Tourists will get a glimpse of history and culture tucked away in each corner of Turkey. Speaking of history, some of the historical places in Turkey are found below the Black Sea region, a strip running across the north of the country from the outskirts of Istanbul all the way to the Georgian border. It's a country in itself that encompasses its own cultural and historical diversity. With so much to find and discover, it is safe to say that Turkey is one of the most stunning places to visit in the middle east.
Historical Attractions in Turkey: From The Magical Monuments In Istanbul To Cappadocia
Turkey is said to be a land of historical importance with great cultural depth that attracts millions of tourists every year. With so much to offer, a tourist will run short of time trying to explore every corner of this middle eastern country. So, to make things easier, here's a list of all the historical places in Turkey, making it easier to pack those bags with flight tickets to Turkey. Turkey is one such place that has often cast a spell over tourists, making them fall in love with some of the most sacred historical places like the Christianity Sects, Religious Orders, and National Cultures. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and have the best time of your life.
- Ephesus
- Sumela Monastery
- Göreme National Park
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Nemrut Mountain
- House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus
- The Oracle at Miletus
1. Ephesus
For an ideal close-up look, Ephesus is one of the most stunning historical places to visit in Turkey. Built-in the 10th century, the ancient Greek city, Ephesus was once a trading hotspot in the Mediterranean region. Tourists get a glimpse of the past through some of the ruins seen today like Library of Celsus, the Basilica of St. John, the Temple of Hadrian, the Gate of Augustus.
Said to be one of the one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the temple of Artemis is a must visit. When it came to spreading Christianity, it was said Ephesus played an important role. It is one of the most stunning attractions that should be on everyone’s list of places to visit.
Location: Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey
Attractions: Library of Celsus, the Basilica of St. John, the Temple of Hadrian, the Gate of Augustus
2. Sumela Monastery
Made in the name of the Virgin Mary, as a dream of two monks named Barnabas and Sophranios, the Sumela Monastery was founded in the 4th century. Even after the conquest of Trabzon by the Ottomans, it continued to exist after the conquest of Trabzon. Going back to the mid- 1800s and early 1900s, the Sumela Monastery was built into a natural cave. With chapels and monks in the Monastery, tourists will get a glimpse of the old bookcases where valuable manuscripts were kept. Proof of these divisions being interconnected with a complex system with wooden staircases, balconies and bridges is seen in some of the most ancient photos.
The important cultural treasure, Sumela Monastery, one of the most stunning historical sites in Turkey, is an essential cultural treasure that has always left visitors awe- struck with its appearance, despite being destroyed in a 1930’s fire.
Location: Altındere, 61750 Maçka/Trabzon, Turkey
Attractions: Wooden staircases, balconies and bridges
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3. Göreme National Park
Found in a stunning landscape, sculpted by erosion, the Goreme national park surrounds itself with rock-hewn sanctuaries that offer evidence of Byzantine art in the iconoclastic period. It was created by plateaus, plains and mountain plants, high hills and alluvial streams and river valleys and high flat areas. Dating back to the 4th century, dwellings, troglodyte villages, towns and remains of traditional human habitat can be seen. It is one of the best places to visit in Turkey for its unusual rock formations called fairy chimneys.
So, what more can you ask for when it comes to having the best time of your life? It is one of the most ideal parks that people should put on their bucket list of places to visit.
Location: Turkey
Attractions: Plateaus, plains and mountain plants, high hills and alluvial streams and river valleys
4. Hagia Sophia
Said to have been built by Constantine 1 in 325 on the basis of a pagan temple, Hagia Sophia was destroyed in 404 by a fire that erupted during a riot. The Roman emperor Constans 1 rebuilt the mosque and was dedicated to the holy wisdom by Theodosius 11. As a testimony to the Byzantine style of architecture, Hagia Sophia is one of the most famous historical places in Turkey.
Tourists witness a diverse range of historical events and was built as a church and then changed into a mosque and then a museum. Known for its biggest domes, the mosque is the biggest monument that has become a place of religious, political and artistic life.
Location: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı No:1, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Attractions: Domes
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5. Blue Mosque
The historical mosque in Istanbul, the blue mosque has been named so because of the blue tiles surrounding the walls of the interior design. Built in 1609 and 1616, the mosque is a blend of a tomb, a madrasa and a hospice. It is one of the most stunning places to travel in Istanbul.
It was designed to showcase the ruler’s imperial strength to complement Hagia Sophia. It was made with over 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles that complement the interior, various floral motives and light is reflected through 260 windows with stained glass.
Location: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Attractions: A tomb, a madrasa and a hospice
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6. Nemrut Mountain
One of the most remarkable experiences of a lifetime is to watch the sunrise over Mount Nemrut, the highest peak of the Eastern Taurus Mountain range. Home to several ancient ruins on the mountaintop, the mountain is painted red every mountain by the rising sun.
Tourists will get a glimpse of the river that stretches out in the distance, the light bathing the fields yellow. Sitting on top of the mountain, tourists should explore Hellenistic king, Antiochos I of Commagene’s tomb, built as a monument for himself.
Location: Nemrut Dağı Yolu, 02000 Kayadibi/Kâhta/Adıyaman, Turkey
Attractions: Hellenistic king, Antiochos I of Commagene’s tomb
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7. House Of The Virgin Mary, Ephesus
Close to Ephesus, the ancient city of ruins in Turkey, the mountain house where Mother Mary stayed and died is one of the most the best historical places in Turkey. The house of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage place for Christians, but here’s something interesting people should know. The Muslim Quran talks about the Virgin Mary that attracts Muslims to visit. Made of stones, the house of the Virgin Mary goes back to the 4th century AD with 2 stories and a prayer and fireplace room used as a Muslim Chapel.
Tourists will be taken to visit the holy waters where they will be encouraged to drink and make a wish. Wealth, health and fertility are each aspect of life the tap represents.
Location: Atatürk Mahallesi, Meryemana Mevkii, Küme Evler, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir, Turkey
Attractions: A prayer and fireplace room
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8. The Temple of Apollo At Didyma
The temple of Apollo at Didyma or Didymaion is among the 4th biggest temple in the world of ancient Greece. The oracle of the temple played an important role in Miletus’s religious and political life and the Mediterranean world.
When it came to initiating the “Great Persecution” of Christians under Diocletian, the oracle played an important role and later was changed into a church during the 5th or 6th century CE.
Location: Hisar Özgürlük Caddesi Özgürlük Cad, 09270 Didim/Aydın, Turkey
Attractions: Oracle
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History has always been one of the most fascinating subjects people love reading. It takes us back in time and enables us to explore the past. Speaking of history, some of the historical places in Turkey are absolutely stunning and worth adding to one’s bucket list. So, what are you waiting for? Pack those bags and explore every corner of Turkey. Make it a holiday to remember.
Have you ever gone on a hot air balloon ride or given those taste buds a treat to some of the most exquisite Turkish cuisine? If you haven’t yet, then make sure you avail the Turkey tour packages right away.
Historical Places In Turkey - FAQs
April- May and September- October is the best time to visit Turkey for its ancient sites. It is one of the most breathtaking places to visit.
Tourists can spend at least 5- 10 days exploring every corner of Turkey especially its historical sites.
Ephesus, Sumela Monastery, Göreme National Park, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Nemrut Mountain, House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus and the Oracle at Miletus are some of the historical places in Turkey.
Library of Celsus, the Basilica of St. John, the Temple of Hadrian, the Gate of Augustus are some of the attractions in Ephesus.
Plateaus, plains and mountain plants, high hills and alluvial streams and river valleys are some of the attractions in Goreme National Park.
Hellenistic king, Antiochos I of Commagene’s tomb is one of the main attractions in Nemrut Mountain.
The Blue Mosque is located at Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1609 and 1616 and is a blend of a tomb, a madrasa and a hospice.
Turkey is known for its oriental and European elements which include the traditional Turkish tea to the stunning Hagia Sophia
