Turkey is a country part of which is located in western Asia and another part in southeastern Europe, and due to its privileged location, the country has a great history.

There are many historical places of many different ancient empires in this country.

This is one of the reasons why Turkey is a tourist country, and Istanbul is the most important, as Istanbul receives a large number of tourists from all over the world every year due to its effects.

In this article we will talk about the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey.

1- Aphrodisias Historic District

There is a historical area in southwestern Turkey called Aphrodisias which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey.

And it is one of the most beautiful Roman cities in the country, and this city dates back to the Bronze Age, that is, approximately 2800 BC.

Many ancient temples are located in the area, some dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Many parts of its architecture are still intact and inscriptions can be seen on its walls, it was finally recorded in 2017 by UNESCO.

2- Ani City

An ancient city on the border between Turkey and Armenia called Ani, located in a deep valley, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

Churches and ancient sites in this region date back to AD 961, and the King of Armenia moved his capital from Kars to Ani.

3- Troy archaeological site

Another archaeological site on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Turkey is the Archaeological Site of Troy.

Due to its historical and cultural value, this ancient site has been registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998 and is now a tourist attraction in Turkey.

The remains of the historic city of Troy consist of a defensive wall around the castle, eleven gates, a smooth stone ramp, and five defensive forts.

4- The city of CumalıKızık

It is located east of Bursa on the road to the Turkish capital, Ankara, and is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in Turkey.

The region of Bursa and Cumalıkızık, the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire, consists of six regions:

• Orhan Gazi complex and surrounding caravans
• Khuda Vardar or First Murad Complex
• Yildirim complex or Bayezid I.
• Yeshil complex or Mehmed I
• Khuda Vardar or First Murad Complex
• Complex Mouradia or Murad II.

5- Safranbolu City

Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Turkey is Safranbolu, which still maintains its ancient texture and has a large number of historical monuments.

The city was registered by UNESCO as an International Cultural Zone and World Heritage Site in 1994.

What was recorded from this city includes one museum, 25 mosques, 5 tombs, 8 springs, 5 Turkish baths, 3 caravans, a historic clock tower, a historical cemetery, and hundreds of homes.

6- Diyarbakir Castle

One of the most important ancient cities in Turkey, which is located on the banks of the Tigris River, Diyarbakir, is surrounded by an ancient stone wall.

Diyarbakir Castle was added to the UNESCO list in 2015, this historical complex is a cultural monument from the Hellenistic, Roman and Sassanid eras.

7- Ephesus city

Another historical city in Turkey that is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in Turkey is the city of Ephesus, the city was registered in 2015 and was used as the capital of the Kingdom of Arzawa around 1500 BC.

Most of the historical monuments in the city of Ephesus date back to the time of the Greeks, and there are many legends in ancient times that indicate that it was one of the 12 cities under the Ionian Union in Greece.

The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is located in this city, and other attractions that we suggest you should definitely visit are the Grand Theater, the Royal Palace and the Archaeological Museum.

8- Divriği Great Mosque

One of the monuments that can be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in Turkey is the Great Mosque of Divriği, a remnant of Ahmed Shah, it was built by order of Ahmed Shah and has unique features.

One of the unique features of this masterpiece of Islamic architecture is the intricate and creative technique of the roof architecture and the many decorative carvings found in the three gates of the Great Mosque of Divriği.

Divriği Great Mosque was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

9- Hattusa

Another Turkish monument is Hattusa, whose history dates from 1600 to 1800 BC, and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List of Turkey in 1986.

Features of these Turkish monuments include stone columns that protrude from the ground and are protected by a number of walls.

10- Mount Nemrut

Well, another attraction that we want to introduce is Mount Nemrut, this tourist attraction was registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List in Turkey in 1987.

In this area there are huge statues dating back to the century BC, some of these statues sometimes reach 9 meters in height.

11- Göbekli Tepe

In the Anatolia region of Turkey, another attraction that is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List of Turkey is Göbekli Tepe.

There are T-shaped columns with images of wild animals engraved on them, providing insight into the lives and beliefs of the people of Mesopotamia from about 11,500 years ago, be sure to visit this wonderful area on your trip to Turkey.

12- Çatalhöyük

One of the most prominent archaeological sites in Turkey is the Neolithic site Çatalhöyük, which was discovered in the 1950s and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012.

The complex has become one of the most famous archaeological and historical sites in the world due to its large size and the beautiful murals they discovered.

Some archaeologists in the area have managed to find artifacts dating back 9,000 years.

Among the most famous discoveries that have been made in this area are the finding of several inscriptions and paintings on stone of animals such as deer, in addition to several statues, including a statue of two lions facing each other or a statue of a god sitting next to two cats.

13- The historic city of Pergamon

In Turkey there is a very strange historical city called Pergamon, which is 26 kilometers from the Aegean Sea and is located on a sea cliff located in the northern part of the Caicos River.

One of the oldest ancient libraries in the world is housed in a building and temple located in the city of Pergamon, the building is located on top of a hill and has a wonderful appearance.

In 2014, the area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

14. Pamukkale Hierapolis

Other attractions inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List include Pamukkale Hierapolis, which name was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988.

Pamukkale Castle is located in southwestern Turkey in the Aegean region and means Cotton Castle.

The post 14 of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Turkey is becoming an increasingly popular destination for travelers around the world, and it is not difficult to see why.

Beautiful natural phenomena and man-made wonders, in addition to eastern heritage and western urbanization, make Turkey a country of beautiful contrasts.

Towering mountains, ruins of ancient empires, and mega-cosmopolitan cities are unique to Turkey, which continues to attract more visitors each year.

Here are 13 reasons to visit Turkey at least once in your life, prepare for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime!

1- Turkey, where East meets West

Turkey’s geographical location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia makes it a great example of the meeting between East and West.

The Bosphorus strait, which separates the European and Asian sides of Turkey, extends completely on both sides of the two continents, and you can go to both of them by ferry.

You cannot find the fusion of eastern and western cultures anywhere else in the world as it is here.

2- Delicious Turkish food

Turkish food is a delicious mixture of Middle Eastern, European, Asian and African foods.

Frankly speaking, Turkey is a heaven for savoring delicious dishes and having a nice meal.

Bread forms a large part of the Turkish diet, from simit (Turkish bread) to pide or lahmacun (Turkish pizza).

The wide variety of kebabs, Doner, and Kufte will definitely satisfy meat lovers.

Vegetarians won’t be disappointed either, there are dishes such as menmen (Turkish omelette) and delicious snacks like guzelim and borek (cheese and spinach pastry).

Each region in Turkey has its own kitchen culture, including distinct ingredients and various recipes.

As such, Turkish cuisine is much more than delicious kebabs and baklava, it contains plenty of fresh seafood and appetizers, a whole world of sweets, mega breakfasts, classic Ottoman dishes, vegetable dishes, and much more. (We cannot express it all in few lines)

Of course, a meal is not complete without some tea or Turkish coffee, followed by some desserts in the form of kunefe, baklava or lokum.

In other words, you will definitely enjoy Turkish food!

3- Turkey’s beautiful beaches

Bodrum, Antalya, Izmir and Fethiye have some of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, with everything from bays to exciting beach parties.

Taking a cruise is one of the best ways to experience the many beaches in Turkey, the Mediterranean or the Aegean coast.

4- Turkish Hammam

The hammam experience has become synonymous with Turkey and it is one of the favorite destinations for many visitors.

Cleaning and massaging in the Turkish bath in a large cloud of soap foam is a really great way to relax. It is inevitable to try it during your visit to this charming country.

The Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam, is a typical example of what we are talking about, it is worth a visit in every sense of the word.

5- Turkish archaeological sites

Turkey has witnessed many empires and civilizations, and it has a remarkable number of archaeological sites spread across the country.

From palaces and mosques in Istanbul to the ruins of Ephesus to the underground cities of Cappadocia, Turkey is a good place for archeology and history lovers.

It also has many cities of historical importance, such as the cities of Troy and Ephesus to the destroyed medieval Armenian city of Ani.

In addition, there is much to discover everywhere, such as statues over Mount Nemrut and the tomb of the ancient king in it, in addition to the Cappadocia monasteries and cave churches in the city of the jinn.

6- The wonderful museums of Turkey

Turkey also has many wonderful museums throughout the country, from the largest mosaic museum in the world (Zeugma in Gaziantep) to the Ottoman Palace Museums in Istanbul, like the Topkapi Museum and Dolmabahce Palace and more…

Rest assured that there is a lot to visit while you are here.

7- The paradise of shopping

Turkey has many open markets and large bazaars to many huge shopping centers, and some Turkish neighborhoods are also where locals buy their fresh products.

Entering the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is like a shopping paradise, you will enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes in this bustling bazaar.

From hand-painted porcelain and colorful mosaic lanterns to exquisite antiques, quality leather goods and souvenir stores, you can find it all.

It is recommended that shopping enthusiasts dedicate at least a full day to visiting the multi-stores of Grand Bazaar, as well as the adjacent Spice Bazaar which guarantees an equally exciting shopping experience.

Shopping never ends here, it is definitely one of the best reasons to visit Turkey.

8- Natural wonders in Turkey

Aside from its big cities like Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, Turkey also has a lot of natural places from skiing in the Uludag Mountains or the ski center in Kartepe to hiking in Rize Province, and let’s not forget the very famous white limestone terraces in Pamukkale.

Where you can see the numerous mountain ranges in Turkey as well, with beautiful peaks covered with snow in the winter, you will also find many green spaces in the spring and flowers blooming all over the country.

9- Amazing Turkish architecture

The architecture of Turkey is truly amazing, and this includes everything from historical churches and sea-view palaces built by European settlers, mosques and huge imperial palaces to stone houses built by the former Anatolian empires, you will always find something that catches your eye and impresses you!

The towering minarets of the Turkish mosques are one of the architectural masterpieces of the Ottoman Empire, as mosques are spread all over Turkey, and among the most famous of these mosques are the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) and the Suleymaniye Mosque, and do not forget the unique architectural masterpiece Hagia Sophia.

10- The Turkish people

Warm smiles will welcome you everywhere as you wander the streets, accompanied by the variety of shopkeeper’s voices welcoming you into their stores.

It must be known that the Turkish people are distinguished by their hospitality and generosity, you will always be invited to have a delicious meal or at least a few cups of Turkish tea and some Turkish home-made sweets.

In particular, When it comes to hospitality Turkish families in small towns will make you feel like one of them!

But what about the language barrier? Make a few nods, add bursts of laughter and finish with a friendly embrace, as if you’ve wasted nothing in translation at all.

11- Hot Air Balloon Riding Experience in Cappadocia

In Cappadocia, you can find one of the most popular hot air balloon rides in the world, so much so that the experience of riding a hot air balloon here has become one of the most important reasons to visit Turkey.

Immerse yourself in mesmerizing sunrises and landscapes as you fly over beautiful valleys, rocky plateaux.

The experience will literally get you to float in the clouds, and it is definitely worth waking up in the wee hours of the morning.

If you do not like the high places or if you feel that the cost of the trip is too expensive, do not worry, as you can still climb to the top of the hill to watch the balloons flying in the sky.

12- Turkish Turquoise Coast

Located in the southwestern corner of Turkey, the Turquoise Coast consists of thousands of miles of coastline that stretches across Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya on the borders of the Mediterranean Sea.

This turquoise coast and its sandy beaches provide an ideal place for a beach trip.

The rocky cliffs make it easy to enjoy a panoramic view of the seascape, especially during sunset.

There are also many activities available to enjoy on the beach such as paragliding, canoeing and diving.

13- Cats in Turkey

If you are a cat lover, be sure that you’ll take many photos when you encounter cats while exploring Turkey, as you will encounter many cats during your stay.

You will be surprised by the gentleness of these creatures as you will notice the warmth and generosity that the Turks give to these cats.

These adorable creatures will welcome you and accompany you during meals, making it hard to resist their charms and temptations for you.

In the end, if these reasons to visit Turkey weren’t convincing enough for you to hop on a plane to Turkey right away, I don’t expect you to be tempted for somewhere else in the world!

The post 13 reasons to visit Turkey at least once in your life appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Mount Nemrut in Turkey is one of the most important tourist attractions in the southeast of the country. This mountain is the focus of attention of many archaeologists and historians. It rises more than 2000 meters in the sky. Where there are huge statues dating back to centuries BC. Some of these stones and statues, especially the stones used in the construction of the royal tombs, are 9 meters high.

Many people believe that the name Nimrod is taken from the tyrannical king of Babylon, who was defeated by the Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, but archaeologists did not speak about this topic.

There are statues decapitated on the surface of this mountain, which have remained underground for many years or have survived to this day or been destroyed by erosion factors and disasters such as earthquakes. Tourists can easily visit this tourist attraction in Turkey. As it is an attraction that is not only related to the history of religions and archeology, it also pleases mountain climbers and nature lovers.

Why is it fun to see Mount Nemrut in Turkey?

This is the place known as the stone tomb of King Antiochus I in the Kingdom of Commagene on the top of a mountain at an altitude of 2,150 meters. It is said that the tomb of Antiochus is located under a 50-meter-high bed made of stone by humans.

Although his grave was never found despite the many intense archaeological work here, it is located on the highest cemetery on Mount Nemrut in Turkey, and it is one of the best tourist attractions in eastern Turkey.

Wonderful mountain foothills

On the main and surprising slope of Mount Nemrut in Turkey, a row of gigantic stone statues were lined up and found magically built and standing. These stone statues were supposed to celebrate the glory and splendor of King Antiochus the First and of course the gods.

Interesting facts about Nemrut Mountain, which make it one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Turkey

• In 1987, the UNESCO listed Nemrut Mountain as a World Heritage Site. Tourists usually visit this place from April to early November. People usually travel to Mount Nimrud by car, bus and even helicopter from Adiyaman province, which is located near the mountain. There are also night tours that travel from Malatya or Kakhta to this region.
• The unique temple on the top of the mountain was completely unknown until 1881. Archaeological excavations first began in 1953, and the detailed excavations were led by the American School of Oriental Studies.
• Mount Nimrud has been extensively excavated since its first discovery and has been affected by tourism and exposure to extreme heat and cold.
• When you visit Nimrud Mountain, you go back centuries. Not only does this place display a unique view of the rising sun, but it also testifies to the perfection of the art of the Hellenistic era. Many tourists come to southeast Turkey to discover and enjoy this heritage.
• To build the monumental sculptures and monuments on Mount Nemrut, a very high technology was used that could not be found anywhere in the world at that time. As the merging of the temples and the lineage of their kings (who date back to the myths of history in Greece, Iran and Turkey), There is evidence of the dual origin of the culture of this kingdom.
• At the foot of the mountain, you see the Guardian Lion, which signifies the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Commagene on Earth.
• Many statues of eagles and statues of Apollo, Zeus, Hercules and Antiochus (the king of Commagene) can also be seen spectacularly at sunset.
• The burial mounds have been significantly reduced from their original height of 60 meters due to weather, clumsy past excavations, and tourists.
• It is important to remember that the great statues of Mount Nimrud are located in a seismic zone of first degree, very close to the (active) East Anatolian Fault. Therefore, not all of this region and its structures are earthquake-proof.
• The stone mounds (the part related to the burial) are 145 meters in diameter and 50 meters in height, and contain three terraces on three sides: east, west and north. The western and eastern terraces have a separate runway.

How to reach Mount Nemrut in Turkey?

Mount Nimrud is about 43 km from the city of Kahta, and you can buy a plane ticket from Istanbul or Ankara to reach this city. There are also direct flights to Adiyaman from Istanbul or Ankara.

If you enter this city early in the morning, you can easily reach this mountain and enjoy the attractive view of this mount with its large stone carvings. Try to think more about what you see and what this mountain represents in terms of civilization and history.

When is the best time to visit Mount Nemrut in Turkey?

Note that due to the closure of roads to the mountains and peaks, in winter and snow, visiting Mount Nimrud is only available in the warm months of the year (April to early November). It should also be noted that this mountain is located at a distance of about 600 meters from the parking lot and at the foot of the mountain, and you have to climb this path to the stone statues to reach this place.

We also suggest that you spend the sunset or sunrise on this mountain and enjoy the unique and amazing view in front of you.

Unique statues in the mountain

The eastern foothills of the ancient Nimrud Mountain in Turkey is one of the places filled with stone carvings. Although the statues are broken in this place. In fact, all the statues’ heads were cut off and broken, and none of the stone statues had heads. Archaeologists put their heads next to their bodies. This photo provides an interesting view for you and the other tourists. All the faces of these gigantic statues, each of which was the god of Nimrud, face the main altar.

Among these statues you can see lion heads and eagles (statues of Greek-Persian origin) as well as the statue of Zeus, the god of the gods in Greek mythology.

Apart from this, all ancient gods can be seen among the statues. Such as the statue of Hercules, the statue of Apollo, Metra, Helios, Hermes, and Komagene Tyche, and all of these statues were decapitated on Mount Nemrut in Turkey, and the statue of King Antiochus I can also be seen among these statues.

Broken stone statues show other dynasties and ancestors of Antiochus. To the north are statues of his Persian ancestors (from the father), while his Seleucid ancestors (maternal ancestors) Antiochus I.

In the western foothills of the mountain, most of the sculptures are not well preserved. However, the heads of these sculptures did not experience the same fate as the others and remained nearly intact. You can see the beauty and power of the hands of sculptors and artists in these heads.

History of the Nimrud region

At a time when there was war between the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire, the lands of Nimrud found themselves exactly between the borders of the two empires.

Although the area was formally part of the Roman Empire, their king and commander Mithridates I finally declared independence.

When their leader Mithradates I died around 64 BC, his son Antioch I ascended the throne and proclaimed himself king. Antioch I sought freedom from the domination of the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire. In the end the Romans finally destroyed it in 38 BC.

The discovery of the mysterious statues of Mount Nemrut:

This place was excavated by the German engineer Karl Sister, and most people do not know anything about the Kingdom of Commagene, and if this German explorer Karl Sister had not discovered this place, no one would have known about this beautiful, historical and mysterious tourist attraction in Turkey, because few people have knowledge of the Kingdom of Commagene.

The interesting story of this German engineer is that he was intending to explore a new road in Eastern Anatolia in 1880, and this story is intended that instead of finding the old road, they discovered the remains of carvings, and upon these carvings the following year, a search sign arrived at this place and after searching, they found a valuable inscription in it they found all the information they need.

 Mount Nimrud from past to present:

The big change that happened on this mountain and it is very clear, that most statues were cut off from their bodies and one of the reasons for this is that they may have been damaged for religious reasons, and this is of course a possibility. It is also possible that natural disasters such as earthquakes have caused devastation and other change, as in the past the summit of Mount Nimrud was full of forests and green spaces, but the summit of this mountain today is just gigantic rocks.

What are the cities near Mount Nemrut in Turkey?

The closest cities to this tourist area in Turkey are the cities of Adiyaman, Kahta and Malatya. Although Kahta is the closest city to Mount Nemrut in Turkey, Adiyaman provides you with better accommodation services. Adiyaman City is 85 km from the mountain.

So if you come to see this tourist area in Turkey, we suggest that you stay for a night in one of these areas. And if you have a personal car in Turkey, you can go to any of the mentioned cities. Also, if you are a tourist interested in rural life in Turkey, you can go to the village near this mountain region called Karadut. Where you can live a unique experience in this village.

Hotels near Mount Nemrut

Hilton Garden Inn

This hotel is located in Adiyaman, you can book the room you want and schedule your visit through Booking.com. The hotel offers many facilities such as an outdoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, restaurant, clean rooms and balconies overlooking the city.

Kara Dot Pension Hotel

This hotel is located in Karadut Village, at the foot of Mount Nemrut, and offers an intimate and loving environment only 10 km from the summit of the mountain. Like other eco hotels, you’ll have simple but comfortable rooms with the best local breakfasts. You can also arrange for lunch and dinner.

If you do not have a car, a vehicle will be brought for you to travel and tour the mountain area. On these tours, you will be accompanied to see other tourist areas in Turkey.

Tips for visiting Mount Nemrut in Turkey

• Because you are traveling during the summer, the weather is very hot and the shade is reduced. So wear cool clothes. To prevent overheating and sunburn.
• Don’t cross landscapes along the way, such as deserted houses, tree-lined hills and green slopes. You walk in one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Turkey.
• Entrance fee for this national park is 20 TL. You can walk for about two hours from the park checkpoint to the summit of Mount Nemrut and the stone statues are in front of you. So if you are not a pedestrian, go by car.
• The higher it goes up, the colder the air and more winds blow. So bring a windbreaker and warm clothes.

FAQ about Mount Nemrut in Turkey

The post Mount Nemrut in Turkey & the epic story of Commagene Kingdom appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.