Worth Visiting Ancient Cities in Turkiye

Throughout its history, Turkiye has been a witness to numerous civilizations from the west to the east, making it one of the most fortunate locations on Earth. Ancient cities that have witnessed a plethora of diverse stories hold significant positions in the world heritage. With their unique architectural structures, artworks, and natural beauties, these ancient cities transport visitors on a journey through time. Regardless of your vacation destination, you can incorporate these historical sites and locations from all around Turkiye into your travel itinerary.

Hattusa

The capital of the Hittites, Hattusa, is located in the southwest of Çorum, in the district of Boğazkale. In 1986, Hattusa was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, serving as a crucial center in Anatolia for centuries as the capital of the Hittite Empire. It was discovered by the French explorer Charles Texier in the year 1834.

Aspendos

The Aspendos Ancient Theater is situated in the Serik district of Antalya. The theater was constructed as an open-air venue by the Romans in the 2nd century AD. It’s also known that the architect of the theater was Zenon, the son of Aspendian Theodoros.

Ephesus

The initial establishment of the ancient city of Ephesus within the boundaries of Selçuk district in Izmir dates back to around 6000 B.C. It served as a settlement from prehistoric times through the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Anatolian Beyliks, and Ottoman periods. It was a prominent gateway and a significant port city between the East and the West. With an average of 1.5 million visitors annually, the history of excavations in the ancient city goes back nearly 125 years. Ephesus, which hasn’t been completely unearthed yet, continues to contribute new structures to Anatolian archaeology.

Aizanoi

The ancient city of Aizanoi is located in the district center of Çavdarhisar, Kütahya, 50 kilometers away from Kütahya itself. It is believed to have originated from the combination of the mythological hero Azan, a precursor of the Phrygians, who lived around the sacred cave of the goddess Meter Steunene in the upper reaches of the Penkalas River, and the legendary King Arkas, with the water nymph Erato. One of the best-preserved temples of Anatolia dedicated to Zeus can be found in the city.

Pergamon

The ancient city of Pergamon is situated in the center of the Bergama district, which is now part of İzmir Province. The Roman-period settlement lies between the northwest of the city and the Bergama Stream. Within this area, there used to be a 50,000-person amphitheater and a 30,000-person theater. The remaining remnants known as Viran Kapı are the surviving arches of the theater.

Zeugma is a city situated on hills 10 kilometers east of the Nizip district of Gaziantep. One of the generals of Alexander the Great, Seleucus I Nicator, founded a city named Seleucia Euphrates in 300 BC at the location where Alexander the Great crossed the Euphrates River.

He also established a second city across from this one, named after his wife Apama, and connected the two cities with a bridge. The city’s name was changed to ‘Zeugma’, meaning ‘bridge’ or ‘crossing’, when it became connected to Rome.

Myra

The ancient city of Myra, located in the present-day Demre district and its surroundings, was established on a plain of the same name. The city had a convenient canal to the west of the Myros River, providing a connection to the sea. Additionally, the Andriake (Çayağzı) Port on the other side of the canal facilitated maritime transportation and trade for the region. Myra Ancient City is particularly renowned for its Lycian rock tombs from the Lycian period, its Roman-era theater, and the Byzantine-era Church of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus).

Alacahöyük

The Alacahöyük Archaeological Site is located in the Alacahöyük village of Alaca district in Çorum. It served as an important cultural and artistic center for the Hittites, and excavations that began in 1935 revealed artifacts from four civilizations.

The findings from Alacahöyük are displayed in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara and the Alacahöyük Museum, which opened in 1941. The area encompassing Alacahöyük and Boğazköy was designated as a national park in 1988.

Phaselis

Located within the forest in Tekirova Village, 35 km away from Antalya, is the ancient city of Phaselis. The remains of the city are situated on both sides of the main street that connects the military harbor to the southern harbor. The main street, which is 125 meters long and 20–25 meters wide, features sidewalks accessed by three steps on each side. After forming a square in the middle, the street reaches the southern harbor.


Yorumlar

Bu blogdaki popüler yayınlar