Travel Turkey

Ephesus

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Ephesus

Bursa Ulu Camii

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Ulu Camii is the largest mosque in Bursa and displays the original Ottoman architecture. It was built by Ali NECC between 1396 and 1399 following the orders of Sultan Bayezid I. It is a rectangular building with twenty domes distributed in four rows with five each fastened by twelve columns. It is twenty domes instead of the twenty independent mosques that the sultan promised to build to win the Battle of Nicopolis. It has two minarets. In the interior, there are 192 monumental inscriptions on the walls written by famous calligraphers. There are also a source (şadırvan) inside the mosque where the faithful practice abdesto before prayers, the dome that rises above the şadırvan is crowned with a skylight. Architecturally, the source reflects light and helps illuminate the interior of the mosque.

The interior space is designed to create a quiet and contemplative. Subdivisions formed by the different columns and domes create a feeling of privacy and intimacy. This environment contrasts with the later Ottoman mosques (see, for example, works of Sinan, chief architect of Solimán the Magnificent), which had very high central dome that emphasized verticality aspect as to convey the overwhelming power of the Ottoman Empire.

Bursa Economy

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Bursa is the center of the automotive industry in Turkey. For decades, FIAT and Renault have had major production facilities in Bursa. It also highlights the textile industry and food; Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola and other beverage brands, as well as various factories and packaged fresh foods are in the industrial areas of the city.

Traditionally, Bursa has been famous for its fertile land and agriculture, although it is in decline due to the great industrialization of the city.

Bursa is also a major tourist center, some of the best ski slopes are located on Mount Uludağ, just a few kilometers from the city. The baths have been used since the Roman Empire for therapeutic purposes. Apart from the bathrooms located in hotels, the University of Uludağ has a physiotherapy center where he used the hot springs.

Bursa History

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The oldest site that is known is the city of CIO, which gave Philip V of Macedonia to King of Prussia I Bithynia in the year 202 a. C. for his help against Pergamum and Heraclea Ponticus (now Karadeniz Eregli). Prussia changed the name in honor of himself, Prusa.

Bursa was evangelized by Saint Andrew, apostle of Bithynia, who probably accompanied by his brother, San Pedro, he exercised his apostolate in these lands. Bursa was one of the hotbeds of irradiation of primitive Christianity.

Subsequently, he acquired great importance due to its location on the western end of the Silk Road. It became the capital of the Ottoman Empire was conquered when the battered Byzantine Empire in 1326. The conquest of Edirne in 1365 led to that city also highlight, although Bursa remained an important administrative and commercial center, even when it lost its status as capital. Shortly after the Ottoman conquest, they opened a theological school in Bursa. This school has attracted many Muslim scholars from around the Middle East and continued its activity after the Bursa cease to be the capital.

During the Ottoman rule, Bursa was the source of most of the silk products of the environment of the sultan. Apart from local production, wild silk is imported from Iran and, occasionally, China, and was the leading manufacturer of kaftanes, pillows, embroidered silk and other products to the palaces of the sultan until the seventeenth century. It has also been historically important production of cars and knives horse. Currently, one can find a wide variety of handmade knives and other products, though, instead of cars of horses, there is a strong car industry.

Bursa

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Bursa (historically known as Prusa, in Greek: Προύσα, and later as Brusa) is a city in northwestern Turkey and capital of the province of Bursa. With a population of 1,979,999 [1] (2007), is the fourth largest city of Turkey, in addition to one of the most industrialized and important in the cultural sphere in the country.

It is often appointed to the city as "Yesil Bursa" ( "Green Bursa"), referring to the parks and gardens over by the city, and the forests that extend throughout the region. Near the town stands the mountain Uludağ, which has a ski resort very popular among the people. Bursa are also in the mausoleums of the Ottoman sultans, as well as numerous buildings constructed during the Ottoman period. The fertile plain that surrounds it, the thermal baths, the museum of archeology, among others, and the orderly urban growth are some of the elements that characterize Bursa.

Karagöz and Hacivat, two famous characters in shadow theater chinescas were actually two historical figures who lived and were buried in Bursa. Bursa is also home to some of the most famous Turkish dishes, especially the chestnuts frost and the Iskender kebap. They are also famous peaches. Among the districts that depend on Bursa, highlights the historic Nicene by its history and building. Bursa also has the University of Uludağ and its population is one of the highest educational standards in Turkey. Traditionally, it has received many immigrants from the Balkans, sometimes in large numbers.

Uludag

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The Uludag is a 2,543 m high mountain in the west of Turkey. His name means translated Powerful mountain (of Turkish Ulu for powerful, sublime and Dag Mountain). The mountain, about 31 miles south of the city of Bursa, is among other things, used for winter sports.

The Uludağ is an extinct volcano, in the surroundings there are still hot springs.

Also known as Olympos Misios or bithynischer Olymp he will sometimes with the same set mountain from which the Sage after the Greek god of the Trojan war followed.

Uludağ is also the name of a limonadeartigen drink, which in Turkey under the name Gazoz is known. This drink was previously exception from the mountain spring water produced. This was also the reason why this drink is not anywhere in Turkey was to receive, it could only be produced as much as the source hergab.

Also, the Uludağ University in Bursa Uludağ which owes its name.

Smyrna

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Smyrna, (Turkish İzmir, contraction of his former Greek name Σμύρνη, Smyrni "Smyrna") is the second largest port in Turkey after Istanbul, and the third city in the country in terms of population (2,610,481 inhabitants in 2006). Is located near the Aegean coast, near the Gulf of Antalya, between the peninsulas and Claxomenas Foça, and about 450 km southwest of Istanbul. It is also the capital of the province of Antalya.

Smyrna History

Smyrna was founded to 3000 a. C. by the 'léleges "in the place of Tepekule near the current Bayraklı. Between 2000 and 1200 a. C., was part of the Hittite empire, and after the collapse of the Hittite state from attacks by the Phrygian, was occupied by the Aeolian, who emigrated from Greece to Anatolia around the year 1000, following the fall of the Mycenaean Greece. He was then occupied by the Ionian, who lived with his swing.

It was conquered in 688 a. C. by the settlers of Colophon, turning it into a city-state and becoming part of the Ionian League. Remained constant battles with the nearby cities of Pergamum and Ephesus. It was conquered in 600 a. C. by the king of Lydia, Aliates, and then by the Persians in 546 a. C. Razed, the city lost the prestige of yesteryear during the following centuries, until Alexander the Great built, very close to it, a new city. 302 a. C., step under the domination of Lisímaco, a former general of Alexander the Great, after his victory over Antigonus I Monoftalmos. After the city step to be dominated by Seleucus and later by the nearby city of Pergamon (end of the third century BC-early second century BC). The Seleucus tried to retake control of the Ionian. Smyrna was beaten by Atala, of Pergamum. At 189-188 a. C., the Seleucus were expelled from the Joni and Asia Minor. Smyrna received territories for having fought alongside Rome and benefited from an independence protected by the Romans. The city received several Roman political exiles.

From the year 89 to 85 a. C., Smyrna, as all the cities of Asia Minor, said the king of Pontus, Mithridates VI Eupator in its war against Rome. Sila, Roman general, began the conquest of Asia Minor. Took Smyrna and forced all the inhabitants of the city to parade naked in the middle of winter. After the peace Dardanos (85 BC), which ended the war between Rome and Mithridates VI, Smyrna, as most of the free cities of Asia and the Aegean, entered the Roman province of Asia.

Later suffered the consequence of civil wars that beset the Roman Empire, which took under his power after occupying Pergamum.

During the advance of Christianity within the Roman Empire, was martyred within its walls Polycarp of Smyrna. The city takes relevance among Christians, to be one of the seven cities named in the apocalypse. Later, step into the hands of the Byzantines for about five centuries until in 1084 it was occupied by the Seljuk Turks, even though that occupation only lasted 13 years, since the Byzantines were able to recover again. The Ottomans, in 1322 he won the Byzantines, passing from hand to hand later, being ruled by the kingdom of Cyprus, and even Venice, the Papal States. Sacked in 1402, suffered a severe punishment: killing most of its inhabitants. The Ottomans, returned to take over in 1424 she retained until 1920, after the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire and the Greek occupation as the Treaty of Sevres. In 1922 he returned to Turkish hands after the Greek War.

The Greek community of Smyrna was moved to Greece due to the agreements of population exchange between Greece and Turkey. More than a million Greeks left the city then, one of the largest Greek population of the former Ottoman Empire. The music brought by refugees from Smyrna would be the origin of rebétiko, one of the most important Greek music genres. During World War II, the city grew thanks to its strategic location and recovered from a terrible fire 20 years earlier had destroyed the city completely.

Balikesir

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Balıkesir is a city, capital of the province of Balıkesir, in Turkey and has a population of 241,404 inhabitants (2007). Its main exports are products based on the olive tree. It is also a popular destination for Turkish domestic tourism. Ylidene is surrounded by places like Mount Ida.

Balıkesir is located near the Roman city of Hadrianutherae, founded by the Emperor Hadrian. During the Byzantine domination, the city was known as Palaeokastron (from the Greek Castle Palaeologus).

Pamukkale

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Southwest of Turkey, particularly in the Menderes River valley in the province of Denizli, where it enjoys a temperate climate most of the year, is Pamukkale (cotton castle in Turkish), a natural area, which is at the same time a famous tourist attraction.

The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the 'castle' white, which in total is 2700 m long and 160 m in height. It may be money at great distance, for example, if we are driving through the hills on the opposite side of the valley towards the town of Denizli, which is 20 km, or traveling from the coast of Antalya and the Aegean Sea.

Tectonic movements that took place in the depression of the failure of the Menderes River Basin is not only causing frequent earthquakes but also resulted in the emergence of numerous hot springs. Were these waters, with its high mineral content - chalk in particular - those who created Pamukkale.

In addition to any radioactive material, the water contains large amounts of calcium and bicarbonate that produce precipitation of calcium bicarbonate. Every second spring from these sources 250 L water, leading to precipitation of 2.2 grams of chalk for each liter of water or 0.55 kg of chalk per second. Over time some sources dried up due to earthquakes, while new ones emerged in the vicinity.

Pamukkale

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Sultanahmet Square Fountain

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Sultanahmet Square Fountain
It is in the square in front of the main gate to Topkapı Palace. It was built during 1728-1729 by Ahmet III, and is among the important works of art of the "Tulip Period" of the Ottoman Era. It is based on a 10 x 10 m. plan with spouts on each of its faces and corners. It is famous for its architecture and decorations.

WONDERS OF TURKEY

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* Ancient Civilizations, Ancient Cities
* Fortresses, Castles
* Palaces, Pavillions, Mansions, Residences
* Religious Monuments
* Thelogical Schools, Hospitals, Alm's Houses,Baths
* Inns, Shops, Bazaars
* Sacred Places, Sacred, Objects, Convents
* Tombs, Vaults, Mausoleums
* Bridges, Water Arches, Cisterns, Reservoirs
* Fountains, Pools
* Bird Houses
* Mosaics, Miniatures, Leather Arts
* Calligraphs, Gildins, Paper Engravings
* Marblings, Maps, Binderies
* Art of Glass, Glazed Tiles
* Stobe Engravings, Decorations, Metal Art and Jewellery
* Wood Engravings, Mother of Pearl Embedding, Pencil Work
* Carpets and Rugs
* Clothes, Textiles, Embroidery and Pinking

Denizli History

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Denizli city was established 6 km north of the present location of the city, within the neighbourhood of Eskihisar Village. The city was built by II Antiokos for the name of his wife in between the years of 261 - 246 B.C and gave its name to Laodikeia. This name of the city had been used till the invasions of the Muslim.The current name of the city Denizli, once Tonguzlu, has taken its form through an evolutionary process. Later Persians, Great Alexander, Romans and Byzantine, Seljuks, Govermentals and Ottomans took control of the city. After Turks conquered Denizli and its environs,the center of the city became Kaleiçi due to its rich water resources.

Denizli Geography

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Though located in Aegean region, Denizli is not totally effected with the Aegean climate. Instead, due to its being placed on the transition point between coast line and the inner parts, Denizli to a certain extent displays a terrestrial climate. Denizli province is open to the winds coming from the sea because of the perpendicular extension of the mountains. Winter months are warm and rainy.

Denizli Mosques

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Acıpayam Yazır Mosque : According to the inscription on the entrance gate of the Mosque, it was built in 1801. Mosques' walls which are very rich and interesting in terms of decoration, are adorned with 3 lined panels of pictures.

Boğaziçi Mosque : The mosque was built during Seljuk Period in Baklan county, Boğaziçi town. It is inside the wooden columned type of mosques. Rich and various wooden patterns by means of decorative perspective can be seen.

Tombs : Servergazi Tomb (Yeşilköy), Mehmet Gazi Tomb (at Big grave yard), Fatma Hanım (Yıldız) Tomb (at Big grave yard), Ahi Sinan Tomb, Mahmut Gazi Tomb, Yatağan Baba Tomb ve Hüsamettin Bey Tomb are main tombs that are to be seen in Denizli.

Denizli Inns and Caravanserais

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Akhan Inn : It is 7 km from Denizli, and located on Denizli - Afyon highway. Caravanserai was built in between the 1253 - 1254. In one of the two inscription of the caravanserai, name and reputations of II. İzzettin Keykavus are described. Hanım portal (corona gate)is magnificient with its geometrical and pastel adornments. It has dense embellishment with Deer, sphinxes, and bird shaped figures, palm, and plants shaped motifs.

Çardakhan Caravanserai : It is located outside the Çardak county center. According to its inscription, it was built during I. Alaaddin Keykubad Period, in 1230. It is a caravanserai having the properties of Sultan Inns.

Hierapolis Archeology Musuem

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One of the biggest buildings of Hierapolis antique city,Roman Bath has been giving service as Hierapolis Archeology Musuem since 1984.

At the museum, besides the creations engraved from Hierapolis city, traces of Laodikeia, Colossai, Tripolis, Attuda, Lycos (Çürüksu) Valley cities can be found. Moreover, important part of the museum consists of archeological creations unearthed at Beycesultan Tumulus which presents the best samples of Bronze Age. Pieces of art revealed from some of the settlements within Karia, Psydia and Lydia regions are also collected and exhibited in Hierapolis Museum.

Open hours to visit: Summers: 08.00 - 19.00, Winter: 08.00 - 17.00 (except Mondays) Tel :( 258) 272 20 34

Atatürk Ethnography Museum : Located in the city center ,the building currently serves as a museum, the construction date of which is not certain. At the upper floor of the museum, ethnographic cultural assets such as clothes, jewelers, house furniture, guns, rugs, carpets majority of which are remained from Ottoman Period are on exhibit. Moreover in the room where Atatürk rested during his visit to Denizli, there are a wradrobe, bedstead adorned with brass,sofa and a work table in baroque style.

Open hours to visit: Summers: 08.00 - 19.00, Winters: 08.00 - 17.00 (except Mondays) Tel : (258) 241 08 66

Tripolis: It is at the 40 km north of Denizli city center. It is built on the slopes between Büyük Menderes River and Yenicekent Town,Buldan county, east from Yenicekent town. Tripolis is one of the cities in Lydia region was a trade, agriculture and border center as the junction point between Karya and Frigia.

It was one of the richest cities of region with its architecture and maner of establishment. It is estimated that city was build by Bergama Kingdom. Best samples of monument buildings were built during 1st, 2nd and 3rd centuries. Mentioning of the nameTripolis in the list of the bishops of the Lydia in Nikea council in 325 AC, means that city was in the condition of episcopacy.

Tripolis Buildings

Theater: It is in the city center and built with Roman construction style and in a suitable way for formation of area.

Public Bath: It takes place approximately 200 m. east of the theater. It is located at the outer side of the city ramparts.Outer walls are partly survived.

Castle and Ramparts: Tripolis surrounded by ramparts during Late Roman and Byzantine Period. Built on sloping grounds, ramparts of the city were supported by bastions, watchtowers and thick walls in some parts.

Necropolis: It is at the east and south slopes of the ramparts. In this place rock tombs, graves with podiums and tombs can be seen.

Colossae : It is located at 25 km south of Denizli city and 2 km north of Honaz County. It is on the south roadway that has been used since Ancient times. It is one of the most important centers placed in Great Frigia. It is one of the 6 biggest cities of Frigia according to Ksenephon.

There is a castle ruin remained from Ottoman Period. Ruins of Colossae antic city, an Acropolis, can be seen around tumulus hill and surrounding areas. At north of tumulus, there are tombs engraved to rock to be built as room and house type.

Herakleia Salbace : City is in the borders of Vakıf Village which is 10 km north west of Tavas county, Denizli city. Important buildings are ramparts surrounding the city and stadium belonging to Roman Period.

Artemis and Leto : It is at approximately 4 km east of Herakleia Salbace antique city and 1 km north east of present Tavas - Kızılcabölük Town, built on a place named Ören Sırtı (ruin ridge) and Kocapınar locality. Perched on the ridges of Babadağ Mountain with its rectangular shape,Hieron has relieves on its surface that figure out the mythological scenes about Artemis, Apollo, Pan, Dionysus and Hercules.

Denizli Thermal Springs

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Çizmeli (Yenice) Thermal : It is in the borders of Yenicekent that 16 km far away to Buldan county. It is at the outskirts of Menderes River and accessible through passing the Tripolis antic city ruins. It has good effects on some of the health problems such as Rheumatism, heart disease, arteriosclerosis, skin disease, and hemorrhoids.

Gölemezli Çamur Thermal : It is near the Gölemezli village depended to Akköy County. It is formed with 4 springs. Each spring has different quality. First one uses as mud bath. It used for curative effects on skin diseases.

Babacık (Kabaağaç) Thermal : It is at the Kaabaağaç Village 3 km away from Tekke köyü hot spring, Sarayköy county.

Tekkeköy Thermal : It is near the Village at Sarayköy County. It is 20 km away from Sarayköy, and hot waters springs from various places. Public Bath remains from Rome period contains pool and dressing rooms. Hot spring waters has curative effects on rheumatism, skin, gynecological and urethra diseases.

Kızıldere Hot Spring : It springs from red colored stones, 11 km away from Sarayköy Village. The complex includes a two domed turkish bath(hamam), two bathing place, pool and dressing rooms. It is good for rheumatism and weariness.

How to Get Denizli

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Highway :Denizli is accessible from every region of country by road. Choach station is in the city center. Coach Station Tel: 241 03 47

Railway:City is connected to Ankara, İstanbul and İzmir by railway. Railway route following Denizli - Aydın - İzmir highway occupies the connection of the city to İzmir. Railway station is in the city center. Railway Station Tel: 268 28 31

Airway :There is an airport 5 km away from county center at Çardak county of Denizli city. Airport is located at Çardak county 65 km away from city center. Airport Tel: 851 24 59

Denizli

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Area : 11.868 km²

Population : 850.029 (2000)

Traffic Code : 20

Denizli famous with roosters, has rich history and culture. Denizli is a tourism center to be seen with its Hierapolis and Laodikeia, Tripolis, antic cities, hot springs and Pamukkale which is unique in the world with its travertines.,

Distircts:Denizli (center), Acıpayam, Akköy, Babadağ, Baklan, Bekilli, Beyağaç, Bozkurt, Buldan, Tavas, Çameli, Çal, Çardak, Çivril, Güney, Honaz, Kale, Sarayköy, Serinhisar.

Aydin History

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Aydın was founded by the Trallians and known as Tralles. After being destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt, it was controlled by the Spartans, Hittites, Phrygians, Ionians, Lydians, Persians and Romans, all of whom brought their own culture and contributed to the development of the region.

Aydin Geography

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Affected by the Mediterranean climate, the rainy season is winter and snow is rarely seen. Aydın is open to the winds coming in off the sea from the west. In the summertime it practically never rains.

Aydin Thermal Springs

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Underground river The rich boat-shaped valley formed by the numerous springs of the Menderes Watershed which flows down to the Aegean from heights of up to 900 m. also has abundant underground water supplies. There are 262 villages with artesian wells in the province of Aydın.

Alan Güllü Thermal Springs At Bozköy near Germencik, the springs have facilities which include an indoor thermal pool approved by the municipality and 32 rooms with 70 beds. In addition, there are modern treatment and accommodation facilities, in what has become one of the biggest and most modern thermal springs in the area.

Bafa Lake Natural Park

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Location: The Bafa Lake Natural Park takes place within the borders of Söke District of Aydın Province in Aegean Region.

Transportation: The Bafa Lake is at the south-east of Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) Delta, and 25 km far away from the Söke District. It is possible to reach to the park overland route.

Highlights: The Bafa Lake, which used to be a part of Aegean Sea, had turned to be a lake as result of geomorphologic development of Great Menderes Delta. Bafa Lake is one of the least spoiled watery areas at the shore, in Turkey. The maximum depth of the Bafa Lake reaches to 25 meters. The main water sources of the Bafa Lake are the water floods of Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) River, and the underground waters coming from the mountains at the environment.

The plant cover around lake consists of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The Bafa Lake shelters the ecosystem characteristics of Great Menderes delta. Because of that reason it provides a winter quarter and a place for reproduction for many bird species which are under the danger of vanishing.
The main bird species in the Bafa Lake Natural Park are pelican, dwarf cormorant and sea eagle. The Park provides a winter quarter for more than 300.000 different bird species.

There are 700 kinds of plankton in the Lake, and a variety of water plants. This causes many fish species to live in the lake. As the cultural and historical values of the Bafa Lake; Heraclia Antic City takes place within the borders of the Lake, at the south west foot of Beşparmak Mountains. In the Antic City there are many historical buildings; these are Athena Temple, an Agora, Council Building, Public Bath, Theatre, Nymphaion (fountain building), and Endymion Temple.

In order to protect the historical and natural values of the area, in 1994, 12281 hectares of it taken under the status of Natural Park.

Facililities: In the park; a visitor centre, a camping area, places for daily use and picnic, walking and trekking footpaths, and bird - watching stations are available.

Aydın - Bafa Lake

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Location: Bafa Lake is in the Soke District of Aydin province, in the Aegean Region.

Transportation: Bafa Lake is at the southeast of the Buyuk Menderes Delta, and 25 km from Soke from where it is easily accessible.

Highlights: The lake, once part of the Aegean Sea, became a lake as result of geomorphologic development of Buyuk Menderes Delta and is in an area of relatively unspoilt beauty. Its main sources are from Buyuk Menderes, and the underground rivers flowing from the surrounding mountains.

Plant life consists of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The lake protects the ecosystem of the delta, and therefore provides a winter habitat for many species of birds which would otherwise be in danger of extinction: Around 300,000 birds nest here, including pelican, dwarf cormorant and sea eagle and there are 700 kinds of plankton in the lake and a variety of water plants, which encourages many species of fish.

Historical and cultural sites around the lake include the antique city of Heraclia, at the foot of the Besparmak mountains, which has the remains of the Athena Temple, an agora council building, public bath, theatre, and Endymion temple. In order to protect these areas, 12,281 hectares of the park were given the status of Natural Park in 1994.

Facilities: There is a visitor centre, camping area, picnic sites, trekking paths and bird-watching towers are in the park.