pergamum
Pergamum, dating back to 301 B.C., is where parchment was first invented. Pergamum once boasted the greatest library of the ancient world, given by Anthony to Cleopatra, which held 200,000 scrolls. Both the Asclepion , the center for healing (similar to a modern day wellness center), and the Acropolis of Pergamum are world famous.
Travel with Pam
Turkey – The Land of Ancient Civilizations
Pam Keystone - Sunday, October 24, 2010
Turkey’s incredible history dates back to pre-historic times, ever since the first man was seen on earth. It was remarkable to see so many sites under excavation, each one of them more incredible than the next. One could spend weeks touring all of the sites to be found in Turkey. Below are the ones we saw in just 3.5 days. We spent a lot of time in the car driving to and from each destination. I would recommend doing this trip over a longer period of time.
Troy
After overnighting in Cannakale, we headed to the legendary city of Troy where Greek and Trojan heroes fought the Trojan War—the first of many ancient sites that we would see. You are probably familiar with the story of the Trojan Horse and the role it played in the burning of Troy in 1200 BC. The horse in the picture below was donated to the city of Troy, after it was used in the Brad Pitt movie depicting the battle, and stands prominently near the city center.
Troy’s history goes as far back as 3,000 BC and excavations are visible of Troy I through Troy IX, the Troy of the Roman period.
Pergamum
Pergamum, dating back to 301 B.C., is where parchment was first invented. Pergamum once boasted the greatest library of the ancient world, given by Anthony to Cleopatra, which held 200,000 scrolls. Both the Asclepion , the center for healing (similar to a modern day wellness center), and the Acropolis of Pergamum are world famous.
Pamukkale
A 2.5 hour drive from Kusadasi, this tourist site is very popular for its healing, hot mineral springs. The calcium rich waters flowing down the side of the mountain have built up deposits of white travertine over time, creating what looks like a white mountain. Pools of water have been naturally created that tourists can dip their feet into or they can pay to swim in the government run spring baths. This was an ancient health resort for the Romans in 133 B.C.
Aphrodisias
Dating back to the 2nd century B.C., Aphrodisias was dedicated to the goddess of love, Aphrodite. It became a cultural and artistic hub known for its exquisite marble sculptures made from quarries of beautiful white and blue-gray marble that lay about a mile east of the city. Sculptures produced in Aphrodisias were exported as far as North Africa and Rome.
There are some memorable ruins at this location and the museum displaying some of the artwork created here is very interesting. The Stadium (not shown) was one of the finest ancient stadiums ever built and it is the best preserved of all ancient stadiums in the Mediterranean. Seating 30,000 people, it is 860 x 194 ft—large enough to hold chariot races and Olympic style games.
Below is a picture of the Theatre at Aphrodisias
Ephesus
Ephesus is among the best preserved classical cities of the Mediterranean, and one of the best places in the world to get a feeling for what life was like in Roman times. Its Temple of Artemis was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus was one of the greatest cities of antiquity with a population approaching 100,000. It encompassed everything that was necessary for education, politics, entertainment, sport, and the good life in general.
Since all cruise ships in Turkey stop in either Kusadasi or Izmir and bus people to the site, you have to share the ruins with thousands of tourists. I would suggest opting for a private tour as opposed to booking this tour on a cruise ship.
Also in Ephesus (about 10 minutes from the ruins), you can visit the house where the Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life.
A tour of Turkey and the ancient ruins should be on your "bucket" list. It is an amazing country to go back in time and imagine what life was like in the Roman times and before. I work with a wonderful tour company that can customize your entire experience. I learned a lot from this trip and have some recommendations on itineraries and how best to experience Turkey based upon the amount of time you have to spend there
