Top 20 sights of Turkey: photos, description * Sights

Turkey is a hot eastern country that beckons with its nature and historical past. The state formed after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire was able to defend its right to existence and sovereignty. Every year the tourist flow, striving to get here, is increasing. And not in vain - the sights of Turkey will impress even the most sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty.

Istanbul Blue Mosque

The shrine was built in the 17th century by order of Sultan Ahmed I, who begged Allah for victory in numerous wars. The religious complex impresses with its scale and architectural style: expensive types of granite and marble were used during the construction, a large number of windows create bright interior lighting without the use of additional light sources. Gilded Arabic inscriptions adorn the space of the main dome and walls. The main distinguishing feature of the mosque is six minarets with adjoining balconies instead of the usual four. Only worshipers are allowed in the central part of the religious complex; tourists are not allowed to enter there.

Hilt

The ancient city of Ephesus, founded in the 10th century BC, was located on the shores of the Aegean Sea until it was destroyed by a terrible earthquake. The Byzantines and Greeks, Romans and Seljuks left their mark here. One of the seven wonders of the world - the Temple of Artemis, decorated with sculptures and surrounded by 36 columns, in the distant past towered over the streets of the city. Now only ruins remain of it. The Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Roman Theater are the main buildings of Ephesus, which are under the protection of UNESCO. These unusual sights of Turkey will leave an indelible mark on everyone's memory forever.

Saint Sophie Cathedral

The shrine, which took more than five years to build, is a striking representative of Byzantine style architecture. The Hagia Sophia was built by the most skilled craftsmen of Constantinople. The main building material was brick, but for further cladding, gold, silver and precious stones were used. The religious landmark of Byzantium embodied the invincibility and power of the empire before the capture of the state by the Turks. In modern times, within the walls of the cathedral, two religious movements are very closely intertwined - Christianity and Islam.

Ruins of Troy

Troy, the second name of the ancient city - Ilion, is full of secrets and legends. She is sung by the blind creator Homer in the poems "The Odyssey" and "Iliad", telling the world about the causes and results of the Trojan War. The ruins of the old city keep the spirit of those glorious times of Troy's prosperity: the theater of Rome, the building of the Senate, the temple of Athena in the historical past of Troy played an important role in its development. The model of the famous Trojan horse, which determined the outcome of the bloody clash between the Danaans and the Trojans, can be seen from anywhere in the city.

Mount Ararat

Mount Ararat is an extinct volcano that has erupted five times during its entire existence. This attraction of Turkey attracts tourists with its magnificent nature, where you can find peace and inspiration. The highest mountain in Turkey is famous not only for its mesmerizing views from its top, but also for its involvement in Christianity. Biblical legends say that it was on this peak that Noah found salvation during the Flood, having built his ark here.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia, the central part of the eastern country, was formed in the first millennium BC. The region is surrounded by mountains and has an unusual natural landscape. Here the first Christians found shelter during the persecution, building cave settlements in volcanic tuff, underground cities and cave monasteries. The latter make up the Goreme National Park, an open-air museum. All this has survived to this day and is under the protection of UNESCO.

Duden waterfalls

A visit to the Duden Waterfalls will suit those tourists who love silence and contemplation. The clean streams of the full-flowing Duden River, flowing almost throughout the territory of Antalya, form two waterfall springs - Lower Duden and Upper Duden. Cote d'Azur, variegated greenery and picturesque nature - all this surrounds the water attraction of Turkey, striking in its beauty and splendor.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace traces its history back to the middle of the 15th century, when a large construction project began on the orders of the Ottoman padishah Mehmed the Conqueror. One of the main attractions of Turkey has a unique location - it stretches along the shores of Cape Sarayburnu, at the confluence of the Bosphorus Strait into the Sea of Marmara. Until the 19th century, the palace was the residence of the Ottoman rulers, in the 20th century it was given the status of a museum. The walls of this architectural complex keep the history of Khyurrem and Suleiman I the Magnificent.

Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern is a mysterious ancient reservoir stretching almost 12 meters deep. The walls of the structure have a special solution that allows you to retain water. The vault looks more like an antique temple - there are 336 columns on its territory that hold the vaulted ceiling. The construction of the Basilica Cistern began during the reign of Constantine I at the beginning of the 5th century, and ended in 532, when the power belonged to Justinian I. The supply of water made it possible to survive wars and drought.

Amphitheater in Demre

The amphitheater in the minds of people is more connected with Ancient Greece and Rome. But there is such a miracle of ancient architecture in Turkey, erected on the territory of the ancient country of Lycia. The Colosseum, located in the old city of Mira, has vast territories in its possession: by modern standards, it can accommodate up to 10 thousand people. It is easy to imagine yourself as a brave warrior demonstrating to people the art of driving a chariot.

Bosphorus

The Bosphorus Strait is the narrowest waterway on the planet. Its waters connect the Black and Marmara seas, and the glorious Istanbul stretches on its shores - a city lying in Asia and Europe. The strait had and still has an important navigational importance, for a long time there has been a struggle for control over it. The last time the waters of the Bosphorus, according to the Turkish scripture, froze in February 1621.

Lycian tombs

Lycia is an ancient country on the site of which today's Turkey rises. Many cultural monuments were left there by our ancestors. One of these are the Lycian tombs. They are not burials familiar to modern man, but entire architectural complexes, which are divided into several types. Here you can see:

unusual kaya - tombs carved into the rocks;
tapinak - burials in the form of majestic temples, reflecting the style of the ancient Lycians;
multi-level dakhit - the last refuge in the form of sarcophagi;
tomb houses similar to Lycian huts.

Damlatash cave

Damlatas Cave, discovered quite by accident in the middle of the 20th century, is located in the Turkish city of Alanya. This landmark of Turkey is famous for natural formations with medicinal properties. Motley stalagmites and stalactites have appeared in the cave, the air of which is saturated with carbon dioxide, for more than 15 thousand years. The atmospheric pressure in Damlatash is always 760 mm Hg. Art. and does not depend on the season.

Suleymaniye Mosque

The majestic and magnificent shrine, built in the 16th century by the order of Suleiman I, is located in Istanbul. The mosque is famous not only for its many stained-glass windows, exquisite decoration, a magnificent garden, a large library, four spacious minarets, but also for its invincibility. Neither earthquakes nor fires could destroy this shrine. Also, it is here that the tombs of the Ottoman ruler Suleiman I and his wife Khyurrem are located.

Fiery mountain Yanartash

"Fire-breathing Chimera" - such a nickname among the people was received by the fiery mountain Yanartash, which caused fear and curiosity in people from time immemorial. This is due to the large accumulation of natural gas, which seeps through the mountain crevices and ignites spontaneously. Attempts to extinguish the fire did not lead to anything, so the Byzantines considered this place a holy place. According to legend, it was on this mountain that the Chimera lived - a fire-breathing monster killed by the hero Bellerophon and thrown into the bowels of a mountain formation. There is an opinion that it is the Yanartash flame that is the undying Olympic flame.

Pool of Cleopatra in Pamukkale

The water attraction of Turkey in Pamukkale has a whole inflorescence of medicinal properties and a beautiful legend. According to legend, the Egyptian queen Cleopatra herself bathed in the waters of the pool. People from all over the Roman Empire came here to take medicinal baths and improve their health. The pool is saturated with useful minerals, the temperature in it is unchanged - it is 35 ºС, regardless of weather conditions.

Arched gate in Side

The arched gate is the path leading to the old part of Side. They were erected by 71 BC in honor of the Roman emperor Vespasian, the founder of the great Flavian dynasty. The height of the gate is almost 6 meters, in ancient times it consisted of two wings, one of which opened inward and the other outward. The landmark was constantly undergoing restoration, it acquired its final appearance only during the era of Roman rule.

Green canyon

Green Canyon is a wonderful artificial reservoir with clean fresh water and lush greenery around. The water here is oversaturated with iron, so the waterway has an emerald color. This place is perfect for those seeking harmony and peace. Wonderful landscapes, the majestic Taurus Mountains covered with coniferous forests - all this will appeal to connoisseurs of natural beauty.

Monastery of Panagia Sumela

The shrine is an inactive Orthodox monastery dating back to the late 4th - early 5th century AD. The uniqueness of the religious complex lies in the fact that it is carved into the rock at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level. Since the end of the 4th century, the monastery has kept the icon of the Mother of God Panagia Sumela, according to legend, written by the Evangelist Luke. Near the monastery, you can see an almost destroyed fountain, whose waters in the old days had healing properties.

Mount Nemrut-Dag

Mount Nemrut Dag rises in the city of Adiyaman, located in southeastern Turkey. On the territory of the mountain sight, ancient architectural buildings and antique statues of the gods of the Hellenistic period have been preserved. All this was built by order of the emperor Antiochus I, the ruler of the state of Commagene. The proud emperor put himself on a par with the gods, so he ordered his tomb, similar to the Egyptian pyramids, to be erected on Mount Nemrut-Dag and surrounded by deities sitting on thrones. The statues, which are more than 2000 years old, have survived to this day and are under the protection of UNESCO.