District of Temples in Hattusa

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 11/14/2016 - 09:29

The highest point in Hattusa - that is the artificial embankment of Yerkapı - is an excellent vantage point of the Upper Town of Hattusa. On the left side, you can see the fortifications of the city, ascending from the Lion Gate to Yerkapı, and stretching further to the east, to the King's Gate. Yerkapı embankment stands in the middle of the arc demarcated by the city walls. If you look northwards at the city from the Sphinx Gate, you can see a wide valley in the foreground, bordered by Sarıkale and Yenicekale to the west and the modern road to the east. In the valley, you can see numerous building plans that were originally just temples.

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.