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Seven must-see ancient cities in Türkiye
Seven must-see ancient cities in Türkiye
Turkey, with its abundant cultural heritage, was home to many ancient and archaic civilizations and empires. The patterns and remains of this rich history and culture are still evident in the ancient sites of Anatolian lands. Click through this photo gallery for the most mesmerizing and mystical ancient cities in Turkey, as compiled by İnci Hazal Özcan:
Aphrodisias: Named after Aphrodite, the mythological goddess of love, the ancient city of Aphrodisias was discovered by chance when prominent Turkish photographer Ara Güler got lost and came across the ruins.
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017, Aphrodisias is located in the southwestern province of Aydın. During the Hellenistic period, the site was a center for marble quarries. Its most breathtaking structure is the Temple of Aphrodite.
Aspendos: Housing the best preserved ancient theater in the world, the ancient city of Aspendos astonishes archeologists with its one-of-a-kind ancient ruins.
Located in the southern province of Antalya, the ancient city was among the first cities to mint silver coins. Dating back to the 2nd century A.D., the ancient city witnessed many historic events from the Hittites to the Romans.
Ephesus: Once the cradle of civilization, science and art, the ancient city of Ephesus demonstrates a synthesis of ancient empires’ cultures. Located in the Aegean province of İzmir, the excavations of Ephesus have been ongoing for almost a century.
It’s most mesmerizing and attention-grabbing structures are the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, the ancient theater and King’s Road.
Göbeklitepe: Located in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa, the discovery of Göbeklitepe had shed light on the early ages of humanity. With its rich history, dating back 12,000 years, Göbeklitepe is home to the first temple ever known to humankind.
Inscribed on the UNESCO list in 2018, Göbeklitepe is one of the most compelling discoveries of the 21st century.
Hattusha: The capital of the Hittite Empire, Hattusha is one of the most significant ancient cities in Turkey. Dating back to 1,650 B.C., Hattusha is located in the central Black Sea province of Çorum.
The archeological site includes many mysterious and intriguing ruins, from temples devoted to gods and goddesses to enchanting libraries and palaces.
Hierapolis: Famously known as “Holy City,” the ancient city of Hierapolis is home to many archaic temples and religious structures. Located near the Pamukkale travertines, Hierapolis is a go-to spot for its hot springs and ancient pools.
Kaunos: The ancient city of Kaunos, located in the Aegean province of Muğla is one of the most significant ruins embodied in Turkey.
Kaunos’ 3,000-year-old history along with its astonishing rock tombs, ancient baths, basilica and Temple of Demeter, make the ancient city an attraction for history lovers.
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