Turkey! 2013
Our Trip to Turkey - For 3 weeks in April, we had the fantastic experience traveling throughout Turkey. We visited Istanbul, Goreme/Cappadocia Area, Konya, Antalya and Ephesus/Selcuk.
Istanbul
Hagia Sophia was originally an Orthodox Church, converted to a Mosque and today is a museum. Incredible history and beauty.
Inside Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia
Mosaic decorations were completed in the Hagia Sophia in the mid-500's. When converted to a Mosque the mosaics were covered with plaster - as the Islamic religion does not allow images of people or animal in a Mosque. The mosaics were uncovered during the restoration process. It was opened as a museum in 1935.
Mosaic of Mary holding the Christ child - Hagia Sophia
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) built in the 1600's during the rule of Sultan Ahmet I, who was driven by a desire to leave behind a namesake mosque, but was also to build a monument to rival the Hagia Sophia.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Chora Church is located outside the central area of Istanbul - but well worth the trek. We took a boat trip up the Bosphorus River and made the short walk to the top of the hill where this incredible church is located.
Chora was built and rebuilt from the mid 300's. The mosaics and frescos are absolutely amazing.
Chora
Chora
Chora
Chora
Chora
Chora
There are 2,944 active Mosques in Istanbul. We did not visit all of them!
But here is the Rustem Pasha Mosque which had beautiful architecture and vibrant blue tiles.
Throughout Turkey there were Tulips!
The tulip originated centuries ago in Turkey (no is wasn't Holland!), where it played a significant role in the art and culture of the time. There was a Turkish tradition of wearing tulips in one's turban, Europeans mistakenly gave tulips their name, which comes from the Persian word meaning turban.
White tulips = Worthiness, Purple tulips = Royalty
Interesting fact! Turkish tea (Cay) is a black tea - The tea glass is in the shape of the "Tulip" - Turkish people have the highest per capita consumption of tea in the world. When you go to stores and certainly restaurants you are offered tea as a gesture of friendship and hospitality.
Tea time is all the time
In the neighborhoods outside of the main Istanbul tourist areas,
the city takes on a different feel
Shopping near the "Grand Bazaar"
Terebata Sarayi - In the 3rd and 4th Centuries this was a Basilica
until being converted into a underground cistern.
View from Istanbul up the Bosphorus River
toward the Black Sea
The spice market in Istanbul
We did not know what to expect with Turkish food - but we were
pleasantly surprised with delicious and fresh fish, meats and vegetables.
Testi Kebab is a mixture of lamb, mushroom, tomato and local herbs and spices, cooked in a sealed clay pot for 4 hours.
Cappadocia
We stayed in a "Cave Hotel" in Goreme City - in the Cappadocia area. the rocks were called "Fairy Chimneys" - beleiving that Fairy's lived below the rock formations.
Goreme Valley
Cappadocia caves - people lived in the caves from 2000 BC till the 1960's AD.
Typically inhabited by Christians.
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia
Cappadocia Balloon trip
Balloon Trip Video - 9 minutes
Hike in the Red and Rose Valleys
Hike in the Red and Rose Valleys
How did that happen? Cappadocia
Carol at the Mall above the underground city of Derinkuyu
U
nderground city of Derinkuyu and neighboring connection provided housing for
20,000 people
together with their livestock, schools, churches and stores
!
Derinkuyu - rolling stone door is behind us. The city dates back to the 8th-7th Century BC.
Konya
Konya is located in the Central Anatolian area of Turkey. Famous for the whirling dervishes
but also has a impressive museum, mosques and tile work.
Konya's Karatay Medresesi Museum
Konya's Alaettin Mosque
Konya's Alaettin Mosque
Antalya
On our drive from Konya to Antalya we drove through a large mountain range.
Surprisingly Turkey is quite mountainous
Antalya - Turkey's Mediterranean coast
Fresh seafood, wine and what a view!
Antalya Kaleici (oldtown)
Antalya Kaleici (oldtown)
Antalya Marina
Pamukkale
Pamukkale (Cotton Castles) - Natural hot springs and travertines.
Ephesus
Ephesus walkway - Eastern Roman - Byzantine Period.
Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the first
century BC.
Library of Celsus. Stored 12,000 scrolls
Ephesus
We stayed in Selcuk while visiting Ephesus. This is the aqueduct support structure that runs thorugh the town. The remains are from the Eastern Roman or Byzantine period. (Note the stork nesting on top)
Theatre in Ephesus (Byzantine)
