ABOUT TURKEY

Welcome to Turkey!

The cradle of civilisations! The most appropriate words describing Turkey, which is the monumental treasure of civilisations that have enlightened the world. Here, an unlimited number of monuments bear the reminiscence of the cultural evolution of Anatolia. The ancient cities of Pergamum, Aphrodisias, Sardis, Troj and Gordion, not only reflect the history but dot the landscape. Two of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Mausoleum in Halicarnassus and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, are here in this country. A country that bridges two continents and which for over ten thousand years has been the home of the great cultures and civilisations of the world! When in Turkey, one is in the land of the 'Mother Sun', who gives her name to the land 'Anatolia'. The 8000-kilometer long seductive coastline displays limitless shades of 'Turquoise' for one to enjoy. The golden beaches, undiscovered virgin bays, and the whisper of gentle breezes await one there. When one is in Turkey, one breathes the same air with Homer, who created the Aegean legacy and Mevlana, the great philosopher, who said: 'Come again, come whoever you are!'

Yunus Emre, the great poet of universal love, Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra, who chose the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia for their honeymoon, Noah, who made possible the 'Second Life' of humanity, the Virgin Mary and St.John saints, who found peace in this land and Atatürk, the charismatic leader, who founded the contemporary Turkish Republic has lived in this country.

One is in a land, where the fabulous gods and goddesses of mythology lived their grandeur. One has the chance to bathe in the waters, where the Aphrodite once bathed, or to celebrate the wine festivals, which Dionysus had inspired.

Many poets and painters lost their hearts to the wonders and diversity of this land. One moment you are in the Early Bronze Age, another you live the richness of the Roman Civilisation, or you may feel yourself like a Sultan in the glamorous palaces of the Ottoman Empire.

Nowhere else one can feel like he is in a wonderland! Here is Cappadocia, where one may watch the rose coloured rock pinnacles ('fairy chimneys') and the harmony of the colours red, brown, beige, yellow and green turning from one into the other.

Pamukkale, the whitest dream from which one would never want to quit for the real world. It is an incredible natural wonder with its shining white, fairy-tale waterfalls.

Now that when one is in Turkey, one feels the warming essence of life, the joy of existence. One can view magnificent reality interwined with history and nature. When in Turkey, one has the opportunity of observing, travelling or being in touch with the country that unites Europe and Asia, with all her magnificent past, amazing natural beauties and her traditional hospitality.

Cappadocia: The landscape by the magical hand of God...
Çatalhöyük : The first settlement area on earth...
Akçay: The place, where the world's first 'Beauty Contest' was held and Aphrodite was chosen the queen...
Ephesus: The place, where one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the 'Temple of Artemis' is...
Halicarnassus: The place, where one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the 'Mausoleum of Halicarnassus' is...
ISTANBUL: The unique city in the world, that is founded on two continents
Altınoluk: Oxygen heaven in the world...
Sardis: The place, where King Croesus used the coinage system for the first time in the world...
Zile: The place, where Julius Caesar said: 'Veni! Vidi! Vici!...'
Priene: The place, where for the first time the system of geometric city planning was applied by Hippodamos...
Pergamum: The place, where the parchment paper was invented...
Selçuk: The place, where the house of Virgin Mary is...
Sinop: The place, where Diogenes have lived...
Asclepion: The first psychiatric hospital on earth
Amasya: The place, where the famous geographer Strabo have lived...
Sardis: Where the oldest synagogue is
Sanlıurfa: The city of prophets...