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Ephesus andPergamon, Two UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites in İzmir

The ancient city of Ephesus is Türkiye’s most importantancient city, and one of the best preserved and restored. One can still strollfor hours along its streets, passing temples, theatres, libraries, houses, andstatues. It contains such grand public buildings as the impressive Libraryof Celsus, the theatre, the Temple of Hadrian and the siteof the sumptuous Temple of Artemis which was one of the SevenWonders of the Ancient World. The ruins also include public toilets andeven a brothel dating mostly from the fourth century BCE.

Pergamon was entered into the UNESCO WorldHeritage List in 2014. It is a rare example of a settlement that hassurvived several invasions and devastations over the ages but was alwaysrevived due to the merits of its strategic location. As confirmed by archaeologicaldigs the prehistory of Pergamon dates to the second millennia BCE. The citysurvived Persian domination and the conquest of Alexander the Great.The most brilliant phase of its history lasted almost one hundred and fiftyyears when it was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon during3^rd and 2^nd centuries BCE. At this time, one ofthe largest libraries of the world was built here and the city became a healingcentre.

Hierapolis Ancient City in Denizli

An ancient spa city during Roman and Byzantine periods, Hierapolis,an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located near Denizli. This areais now known as Pamukkale, home to a world-renowned natural wonderof calcite travertines full of warm, mineral-rich waters.Pamukkale is a popular thermal center; its calcium and iron-richwaters are believed to have healing properties. The ancient city, which issituated above Pamukkale, was founded by Eumenies II, theKing of Pergamon, in the 2^nd century BC and believed tohonor the name of Hiera, wife of Telephos, the legendary founder ofPergamon.

The city grew and gained prominence thanks to its thermal springs.Pamukkale is famous for its calcite travertines (or terraces) full of warm,mineral-rich waters. The territory that Pamukkale is located has a special structurewith its thermal springs originating in Lykos (Çürüksu) Valley.In Hierapolis, you can see the ruins of the baths, temples, and otherancient monuments. You can also swim in Cleopatra’s Pool, a springwhere the Egyptian Queen is rumored to have bathed.

Hierapolis, the city where St Philippus, one of the twelveapostles of Jesus, was killed, is one of the sacred settlements in terms ofChristianity. It was declared a religious center in the 4^th centuryand became the episcopal centre in the Byzantine period. TheTomb of St. Philppus and the Martyrium, which were unearthed as aresult of excavations in the ancient city, are among the holy structures ofChristianity.

The ancient Roman Bath, located in the Hierapolis Ancient City,has now been transformed into the Hierapolis Archeology Museum.You can visit various archaeological finds from Hierapolis and its surroundingsin the halls of the museum with stone blocks made of travertine.

Bodrum Castle and Bodrum Underwater ArchaeologyMuseum in Muğla

The Bodrum Castle was built on the island, whichwas known as Zephyirion in ancient times, and which is apeninsula now. It was built in 1406 by the knights of St. Jean whoseheadquarter was Rhodes. Bodrum Castle preserves the original planand character of the Knights Period and reflects Gothic architectural features.The castle is the only well-preserved example of the St. John knights. It isalso one of the best-preserved medieval monuments in the world and stands as amonolithic heritage. In the construction of the castle, the stones left afterthe destruction of k, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, wereused.

After the St Jean knights left Bodrum in 1523, the castle was used as aprison by the Ottomans until the 19^th century. It suffereddamage through British and French bombardment during World War I.

Today, the Bodrum Castle houses the Bodrum Underwater ArchaeologyMuseum. The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is one of the mostimportant of the world´s few and Türkiye´s only underwater museums. The museumreceived the "Special Praise" award in the EuropeanMuseum of the Year competition in 1995.

There are 14 exhibition halls in Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, andit has the richest Eastern Mediterranean Amphora collection inthe world. The shipwrecks of Yassıada, Şeytan Deresi and SerçeLimanı are also exhibited in the museum. Three tons of broken andunbroken glass was removed from the ship that sank in the exhibition inthe Serçe Harbor Shipwrecks Glass Debris Hall in 1025, whichis the oldest sunken shipwreck in the world. In addition, the world´slargest Islamic Glass Collection is exhibited here.

The Bodrum Archaeology Museum consists of the Karyalı Princess Hall, EnglishTower, East Roman Wreck, Turkish Bath Exhibition, GlassShipwreck Hall, German Tower, Coin and Jewellery Hall, GlassHall, Hidden Museum Snake Tower, Uluburun Shipwreck, Dungeon, Commander´sTower and Tektaş Glass Wreck sections.

The largest Amphorae Collection is also in the Bodrum UnderwaterArchaeology Museum. Next to the cross vault there is the Balta Tower,with the "Queen Island" hall.

Miletus & Didyma in Aydın

The capital of civilization, culture, art and science, Milet(Miletos) is one of the most important cities in human history withits 3,500-years old history. The city, which is regarded as the centre ofpositive science, is the home of people who question nature, observe, andcontemplate in order to understand it. Also known as the "city ofphilosophers", Milet has raised many historical figures such asthe philosophers Thales, Anaksimandros and Anaksimenes andthe city planner Hippodamos. Milet, dominated by free thought 2,600years ago, became a centre of attraction, and turned into the largest cityof the Ionian civilization, which developed on the WesternAnatolian coast. It became a cosmopolitan place attracting people from all overthe world. It ultimately became the capital of this civilization.  

Milet is located on the southwestern border of the Menderes Plain,between Söke and Didim, in an area with no trafficdensity. Instead of big cities, there are several beautiful villages around it:Doğanbey in the north, Batıköy in the west, Akköy in the south and Balat nextto it. "Balat" is named after Palatia, the late ancient name of Miletus. DilekPeninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park extends to the MenderesDelta in the west of Milet. Milet Ancient City has anidyllic character with its location and the influence of small settlementsaround it.

Large stoas surrounding the South Agora were built in the Hellenisticperiod. Although the Agora is hidden under lush green fields today, the massiveinfrastructures of the stoas can be easily seen on the ground, giving an ideaof the size of the city centre during the Hellenistic and Romanperiods. It is only 150 meters from the Miletus theatre and was built bythe Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. This bathhouse, which was builtby the Emperor on behalf of his wife Faustina, was repaired atcertain times.

The Nusa sculptures found here are currently exhibited inthe İstanbul Archaeology Museum. A large pool of the bath and alion statue used as a fountain on the side of the pool are in the MiletusMuseum.

The Faustina Bath is quite well preserved. Afterextensive restoration works in recent years, the size, spatial diversity, andrich interior of these complexes have emerged. Apart from the Faustina Bath,there are also many small baths such as the South City Bath to the south of theIlyas Bey Mosque, as well as large baths such as Humeitepe or Capito Baths inthe city.

The Ancient Heritages in Manisa

Manisa was home to importantcivilizations and to early Christians in ancient times.

Three of the ancient churches, Sardes, Thyatira and Philadelphia,also known as the Seven Churches of Revelation, were inManisa.

Located in Akhisar district, the city was located in thenorthern part of ancient Lydia of the Roman province of Asia, andbordered ancient Mysia on the north. The ancient Thyatira wasa prosperous trading town that was an important location on the road from Pergamon to Laodicea. The city, which was realized to be a weaving centre in ancient times andcarried military and commercial activities since it was located at the junctionpoint of several roads. Among its ruins were found inscriptions relating to aguild of dyers where artisans made use of the madder-root formaking purple-colored dyes. Thyatira was - one ofthe Seven Churches of Revelation belonging to the early ages ofChristianity.

The city of Sardes (Sardis or Sart) wasthe capital of Lydian Kingdom during the 6^th centuryBC. The city of Sardes and its surrounding area were watered by the riverPactolus. The river known for gold contained in the sediments was thesource of the wealth of Lydian King Croesus (Kroisos/Karun),and helped make the city prosperous. Legends also suggest that Midas washedhimself off at Pactolus river the cause of the gold. World´s first coinswere minted in Sardes by King Alyattes, father of Croesus.

The most important architectural structures uncovered with excavations arethe ancient synagogue and gymnasium. The synagogue is a uniquelybeautiful building built in the 3^rd century BC. Thegymnasium is next to the synagogue. It is understood that the ornate easternfront of Gymnasium was built at the beginning of the 3^rd centuryAD. The arched shops along the edges of these two buildings date back tothe Byzantine Period. Opposite the gymnasium, there is a large buildingcalled the Bronze House - a striking structure of the ancient times.

Most of the ancient city of Philadelphia in Alaşehir districtremains under the modern settlement. During the Romanperiod, Philadelphia was called “Little Athens” - nameoriginating from the abundance of temples and festivals held in the city. Thecity preserved its importance during the Byzantine period. During theexcavations in Philadelphia, a theatre and a temple dating back to theRoman Period were uncovered.

Karahisar Castle in Afyonkarahisar

The Karahisar Castle which is located in an urban protected areawithin the city centre of Afyonkarahisar, is the place identified with the citysince it has an important place within the formation of the name ofAfyonkarahisar.

The history of the castle built on a volcanic mountain dates to 1,350 BC.The Karahisar Castle was used for storing the state treasury during the Ottomantimes. The castle is 226 meters high with a gorgeous structure and offers itsvisitors a unique landscape.

At the summit of the castle, traces of the culture of the Phrygians wholived in Anatolia between 1,200 and 676 BC have been encountered, and there aremany worship places dedicated to the Mother Goddess Kybele andfour large cisterns (water pits). During the period of Seljuk SultanAlaaddin Keykubat, the walls were repaired, and a small mosque and apalace were built next to the castle. Also, a must-see is the MaidenTower, located somewhat higher next to the castle.

The Karahisar Castle has become a wishing place for those who want tomarry, have children, or other desires. Those who want to get married shoutdown from the Maiden Tower, saying "O my faith, my faith, O my goldenthrone, it is my time to get married". Sometimes "It is time to havea child " wishes rise from the castle. There is a rumour among the localsthat those who go to the Karahisar Castle will stay in Afyonkarahisar for sevenyears. But you can go to the Castle without taking this into consideration,with peace of mind and enjoy the spectacular view that will be presented to youat the top of the castle.

Ulubey Blaundus Ancient City in Uşak

Blaundus Ancient City was built on a piece of peninsula-shaped landsurrounded by deep and steep valleys. Blaundus was built by the people who camefrom Macedonia after the Anatolian Campaigns of Alexander theGreat, and it is said that the people of the city calledthemselves Blaundus of Macedonia. The city, which was annexed to the Kingdomof Pergamon after Alexander the Great and then to the RomanEmpire, gained much more importance and experienced its most brilliantperiod in the Roman period. Among the important structures of theancient city are the stadium, castle, theatre, temples, and rock tombs. Thecurrent ruins of the city are the stadium with one-sided seating levels, theentrance gate arch of the northern walls, some parts of the fortification walls,the mint and temple of Roman Emperor Claudius.

Phrygian Valley in Kütahya

The region is described as “Phrygia Epictetus” (LittlePhrygia) an area of mountainous settlement within the triangle of Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar and Eskişehir isknown as “Phrygian Valley” today. Phrygian plateaus werecovered with the Turkmen Mountain’s tuffs, an old volcano in the eastof Kütahya, which was inhabited by the Phrygians between the900-600 BC. Open-air temples, altars and rock tombs dedicated to the MotherGoddess Cybele, as well as many more buildings which were used for defenseand sheltering purposes have survived from that period. The crucifixes paintedwith madder, scripts and fresco remnants can still be witnessed, resulting fromthe Roman and Byzantine settlement. There are naturalcastles named “Deliktaş Castle” and “PenteserCastle” built by the Phrygians and Byzantines through the method ofstone carving. “Phrygian Valley” is a place worth seeing. It isfilled with the most intriguing and the most imposing pine forests, which isworth visiting. In addition to the pine forests, the instinctive rock structurewhich shares major resemblances to the Cappadocia should also not bemissed.