Holiday Turkey Tourism

Where to Visit

Zelve

About 5 km from Avanos and 1 km from Pasabaglari, Zelve was founded on the steep northern slopes of Aktepe. Consisting of three separate valleys, the ruins of Zelve is the area with the most ‘fairy chimneys’ - a famous sight special to Cappadocia - which here have sharp points and thick trunks. It is not known exactly when people began living in the dwellings carved into the rock, found in places like Uchisar, Goreme, Cavusin and Zelve. What is known is that Zelve was an important Christian community and religious centre in the 9th and 13th centuries, where, the first religious seminars for priests were held in the vicinity.

Çavuşin (Nicephorus Phocas) Church

It is beside the Göreme-Avanos road 2.5 km out of Göreme. The narthex of this church has fallen down. It has tunnel vaults, a high nave and 3 apses. It dates back to 964-965 AD.

Güllüdere (St. Agathangelus) Church

It is located in the far left draw of the Güllüdere valley about 2 km from the village of Çavuşin. It was founded at the mouth of the draw on top of a steep slope.

The design of the nave is square with a flat ceiling and it has a single broad apse. The apse was added in the 9th or 10th century to the main structure dating back to the 6th - 7th century. There are 2 or 3 layers of frescoes in the apse which indicates that it was painted regularly. Symbols of Gospel authors are drawn symmetrically and are sitting on the right and left of an enthroned Jesus.

In the middle of the flat ceiling is the relief of a cross in the middle of a circle surrounded with palm leaves and garlands. This sort of relief most likely belongs to the Iconoclastic period. The people of the area had a great love for the cross and it continued to be used as a motif after the Iconoclastic era because it symbolized the “Holy Cross” in Jerusalem.

Özkonak Underground City

Located 14 km northeast of Avanos, this underground city was built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis in an area with lots of strata made up of volcanic granite. The extensive galleries of the city are spread out over a large area and connected to each another by tunnels. The underground cities in Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, are very narrow (5 cm) and there are long holes between the different levels of the city that used to provide communication between the different levels of the city. The ventilation of these neatly carved out rooms was provided by these holes when the city was sealed up against enemies.

The city was discovered in 1972 by the local muezzin and farmer Latif Acar, when he was trying to find out where the water disappeared, which was tending to his crops. First of all, he found an underground room which, , was revealed a whole city housed with an incredible 60,000 people for up to three months, after excaveted. A total of 10 floors were discovered, to a depth 40m, although now only four are open.

It is unlikely that the other underground cities in this area, besides the rolling stone doors, there were holes above the tunnels used for dumping hot oil on the enemy. Similar to Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, Ozkonak has a ventilation system, a water well, a winery and rolling stone doors.

Opening hours: Summer 08.00 - 19.00; winter 08.00 - 17.00

Tasting unmatched, delicious trout’s cooked with local product butter, and serviced at the restaurants which shows regional properties. Local meals of Ardahan province are various and have enough quality for your eating pleasure.

Where to Eat

The nomadic people living in the rural areas, raise wheat and animals, and it is these products which form the basis of the local cuisine. Though limited in scope there are fresh vegetables grown along the coast but as one moves into the interior, wheat and other crops become more common.

The primary dishes which make up the modern diet are kolle (boiled wheat, beans, chickpeas), sautéed meat with vegetables, tomato civesi, hibes, arapasi, tandir kebab and the local jellies.

Where to Visit

Göreme, in which there are lots of fairy chimneys and churches, is declared as an open air museum. Tokalı Church, Priestesses and Priests Monastery, Saint Basil Chapel, Elmalı Church, Saint Barbara Chapel, Yılanlı (Saint Onuphrius) Church, Karanlık Church, Çarıklı Church, El Nazar Church, Saklı Church, Mother Mary (Kılıçlar Kuşluk) Church, Saint Eustathios Church and Durmuş Kadir Churches within its territories are valuable to visit places.

Valleys, composed of tuff rocks between Göreme Valley and Aktepe, are known as Büyük and Küçük Kılıçlar. There is Kılıçlar Church within the valley, which has an impressive appearance with tunnels, fairy chimneys in which water ways are passing by and interesting shaped rocks.

Göreme Open Air Museum

Göreme is a wide open air museum, which is under protection with Fairy Chimneys and lots of very interesting churches. The region was one of the most important centers of Christianity.

Göreme National Park

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Where to Visit

Aspendos

Pamfilya city, Aspendos is 48 km. east of Antalya. Aspendos can be reached with an asphalt separated from Antalya - Manavgat road. City is 8 km. east of Serik Province, at the place where Köprü Stream reaches plains from mountainous region, and is found on two hills, one is big and other is small, and one of the richest cities. Its first name was Estvadiiy, that can be seen on the coins printed. Most powerful money in antic world was Aspendos coins.

The city is founded in the beginning of 7th century B. C., had met with reigns of Persia, Antic Delos Marine Union, Alexander the Great, Byzantium, Seljukians and Ottomans. Aspendos, which is famous as an important harbor and commercial city with its position at the entrance of Evrimedon Stream, is famous with corn, rose tree made souvenirs, wine, salt and horse purchase. City is also famous with breeding the best horses of antic world.

Pieces of arts in Aspendos, had separated into two as Lower City Structures and Upper City Structures. There are agora, basilica meeting structure, nymphaeum and exedra between UpperCity Structures. Theater, stadion, hamams, aqueduct, temple and necropolis cn be mentioned between Lower City Structures. It is known that Aspendos ramparts are constructed within Hellenistic Period, and then repaired during Late Roman and Bizantium Periods.

Main structure that makes Aspendos artistic center, is the theater. Aspendos Theater is the most undamaged theater, which came today from antic world.

Architecture of the theater, which is established at the foot of a small hill, is Zenon, son of Thedoros of Aspendos. Its capacity is 15.000 persons. Its most important characteristic is its great acoustic. Theater is used as caravanserai during Seljukians period. Zig zag motifs on white desks, seen on some parts of stage building are belonging to Seljukian Period. Cavea part of the theater is semi circle planned, and is separated into two with a wide diasoma. A wide gallery, composed of 59 arches, surrounds all along the rear of upper cavea. Special lodges over the entrances at both sides of cavea are reserved for emperor’s family and society priestesses. First one of the sitting desks from orchestra belongs to senator, judge and foreign ambassadors, and second one belongs to the notables of the city. Women were generally sit on the upper desks, within part under gallery. Remaining parts is open for all natives of the city. Stage is the most impressive part of the theater.

There are five doors, maintaining actors to step into stage at the lower floor of two layered fasad, constructed from conglomerate blocks. Small doors at orchestra level were belong to vestibules where wild animals were closed. At the middle of the side architecture with columns at upper floor a wine god Dionysos relief, who is the establisher and protector of theaters, is decorated.

Sillion

It is founded at north east of Perge, 12 km. inside the sea, in the middle of the plain, on a wide and shallow shaped steep and high hill. Antic city is reached after a 5 km. of road when turned from Eski Yörük Village, at 29th km. of Antalya - Alanya Highway.

The city, which is founded during IVth century B. C., and was a Bishop center during Byzantium period had lived the Seljukian periods. Slightly steep west side of the hill is surrounded with ramparts, remaining from Hellenistic era. These ramparts are completed with towers, gates and roads to city. Gate of the city is on the ramparts, at the west part of the hill. When you go upside of the hill at north east side house ruins, streets, at west, Selçuklu Mosque, Byzantium Church and cistern can be seen. At the south west foot of the hill, there is a theater with 8.000 persons capacity and an odeon adjacent to it.

Where to Visit

Museums

Tarsus Museum
Pieces of arts, which are exhibited in Historical Kubat Paşa Theology School, are transferred into Museum Section of the 75th Year Culture Center on 2000. Beginning from Neolithic Age, rock pieces of arts, which belong to Roman, Bizantium and Ottoman periods, Roman and Byzantium coins, baked soil pots, metallic materials are exhibiting.

Museum Tel: (+90 324) 613 18 65- 613 10 43

Hıstorıcal Tarsus Houses

It is possible to see the evidences of historical accumulation of Tarsus, when you step into province. It is showing the historical pieces of arts exposing architectural differences and modesty within typical Mediterranean house tradition. In all of the houses made up of two layered by adobe, rock and wood, wooden and handicraft steel adornments are completing the rock doors.

Ancıent Cıtıes And Hıstorıcal Ruıns

Cleopatra Gate

Cleopatra Gate, which is at the west part of the Tarsus and on Mersin road, is the only antic city gate, which stands still today. It is mentioned that Egypt’s famous Queen Cleopatra had come via ships to meet with Roman General, Antonius in 41 B. C., and welcome with ceremonies at Gözlükule Tumulus, and they had entered to city from the sea gate of that day. Ramparts, which has three gates, composed of Bağ, Sea and Adana, surrounding city from its three sides had been constructed instead of this gate which had collapsed during following years.

Onur (Independence) Script (Tarsus Inscription)

The script, is on the wall of Yeni Hamam, is placed just at the north of Cleopatra Gate. It is dated to Roman Emperor, Severus Alexander (222 - 235 A. D.) Period. It is used as a pedestal of a statue during Romans.

Roman Road

Roman Road, is located at the upper part of Sağlıklı Village, which is 15 km. away from Tarsus. Width of Roman Road varies between 2.94 and 3.00 meters here. This historical silk road’s undamaged parts length is about 3 km.

Hippodrome

While Tarsus was living its one of the most marvelous periods during Romans, it was also a sports center of its environment. Hippodrome, which is near to American College and in which various sports competitions were organized during that period, has a historical importance due to this reason.

Gözlü Kule Tumulus

It is a tumulus, which is 300 m. long and 22 m. high, and afforest as a park today, in Ulu Cami province at south east of the city.

During the scientific excavation studies, begun after 1934, 33 cultural layer had been determined from Early Neolitic to Islamic periods:

National Kilikya, Mesopotamia and Miken ceramics, rock based adobe walls, houses and narrow streets, belong to Ancient Bronze Age, layers, belong to Late Bronze Age, a big temple ruin, showing temple characteristics in Hattuşaş, Hieroglyph and nail written seal and titles, early Period structural complexes, Cyprus based ceramic vases, Asurian Period’s tablets, baked soil seals, ceramics are found within layers. Ruins of bronze working and processing workshop had been revealed in findings, belongs to the 4th century B. C. Bizantium Period.

Republic Area and Antic Road

It is at the center of Tarsus, 150 m. south west of St. Paul Well. It is thought that this antic road is constructed by Romans during the Ist century B. C. Ground of the street although in spite of the corrosions occurred by time, had mostly preserved its antic period appearance during Antic Age. Wheel signs, which are seen time to time is evidencing that road is used for internal city transportation, one of its main functions, at the same time. There is a 3 staged podium (stylobat) at north east direction of the street.

A rectangular shaped chamber of House with Mosaic Courtyard, at south west side of the excavation site, is revealed during studies. At the middle of the courtyard, a pool ruin is found. Pool is covered with colored marble plates. Other parts of the courtyard is covered with mosaic.

Donuktaş (Roman Temple)

Donuktaş, which has reached today, is the oldest temple in the Tekke District, at the east of Tarsus, Although there is no information about god, to which this temple is constructed, structure is described as monument of Asur King, Sardanapal by one of the Medieval wanderers, V. Longlois.

Bac Bridge (Jüstinyen Bridge)

This rock bridge, at the Tarsus entrance of Ankara - Adana road, is constructed during Byzantium Period, 6th century by Justinyen for preventing Berdan (Cydnos) stream of Tarsus from flooding. This three sectioned bridge, on which all vehicles were passing through until to a recent period, is restored in 1978.

St. Paul Well

Well is in a courtyard, known as the place of St. Paul’s house for a long time, at approximately 300 m. north of Republic Area in Kızılmurat District. It is known to be constructed in the name of St. Paul.Historically rich background having well and near environment is under conservation today, and detail archeological studies are performed on it. As a result of this researches, St. Paul Well and surrounding place is determined to give Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman Period cultural layers. Tourists, who believe that the water coming from St. Paul Well is curative, are also visiting this place with the aim of hadj.

First one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, St. Paul, is the first theoretician of Christianity, and born in Tarsus. St. Paul, had attached great importance to Tarsus, where he had born.

Waterfall and Roman Graves

It is known that there is underground graves remaining from Romans at the place where waterfall is present. Today’s waterfall is formed with falling of river over 3 - 5 meters high graves as a result of changing the place of bed of Tarsus River. From time to time, graves can be seen due to the changes on the water levels.

Waterfall and environment is one of the most attractive places for natives of Tarsus, especially during hot summer days. During spring months, pool and waterfall composes a marvelous view with the sun set with its increasing flow during spring months.Its most important characteristic is rapid reach of feeding sources to waterfall. This condition is maintaining to remain water always cool. It is serving to foreign and native all persons with its tea gardens and restaurants.

Eshab-ı Kehf Cavern

It is 12 km. north of Tarsus, near to Ulaş Village. This cavern, which gives its name to section of the Koran, is esteemed as holy by Moslems and Christians.

Story of Eshab-ı Kehf Cavern is very impressive; during polytheist age, seven juveniles (Yemliha, Mekseline, Mislina, Mernuş, Sazenuş, Debrenuş and Kefeştetayuş), who had escaped from torments as they believe to monotheism, had hidden in this cavern together with their dogs. Miraculously rock is cut and these faithful persons had slept for 300 years, and had seen that everything is different when they had waken up. One of them had gone to the city for buying food and seized. When arrested person come to cavern with him, he did not see anything rather than a nest on which seven young birds had been perched. For this reason, here is also known as “Seven Sleepers Cavern”. Mosque, constructed by Sultan Abdüllaziz on the caverns, had been added a minaret with three balconies.

Gülek Strait and Castle

Gülek Strait, which is 62 km. away from Tarsus, is also known as Kilikya Gate during ancient times. İbrahim Paşa, who was voyaging to Anatolia in 1833, had widened the very narrow strait for passing his gunneries. You can reach to the castle with an approximately 3 - 4 km. distance on forest road from Gülek Borough.

This is an appropriate place for trekking.

Mosques, Churches And Theology Schools

Ulu Mosque

Mosque, which named the district at south of city, is constructed by Ramazanoğlu Ruler, Piri Paşa’s son, İbrahim Bey in 1579. In the tomb at east part of Mosque, Şit and Lokman Prophet as well as Abbasi caliph, Ma’mun’s grave is present.

Makam-ı Şerif Mosque

It is believed that grave of Danyal prophet is in the mosque, which named the district at north west of theology school. The most important characteristic of the mosque, is being the only prophet tomb in Turkey, which was constructed in 1857,

Old Mosque (Church Mosque)

This historical structure, which is adjacent to Adana road approximately 100 m. north east of Makam Mosque, is constructed as church, an then it is transformed into mosque in 1415 by Ramazanoğlu Ahmet Bey.

St. Paul Church

It is thought that structure devoted to St. Paul and in Ulu Mosque District at south of the city, is constructed during the 11th and 12th centuries A. D.

Although it had begun to be protected in 1993, and tried to open as a Monument Museum, church internal and external place restoration works are continuing gradually.

There is bell tower at north east edge of the church. At the center of the ceiling, there are frisks of Jesus Christ, Yohannes, Mattios, Marcos and Lucas. A panorama and angle descriptions are present at both sides of the glass, in the center naphtha. There is a wooden suspended layer, supported by first two columns on the west internal place and entrance. Panorama pictures can be seen on the banisters of this central layer.

In 1992 and 1993, Vatican had organized “St. Paul Symposium and Ceremony” in St. Paul Church. Christians, are visiting St. Paul Monument Museum regularly with the aim of hadj.

Bilal-i Habeş Small Mosque

Small mosque at south end of the road at Beyaz Bazaar, is believed that it is constructed on the place where Hz. Muhammed’s muezzin, Bilal-i Habeşi had recited the azan and performed the ritual prayers of Islam devoted to his name.

Kubad Paşa Theology School

It is known that Tarsus is not only an agricultural and commercial center, but also one of the most important cultural and education centers. Theology school, which is constructed by Ramazanoğlu Ruler, Kubad Paşa in 1550s, is the only educational institute, which could reach today from ancient times. This structure, which had the traditional Seljukan architecture, is constructed of smooth cut rock.

Building is generally restored in 1969 and 1970, and begun to be used as a museum by Ministry of Culture in 1971. Due to repair and insufficiency of the structure, pieces of arts which belong to museum are transferred to new building in 75th Year Cultural Center.

Inns, Hamams Nad Bazaars

Altından Geçme (Roman Hamam)

This structure which reflects the greatness of Roman Empire Age in Tarsus, but very damaged till today is a Roman Hamam ruin.

Şahmeran Hamam (Old Hamam)

Old hamam, which is adjacent to Vakıf Commercial Building, is constructed by Ramazanoğulları on a pedestal remaining from Romans. It has the characteristics of a Turkish Hamam according to its plan shape and sizes. Structure with 4 eyvans, entered into service with restoring today, is composed of heat and private cabinet parts. It is rumored that legendary Şahmeran is killed within this hamam. For this reason, Old Hamam is also known as “Şahmeran Hamam”.

New Hamam

It is known that hamam at north east of Ulu Mosque is also belong to Ramazanoğulları Period; and extensively repaired in 1785. Hamam, which has the characteristics of classic Turkish hamams is composed of undressing places, tepidity and temperature parts as well as private cabinets.

Kırk Kaşık Bedesten (White Bazaar)

It is a structuıre which dated with the same periods of mosque, at west of Ulu Mosque. It is the only sample which continues its functions in Tarsus, at junction point of roads and has active commercial life for all periods. Shops are lined at both sides of the corridor covered with very wide and domes within the rectangular planned bedesten.

Where to Eat

Earthenware pot trotters in Tandır, keşkef should be tasted.

The multi varied and delicious Bartın meals are majorly composed of meals with meat, vegetable, milk, pastry and meals cooked with olive oil. These meals are accompanied with pilaf, soup and desert varieties.

Where to Eat

One of Kayseri’s most famous dishes is pastırma, made from salted sun-dried veal coated with a spicy garlic coa