Sultanahmet Cami - Kilim and Carpet Museum - Aya Sofia

Sultanahmet Cami, known to the west as the Blue Mosque, stands next to the ancient hippodrome on the site of the Byzantine palace. It was built in 1609-17 by the architect Mehmet Aga, and was the last and largest of the imperial mosques to be built during the Ottoman era. It is one of the few mosques in the world with 6 minarets, and it has a 22.5m (74ft) diameter dome that nearly equals that of Aya Sofia in size. The dome, which is 43m (141ft) high, is supported by four large fluted columns each measuring 5m (16ft) across.

The main entrance is reached through a spacious courtyard surrounded by granite columns with a hexagonal wrought-iron ablutions fountain at the centre. Visitors, however, should use the side entrance and keep within the partitioned area so as not to disturb worshippers. Head-scarfs and coverings are issued at the door.

Turkish People and Religion

Turkish People

Before 1923 the population of Turkey included large numbers of Greeks, Armenians, Jews and Venetians, and many of the most influential figures in business, trade and the arts were non-Turkish citizens. After the War of Independence in 1923 there was an exchange of populations between Turkey and Greece, and most Greeks were re-settled in Greece. Small communities of Greeks and Jews remain in Istanbul, but the only significant non-Turkish ethnic group in Turkey today are the Kurds. Kurdish is widely spoken in the east and Arabic is common in the south-east, but the official language is Turkish. English is taught as a second language in schools and German is fairly widespread as a great number of guest-workers are "'employed in Germany. In centres of tourism and main cities the touts and shop-sellers seem to speak any language that mav bring them business and most people have no difficulty in communicating.

Turkey - History and Monuments

Turkey has a long and illustrious history well marked by historical monuments and ancient remains. The earliest traces of humans are found in the neolithic caves along the south coast. The oldest civilized settlements are in the south-east close to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers on the fringes of Mesopotamia and date from the seventh millennium BC. The best remains of early civilisation are from the time of the Hittites, an influential people whose capital city was at Hattusas, east of Ankara. The well-preserved city ruins and temple comploxes date from the second millennium BC.

At the start of the first millennium BC the Aegean and Mediterranean coast was colonised by a wave of Greek migrants who built cities and established small kingdoms. In 546BC the colonies fell into the hands of the Persians who retained power up until334BC when Alexander the Great conquered Anatolia and freed the Greek cities from Persian rule. After Alexander's death in 323BC his kingdom was divided between his generals. Lysimachus took Anatolia and founded one of the most powerful dynasties in the classical world. The capital city was at Pergamum which remains one of the most impressive ancient sites on the Aegean coast.

About Turkey Information - 1

Turkey has recently experienced a boom in its tourism industry and many holidaymakers from the west who once went to the Greek Islands now favour the Turkish Mediterranean shores.

Beaches, boat trips, scenic ruins and natural countryside are just some of the attractions; good food, low budget accommodation and generous hospitality follow closely behind. The country has a high rural population and travelling around remote villages is like stepping back in time: farming methods rely on the wooden plough and the hand scythe, and many of the old traditions and crafts such as carpet making and weaving are still a way of life. In tourist centres and major cities the atmosphere is more Western and the regular cry of the müezzin is one of the few reminders that Turkey is an Islamic country with a 99 per cent Moslem faith.

This blog is divided into ten interconnecting routes which cover the chief places of interest as well as lesser known attractions. Each route is subdivided into stages; each stage can usually be covered in the day, and ends in a place where overnight accommodation is availlable. It requires at least 6 weeks to get around the entire country. Most visitors on a short holiday break limit their travel to the beaches andd classical ruins along the south coast but an increasing number of people are also exploring the central and eastern areas as they lowly become more developed.

The Weather and Seasons

Ephesus is the best preserved Roman city in mediterranean region

Ephesus is the best-preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean region, and Turkey's top sight after Istanbul, but the Ephesus archeological site is not the only reason to visit this region.

You can easily spend two, three or four nights in this area, staying overnight in the beautiful hill town of Şirince, the town of Selçuk or the Aegean resort of Kuşadası, visiting the ancient cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma on a day excursion, or Aphrodisias on an overnight excursion to the hot mineral water spa of Pamukkale, shopping in the large weekly market at Tire, going windsurfing or just relaxing in charming Alaçatı, taking a day-trip or overnight excursion via Euromos to Bodrum, and even getting in some beach time at Pamucak or Altınkum.

Selçuk, the town 3 km (2 miles) east of the Ephesus archeological site, lies at the foot of Ayasoluk Hill, topped by a Byzantine-Ottoman fortress. On the slope are the St John Basilica and İsa Bey Mosque, both worth a visit.

Ankara- Capital of the Turkey Republic

Ankara, Turkey's capital city, is important to diplomats and bureaucrats, and has a few significant sights for visitors.

Formerly Angora, the town had a thriving trade in fine, soft Angora goat hair and the garments made from it. Today this city at an altitude of 848 meters (2782 feet) is a sprawling metropolis of five million people, many of them employed in government ministries and embassies, in universities and schools, in hospitals and medical centres, and some in light industry on the outskirts.

Before the Turkish War of Independence brought Kemal Atatürk and his generals to Ankara as a wartime command post, Ankara was a small town with a Roman citadel on a high hill and a brisk trade in Angora wool, the long, fine hair of the Angora goat.

Pamukkale (Hierapolis), Turkey Video

Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. It is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which has a temperate climate for most of the year.

The ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" which is in total about 2,700 metres (8,860 ft) long, 600 m (1,970 ft) wide and 160 m (525 ft) high. It can be seen from the hills on the opposite side of the valley in the town of Denizli, 20 km away.

Tourism is and has been a major industry. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. As recently as the mid-20th century, hotels were built over the ruins of Heropolis, causing considerable damage. An approach road was built from the valley over the terraces, and motor bikes were allowed to go up and down the slopes. When the area was declared a World Heritage Site, the hotels were demolished and the road removed and replaced with artificial pools. Wearing shoes in the water is prohibited to protect the deposits.


Pamukkale (Hierapolis), Turkey rassyid

Information About Antalya Turkey

The city of Antalya is one of he most important tourist centers in Turkey. During the excavations, artifacts dating far back to the Paleolithic Age were found in the Karain cave to the northwest of the town. The area was ruled by the Hittites between 1900 and 1200 B.C. The independent city states of Pamphilla, Lycia and Cilicia were sovereign till the Phrygians. Dominated by the Lydians for a while the province was invaded by the Persians in the 6th century B.C.

The Persian domination came to an end with the arrival of Alexander the Great and after his death, his generals ruled the area. Antalya, named after the Pergamum King Attalos II. became a district of the Roman Empire in 67 B.C. The city was conqered by the Seldjuk Turks in 1805. After a short interval of Byzantine rule, Antalya became an Ottoman province in 1426. Between   1919 and 1921, the city was under Italian occupation.  During the crusades the knights set sail from Antalya on their way to Palestine. As the new city of Antalya extends over the ancient site, there is not much left of the ancient Attaleia. The Kocaali Park, Yivli Minare, Hadrian’s Gate and the outstanding Museum of Archeology as well as Kaleici or the inner citadel are the greater attractions in the town.

Pamukkale Hierapolis

The site is located a half hour drive from Denizli, the provincial capital. The ancient city of Hierapolis is part of the setting, orginally known as Pamukkale.
The Ancient site has been severely damaged as a result of the recurrent earthquakes, and unfortunately only a few structures remain standing.
The ancient site is most famous with the impressive of incredible size. The extremely well preserved Theater with perfect marble reliefs and the monumental gate with round towers on either side, built in the honor of emperor Hadrian and the colonnaded road behind it are a few of the attractions in the site.

Information About Cistern Basilica

The great Byzantine cistern, located across from Hagia Sophia was used to supply the necessary water to the city during the barbarian attacks and when  the city was under siege.336 colums wit Doric and Corinthian capitals, were bought from various locations in Asia minor for the construction of the cistern. A monumental aqueduct, built by emperor Valens and still a major attraction of the city provided water to the cistern.

Suleymaniye Mosque

The Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificient, located in the center of a large religions complex, stands as the most important work of Architect Sinan, one of the greatest architectsin the world history. Built in the mid 16th century, in the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificient, the Mosque represents the summit of the Ottoman Empire.

The Blue Mosque

Known as the The Blue Mosque ( Sultanahmet Cami ) the mosque is located next to the ancient Hippodrome and across from Hagia Sophia. The mosque was built in the first quarter of the 17th century. The architect was Mehmet Aga, one of the pupils of the great Architect Sinan. As he tried to surpass his master he created a masterpiece that still has a great reputation. Next to the mosque is a religious complex, that had a soup kitchen, a hospital, a primary education school, a madrasah and the tomb of Sultan Ahmet. The six minarets and the lay out of the domes and semidomes create a unique exterior.

Hagia Sophia

İts a masterpiece of the Byzantine architecture and considered as the 8th. wonder of the world by most art historians. Hagia Sophia, ftom the 6th century, is the one and only construction that still stands in an excellent state of preservation and well worth an extended visit. At first sight, you may be a little disappointed by the external view of the building the minarets built in different style, the buttresses added later on and the tombs in the courtyard distort the harmony of the exterior desing. However, as you enter into the basilica, used as a museum today and get some background information on the building its hard not to respect and admire the people who built it and kept it in such good shape.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi the administrative palace of the Ottoman Dynasty, that ruled on three continents for over six centuries is definitely a must see. Open every day, except Tuesday the museum and the artifacts displayed deserve a thourough attention. The construction started in 1470, the palace dont show an architectural uniformity in the classical sense as each reigning Sultan added new parts or seperate parts of it were rebuilt after the destruction of fires and earthquakes. The beatiful gardens of the palace, that occupied the eastern end of the peninsula in the time interval the palace was used by the dynasty, serve different purposes today. Through the Central Gate, adorned with two defense towers on two sides one reaches a large courtyard.

Concorde De Luxe Hotel (Antalya)

Location :
The hotel is situated directly at the hotel owned sand-pebble beach of Lara. The hotel is situated in a quite area. Numerous shopping and entertainment possibilities of Lara Tourism Centre is approx. 5km away and easily reachable by taxi or minibus, also city centre is 10km away and distance to the airport of Antalya is approx. 10km away.

    
Building :
The hotel has placed on 62.000m² areas and has a main building with total 401 rooms. These rooms settled as 352 standard rooms, 2 handicapped rooms, family rooms, non smoker rooms and totally suites. Hotel also offers to its guests reception, lobby, main restaurant, 5 à la carte restaurants (Italian, Japanese-Chinese, Turkish cuisines and Steak House, fish and BBQ), 5 bars.  Hotel also have sauna, SPA center, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, conference and ball room, hair dresser, disco, rent a car, medical treatment, dry cleaning, laundry, internet, fax, telephone facilities.  At its own beach and at open swimming pools sun beds, towels, umbrellas and mattresses are free of charge, also there are alternatives like separated swimming pool for children, water slides for grown-ups, indoor pool, aqua park, babysitting on request(with charge), mini club and children’ s play ground.  

Sherwood Breezes Resort Hotel (Antalya)

Location :
The hotel is situated directly at the hotel owned sandy beach of Kundu. The hotel is located in a quite area. Lara with its numerous shopping and entertainment possibilities is approx. 5km, Antalya 12km, and shopping centres 50m away and easily reachable by taxi or public transportation vehicles. The distance to the airport of Antalya is approx. 10km.

Building :
The hotel has 33.000sqm and on one main building has total 349 rooms. These rooms settled as 254 standard rooms, 55 family rooms, 30 junior family rooms, 4 handicapped rooms, 6 suites. And all rooms are non smoker rooms. Hotel offers to its guests reception, lobby, main restaurant, 2 à la carte restaurants (Italian and Ottoman cuisines), 5 bars, sauna, SPA center, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, conference room, patisserie, hair dresser, disco, rent a car, doctor, medical treatment, dry cleaning, laundry, internet, fax, telephone facilities. Also there are sun beds, towels, umbrellas and mattresses on the beach and by the pool free of charge and swimming pool for children water slides, water slide for children, indoor pool, babysitting on request(with charge), mini club (4 - 12 years), kids club,  teen club (13 - 17 years), children’s play ground.  

Antalya Hotel

Location :
The hotel is situated directly at the hotel owned stony side of Antalya. The hotel is located in a quite area. Antalya centre with its numerous shopping and entertainment possibilities offers various opportunities to enjoy your holiday and everywhere reachable by taxi or public transportation vehicles. The distance to the airport of Antalya is approx. 12km.

Building :
The hotel has 4.006sqm and on building has total 144 rooms. These rooms settled as 136 standard rooms, 2 family rooms, 1 handicapped room, 5 non-smoker rooms. Hotel offers to its guests reception, lobby, main restaurant, 1 à la carte restaurants (Turkish), bars, sauna, Turkish bath, indoor pool, hair dresser, doctor, dry cleaning, internet, fax, telephone facilities.

Delphin Diva Premier Hotel (Antalya)

Location :
The hotel is situated directly at the hotel owned sandy beach of Lara. The hotel is located in a normal active area. Lara Tourism Centre with its numerous shopping and entertainment possibilities is approx. 200m, Antalya 15km away and easily reachable by taxi or public transportation vehicles. The distance to the airport of Antalya is approx. 11km.

Building :
The hotel has 24.000sqm and on 1 main building has total 395 rooms. These rooms settled as 376 standard rooms, 11 family rooms, 2 handicapped rooms, 6 suites. Hotel offers to its guests reception, lobby, main restaurant, 6 à la carte restaurants (Ottoman, Italian, Fish, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican cuisines), 5 bars, sauna, SPA center, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, conference room, ball room, patisserie, hair dresser, disco, cinema, rent a car, doctor, medical treatment, laundry, internet, fax, telephone facilities. Also there are sun beds, towels, umbrellas and mattresses on the beach and by the pool free of charge and separated swimming pool for children, water slides, water slide for children, indoor pool, aqua park, mini club (4 - 12 years), kids club (13 - 14 years), children’s play ground.  

Porto Bello Hotel (Antalya)

Location :
The hotel situated on 6,5 km long Konyaaltı beach which is the longest one in Mediterranean Coast. Only the main road separates the hotel from the beach. It is 20 km. away from the airport of Antalya and approx. 6 km from Antalya city center.

Building :
The elegant and modern hotel has 346 rooms (3 handicapped rooms included). It offers to its guest’s main restaurant, Turkish bath, sauna, fitness center, whirlpool, hair dresser, beauty center, conference room, various shops and indoor pool. In the maintained garden there is a swimming pool and can be used during the winter season according to the weather conditions.  

TITANIC DE LUXE BEACH & RESORT HOTEL (Antalya)

Location :
The hotel is situated directly at the hotel owned sandy beach of Kundu. The hotel is located in a quite area. Lara with its numerous shopping and entertainment possibilities is approx. 5km, Antalya 12km and nearest shopping places 250m away and easily reachable by taxi or public transportation vehicles. The distance to the airport of Antalya is approx. 10km.

Building :
The hotel has 95.000sqm and on  main and annex buildings has total 586 rooms. These rooms settled as 513 standard rooms, 30 family rooms, 7 handicapped rooms, 26 suites. 85 out of all rooms are for non-smokers rooms. Hotel offers to its guests reception, lobby, main restaurant, 4 à la carte restaurants (Italian, Turkish, Seafood and BBQ), 5 bars, sauna, SPA center, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, conference room, patisserie, hair dresser, disco, rent a car, doctor, medical treatment, dry cleaning, laundry, internet, fax, telephone facilities. Also there are sun beds, towels, umbrellas and mattresses on the beach and by the pool free of charge and separated swimming pool for children, water slides, water slide for children, indoor pool with separated, aqua park, babysitting on request(with charge), mini club (4 - 12 years), children’s play ground.