Eflatun Pınar

An essential element of the Hittite religious beliefs were the practices of the so-called sympathetic magic. The rituals were performed by the priests called 'soothsayers,' and the priestesses known as the 'old women.' Their actions were aimed at reversing the imminent danger, from impotence to abandonment of the sanctuary by a deity inhabiting it. Most of the practices associated with these activities took place outdoors, and a particular importance was attached to water sources. Many of these places of worship, often in the form of a simple 'sacred sources,' have been preserved to our times. Eflatun Pınar is an excellent example of elaborate stone shrines adorning eternal sources of water. It is situated on the south-eastern side of Beyşehir Lake and called Eflatun Pınar.

Eflatun Pınar
Eflatun Pınar

Library of Celsus in Ephesus

The Library of Celsus is probably the most distinctive building commonly associated with Ephesus. The library has a two-storey façade, and its interior is one large room with dimensions of 10.90 to 16.70 meters. This library room was located above the vaulted substructure. The building was surrounded by an additional wall, offering adequate protection from moisture.

Library of Celsus in Ephesus
Library of Celsus in Ephesus

Yazılıkaya - Midas Monument

There are two places, paramount from the historical point of view, bearing the same name - Yazılıkaya - in the area of Turkey. Not surprisingly, as in Turkish this word means 'inscribed rock' and thus perfectly reflects the character of all the monuments that were created by carving inscriptions in the rock walls. The monument, which is described here, also has two other names - Midas Kenti (Midas City) and Midas Anıtı (Midas Monument), that distinguish it from the Hittite sanctuary of Yazılıkaya, located in the vicinity of Hattusa, in central Anatolia.

Yazılıkaya -  Midas Monument
Yazılıkaya - Midas Monument

Ayazini

Ayazini village, located in the Phrygian Valley, boasts an amazing resemblance to the Cappadocian landscape, well-known to many travelers. In its vicinity, there are beautiful valleys that encourage hiking, and unusual rock formations, including - so-called fairy chimneys. In the village, you can find a church, tombs, and houses carved into a rock. All these attractions have one significant advantage over Cappadocia - as Ayazini is rarely visited by tourists so it can be explored and enjoyed in solitude.

Ayazini
Ayazini

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