[Blue Blood]

Tunceli


An Anatolian province surrounded by mountains exhibiting a majestic view, Tunceli is a land with untouched natural beauties and an area of rocky steep cliffs displaying a wild appearance. This province with its peculiar characteristics lies 133 kms north of Elazig.

Known as "Dersim" in the old times, Tunceli has followed a similar historical evolution as other cities of Eastern Anatolia. Beginning with the Urartians, it changed hands among Persians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, and today it is a modern province with remains from these periods.

One important ruin is the fortress of Pertek, outside the city, on the road to Elazig. It was constructed in the Middle Ages, and is a place to be explored by sightseers. Mazgirt fortress and several old bridges are other historical places around Tunceli.
Nearby, there exists another beautiful spot, the Munzur Valley National Park with its wide natural resources. It is possible to make use of the curative properties of its mineral springs, while the streams are filled with trout, providing opportunities for fishing. This site is also an ideal destination for mountaineers and the whole park possesses a wonderful scenery that will amaze nature lovers with its vegetation.

[Blue Blood]

Bingol


Bingöl, 144 km's east of Elazig, is located in a high region of the broad Eastern Anatolian plateau. Mountains surround the area, reaching heights of about 3000 m (10,000 ft), and containing many glacier lakes giving the city its name of "a thousand lakes". Kalatepe peak (3250 m) on the Bingöl Mountains, near the town of Karliova is a great place to watch the magnificent sunrise, especially between the 15th of July and the 15th of August.

The history of the land begins with the Urartians, and continues under the hegemony of the Persians, the Seljuks and then the Ottomans.

The remains from these periods can be found at various sites, the most important being the medieval fortress inside the city center. The city is small but has good facilities for hunting, thermal bathing and winter sports. There is a very interesting small lake (300 sqm), in which there is the floating natural island, at Hazersah village near Solhan.

Kurucadag mountain at Yolcati district is a small skiing area approximately 25 kms to the city center. The season is between February and March where skiers stay in mountain chalet's. On 1000 meters long skiing track there is a 925 meters long telesiege with a capacity of 500 people per hour. It's easily reachable by road with buses as well.
On 1st of May 2003 a terrible earthquake hit the city killing over 140 people (mostly elementary school kids sleeping in their dormitory). It struck at 03:27 local time and lasted for 17 seconds, with a Richter scale of 6.4.

[Blue Blood]

Cankiri

The history of Cankiri, which is 131 km from Ankara, goes back to 3000-2500 BC. Here was a Galatian settlement of 3rd century BC, called "Gangrea" at that time. The land has witnessed the hegemony of many tribes thereafter, such as Hittites, Pontus, Romans and Byzantines, up to Seljuks and Ottomans, and the traces from its long past stand all over the area.

The city fought very well during the War of Liberation, thus Atatürk paid a visit to the city in 1925 twice during his reforms in Turkey.

There are the ruins of Cankiri Fortress from the 11th century with rock tombs and underground tunnels inside. In the city, the Ulu Mosque dates back to the 16th century, and was built by great Turkish architect Mimar Sinan. Just outside of the city is the Tas Mescit which is a medieval hospital constructed in 1235. There are also several Turkish baths from Ottoman period which are worth seeing.

The archeological and ethnographical works are exhibited together in the exhibition hall of the Cankiri museum, works belonging to Neolithic, Calcolithic, Early Bronze, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods are exhibited in the halls. There are terracotta cans, bones, glasses, beads, bronze tools and ornamental goods, tear and essence bottles, medical tools, oil lamps, needles, ring stones and various sculpture parts among the exhibited works. Also various weavings, hand works, calligraphy, print molds, clothes, guns, ornamental tools and various works used in daily life belonging to Cankiri and its surroundings are exhibited in the ethnographical section of the museum.

In this distinct region of central Anatolia, an outstanding figure is the Ilgaz Mountains (2560 m) occupying the north of the city. It is a site of real attraction for nature lovers and winter sports fans with its snowy peaks and wide woodland with fauna. Ilgaz National Park is one of the most beautiful parks of Turkey, and the ski center provides best opportunities for winter sports with its fine, modern facilities.

[Blue Blood]

Gaziantep

Gaziantep is one of the modern provinces of South-Eastern Anatolian Region and also one of the oldest of Hittite origin. Being the center of pistachio nut cultivation in Turkey and with its extensive olive groves and vineyards, Gaziantep is one of the important and industrial centers of Turkey.

The old city known as Aintap is located 12 kilometers to the north of the present city, on the upper slopes of Nizip Hill. The area was continuously inhabited starting from the Paleolithic age and witnessed the domination of such powers as the Assyrians, Persians, Romans, the Byzantines, Abbasid and the SeljukTurks. The times of ascend for the Ottoman Empire meant the same for the city. There are many mosques, inns, baths and medresse built during this time.

Original builders of Gaziantep Fortress are not known. The fortress was restored by the Byzantine in the 6th century. The fortress was later saw restoration again in 1481 during the time of Kayitbay, the Egyptian Sultan, and in 1557 during the Ottoman Emperor Suleyman the Magnificent. The fortress was supplemented by watchtowers, mosques and small palaces. There are 36 watchtowers in walls which have a circular shape for 1,200 meters. Mehmet Gazali Tomb, a mosque and a bath exist in the fortress. It is believed there are galleries and paths leading to the river under the fortress. The fortress was an important rampart in resistance against the French during the War of Liberation in 1921.

Hasan Suzer Ethnography Museum building in Hanifioglu street remaining from the early 20th century was restored and transferred to the Ministry of Culture by a businessmen named Hasan Suzer. The museum simulates the old style of life by decorating its rooms with traditional furniture and by using models. The museum also includes various weapons, documents, instruments used in the defense of the city as well as the photographs of local resistance heroes.

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. Investigations in the area reveal that the site was functional around 1375-1335 BC when the area was taken by the Hittites and the Hittite King Suppilulluma started to employ Hurris, the native people of the area in quarries. Excavations unearthed a rich collection consisting of sphinx and sculptures of lions, mountain gods and various architectural pieces. In the past, relieves prepared here were sent to such centers as Islahiye, Zincirli and Sakcagozu for final works and completion. The Yesemek Tumulus is located 2 kilometers to the west of the village. It is believed that it was a settlement inhabited by masters working here during the late Bronze Age and the time of the Romans.

Rumkale settlement is located at the point where Merziman brook joins the Euphrates (Firat) river. It is estimated that the settlement dates back to 840 BC and was built by the Hittites. Rumkale later lived under the domination of the Assyrians, Meds, Persians, Romans and the Arabs. It is said that St. John, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, tried to spread Christianity in the region by using this settlement as a base. Rumkale is the largest of all fortresses in the area and it has many other remains dating back to various periods in history.

Karkamis district of Gaziantep used to be an important center of the east in the Antiquity (then known as Cerablus). The town is located on the Syrian border, the citadel and the inner town on the west side remaining in Turkey, and the outer fortress and town remaining in Syria.
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. At present, one can observe the remains of antic city walls, the temple and Hilani style houses. The temples of Hittite gods Tesup and Hilani maintain their striking features.

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. The old city is among those which issued coin on their name. Recent excavations revealed a room which is believed to be a part of an old Roman House as well as a mosaic belonging to Dionysos. Sculptures obtained from these ruins were exhibited at the Belkis/Zeugma part of Gaziantep Museum. But on June 2005, 2nd largest mosaic museum in the world (1st is the one in Bardo/Tunis) is opened in Gaziantep displaying 35 pieces of unearthed mosaics and Mars statue from Zeugma. Until this one opened, the mosaics museum in Hatay (Antioch) was the most important one in Turkey.

Dulluk which is close to the city center is ideal for those who would like to rest in a natural setting amidst forest and has camping facilities.
Houses of Gaziantep mostly found in the central town and Sahinbey are the finest specimens of a rich cultural heritage. They have traditional architectural features peculiar to Southeastern Anatolia, Mesopotamia and Syria. The finest examples of the old city fabric can be seen in the area around Hidir and Harap Mescit streets. Built in conformity with the climate of the area, the houses of Gaziantep are adjacent to each other along the narrow streets of the old city. These stone built houses surrounded by walls have their inner yards, smooth roofs with dead basements. Doors and window cases present some fine examples of woodwork.
Gaziantep is famous for its three regional specialties: 1) The copper-ware products. 2) The delicious lahmacun (a kind of pizza in Turkish Cuisine) . 3) Sweet pastry baklava, which Gaziantep makes the best in the world.

The Gaziantep kitchen has a special influence on the Turkish cuisine with its immensely rich flavor. In addition to dishes which date back to the Oguz Turks, there is the influence of Aleppo. Its rich kind of soups, rice meals, kebabs, meatballs, etc. are among the most favorite. Local desserts include baklava, kunefe, burmali kadayif, sari burma, mashed pistachio and milk fat.

Inns are the symbols of the past economic and commercial richness of Gaziantep. They are still functional today as trade centers. These include Sira Hani, Kumrulu Han, Yeni Han, Kurkcu Hani, Anadolu Hani, Incioglu Hani, Tuz Hani and Haci Omer Hani.
There are two bazaars which could survive to our day and are still used. One of them, Zincirli Bazaar, was built in the 18th century. The bazaar is locally known as "black steps bazaar" and has 80 shops and five gates. The other bazaar, Kemikli, dates back to the 19th century. It is a cut stone and rectangular structure with two gates.

Gaziantep bore the influence of many civilizations for its location as a crossroad between the east and the west or between the Eastern Mediterranean and the plains of Mesopotamia. Coppersmith works, pearl working, traditional shoe making, cloth making, stone working, antique weapons, gold and silver works are the leading traditional handicrafts in Gaziantep.

Gaziantep has a territory of 7,642 square kilometers and a population of 1,127,686 (1997). It is the leading province of the GAP region in terms of population density. It has 9 administrative districts: Sahinbey, Sehitkamil, Araban, Islahiye, Kargamis, Nizip, Oguzeli, Yavuzeli and Nurdagi.
Gaziantep is the most developed city of GAP in agriculture, industry and commerce. It has its pistachio known by the name of the city. Vineyards and olive orchards are also important. Manufacturing activities in Gaziantep are mainly carried out by small scale enterprises. As a vivacious industrial and commercial center, Gaziantep has cement, textile, leather, shoemaking, soap, woodworks, metal and machinery industries and workshops. It maintains its status as an "export gate" by its 120 different products exported to 40 countries.

[Blue Blood]

Sirnak

in Surrounded by high mountains, Sirnak is a new and small province of TurkeyEastern Anatolia, and was once a town of Hakkari province. The Habur border gate with Iraq is here on the road which is one of Turkey's main links to Middle Eastern countries.

It is believed that the settlement was originally called "Sehr-i Nuh" (the city of Noah) since it was near Cudi Mountain where Noah's Arc finally landed after the Flood (see Ararat). The original name later transformed into "Sernah". During the Guti Empire reigned in the region, a special inscription style called "civi zend" was invented. Mount Cudi, surrounded by other mountains to the east and northeast and plains to the west and southwest has a unique place in history. It is the mountain on which Noah's Arc is believed to land. One of its peaks over 2000 meters is "Noah's Visit". (Some locals believe that Noah landed on Cudi mountain instead of Ararat).

Other historical assets of Sirnak include a rock carving from the Assyrians describing a figure on horseback (in Meseici village near Kasrik Pass); other rock carvings dating back to the Neolithic Age which corresponds to 7000 BC (in Beytussebap); fortresses of Kale, Meme Kale and Kaletivuru; bridges of the Kasrik Pass which reflect the art stone working in the time of Seljuks; and Virgin Mary Church in Cizre (not to be confused with the one in Ephesus).

The population of Sirnak is 312,000 (1997 Census) living in an area extending over 7,172 square kilometers. Beytussebap, Cizre, Guclukonak, Idil, Silopi and Uludere are the administrative districts of Sirnak.

In Sirnak, agriculture, animal husbandry and border trade form the backbone of economic life. Wheat, barley and lentil are the main crops. Cotton is grown as an industrial crop. Cizre and Silopi raise high quality pomegranate and grape. Animal husbandry is practiced by nomadic people. They mainly breed sheep and various types of goats (ordinary goat, Angora goat, and brown haired goat specific to the area).

Traditional handicrafts consist of carpet, kilim and bag weaving. Sirnak scarves are woven out of sheep and goat wool. Beytussebap is well known for its kilims.

For the future, Sirnak is expected to flourish in meat processing and leather industries and to market its asphalt which has an estimated reserve of 29 million tons.

[Mystic@L]

Find out What You Can

A great pleasure to welcome you to my country, TURKEY.

The land of ancient Asia Minor or Anatolia is today's TURKEY and links Europe with Asia. TURKEY is predominantly an Islamic country, it is a secular democratic republic and people have freedom of religion and belief. TURKEY is an extension and homeland of many great civilizations of the world heritage, such as Hattians, Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lydians, Ionians, Carians, Lycians, Persians, Hellenistic people, Romans, Seljuks, Ottomans and finally the people of the modern republic.
Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK put an end the traditional monarchical form of government by setting up the Turkish Republic on October 29, 1923. Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK had made many reforms transformed TURKEY into a modern state. Our first President Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, stands as a towering figure of the 20th Century. The world honours his memory as a foremost peacemaker who upheld the principles of humanism and the vision of a united humanity.

TURKEY is a country where the great civilizations of the east and west meet in great harmony. TURKEY is also a paradise of sun, sea, mountains and lakes that offers the holiday maker a complete change from the stress a routine of everyday life.

I hope you will have a pleasant stay.

[Hi-LaL]

Dear my friends... Thanks for your all info messages about the cities of Turkey...But I wanted to share an idea of me...

I think that it will be much more effective to add some images of all those cities that are mentioned in the messages...
Anyway just a suggestion..Thanks in advance...
Hi-LaL

[Blue Blood]

Nigde

Lying on a plateau embellished by volcanic peaks is this city of Central Anatolian Region, which was called "Nahita" in the Hittite period. Since its foundation, it has been a commercial center, standing on the ancient trade route between Anatolia and the Mediterranean.

Much later, the land was taken over by the Seljuks, who filled the city with many works, presenting the exquisite Seljuk artistic and architectural styles. One of the important remains from those years is the Alaeddin Mosque, which is really the most beautiful monument in Nigde, with its wonderful stonework over the ornate portal. From an inscription found here, this elegant building is understood to have been constructed in 1203, and was later restored during the reign of Alaeddin Keykubat. The citadel in the area is the same, owing its current condition to the Seljuks, and constitutes another interesting sight, with a clock tower inside.

Other historical remains in this district are the Sungur Bey Mosque and his tomb, which belong to the 14th century with Mongol rule prevailing; and the Hudavend Hatun Mausoleum built in 1312. The 15th century Ak Medresse constructed by the Karamanli Turks is still another, and is now converted to an archaeological museum displaying the finds from the area.

Besides the city, the towns of the province of Nigde, also hold many remarkable ruins from these early periods.

Aladaglar, 70 kms north, and Bolkarlar, 75 kms south, are mountaineering, trekking and winter sports centers. "Kardelen Flower" is the unique flower which survives and comes out, penetrating the snow in the winter.

Bor, 14 kms south of Nigde, was a residential center of the Hittites, and possesses signs from those ancient times, along with monuments from the more recent ages, like the old Ottoman "bedesten". It has also a huge reserve of borate mines.

5 kms south of Bor, is Kemerhisar, which was an early site of the Roman city of Tyana. Together with the aqueducts used by Romans, some Hittite ruins are to be found in the environs of this town.

Gumusler, is another place of historical importance, 9 km along the Nigde - KayseriByzantine monastery and church are still standing, dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. High columns and walls covered with frescoes feature the rock monastery and these well-preserved buildings are appropriate sites for sightseers. road. A

[Blue Blood]

Hi-LaL adlı kullanıcıdan alıntı

Dear my friends... Thanks for your all info messages about the cities of Turkey...But I wanted to share an idea of me... I think that it will be much more effective to add some images of all those cities that are mentioned in the messages... Anyway just a suggestion..Thanks in advance... Hi-LaL

Dear My Friends...

Thank You Very Much For Your Idea. From Now one, We Will Add Images Of The Cities In Our Messages...

Best Regards..
AriThmetiCs

[Blue Blood]

Burdur

Burdur is a small province in the hinterland of Anatolia. Although it lacks the turquoise coast, it is of interest with its natural beauties and historical remains dating as far as 6000 BC. The thermal resorts are also attractive for those who like spas.

The most appealing feature of Burdur is Insuyu, the second largest cave of the world. It is 12 kilometers from Burdur. There are millions of stalactites and stalagmites as well as nine pools in the cave which is 597 m long and it is good for wandering in little boats. Since the water in the cave is curing for diabetes it is widely visited by diabetics.

For nature lovers and worshippers of swimming and beaches there are plenty of opportunities. The Centik beach is on the side of Lake Burdur, 8 kilometers from the city; the Salda Lake is a rarely visited camping area with forested surrounding and a delightful beach, a must to see. For fishing, Golhisar Lake is excellent. All of these lakes provide a rare beauty of nature and fauna around them.

Sagalassos at Aglasun town, 37 kilometers to Burdur, was the capital of Psydia and has many historical remains like a Roman theatre of 12,000 seat capacity, the tombs and the citadel from medieval ages. The Hacilar district is another remarkable site for historical remains with statues dating back to Neolithic Age. Cybira at Golhisar, Cremna at Camlik Bucak, Kumcay and Incirhan are other historical sites. Picnicking, camping, hunting, and fishing are other attractions.