» Touristic Places
Central Anatolia
Being at the center of Turkey, Central Anatolian Region embodies assorted beauties. Having been witness to the transitions of important civilizations, today the region is the political center of Turkey. |
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» Afyon
The legendary contest between Apollo and Marsyas was near the town of Dinar. An imposing and inaccessible fortress dating from Byzantine times overlooks the city while the Independence War Memorial and Archeology Museum Chronicle its place in history. Monumental rock reliefs from the Phrygian Kingdom are north of the city.
Main Events: May 6; Kite Flying Festival
Major Sights in the Environs:
Citadel, Archeology Museum, Gedik Ahmet Paşa Mosque Complex, Museum of Turkish Islamic Art. - more info |
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» Tokat
Tokat city is a shopping center and depotfor the whole province of Tokat.
Tokat is a typical central Anatolian city. The present archeology museum was the 13th century theological school (medrese) of Pervane Bey Darüşifane. Taşhan, Suluhan, and Yağcıoğlu are ancient depots. There are many mausoleums, inns, and bazaarswith typical architecture on Sulu Street. Gazi Emir (Yazmacılar) Inn displays printed fabrics over 300 years old. Mural painting and wood carving are arts the city is famous for.
Main Events: April 15-22; Handicraft fair
Major Sights: Archeological museum in the Gök Medrese, Sulu Street, Gazi Emir Han, Madmağan, Celalin, and Latifoğlu Mansions. - more info |
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» Konya
Known in Roman times as Iconium, the city was a Seljuk capital in the 12th and 13th centuries. It became the center for the Mevlana Order and their famous 'Whiring Dervishes'.
Main Events: July 5-10; Nasrettin Hoca Festival in Akşehir, July 20-August 20; Konya Convention, December 10-17; Mevlana Week
Major Sights in the Environs: Mevlana Mausoleum, Seljuk Castle, Karatay Minareli Medrese, Sahip Ata Complex, Museum of Ethnology and Natural Science. - more info |
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» Ankara
Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is, despite its long history, a thoroughly modern and well-planned city.
The city is distinguished byits wide avenues, green parks, elegant shops, embassies and government buildings, and a large number of first-class restaurants and hotels.
The city has been continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age. The very fine Museum of Anatolian Civilizations details the ebb and flow of cultures that have passed through the area, from the Hitites, Phrygians, Lydians and Persians to the Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans. Ankara was a small provincial town until beeing named the capital of the new Republic in 1923, since which time it has developed quickly. It is the only city in Turkey with urban development plan dating back to the 1930s.
In addition to the numerous historical buildings, mosques and museums, visitors enjoy touring the citadel and browsing through the old shops in Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu near the Ulus area. On the street of Bakırcılar Çarşısı, you can find many interesting old and new items: copper objects, jewellery, carpets, costumes, antique reproductions and embroidery. In Çankaya, the Atakule Tower, at 125 meyters, offers a magnificent view over the whole city.
Ankara offers an attractive infrastructure for international meetings and is an excellent starting point for excursions to Cappadocia and day trips to other ancient sites.
Main Events: April; International Arts and Music Festival. April 23; International Children's Festival (more info 1, info 2).
Major Sights in the City; The Citadel, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (info), Etnography Museum, Painting and Sculpture Museum, Temple to Augustus, Roman Baths, Column of Julian, Anıtkabir (Mausoleum of Atatürk) (info), Copper Market. - more info |
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» Urgup-Goreme (Capadocia)
The town of Göreme is set right in the middle of a valley of rock cones and fairy chimneys.
Known in Roman times as Capadocia, Göreme is one of those rare regions in the world with a spectacular surrealistic landscape of capped pinnacles and fretted ravines in colors that range from warm reds and golds to cool greens and greys. The architecture of this unique environment are God and man together. Dwellings and churches have been hewn into the rocks dating as far back as 4000 B.C.
Main Events: October; International Ürgüp Grape Gathering and Wine Festival.
Major Sights in the Environs: Göreme Open Air Museum, The famous churches (Elmalı Church, Yılanlı Church, St. Barbara Church, Çarıklı Church, Tokalı Church, Karanlık Church), The underground cities of Kaymaklı, Mazı, Derinkuyu, Tatlarin and Özkonak. - more info |
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