Church and Monastery of St Nicholas in Mustafapaşa

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 11:55

There are three rock churches in the valley that is situated to the south of Mustafapaşa centre. The most impressive of them is the church and the monastery of St. Nicholas. Along with the other two churches - St. Stephen and Sinasos - it forms Monastery Valley Open Air Museum (tr. Manastır Vadisi Açık Hava Müzesi). It is worth mentioning that there are 14 churches dedicated to St. Nicholas in Cappadocia.

Church and Monastery of St Nicholas in Mustafapaşa

Archaeology Museum in Çanakkale

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 12/23/2016 - 17:18

Please note that the collections of Archaeology Museum in Çanakkale have been transferred to the new Troy Museum, situated near the ruins of Troy. The Archaeology Museum in Çanakkale is now closed and the photos presented in this article document the exhibitions now displayed in the Troy Museum.

The Archaeology Museum in Çanakkale collects the exhibits from the area of the ancient Troad, i.e. the Biga Peninsula. However, despite the enormous historical significance of the region and its incredibly rich history, the museum collection is quite disappointing. Nevertheless, a visit to this museum is recommended before going to Troy and Dardanos Tumulus, situated on the way to Troy. The museum was founded in 1936. Initially, it operated in a former church, but in 1984, it was moved to a new building. In the small garden of the museum, there are a lot of stone exhibits, including sarcophagi, columns, and gravestones.

Avanos

Submitted by Iza on Wed, 12/21/2016 - 12:11

Avanos, located on the Kızılırmak River (literally Red River), is a town famous for its beautiful pottery that has been produced there for millennia. The production process uses the clay extracted from Kızılırmak, with a characteristic reddish hue. However, Avanos is not only a ceramic workshop but also a charming town where it is possible to stroll along a riverside promenade. It is also an alternative accommodation base for exploring Cappadocia.

Grotto of the Seven Sleepers in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 13:37

If you find yourself in the vicinity of Ephesus, you should find the ruins of the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers (tr. Yedi Uyuyanlar), located nearby. It is a Byzantine necropolis where dozens of rock-cut tombs can be seen. The grotto is one of the several places related to the legend of a group of youths who hid inside a cave and years after woke up to find the world changed. This legend has two versions, Christian, and Islamic.

Kızılhisar Castle

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 12/15/2016 - 19:04

Kızılhisar Castle (Red Fortress), also known as Keçi Kalesi or Goat Castle, is situated on Alamandağ Hill, in ancient times known as Gallesion. This hill stands in the vicinity of the town Belevi near Selçuk and is clearly visible from the İzmir-Aydın highway.