Paragliding:

Interest in paragliding, being performed by 6 travel agencies from the top of 1975 meters high Mount Babadağ in Fethiye, has been increasing day by day all over the world. Because of its rich and spread thermal points, characteristic of flying ascending after jumping, vegetation diversity in the environs, beautiful scenery of Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon), slight slope to the sea and many more reasons like these, Babadağ is a paragliding centre unrivalled in the region.

Paragliding

Paragliding sport is to take off by means of running from a high hill instead of plane with a parachute similar to free style jumping parachute on the first look. Parachute, which is lied on a inclined and high hill, is filled with air with the running of pilot and take off with pilot. Periods of the flights can continue for kilometers / hours in connection with the experience of pilot and performance of the materials used. Although it can be for single person, there is two persons ( tandem ) wings.

Paragliding , whose first trial had been made in 1940s, and numerously modified till today. There were lots of structural improvements which has increased the flight period and security of perform. First paragliding was similar to free style diving parachute. It had turned into an aerophyl structure which has high raising power instead of its pressure enduring characteristic with changing in time. Paragliding parachute wing structure had reached to its appropriate shape for easy to take off, slowly descending ratio and good flying performance, beginning from 1980s.

Paragliding Sport in our country had been recognized with the discover by foreign pilots of Mount Baba in Fethiye, Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) region at the beginning of 1990s, and actively started in university clubs initially. Being the most economical aerial vessel and being inside the natural sports, maintained it to be performed by a massive number of people today. Paragliding Parachute Sport, which does not require a special skill or much effort basically, is very easy and enjoying to do after a standard training. Paragliding training are organized by THK, university clubs and private clubs.

Scuba Diving:

Diving tours are being organised by many diving training centres and clubs in Fethiye.

Rafting:

Rafting and Canoe trips in Eşen and Dalaman brooks are being organised by travel agencies.

Hacı Bektaş is 45 km away from Nevşehir on Nevşehir – Kirşehir road. Pieces of arts which are belong to Ancient bronze Age, Hittite, Frig, Hellenistic and Roman Periods, and found as a result of excavations performed at province center are exhibited at Hacı Bektaş Archeology Museum.

There is a Karaburna rock monument, which is written with Hittite hieroglyph, which belongs to Late Hittite Period, like at Topada and Sivasa, near to Karaburna village near to Hacı Bektaş.

Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli and His Philosophy

It is thought that Hacı Bektaş – ı Veli, whose real name was Muhammed bin Musa and dates of birth and death are not certainly known, is born in 1209 – 1210, and died on 1270 – 1271. According to the told epics, he is from Nişabur. His childhood and youth is passed in Horasan, and learned philosophy, social and fundamental sciences at Hoca Ahmet Yesevi School. Hacibektaş, had come to Anatolia from Horasan in a period, when Seljukian’s political and economical order is corrupted, and divisions in management existed; and showed his best efforts for maintaining Turkish unity, and to become Anatolia into Turk and Islamic with visiting every villages and cities. He had trained young people in the school, which is established by him in formerly named as Sulucakarahöyük and currently named as Hacibektaş province; and tried to prevent Turkish language and culture from foreign impacts and degeneration.

His tolerance and humanity based thought system is reached and assumed by wide public masses within a short period of time. “End of the road, which don’t follow science, is dark”, “Let women to be studied “, “Hold your hand, tongue and waist”, “research is an open examination”, “Whatever you search, search into yourself”, “Don’t forget that even your enemy is a human”. Above mentioned epigrams are best explaining the philosophy of Hacı Bektaş – ı Veli. His alignment is reflecting the same understanding with 1948 Human Rights Universal Declaration.

Climate

Summers are hot and dry, winters are cold and rainy in Hacı Bektaş which is within Cappadocia region.

Haci Bektaş – ı Veli Museum

Hacı Bektaş – ı Veli Dervish Convent, which is completed between XIIIth and XIXth centuries according to architecture, had restored (repaired) lots of times in the course of history. It holds a poem characteristic instead of a külliye according to architectural terminology. Dervish Convent is repaired by Foundations General Directorate between 1958 and 1964 and organized as Ethnography Museum on 16th August, 1964, and opened for visit.

Balım Sultan Tomb

It is within the third garden of Hacı Bektaş Dervish Convent. It is constructed in 1569 for Bektaşi sect founder and second Piri Hizir Balim Sultan in Seljukian Architecture style.

Ancient Harput settlement area is just like an open air museum. It is a touristic spot worth seeing with its museum, castle, mosques and Buzluk cave.

Climate

Terrestrial climate is dominant in Harput, and it is cold and rainy in winters and hot and dry in summers.

History

Acording to the historical records, the Hurris, having been settled in Eastern Anatolia beginning from 2000 BC, are the first inhabitants of Harput. After sovereignty of the Hurris, the region was ruled by the Hittites for a short time. Since the 9th century BC, the Urartus established a state in the eastern Anatolia and ruled the region for years. Harput and its environs were conquered by the Turks in 1085. Later on, it experienced the rule of the İlhans, Dulkadiroğulları Principality, Akkoyunlu State and Safevis, and finally it was conquered by the Ottoman Army in 15l6 after Çaldıran War.

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Harput Museum

Historical piece of arts, found around Elazığ and Harput, are exhibited in the museum. There are inscriptions, İçme Tumulus findings and various ethnographic pieces of arts among these.

Open hours to visit : 08.30 – 12.00/ 13.00- 17.30 Open days to visit : It is closed for visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays respectively for successor weeks.

Castles

Harput Castle (Milk Castle)

It is known that the castle with a complete view of Elazığ Plain, was built in the south-east of ancient Harput during Urartian Era. As stated in the historical records, the castle was captured by the Romans, Byzantines and Arabs. It was repaired in various periods. Rectangular castle has two sections namely, Interior Castle and Exterior Castle. Its magnificent bastions have survived to the present day. Various myths are being told of the castle. According to one of the rumours, milk was added to the mortar mix, instead of water. Therefore, Milk Castle is the other name of the castle.

Kurşunlu Mosque

It is a beautiful example of Ottoman Period Mosques in Harput. Square shaped mosque is covered with a big dome.
Alacalı Mosque

The mosque displays architectural styles of different periods. Having been built during Artukoğulları Principality era, it is a small, square planned mosque of which wooden work is quite attractive.

Ulu Mosque

Having been built by the Artuk Ruler Fahrettin Karaaslan in Harput between 1156 and 1157 AD, the Mosque is one of the most important and oldest structures in Anatolia.

Ağa Mosque

The elegant minaret of the mosque has survived to the present day whereas the dome has been collapsed. It is located at the entrance of Harput. The dome of the mosque has been collapsed, whereas its elegant minaret has managed to survive to the present day. According to its inscription on display in the Harput Museum, it was built in 1559.

The Church of Virgin Mary

It is located on the east side of Harput Castle. The back walls of the Church are the rock masses of the Harput Castle, therefore the church is just like buried into the rocks of the Castle. The construction date is 159 AD. This church is also called as Red Church, Syrian Church or Yakubi Church.

Caverns

Most important cavern of the city is Buzluk Cavern, which is opened to tourism.

Provincial Directorate: (+90 424) 212 21 59 – 236 58 54

Police: (+90 424) 238 57 01 (6 Hat)

Municipality: (+90 424) 218 11 06 – 238 24 90

Hospital: (+90 424) 238 10 00 (15 Lines)

Siren Rocky Place

It is mentioned in Homeros epic, and described as rocks to where ships that loose their way crashes. It is one of the biggest rocky place, composed of islands which reminds like seal fishes is Orak Island.

Şeytan Hamamı (Satan’s Hamam)

Tomb type structure at the feet of Çan peak, is known as Şeytan Hamamı (Satan’s Hamam). It is 2 km. away from province center.

Castles

Beş Kapılar Castle

This antic castle is given to Manuel Zacharna from Genevese by Michel Paleoloc and its ramparts are repaired by Genevan people within the time. After join of Phokaia to Ottoman land in 1455, the ramparts are repaired and nine of them have been equipped with towers which can be spotted today. The Part, which is used as open air Theater today in Beş Kapılar was “boathouse”. According to the inscription over entrance door, this repair is done in between 1538 – 1539 by Silahtar İskender Ağa, woodsman of the Sultan Mustafa Han, who was Saruhan State Principal in between 1533 and 1541, son of Magnificient Süleyman.

External Castle Castle

Referred as “External Castle or Genevese Castle” at “Castle Bay” at south west of Foça, according to the sources, is constructed as a cutthroat by Ottomans on a strategic point to guard the region in 1678. The castle which is on a cape, is separated from the continent via a huge trench with the aim of guarding. During underwater archeological studies, stone shots are found at the bottom of the sea in front of the castle. It is thought that these shots are fired via catapults from castle to enemy ships.

Mosques

Fatih Mosque

It is on the Eski Adliye Sokak within Castle. The mosque is a structure, which had lost its uniqueness while reaching today. In 1455, after the conquest of Foça, it was constructed by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. During its initial construction, it was holding the classical Ottoman architectural style.

Kayalar Mosque

It is within castle. Construction date and constructing person not known mosque, is showing all of the characteristics of late period Ottoman architecture style. A formerly added water tank with fountain (Şadırvan) is present at the west of the structure.
Hafız Süleyman Ağa Small Mosque

Structure, known as Süleyman Ağa Mescidi among public, is constructed by Foça Castle Guard, Hamzaoğlu Mustafa in 1548. But it is understood from today’s appearance that structure had been variously repaired during latter periods.

Turkısh Baths

Only two Turkish baths could survive from Ottoman period. Both of them are in the Atatürk District. Turkish bath on the corner of 115 and 116 streets, can be classified as dome at the middle, horizontal heated, double gaped Turkish Bath. Its undressing part is completely demolished. Other Turkish bath in 118 numbered street, is highly damaged. It has a different architecture compared with known Turkish Baths, it is thought that this is constructed later than the other one.

Foça Islands

This is an island group, composed of six desolate islands in front of Foça. These are: Orak Island, İncir Island, Kartdere Island, Fener Island, Hayırsız Island and Metalik Island. There is a long bushy beach at the south coast of Orak Island, and also sheer cliffs with 80 meter high in Orak and Hayırsız, Kartdere Islands. Especially İncir Island is used as picnic area and beach by tourists and natives. Islands and surrounding bays, shelters one of the last Mediterranean seal colonies in Turkey.

Taş Ev (Rock House)

This rocky monument tomb rising at the side of the road 10 km. away from Foça, is half cut. The structure, constructed under Persia impact, in Lycia – Lydia tradition, and dated to the 4th century B. C..

Sea Fıshes

Friends of sailors of Foça, who did not leave sailors alone during sailors’ struggles against sea for centuries, are sweet seals. Mediterranean seals, whose total number in the world is approximately between 350 and 400, are only living in Turkey, Greece and North – Western African coasts. Some portion of Mediterranean seals are settled in islands surrounding Foça. In spite of increasing tourism and fishing, they are using the caverns, coasts in these islands with the aim of bringing forth juveniles, to bring up their juveniles, to rest and sun themselves. Mediterranean seals, whose name is ” Monachus Monachus” in Latin, needs to land, and signs of human on their residential areas annoy them. This specie is one of the 12 mammals who are under the danger of annihilation of its generation on the world.

In order to protect Mediterranean seals living in Foça islands, it is forbidden to approach more than 2 miles to islands between Aslanburnu and Deveboynu Cape, and more than 100 meters to Siren Rocky Places and Orak Island, on where seals are seen.

The local cuisine of Elazığ-Harput shows a rich variety according to the region’s characteristics. The dishes of its local cuisine are being cooked as Elazığ dishes in many regions of our country. Kellecoş, İşgene, Harput Meatball, Bread cooked in stone oven, Cheese Bread, Fodula, Gömme, Ufalama, Söğürtme, Işkın, Pirpirim, Hesüde, Gaygana, thin sheets of sun-dried Fruit Pulp cooked with eggs, Dolangel, Kalbur Persimmon, Dilber Dudağı are some of the dishes and desserts unique to Elazığ.

Traditional Foça kitchen includes all of the meals, made at Western Anatolian coasts and Aegean islands with its general characteristics. In addition to this, some of Foça unique tastes cooked with fish kinds, sea foods, olive, olive oil, artichoke and wild herbs are at the following: Grilled Sardine, Fish with Yogurt, Stuffed Calamary, Stuffed Fish, Fish Soap, Fish Paça, Artichoke with Lamb Meat, Stuffed Artichoke with Olive Oil can be listed between meals of the region.

Great salads, appetizers and pastry fillings are prepared from herbs like arapsaçı, rezene, tarakotu ( iğnelik ), turpotu, radika, ısırgan otu, ebegümeci, wild herbs which grew up in Foça and environment.

İznik, with its thousand of years cultural heritage, occupied an important place in history. Having been the capital of four empires, it is one of the remarkable settlement places.

History

There are traces of a civilisation dates back to 2500 BC in Karadin, Çiçekli, Yüğücek and Çakırca Mounds near İznik. The settlement before the immigrations of Trak Tribes in the 7th century BC, took the name of Helikare. The word of ‘Khryseapolis’ (Golden City) was printed on the coins having been minted in the city.

Having been renovated by Antigonos, General of Macedonia Emperor Alexander the Great in 316 BC, the city took the name of Antigoneia. After the death of Alexander the Great, the city was handed over to General Lysimakhos who won the battle against Antigonos and named the city as Nicaea, which was also the name of his wife. In 293 BC, it became a part of Bithynia Kingdom. During this period, the city was decorated with important architectural structures. Nicaea, having been the capital city of Bithynia Kingdom for a period, later on continued its presence as an important settlement area of the Romans.

Nicaea got acquainted with Christianity by the efforts of Petrus, one of the disciples of Bithynia. During the reign of Emperor Constantine the 1st, the prohibitions on Christianity were removed. In the early summer of 325 AD, Nicaea was the scene of an important meeting of 1st Consul in Senatus Palace. A text comprising of 20 articles, known as Nicaea Laws, and Christianity Feast Days were approved after this consul.

In 787 AD, 7th Consul gathered in Hagia Sophia Church in İznik. The prohibitions on paintings and statues were removed under the leadership of Empress Irene.

İznik has also been the capital city of the Seljuks and Byzantines through history.

After having been captured by the Ottoman Army in 1331, İznik became a more active city and a centre of art, culture and trade. Many famous people lectured in Orhan Ghazi Madrasah during this period. The first Mosque, Madrasa and İmaret (Soup Kitchen) of Ottoman Period were built in İznik.

İznik became an art centre during the 14th and 15th centuries, and world wide famous tiles and ceramics were produced here. Its city texture, with its grid-planned city settlement from Hellenistic Age and monumental structures from the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, has still been preserving in İznik.

Climate

İznik has a temperate climate with wet winters. In summers, it is sufficiently rainy.