Turkey is a unique country probably because it is partly European and largely Asian. This means that Turkey is being shared by two continents. But the reason why this ancient republic is unique is because Turkey is not only a great tourist destination but it is also renowned for claiming two of the seven wonders of the ancient word, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and the Temple of Atemis.
Yet this is not the only reason why people love to visit Turkey. There are lots more as you will soon discover and make you probably love to visit the place too. And you just can’t help being captivated by the numerous tourist attractions that are only found in this ancient country. Here are ten of them which you will always remember as you go back to your home country:
1. Aspendos Theatre – this ancient structure built by the Roman Empire Marcus Aurelius is wonderfully intact and boasts of a sitting capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 spectators. Once there, it reminds you of Rome itself and the empire that invented gladiators.
2. Patara Beach – This beautiful beach stretches for 9 miles and is probably the longest in the Mediterranean Sea. It is mostly famous because the nearby village of Patara is the birthplace of St. Nicholas, the Byzantine Bishop who later came to be known as Santa Claus.
3. Pamukkale – this means “cotton castle” in Turkish but it is actually made of numerous pool terraces filled with water from hot springs. Known for its medicinal value, people from all walks of life have bathed there for thousand of years.
4. Bodrum Castle – built by the Crusaders in the city of Bodrum as a castle for St. Peter in the 15th century, this ancient edifice is now a museum for Underwater Archaeology.
5. Mount Nemrut – This was built in 62 BC on a mountain top as a tomb sanctuary for King Aniochus I Theos of Commagene. It is surrounded by big statues of himself and other Persian and Greek gods only that the heads have detached from the bodies and lay scattered on the ground.
6. Oludeniz – it is tiny village with a blue lagoon and a sandy beach. The place has a panoramic view perfect for paragliding.
7. Blue Mosque – Otherwise known as Sultan Ahmed, this mosque was built in Istanbul in 1609 and 1616 and reminds you of the beauty and splendour of Taj Mahal.
8. Library of Celsus – build around 125 AD to store 12,000 scrolls, the library also serves as a tomb for Celsus, then the Governor of Asia. This structure is part of the Temple of Artemis which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
9. Goreme Fairy Chimneys – these are actually made of rock formations or tuff cones known as fairy chimneys hallowed over the years to create houses composing the town of Goreme in Cappadocia.
10. Hagia Sophia – originally a church in Istanbul constructed by Roman Emperor Justinian I in the sixth century, this massive structure was converted into a mosque and later a museum.
By this time, you must have decided already to pack your things and catch the next plane for Turkey. That is alright if you already have your visa. If not, better prepare your Turkey visa application first before you leave for the Airport. It is available online and processing is easy. After that, all you need is enough funds and a few personal belongings for the trip and off you go to Turkey.
