Şarapsa Han Caravanserai

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 11/10/2016 - 19:00

In Turkey, one can find many historic inns for travelers, traditionally known as hans (caravanserais), built in Seljuk and Ottoman times. Some of them slowly fall into ruin and oblivion, while others are carefully restored and converted into ethnographic expositions, and others - still serve the travelers, although in a way that probably would surprise medieval merchants. One of the caravanserais belonging to the latter category is Şarapsa Han (also known as Sarafsa Han), probably the most visited caravanserai in Turkey.

Castabala - Hierapolis

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 11/09/2016 - 12:35

The ruins of ancient Castabala, located on the Cilician Plain, can make some visitors dizzy - not only because of their picturesque location but also because of the multitude of names by which this place is known. Below we will use the name Castabala because it is a hallmark of the city. However, in the past, it was described with many other words. In the Hellenistic period, it was known as Hierapolis, just like the famous Roman spa located at Pamukkale. Since the city lies in the valley of the Ceyhan River, in ancient times known as Pyramus, it was frequently called Hierapolis ad Pyramum. What's more, the fortress towering over the city is referred to as Bodrum Kalesi, reminiscent of the well-known holiday resort on the coast of the Aegean Sea.

Monastery of St. Simeon near Antakya

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 11/08/2016 - 19:21

Nearby Samandağ, in the Province of Hatay (Antakya), rises a hill that once was known as the Hill of Wonders. Simon Stylites the Younger lived on this hill, and more precisely, on a high pillar erected on its slope, in the 6th century AD. His followers built there a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity and a monastery. Today, the ruins of the monastic buildings are rarely visited by tourists who are afraid to travel to the areas bordering with Syria. Unfortunately, the magic of the old Hill of Wonders was destroyed by the erection of ugly wind turbines a few years ago.

Colophon

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 11/02/2016 - 09:59

In ancient times Colophon was one of the most important cities of the Ionian coast of Asia Minor. This city, conveniently located near the Aegean coast, quickly developed through trade. It also featured a powerful fleet of warships. Currently, extremely modest remains of this ancient city do not reflect its former importance and bring on the reflections on the transience of even the most powerful civilizations and human memory.

House on the Slope in Hattusa

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 10/31/2016 - 16:58

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Hattusa: "The Secrets of Hattusa".

The steep slope of the hill that rises from the Grand Temple to the Royal Citadel (tr. Büyükkale) was part of the Hattusa Old Town. This quarter of the city was protected by fortifications, at least from the 16th century BCE. There were many buildings erected on this slope, on the artificial terraces, localized among the rocks protruding from the ground. The so-called House on the Slope (tr. Yamaç Evi) is one of the largest of these houses, but also the best-preserved buildings of this type. The building was probably an official building, possibly a scribe school.