Cultural sightseeing in Turkey. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces
For the majority of people, Turkey is a synonym of endless beaches and quite inexpensive but quality vacations. This is true, but this is also a country with a rich history of thousands of years and magnificent architectural landmarks.
For fans of history, Bodrum is an ideal place to enjoy a rich Turkish culture. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which is one of the seven wonders of …
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Turkey regularly hosts many music and cultural festivals, sports competitions, and exciting entertainments for the whole family. Turkey is a large …
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The Archaeological Museum of Istanbul was founded in 1891 thanks to efforts of Osman Hamdi Bey, outstanding Ottoman diplomat and intellectual. Currently, the museum has roughly 1 million items that belong to different epochs. Almost all of the exhibits were found in Turkey.
Geographically, the Republic of Turkey is like an ancient bridge between old continents. The Anatolian peninsula is the westernmost protrusion of Asia …
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The Galata Tower has always been very popular with tourists. Built in 1349, it was a part of the coastal protective buildings. The tower was also an important orientation cue for sailors and merchants. The Galata Tower was rebuilt a number of times, so it was an observatory and a watchtower that protected peace in the city. During the previous century, the 45-meter tall building was rebuilt once again, and the tower got a cupola. Nowadays, it hosts a restaurant and a nightclub.
These spots really worth the attention of a real traveler-researcher.
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Cappadocia is a truly incredible place with alien-like landscapes that never stop attracting numerous tourists to the central part of the country. To get acquainted with these marvelous places, tourists can hire a hot-air balloon – unforgettable and exciting memories guaranteed. It would also be a mistake not to visit Goreme open-air museum. In Goreme, visitors can see 30 churches located in the caves, unique Ihlara Valley and its temples made in vertical canyons, and, of course, underground towns connected by a 9-kilometer long tunnel.
Monuments and architectural objects, notable for the history and culture of the country.
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Side Museum is located on a beautiful peninsula surrounded by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This is the location of the largest archaeological excavations area in Turkey and the largest open-air museum. The majority of exhibited artifacts were found in this region in the middle of the previous century. Fabulous statues and bas-reliefs of the Roman Empire period, a bronze statue of Artemis in nearly pristine condition, and a marble head of Apollo neighbor with artifacts of the Hellenistic Period. Every hall hides many miracles that visitors will be happy to explore. A big amphitheater, an aqueduct, necropolis, fountain, baths, and the main square – all these landmarks deserve the attention of tourists.
Resorts of Turkey manage to maintain their popularity no matter what. Antalya, Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Izmir and Edirne - for millions of travelers …
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Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Turkey
Reference information
Art galleries in Turkey
♥ Art museum 'Anadolu University Contemporary Art Museum' Eskişehir. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Baksı Museum' Bayburt. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Bursa Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art' Bursa. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Dogancay Museum' Istanbul. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Edirne Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art' Edirne. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Anadolu University Contemporary Art Museum' Eskişehir. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Baksı Museum' Bayburt. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Bursa Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art' Bursa. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Dogancay Museum' Istanbul. On the map Photos
♥ Art museum 'Edirne Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art' Edirne. On the map Photos
Cathedrals and basilicas in Turkey
♥ Ayatriada Rum Katoliki Kilise, Istanbul. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Esprit, Istanbul. On the map Photos
♥ Ayatriada Rum Katoliki Kilise, Istanbul. On the map Photos
♥ Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Esprit, Istanbul. On the map Photos
Palaces in Turkey
♥ Palace 'Adile Sultan Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Aynalıkavak Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Beylerbeyi Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Dolmabahçe Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Feriye Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Adile Sultan Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Aynalıkavak Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Beylerbeyi Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Dolmabahçe Palace' . On the map Photos
♥ Palace 'Feriye Palace' . On the map Photos
Extreme Guinness-type places in Turkey
Eyup Sultan Camii
From the series “Top Largest and Famous Mosques Worldwide”
Eyup Sultan Camii is one of the main scarify places for Muslim people. It was built by the order of Mehmed the Conqueror. The mosque was named in honour of Eyup al-Ansari, the standard-bearer and friend of the prophet Muhammad. In 674 during the nest Standoff of Constantinople, Eyup was killed. Until nowadays he is the national hero in Turkey.
The first mosque was built there in 1458 and at the end of the 18th century it was rebuilt. The main Turkish mosque has a great tradition – every morning there cook a dinner for poor people. At 11 o’clock people come to the mosque to get the food. The mosque is open for everyone. The excursion begins in the garden that surrounds the building.
Inside the mosque is decorated with a luxurious carpet, walls are decorated with great patterns made … Read all
The first mosque was built there in 1458 and at the end of the 18th century it was rebuilt. The main Turkish mosque has a great tradition – every morning there cook a dinner for poor people. At 11 o’clock people come to the mosque to get the food. The mosque is open for everyone. The excursion begins in the garden that surrounds the building.
Inside the mosque is decorated with a luxurious carpet, walls are decorated with great patterns made … Read all
Sultanahmet Camii
From the series “Top Largest and Famous Mosques Worldwide”
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, commonly known as The Blue Mosque, is a historic mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I and since that time it is the main mosque of the city. It has not only a magnificent decoration but also other interesting features. The Blue Mosque has instead of 4 minarets – 6 minarets, two additional are situated on the coins. Many historians claim that this mosque was built as a memory of the defeat of Turkish troops in the war with Austria and Iran.
For a long time the country didn’t build new mosques and people connected a number of military defeats with this fact. A young Sultan Ahmet decided to change the situation and begin the building of the great mosque nevertheless, that the country practically didn’t have money … Read all
All unique sightseeing Turkey
For a long time the country didn’t build new mosques and people connected a number of military defeats with this fact. A young Sultan Ahmet decided to change the situation and begin the building of the great mosque nevertheless, that the country practically didn’t have money … Read all
Thailand Relaxes Its COVID-19 Policy
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this
29.03.2024
New Year events in Thailand are likely to bring more people this year because everyone is tired of lockdowns and craving normal life. Many tourists, who book hotels in Pattaya, Krabi, or Phuket for the holiday season, also want to participate. As champagne has become an essential drink for New Year celebrations, the question regarding alcohol consumption comes to mind. The government allowed serving alcoholic drinks during the New Year countdown but only open-air cafes and restaurants with good ventilation will be permitted to do this until 1 am on 1 January 2022. This rule is nationwide. Read this
29.03.2024
Top cultural sites of Turkey: monuments, theaters and churches
Beylerbeyi Palace, Istanbul
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» Beylerbeyi Palace was built in 1861 as a summer residence and a place to entertain heads of state. Translated from the Turkish, its name means ‘Lord of lords’. » Beylerbeyi Palace was visited by famous rulers as Nasreddin Shah of Persia, the Russian Prince Nicholay, the Duke of Windsor. French Empress Eugenie was so delighted with the splendor of the palace, that she ordered an exact copy of windows for her bedroom in the Tuileries in Paris.
» There are 26 rooms and three floors in Beylerbeyi Palace. It’s divided into separate sections for men and women, including the harem.
» The wooden base of Beylerbeyi palace was partially destroyed by fire. After a while, the new sultan ordered to destroy the old structure completely and build a new palace.
» Floor of Beylerbeyi is covered with reeds specially brought from Egypt. In winter it has to protect from moisture and humidity, and from heat in summer.
Church of St Sergius and Bacchus, Istanbul
» The Church of St Sergius and Bacchus served as the prototype for the Basilica of San Vitale and the Cathedral of St. Sophia (hence the second name of the church, the small Hagia Sofia).
» The church is dedicated to St. Sergius and Bacchus, who were soldiers of the Roman Empire and occupied important positions, until it became clear that they were secret Christians. The soldiers were severely tortured. Then Bacchus was killed, and Sergius was beheaded.
» During the Balkan Wars, thousands of refugees have found shelter here at the church.
» Serious damage to the construction was caused by the immediate vicinity of the railway. For this reason, UNESCO has included the church of St Sergius and Bacchus in the World Heritage List, where endangered objects are mentioned.
Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» Ceilings and walls of Dolmabahce are decorated with hundreds of kilograms of gold. Interior chambers are decorated with antique French furniture. The palace has the room completely made of crystal. The bath here is of marble and carpets of silk. » All clocks in Dolmabahce Palace show 9.05 am. This time is a time of death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Ottoman and Turkish reformer). He died there November 10, 1938.
» The name of the palace translates as ‘filled garden’.
» The ceiling of the main hall of Dolmabahce is decorated with the chandelier weighting four and a half tons. It was a gift of Queen Victoria.
» Dolmabahce Palace is adorned with paintings of the Russian artist Ivan Aivazovsky. Sultan Abdul Hamid II ordered about 40 works depicting the Bosphorus, the sea, and views of the city. The artist received the highest Turkish award, Osmani order, decorated with diamonds.
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
Location on the map: Interesting facts:
» Topkapi Palace can be considered the whole city located on the territory of Istanbul, because the total area of the palace is more than 700 thousand square meters, and the length is about 5 kilometers. » Topkapi Palace houses a vast collection of treasures including jewelry, costumes, weapons and sacred artifacts. Major exhibits include cape and sword of the Prophet Mohammed and his collection of porcelain, which is the third most important in the world.
» The fifth largest diamond in the world, which is set in silver and surrounded by 49 smaller diamonds, is kept in the Treasury of the Palace.
» One of the main attractions of the Palace, Harem, is a protected and prohibited place. Only people, which were very close to the Sultan, including his family, wives, concubines, eunuchs and servants had access there. Entrance to the Harem was strictly forbidden to outsiders; all inside was run by the mother of the Sultan.
» The Palace has being the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years.