TURKEY

Turkey, cradle of civilizations

Throughout its long history spanning over 10,000 years Anatolia, the land that is now Turkey has been the birthplace of many great civilisations and empires all of which have left their mark in unique ways. From the Neolithic site of Çatal Höyük, to well-preserved ancient Greek and Roman ruins, to Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, the layers of history in Turkey have left behind a stunning architectural, archaeological and religious legacy. Visitors can explore the area’s ancient history at a myriad of archaeological sites and in Turkey’s many museums.

Anatolia, the land that makes up most of modern-day Turkey, was home to some of the earth’s oldest known settled civilizations—not surprising, given that the region lies alongside Mesopotamia, considered the “cradle of civilization.” Çatal Höyük, one of the oldest human settlements in the world (ca. 7000 BC), is known for its unique findings, including the remains of adobe houses, murals, and female figurines which may indicate prehistoric mother-goddess worship. The site is located near the modern-day city of Konya (ancient Iconium) and is open year-round; summer is the most exciting time to visit, as visitors can watch archaeologists at work excavating the site.

Some of the best-preserved Greek and Roman ruins are scattered throughout south-western Turkey—indeed, there are more in Turkey than in Italy or Greece—and visitors can wander through their ancient theatres, stadiums, temples, and streets, as the Romans had had a presence in Asian minor, or modern-day Turkey, for close on 1500 years. Ephesus, Turkey’s most-visited archaeological site, is a place where visitors can ‘soak up’ history as they literally walk in the footsteps of the Romans. It boasts the largest cluster of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean and though only an estimated 15% of the site has been excavated, it never ceases to impress visitors. The 2nd-century AD Library of Celsus and the theatre are particularly noteworthy.

Also popular with sightseers are the celebrated city of Troy; Pergamum (modern-day Bergama), which was one of the most important Roman cities in Anatolia; Aspendos, known for its well-preserved Roman theatre, which hosts the annual Aspendos International Ballet and Opera Festival; Olympos, with scenic ruins that peak out from foliage along a shaded stream; and many other sites.

Two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were situated in what is now Turkey, although sadly neither of them has survived to the present day – the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The Temple of Artemis, located a short distance from Ephesus, was once an architectural masterpiece. Sadly, the temple did not survive to modern times and today it is marked by just one column, so visitors have to use their imagination to bring the place to life. The Halicarnassus Mausoleum, in modern-day Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus), was built by the Carian queen Artemisia in the 4th century BC to commemorate her husband Maussollos. Most of the tomb was destroyed over the ages, and today the site consists of a few remains and a museum.

The Hittite capital Hattuşa is another significant ancient site. The Hittites, contemporary with the ancient Egyptians, established the first large-scale empire in Anatolia (2nd millennium BC), with a complex legal code and distinctive art. Hattuşa and its nearby temple site Yazılıkaya, in the modern-day region of Çorum north-east of Ankara, are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Hittites ruled much of Asia Minor for half a millennium, their empire reaching its peak around 1200BC. Excavated finds, including hefty stone tablets with Hittite script, can be seen at the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara which also exhibits items from Catalhoyuk, Turkey's most important Neolithic and Bronze Age site.

Nemrut Dağı (Mt. Nemrut), in south-eastern Turkey, is another World Heritage site, famous for the enormous stone heads located high atop this mountain. The heads, and the huge stone statues from which they have fallen, were part of a tomb and temple complex built in the first century AD for Antiochus I, emperor of the Commagene kingdom. Explore more of Turkey’s World Heritage Sites (hyperlink) here.

Ancient times aside, Turkey has been home to other great empires that have shaped history, most importantly the Byzantines and Ottomans. Formerly a Byzantine church, the Kariye Museum, has some of the finest mosaics and frescoes in the world while Valens Aqueduct which once carried water for the Byzantines still has a commanding presence. More Byzantine masterpieces in the form of paintings can be seen 800km or so away in the hundreds of cave churches in Goreme.

When the Ottomans rolled into Istanbul in the 15th century, they took the capital of the eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium), Constantinople as their own in 1453, renaming the city Istanbul. Remarkable monuments and architecture still remain today from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Mimar Sinan, the great Ottoman court architect, transformed the skyline of many of the empire's great cities including Istanbul and to its west, Edirne. His notable works in Istanbul include the Suleymaniye Mosque complex and the Rustem Pasha mosque and in Edirne the monumental Selimiye mosque which the architect regarded as his masterpiece.

A stroll through the Sultanahmet district offers visitors over a thousand years of history in just minutes, highlights of which include the famous Hagia Sophia, which was the largest building in the world for a thousand years after its construction in 532AD and still impresses by its scale; as well as the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) and Topkapı Palace, the residence of the Ottoman sultans until the 19th century. The baroque Dolmabahce Palace that the sultanate moved to later in the 19th century is a total contrast with its hundreds of lavishly furnished rooms.

Other modern cities in Turkey also have deep historical roots, such as Konya, which was for a time during the 12th and 13th centuries the capital of the pre-Ottoman Seljuk Empire; and Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire before Istanbul, and home to fine mosques and tombs dating to the 14th century, including most notably the Yesil Cami (Green Mosque) and the Muradiye mosque complex.

Turkey in its present-day form was the vision of Ataturk ('Father of the Turks'), warrior turned leader of a people, who established a homeland for the Turkish people after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of the First World War. It is no exaggeration to say that he set in train a cultural revolution which saw the adoption of a secular democracy, new alphabet and modern dress in a bold look to the West.

Practical information

Climate
The climate varies depending on the area. The Aegean and Mediterranean coast have hot summers and mild winters. The Black Sea coast has warm summers, mild winters, and relatively high rainfall. Central and Eastern Turkey have hot dry summers and cold winters. Humidity is higher on the Black Sea coast and Istanbul compared to the moderate humidity of the rest of the country. Generally, August is considered the warmest month of the year. Average daytime temperature is between 70°F to 90°F from June to September. Nighttime temperatures drop to around 70°F. Central and Eastern regions generally are in the same range, however nights are cooler. Winter is between December and March. This means rain in the coastal regions and moderate snow inland. The Mediterranean Sea is warm during the summer, while the Aegean is cooler. Both seas are ideal for swimming.

Health
There are no special immunization requirements as far as we know. You can check the Travel Advisory website for medical requirements and warnings regarding your destination.

Time Zone
Turkey is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Electricity
Electricity in Turkey is 220 volt, 50-60 cycle. If you intend to bring any electrical equipment, an adapter that converts electricity from 220V to 110V is suggested.

Tap Water
Although Turkey has good drinking water - the water is chlorinated and safe to drink - bottled water is highly recommended and can be found in nearly all stores at a reasonable price.

Money Exchange
Money exchange is very easily done at all banks and private exchange centers. Daily newspaper publishes the exchange rate daily. US dollars are accepted at some stores.

Geography
97% of the country is in Asia, while 3% is in Europe. There is about 5000 miles of coastline. Northern Turkey has the Black Sea Mountains and the Mediterranean has the Taurus mountains running parallel to the sea. Central and eastern Anatolia is a plateau.

What to Wear
In summer light summer-wear for all coastal regions will be sufficient. It is advisable to keep warmer clothing for evenings when it can be cooler in Central, Northern, and Eastern Anatolia. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended since itineraries include numerous trips to ancient sites. For wintertime travelers, we recommend regular winter clothing especially for central Turkey where heavy snow and cold weather can be encountered. If you are planning your trip in the summer, sun block and a hat is recommended.

Seasons
Turkey can be visited year-round depending on your itinerary. Spring and fall are the most popular seasons to travel due to mild temperatures and little rain. In the summer temperatures are higher; however, this season is ideal for cruises since the sea breeze that starts blowing in mid-morning makes it very comfortable.