Anatolian lands have been home to many civilizations in history. For this reason, there are impressive historical sites and structures in our country. When it comes to historical sites, ancient cities come to mind first. Ancient cities, which can show people the characteristics of past periods in the best way, are among the indispensable places to travel in Turkey. In this content, we have listed the must-see ancient cities in Turkey. Let's go on a historical journey together.
First on the list is the most famous ancient city in Turkey. Göbeklitepe, which is also the first temple in history, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018. Built over 12 thousand years ago, this temple provides information about how people lived in those times. There are many T-shaped standing stones in the protected area. Under the conditions of that time, a lot of people worked to build these stones. This is enough to think that Göbeklitepe was built with difficulties in the conditions of the time. In addition, it is thought that Göbeklitepe was mostly used temporarily for various events such as feasts; because there are no traces of settled life in the area.
The ancient city of Ephesus, which dates back to the Roman Empire, is another favorite spot for local and foreign tourists. The city was a very important place in 5000 BC. This city, which was the gateway to Asia and Europe, also had a strategic harbor. Therefore, it functioned as an important commercial and political region. Another feature of this city is that it contributed a lot to culture, art and science.
Are you curious about the underground cities you see in foreign movies? Kaymaklı Underground City, which you probably didn't know was in Turkey, will satisfy such curiosities. This city was built by carving rocks called tuff. Consisting of 8 floors, the underground city offers historical traces from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The 4 floors of Kaymaklı Underground City, which you cannot get enough of exploring, are reserved for tourists to visit.
Mount Nemrut is one of the most famous mountains in Turkey. The King of Commagene chose this mountain in the 1st century BC to gather all cultures and religions under one roof. The mountain stands out with its volcanic feature, magnificent monuments and historical artifacts. The mountain was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. Thanks to its magnificent location, its view attracts as many visitors as its sculptures.
Alacahöyük, home to multiple civilizations at the same time, is emerging after the first national excavations in Turkey. In Alacahöyük, there are king tombs belonging to the Hattians, as well as ruins from Seljuk, Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman times. This ancient city is ideal for those who want to witness more than one historical culture at the same time.
The ancient city of Hierapolis was built close to the famous Pamukkale Travertines in Denizli. This city with its magnificent architecture bears traces from Hellenistic and early Christian times. This city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. Also, the name Hierapolis means 'Holy City'.
Although the exact date when the ancient city of Olympos was built is unknown, its power was on everyone's lips in ancient times. The power of this city comes from the fact that it had 3 votes in the Lycian Union. What remains of the Ancient City of Olympos is largely surrendered to nature. After visiting the city intertwined with the forest, do not neglect to enjoy the unique waters of Çıralı Bay in the vicinity.
Sardes is an ancient city that was the capital of the Lydian state. The Lydians, who also invented money, made agriculture, animal husbandry, mining and trade in this city, almost hitting the bottom of wealth. Thus, the ancient city of Sardes became an important settlement center. This city, which continues to resist time with its Synagogue and Gymnasion structures, sheds light on the Roman and Byzantine periods.