Cities in Turkey

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Cities of Interest

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The Following is a list of some cities that are of special interest. Select any of the cities from the list to go directly to information about that city or scroll through the entire list, cities are listed in Alphabetical order. If there is a city we have not included which you would like information about or think should be included please let us know.

ADANA
Adana, built on both banks of the Seyhan (ancient Saros), is one of Turkey's most prosperous economic centers and one of its largest cities. Human settlement in Adana dates back to pre-Christian times as it is located near the "Cilician Gate", the principle pass through the Taurus mountains. The best preserved remains of ancient Adana are its stone bridges spanning the river. Adana is also home to an Archaeological Museum containing a fine pottery collection and interesting Turkish ethnographic material. In the center of the town, enclosed in a high wall, is Adana's most interesting medieval building, the 16th Century Ulu Cami (Great Mosque). There are two other mosques of interest in the city, Akça Mesçit dating to 1409 and Ramazanoglu Camii dating from the 15th Century, both Syrian in style. Surrounding Adana there are many interesting sites, the roman bridge at Misis with it well preserved nine arches the fortress at Anavazara and Yilanlikale ("Snake's Castle") are just a few.

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ANKARA
The capital of the Turkish Republic since 1923, Ankara has grown from a small provincial town of 30,00 to become Turkey's second largest city. Situated in the center of Anatolia (Asia Minor) Ankara has been home to civilization since the Hittite times about 2500 BC, though the first town of any importance dates to the Phrygian period of about 1200 BC. Ankara played an important role during the struggle between Christianity and Islam falling under the control of one or the other until the final triumph of the Ottomans in 1403. The most important sights in Ankara are the Atatürk Mausoleum and the world famous Museum of Anatolian civilization, home to an amazing collection of archeological finds from the Paleolithic period to classical times. Also of note in Ankara the Arsalahani Camii, Ankara's oldest mosque built in 1289 and the old city fortress, the Ankara Kalesi. Near Ankara can be found the village of Beynam which is situated in a large forest, giving testament to the fact that Anatolia was once densely forested. Soguksu Milli Park, established in 1959 can also be found in the area surrounding Ankara.

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ANTAKYA
Antakya, known in antiquity as Antioch, is located in Southeastern Turkey about 30 km from the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient times it held an important position at the crossroads of the Mediterranean road and the road leading into Mesopotamia, in the 2nd Century BC it is said to have had a population of 500,00. The most significant sight in the area is the Grotto of St. Peter, a cave in which the apostle is said to have preached and which was converted in to a church in the 13th c. A small spring at the rear of the gave is regarded by both Christians and Muslims as having curative powers. Also of interest is Seleukeia Piereia, the town which was the port of Antioch before the harbor silted in. Here can be found a canal, driven through solid rock, in a failed attempt to save the harbor.

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ANTALYA
Antalya, situated against a backdrop of mountains on Turkey's southern coast, is noted for its newly restored Old Harbor. Another of Antalya's great assets are its beautiful and world reknowned beaches. Founded in the 2nd Century BC, it remains an important port and retains a few relics of its past. The imaginatively restored Hadrian's Gate, this three arched marble gate was built in 130 AD to commemorate the Emperor's visit to Antalya. Antalya's close proximity to many ancient and natural sights, such as Perge, Side and the Manavgat waterfalls, has made it a great draw for tourists.

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BALIKESIR
Balikesir situated on the road between Bursa and Izmir is known for its spas and mineral springs. A few of the sights to see in Balikesir are the city's oldest mosque is the mid l4th century Yildirim Mosque, the Saat Kulesi (Clock Tower) built in 1827 by Mehmet Pasa, which imitates the Genoese Galata Tower on a smaller scale and the Karesi Bey Mausoleum of 1336. Near Balikesir are the beautiful Degirmen Bogazi, the three picturesque windmills of Karakol village and Kuscenneti National Park near Lake Manyas where 239 different species of birds flourish.

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BODRUM
Bodrum is said to have been founded about 1000 BC, as the ancient city of Halicarnassus. It came under many rulers, the most famous being Mausolus.From whom the famous Masoleum of Halicanassus was built. This Masoleum was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and though little remains today, Bodrum is still a town rich in history. Another of the interesting sights of the area in the Underwater Archeological Museum, located in the Castle of Saint Peter, originally built in 1402.

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BURSA
Bursa, the capital of ancient Bithynia, is nestled on the slopes of Uludag( (Mysian Olympus). It is often referred to as Green Bursa because of the abundance of fruit trees and gardens in the area. A spa site since ancient times, it still draws tourists for its theremal baths. The most interesting sights of Bursa date from the Ottoman times. Yes,il Camii ,the Green Mosque, named for the wonderful green tiles that covered its dome and the Yes,il Türbe, the tomb of Mehmet I, who died in 1421 are two of the best and most beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture in Turkey.

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DENIZLI
Is an important market center and was at one time a place where people came to relax in the gardens of the area and enjoy the excellent fruit and garden produce. Denizli's claim to fame is its proximity to the ancient sight of Pamukkale (cotton castle), the amazing calcite terrances, and the ancient city of Hieropolis with its extensive necropolis.

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