Visiting Turkish museums and archaeological sites from your couch

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 12/29/2020 - 11:58

As the travel plans of so many of us collapsed with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the only possible way to visit the archaeological sites and museums is to go online and check which collections have already been digitised. In the case of Turkey, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism established Sanal Muze website that offers a 3D experience of some of the best-known state-run archaeological and ethnographic museums. The downside of this project is the fact that even though the museums offer descriptions of the exhibits, they are only available in Turkish at the moment.

Public latrines in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 12/28/2020 - 08:54

In the quarter of Ephesus located to the north-east of the junction of Marble and Curetes streets, a public latrine was found. It was constructed in the 1st century CE over a channel with an uninterrupted flow of water and the toilet seats, formed by cutting holes into marble benches that line the walls. There were three rows of toilets along three sides of the latrine. The toilets were wholes cut in a marble bench, and their total number was 48.

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

Hıdır Ağa Mosque in Edirne

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 09:22

In Edirne, in addition to the most famous historical mosques, often referred to as the Sultan mosques, there are many smaller and less frequently visited buildings that perform religious functions. One of them is Hıdır Ağa Mosque that due to its proximity to the most famous mosque of Edirne is sometimes referred to as the 'little Selimiye'. However, there is a very little resemblance between these two structures.

Triodos Square and its main monuments in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 12/15/2020 - 10:04

Following the Marble (Theatre) Street to the south, the ancient visitors and the modern-era tourists arrive at the very heart of Ephesus, known as Triodos Square. Even today, the moment when one enters the square can take the breath away. To the west, the magnificent facade of the Celsus Library towers over the space. Moreover, previously hidden from the view, the Curetes Street leading to the Upper City becomes visible. To the east, the colonnades gently made a curve and helped to hide the structures behind, a large peristyle villa and a public latrine.

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

So-called Hadrian's Gate on the Triodos Square in Ephesus

Lower City of Troy

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 12/08/2020 - 10:03

The Lower City of Troy VI/VIIa (13th-14th century BCE) stretches outside the citadel, to the west. Stone foundations of numerous houses have been identified here. The most spectacular finds from the Lower City include a bronze statuette and a terracotta bull figurine. Excavations are still being conducted in this area, bringing new, exciting discoveries every year.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Troy "The Secrets of Troy (TAN Travel Guide)".