Monuments of Turkey

1. The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque, or to give it its’ correct name, The Sultan Ahmed Mosque named after the 14^th Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I who commissioned its construction.  Started in 1609 it took seven years to build and where it was normal to pay for such projects with the spoils of war, Ahmed had not gain any victories so had to pay for it from existing funds. The mosque was built on the site of the Palace of the Byzantine emperors which had to be demolished. The design of the Mosque incorporates both Ottoman and Byzantine architecture.

2. Hagia Sophia

Haghia Sophia is located in sultanahmet across from sultanahmet mosque.lt was origanally built as a church.Haghia Sophia was ocasinally damaged but was repaired and additions were built.Despite the changes, its essence remains untouched.For hundreds of years it has symbolized and been a reminder of the conguest of istanbul. 

3. Topkapi Palace

 The Topkapi Palace situated in the heart of Istanbul was the official and primary residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1856. Construction began on the palace in 1459 by the Sultan Mehmed II, who defeated and captured the Byzantine city of Constantinople in 1453 and renamed the city Istanbul. The Palace was originally known as the New Palace to distinguish it from the previous residence it replaced as the main residence. It received the name ‘Topkapý’ (Cannon Gate) in the 19th century, after the Topkapý Gate and shore pavilion, although these no longer exist.

4. Ephesus

There is evidence that Ephesus was inhabited as long ago as 6000 BC. During the Classical Greek era, which covered the 4^th and 5^th centuries BC, it was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League, and in 546 BC it was occupied by the Persians, but because Ephesus did not join the Ionian Rebellion against the Persians, the city was spared from destruction.  After the defeat of the Persians it came under the guardianship of Athens, although Ephesus had rebelled against Athens in 412BC and supported Sparta in the Peloponnesian War.

5. Side

Dating back to the 6^th century BC, Side - named after Sida, daughter of Danaus - was one of the earliest settlements of the Anatolia region and was renowned for its harbour during the Hittite period when it became a prominent commercial town trading with the countries in the eastern and western Mediterranean.

Side was occupied by Alexander the Great in 333 BC who introduced its people to the Hellenistic culture, which flourished between the 4^th and 1^st century BC. Following Alexander’s death, Side came under the control of Egypt’s Ptolemy dynasty that controlled side until it was captured by the Seleucid Empire in the 2^nd century BC. In 190 BC a fleet from Rhodes, the Greek island city-state, supported by Rome defeated the Seleucid fleet which was commanded by the Carthaginian general Hannibal.

6. Cappadocia

Cappadocia  accured 60 million years ago by spray lav of Erciyes and Hasandag.It is a place where nature and history integrated.There are places which called peribacaları and people used these places as houses or churches.During the history,Cappodocia had been a social and commercial bridge between cities ;Also it had been an important role in Silk Road

7. Maiden’s Tower

Maiden’s Tower is in Istanbul too.lt was built on a small rocky island in the middle of the sea near üsküdar.It is at the intersection of Asia and Europe, non-unique position in the world with 2500 years of history.There are so many legends about it. At the moment , it has got a daytime cafeteria and a restaurant. İn the evenings a fascinating atmosphere waits for you.lt is one of the first things which comes to ones mind about this city and has been the subject of many paintings and pictures. 

8. Pamukkale

Pamukkale, underground sources of water contained in pools formed from the lime. In Denizli. 2700 meters long and 160 meters high. Bright white color is possible to see from a distance of 20 km to Pamukkale. Also Pamukkale antique pool, the ancient theater, should be visited At it’s top, there is an antique  city which is called Hierapolis from the Roman city.

9. Sumela Monastery

Sumela Monastery is in Trabzon .lt is perched on the rockface 270 meters above the valley.lt is a place of exceptional natural beauty.lt was initially constructed on the  steep surface of rock as a small church in the 4th century.  The awe _inspiring and magnificent view of the monastery ,with its frescoes and holy water, attract thousands of Turkish and foreign visitors every year