Turkey is a transcontinental country that bridges Europe and Asia. Ankara is the country's capital city, and the country's population is estimated to be 86,1 million people. The following countries share borders with Turkey: Syria and Iraq in the southeast, Georgia in the northeast, Iran, Armenia, and a short boundary in the east, as well as Bulgaria and Greece in the northwest. Turkey's land territory is estimated to be 783562 square kilometres. The following are the tourist attractions found in Turkey:
Istanbul city.
It's located on two coasts, on different continents, and in different centuries. More than three thousand architectural and cultural monuments reflect the history of four empires, whose capital was Istanbul. The Bosphorus divides it into two parts - Europe and Asia. Istanbul absorbed the best from each of them. This is a city of fairy tales and grandeur, the silhouette of which is outlined not only by mosques and palaces, but also by skyscrapers, banks, and shopping centers.
In the heart of Turkey is a unique area rich in history and sights. The first thing that surprises me about Cappadocia is the landscape. Here you can see rocks in the form of mushrooms and low mountains. There is also a real underground kingdom. The first Christians dug cave recesses here, creating cities underground. Their depth reached 85 meters, and up to 10 thousand people lived in them.
Dolmabahçe Palace.
It owes its appearance to the desire of Abdulmejid I to be closer to European riches. This is the most "non-Turkish" residence of the Sultan in Istanbul. The palace was built from 1842 to 1853 in the Baroque style, spending 14 tons of gold alone. Dolmabahce consists of three parts, in which there are 285 rooms and 44 halls. Also on the territory of the complex, there are lovely park pavilions and a summer palace.
Mount Ararat.
It's located in eastern Turkey. According to biblical legends, Noah's ark once moored to it. Ararat consists of cones of two volcanoes that have merged at their bases: Greater Ararat and Lesser Ararat. The height of the first is 5165 meters. This is the highest point in Turkey. On the slopes of the mountain, there are many glacial caves, a national park, flowering valleys, and picturesque glades, as well as ancient monasteries.
Hagia Sophia In Istanbul.
This cathedral symbolises the "golden age" of Byzantium, the best example of Byzantine architecture. The history of the cathedral begins in the 4th century. For more than a thousand years, the cathedral was the largest Christian temple. Its height is 55.6 m, and the diameter of the dome is 31 m. An amount equal to two annual Byzantine budgets was spent on the construction of a luxurious cathedral.
The Galata Tower.It's one of the oldest attractions in Istanbul. As far back as the 5th century, there was a tower in this area. The building that has survived to this day was built by the Genoese in 1348-1349 on a hill. The height of the building is 61 meters, and due to its location on a hill, it is visible from almost anywhere in the city. At the top of the tower, there is an observation deck with amazing views.
The Blue Mosque In Istanbul.
It stands on the shore of the Sea of Marmara. This is a symbol of the city, which has no analogues in the world. The first thing that distinguishes the Blue Mosque from others is its six, not four, minarets. According to legend, the reason for this is the mistake of the architect, who misheard the instructions of the Sultan. The mosque was built from 1609 to 1616 using marble, stone, and ceramics. The construction turned out to be majestic, causing delight and awe.
The Maiden's Tower.
It's located on a small rocky island in the Bosphorus. Its history begins centuries before our era, and it is shrouded in legends and romantic stories. Today it is very popular with tourists; it has a restaurant, a museum, a souvenir shop, an observation deck, a cafe, and a bar. The tower was depicted in the painting “View of the Leander Tower in Constantinople” by Aivazovsky.
The Green Canyon.
It's the largest canyon reservoir in Turkey. It is located in the Taurus Mountains, at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level. The place owes its appearance to the construction of a hydroelectric power station. 27 natural springs continuously feed the reservoir with a depth of up to 100 meters. The canyon is cool and very beautiful. This is one of the best destinations for excursions in Antalya.
Manavgat Waterfall.
It's on the Manavgat River in the province of Antalya. On its banks in the 6th century BC, settlements were formed. Although the waterfall itself is not high, it is very picturesque. On it, you can take a break from the heat, sit in a shady restaurant, and swim in cool and refreshing water. On Mondays, there is a bazaar in Manavgat where you can buy delicious fruits and spices.
Topkapi Palace.
It was built in the year 1479 at the instructions of Sultan Mehmed. Its area is 700 thousand m², and it is surrounded by a wall 1400 meters long. The Topkapi Palace witnessed the life and reign of 25 sultans. It was within its walls that the love story of the concubine Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska, who became the wife of the Sultan, and Suleiman the Magnificent, developed. In the TV series "The Magnificent Century," events take place in the luxurious Topkapi Palace.
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
It's the largest covered bazaar in the world, and it's located in the historical center of Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar was built back in 1461 and became the soul of the city. The bazaar occupies several blocks; 61 streets are intertwined inside it, there are 4400 shops, more than 2000 ateliers, 18 fountains, mosques, and even a school. Here you can buy everything, including handmade carpets, gold, silver, amulets, and spices.
Phaselis Ancient City.
Located at 60 km from Antalya, at the foot of Mount Tahtali, described by Homer in the Iliad, there are the ruins of the ancient city of Phaselis. It was founded in the 7th century BC. colonists from Rhodes. Tourists can see in the city the ruins of an aqueduct that supplied water to the entire city, an ancient wall, a theater, temples, and a necropolis. They say that this is where Alexander the Great was buried.
Damlatas Cave.
It's located in the centre of Alanya is the beautiful Damlatas salt cave. It is very easy to get there on your own. The cave is famous for its healing properties; staying in it is very useful for people with asthma. Inside it, nature from multi-colored stalactites formed bizarre figures and landscapes. A special route is equipped for tourists in the cave.
Basilica Cistern.
It's an underground reservoir built by the Greeks in the 4th century. At first glance, it resembles a palace because it consists of 336 nine-meter columns that differ in appearance. They were brought from ancient temples. The Basilica cistern contained 100,000 tons of water. The walls of the cistern were fireproof and covered with waterproofing mortar. For its intended purpose, the Basilica was used until the 16th century.
The Lycian Tombs.
Lycia is an ancient country on the territory of the modern provinces of Mugla and Antalya. The Lycians inhabited it in the 1st millennium BC. Of all the cultural heritage of these people, the tombs are the best preserved. On the territory of Lycia, more than 1000 of them were found, carved into the rocks or on the tops of the mountains. Some tombs had two rooms, were decorated with columns, and some were huge.
The Ancient City Of Side.
It's the main archaeological area of Turkey, as well as one of the most popular resorts. It is located on a peninsula 75 km from Antalya. On the territory of the ancient city, walls have been preserved, there are dilapidated columns, public baths, and a museum is located in them. Further on, you can see the ruins of the temple of Dionysus, Tyche, and Fortune, a huge theater where gladiator fights were held.
The above are not the only tourist attractions in Turkey; there are more attractions in the country. Therefore, if you're planning another summer holiday trip, let Turkey be your next destination. And you're to discover both Asian and European traditions and cultures all in one country, because Turkey bridges Europe and Asia. Please, after visiting Turkey, tell us how your holiday was.
