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| Touristic Places |
East and South Anatolia
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With its high mountain ranges, valleys, plains and lakes,streams and riverbeds integrated with colors of purple, brown, grey, yellow and red ,and adorned with the unique architectural samples of Turkish culture, East and Southeast Anatolian Region bring to the sight pleasurable panoramic views...
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Sanli Urfa
The region has extremely hot and dry summers, with temperatures often reaching the mid-40s°C. The winters can be very wet, and the nights sometimes plummet to -12°C. This area has the lowest humidity level in the country, and the best time to visit for a comfortable climate spring and autumn.
The traditional and religious conservatism, combined with the ancient historical monuments, has also given it the name City of the Prophets and has made Urfa a unique place to visit. Away from the city, the ancient village and genuine living museum Harran with its famous bee-hive type houses, has been continuously inhabited for more than 6000 years.
Districts: Şanlıurfa (center), Akçakale, Birecik, Bozova, Ceylanpınar, Halfeti, Harran, Hilvan, Siandrek, Suruç, Viranşehir.
The history of Sanlıurfa can be traced back around 9000 years and the atmosphere is one of living history, where traditional life, culture and even clothing is more akin to the Middle East with Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic all being spoken. Sanliurfa (often referred to as Urfa) is also a place of pilgrimage for many religions, containing what is thought to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. According to Jewish and Muslim scriptures, he was summonsed by God whilst living here.
Major Sights: Museums and Ancient Cities, Harran, Thermal Resorts, Religious Monuments, Fountains, Bridges and Aqueducts, Traditional Urfa Houses, Hamams and Hans, Bazaars, Ornithology Areas
Şanlıurfa is history can be traced back thousands of years. The first known settlers were the Hurrites who built a fortress on the hill, now occupied by the Citadel, in approximately 3500 BC. They were later followed by the Hittites and the Assyrians. Alexander the Great arrived and renamed the city Edessa, using it as an outpost for the Romans against the Persians, and it remained the capital of a Seleucid province until 132 BC. After that it became an independent kingdom, and then was taken over by the Romans and evolved as a significant centre of Christianity from the 2nd century AD, even having its own patriarch.
During the 6th century, the city was caught in the middle of the power struggle between the Romans and Persians, until a peace treaty was signed. It lasted only seven years, when the Arabs entered and ruled Edessa for the next three centuries, then the First Crusade established the county of Edessa, which lasted until the mid 12th century. It was then ruled by the Seljuk Turks and in the early 17th century was renamed Urfa when the Ottomans finally took over. The addition of San (great) to its name was as recent as the late 20th century. - more info
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Gaziantep
The city lies on a large fertile plain covered with olive groves and wheat fields and is known as the pistachio capital of the world.
Industry in the area makes a large contribution to the nationaş economy. Traditional copper and woodwork are know and sought after. 'Lahmacun' (a kind of thin-crusted pizza) and pistachio baklava from this area are famous.
Main Events: April 15-22; Tourism Week and Convention, September 1; Golden Pistachio Festival
Major Sights in the Environs: City wall, Archeology Museum in a Seljuk Medrese, Ethnographical Museum in Hasan Süzer Mansion. - more info
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Diyarbakır
Known in ancient times as Amida, the city spreads across a basalt plateau close to the banks of the Dicle (Tigris) River.
The black basalt city walls encircling the old town are 5,5 km in length with 16 keeps and five gates, an excellent example of medievalmilitary architecture. The refurbished 'Deliller Hanı' by the Mardin gate is a hotel that recreates the atmosphere of caravanserais gone by.
Main Events: September 15 - October 15; GAP Culture and Art Week
Major Sights: City walls, Ulu Mosque, Safa Mosque, Syrian-Aramaic Church of the Virgin Mary from the third century (open for worship), the Otoman house museum in the restored mansion of poet Sıtkı Tarancı, bridge over the Tigris built in 1065. - more info
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Erzurum
While the archeological museum reveals much of the city's history, the local architecture is the best display.
Erzurum is the largest city in eastern Anatolia, sprawling on a high plateau at an altitude of 1950 m. Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Works attest to the lengthy history of the area and the Aziziye War Memorial in memory of the Turo-Russian war in 1919 brings the city into the 20th century. The local black stone used in the buildings is also found in the jewellery, most easily found in the old caravanserai of Rüstem Paşa. To the South is the winter sports area of Palandöken with the longest ski run in Turkey.
Main Events: July 23 - August 7; International Erzurum Congress and Festival
Major Sights in the Environs: Remains of Byzantine city walls, Ulu Mosque (1179), the Twin Minaret Medrese (1253), Üç Kümbetler Mausoleum, Museum for Turkish Islamic Art in the old Yakutiye Medrese (13th century), Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque (by Mimar Sinan). - more info
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Van
Hurries are the first civilization settled in Van. After them the Urinian lived here for more than 200 years. Persians, Macedonians, Sasanians, Byzantinians, Seljuks, and Ottomans are only some of the civilizations governed here
The climate of Van Lake is dominant in the area. the summers are rainy and hot, and the winters are rainy and quite cold. The spring and autumn times are warm and rainy.
Major Sights: Van Lake and Akdamar Island, Castles: Van Castle, Hoşap Castle, Ağartı Castle, Kef Castle, Çavuştepe Castle, Ayanıs Castle, Toprakkale Castle, Aşağı-Yukarı Anzaf
Castles. Churches: Akdamar Church, Adır Church, Yedi Church, Mosques, Medreses (Theological Schools) and Vaults; The most important mosques in Van are Ulu Mosque, Hüsrev Paşa Mosque, Kızıl Mosque, Gevaş İzzettin Çir Mosque, Süleyman Han Mosque, Kaya Çelebi Mosque, Horhor Mosque and Abbasağa Mosque. Hüsrev Paşa Medrese (Theological School), Hoşap Hasan Bey Medrese, Hoşap Evliya Bey Medrese, Gevaş Halime Hatun Vault, Erciş Anonim (Zortul) Vault are the places that should be visited by the visitors, Bridges and Water Channels, Traditional Van Houses, Promenade, Ornithology Areas, Sports Activities. - more info
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Nemrut
At the junction of the East and West civilisations, Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut) is one of the most astounding sites in Turkey: A collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain 2150m high, adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. Unknown until 1881 when an Ottoman geologist discovered these 10 metre-high stone heads, archaeological work began in 1953 to uncover their history.
Nemrut Dağı has since been a significant attraction, with thousands coming at sunrise and sunset to see the stones in the best possible light. It has been designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, and is one of the most important National Parks in the country. In addition to the statues, the entire site includes art from the Commagene civilisation, the Eskikale (Old Castle), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Hill and Cendere Bridge. Most people use the nearby towns of Malatya, Kahta or Adıyaman as a base, and the road to the summit is only open from mid-April to mid-October because of heavy snow the rest of the year. Location: Nemrut Dagi National Park lies between Kahta (9km) and Adiyaman (43km).
Highlights: Most famous site of all, and one of the best-known images of Turkey, are the huge sculptures of gods on the mountain. In addition, it is also the site of tumulus of Antioch, Arsameia (Eskikale), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Tepe (Peak), and Cemdere Bridge. In the ancient city of Commagene, King Mithridates I established an independent kingdom, which gained importance during the reign of King Antioch (62 - 32 BC), the son of Mithridates. In 72 AD, the Commageneians lost the war against the Roman Empire, after which they also lost their independence.
The ruins on top of Nemrut Dagi indicate that it was not a residence, but specifically built for the tumulus of Antioch and his sacred space. The tumulus is at an altitude of 2150m and overlooks the River Firat and the neighbouring plains. It is thought that the king is bones or ashes were put inside the room carved into the main rock, then covered by the tumulus which is 50m high and 150m in diameter. The courtyards are shaped like terraces, and religious ceremonies were held on the western side.
On both terraces, the huge sculptures of the gods, measuring up to 7m high, are positioned between the lion and eagle sculptures. These are surrounded by great stone blocks, arranged perpendicularly with inscriptions and embossed designs. The capital city of Commagene, Arsameia, is in the neighbourhood of the old Kahta village. The holy field of Mithridates is also in that area.
Yenikale is also of great historic interest, and in the area of old Kahta. This castle was built on very steep rocks, and has water depots, baths, mosque, and a hidden water road that leads to river Kahta.
Cendere Bridge, built with one arch on two rocks, crosses the narrowest point of the river Cendere. According to the epitaph written on the columns of the bridge, the Commagene cities had built it in honour of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus (193-211 AD) and his wife and sons. Karakus Peak Tumulus, in which the women of the royal family were buried, is a 21m tall tumulus 10km south-west of Arsameia.
Bears, wolves, jackals, foxes and badgers inhabit the nearby forest.
Facilities: Food and accommodation is available in the national park, with hotels in Nemrut Dagi and pensions in Karadut and Kahta.
Major Sites: Karakuş Tumulus (Women's Monument Tomb), Sofraz Tumulus, Sesönk (Obelisk), Karadağ Tumulus, Beştepeler, Malpınarı Rock Inscription...
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