EAST PART OF TURKIYE, ANKARA, BURSA, ESKISEHIR AND ISTANBUL
Technical Program (Tour code: 1138)
- Day: Arrival at Kayseri Airport – Stay in Urgup.
- Day: Cappadocia – in the evening Dervish
- Day: Cappadocia – Baloon tour.
- Day: Cappadocia – Adana
- Day: Adana - Hatay – Gaziantep
- Day: Gaziantep – Adıyaman (Nemrut Mauntain and Anthiokos Antique City) – Şanlıurfa, *Turkish night at Çift Mağara.
- Day: Şanlıurfa – Mardin – Diyarbakır. *Sunset on famous Diyarbakır Walls.
- Day: Diyarbakır – Bitlis – Adilcevaz – Malazgirt – Tatvan – Van
- Day: Van – Ihsak Pasa Palace (Doğubeyazıt) – Erzurum
- Day: Erzurum – Ankara (Flight). Stay and a rest in Ankara.
- Day: Mousaleum of M.K. Atatürk, Museum of Anatolia Civilisations – Beypazarı houses – Eskişehir (a thermal city).
- Day: Eskişehir city tour – Frigian valley – Trilye/Mudanya/Bursa.
- Day: Bursa city tour – İstanbul with ferryboats.
- Day: Sultanahmet and Topkapi Palace, diner at Bosphorus.
- Day: Departure from İstanbul – …
Historical Monuments and Importance of Cities:
Adana: Adana is a very historical city in Turkey where you can find ruins of Hitits, Roman, Selcuk and Ottoman periods. During our visits, it is possible to see Archeology Museum, Etnographia Museum, Atatürk Science and Culture Museum, Misis Mosaic Muzeum; Anavarza, Şar, Misis and Karasus Antique Cities.
Hatay(Antakya): The city was the center of Christianity and had been visited by St.Barnabas, St.Paul and St. Peter. The city was also famous as a center of artistic, scientific and commercial activities.The Hatay Museum deserves a particular interest because it houses one of the richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world. Antakya is steeped in history and mythology at every step Harbiye, 8 km. after Antioch, is the place where Apollo fell in love with Daphne and tried to have her, but Mother Earth, in order to save Daphne, turned her into an elegant tree. The site is full of these trees accompanying the orchid gardens, and waterfalls where you may have a pleasant meal. St. Pierre Church, Haron Carving are the main historical remains.
Gaziantep: Gaziantep is one of the modern provinces of South-Eastern Anatolian Region and also one of the oldest of Hittite origin. Yesemek Open Air Museum is near Islahiye District, in the village known by the same name. It is the largest open air sculpture workshop in the Near East. It is a sculpturing school, reflecting all stages from the extraction of stones from the quarry to preliminary carving and to the final work. (1375-1335 BC)Being an important centre of arts and culture in the past, Karkamis is the setting where the Legend of Gilgamesh took place. Many valuable pieces of art originating from this town is exhibited in museums around the world.The remains of the old city of Belkis (Zeugma) are located in Kavunlu village 10 kilometers away from Nizip district. These remains appear as a tumulus type high acropolis dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times.
Nemrut Mountain and Anthiokos Antique City: Topping the karst limestone mountain of Nemrut Dagi (2150m/7056ft) in the south-eastern Taurus 90km/56 miles north-east of Adiyaman is the Hierothosion of the Kommagene King Antiochus I (69-38 B.C.), dedicated to his own glory and that of the gods. Antiochus’ tomb is concealed somewhere inside the 50m/164ft high man-made burial mound, with its spectacular terraces on three sides (east, north and west).
Samsat (the old Kommagene capital on the Euphrates), Arsameia on the Nymphaiost, Dikilitaş (the burial place of Mithridates II of Kommagene and his wife), Karakus Hill (This Kommagene tumulus 47km/29 miles north-east of Adiyaman was erected by Mithridates II (36-20 B.C.) for his mother Isias, his sister Laodike (36 B.C., wife of the Parthian King Orodes IV), and his niece Aka.).
Şanlıurfa: According to both the Bible and Quran it is the birthplace of Abraham before his migration to Canaan, now Palestine. Local Muslim legend differs from that of the other great monotheistic faiths by the intervention of one vicious and cruel King Nimrod, who had Abraham launched from a catapult from the city’s citadel to fall into a pile of burning wood. Happily, God intervened, and turned the fire to water and the faggots to fish, and today, the visitor to the town can visit the mosque complex surrounding Abraham’s Cave and The Pool of Sacred Fish (Balikligöl) around it.
Mardin: The fortress, Kasimiye Medresse, Zinciriye Medresse and Grand Mosque are important historical sites around the city. Other historical assets in the area worth seeing include Dayrul-Zeferan Monastery and Harizm Medresse.
Diyarbakır: Black basalt walls of Diyarbakir are perfect examples of the military architecture of the Middle Ages. They are also very well known since they are the second largest (5.5 kilometers) and best preserved walls in the world after the famous Great Wall of China. Although there were Roman, and probably earlier walls here, the present walls date back to early Byzantine times.Another fascinating sight in the city center is the Ulu Mosque, notable for its original architecture and the ancient materials used in the restoration of the building at various times.
It is one of the oldest mosques in Turkey. Nearby the Ulu Mosque is the Mesudiye Medrese and Hasan Pasha Han, a caravanserai now being used by carpet and souvenir shops. The Nebii Mosque is a typical example of the Ottoman style. The Church of the Virgin Mary is interesting and it is still in use (not to be confused with the one in Ephesus).
Van: The province of Van sits by Lake Van, and was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa. Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey (1.646 meters high and covers an area of 3.713 square kilometers) and provides good opportunities for enjoyable excursions. The most important point is the Akdamar Island with its 10th century church of Holy Cross. The church is now restored as a museum and its richly decorated walls have Old Testament relieves.
Erzurum: The resistance against the supreme in powers of the west was initiated with the War of Independence. Atatürk gathered a Congress of National Delegates here on July 23, 1919 where the foundation of national unity and independence were laid down. The Seljuk buildings in the town are remarkable. The Ulu (Grand) Mosque built in 1179 is interesting, with its many columns and seven wide naves. Next door to Ulu Mosque is the Cifte Minareli (Double Minaret) Medrese (theological school), which is the most famous feature of the city. It is a perfect example of Seljuk architecture, the carved portal being particularly fine.
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