Turkey's Must-See Historical Routes

How were civilizations formed? What was the origin of these traditions? How were these architectural structures built? Of course, this list is just a few among dozens of fascinating historical sites.

Antioch

Antakya, which is the meeting point of Anatolia with Arabia and Africa, has seen many rulers and states for thousands of years due to its location. Antakya, which is an accommodation place for passengers and caravans with its commercial importance, has become a commercial, cultural and architectural meeting point. Antakya, where we continue to feel the traces of the Hellenistic Period, the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Period in its rich cultural codes and architecture, is a valuable region where religions and different beliefs continue to live together with love. It is priceless to experience Antakya at its table, in its songs, in its beautiful streets where the sound of the azan and the sound of bells mix.

Mount Nemrut, Adiyaman

Mount Nemrut, which is shown as one of the eight wonders of the world, is a unique and rare member of the UNESCO list not only with its artifacts, but also with its unique sunrise and sunset views and the energy it radiates. Located at an altitude of 2,150 meters above sea level, Mount Nemrut is located in Kahta district in the north of Adıyaman. Mount Nemrut, which reveals all the majesty of the Kingdom of Commagene with its sunset views, tumuli and statues of enormous beauty, is dazzling with the sculptures and reliefs of Antiochos I, King of Commagene, who wanted to bring all cultures together, and brought together other cultural gods.

Harran, Sanliurfa

The seemingly endless Harran Plain and an ancient city witnessing thousands of years of history. It is estimated that the word Harran, which is about 45 km from Şanlıurfa, comes from the word harran-u, which means "crossroads crossing" or "caravan" in Sumerian and Akat languages. According to the legend, Harran, where Adam and Eve first set foot after being expelled from paradise, is also at the center of many prophetic stories. Harran, which is an important commercial crossroads between Anatolia and Mesopotamia, has been under the rule of powerful states such as Sumerians, Assyrians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans throughout history. When you come to Harran, Harran Castle, Ulu Mosque, Harran University, Harran Mound, Harran Houses are among the ruins you will see.

Conical domed Harran houses, which are found in only 3 places in the world (Turkey, Italy and Syria), impress with their architecture. Rose oil, straw, terracotta and egg whites were used in the mortar of these conical domed houses, which have survived to this day thanks to their internal and external plastering with mud. The houses, whose height reaches 5 meters from the inside, and which have the feature of keeping cool in summers and warm in winters thanks to their architectural structure and materials, are getting narrower from the bottom up. Harran houses, whose tops are left open, thus both receive plenty of light and act as a chimney, evacuating the smoke or hot air that accumulates inside. Harran Cupola Houses, which were registered as an archaeological and urban site in 1979, are definitely worth seeing!

Dara Ancient City, Mardin

Known as the "Ephesus of Mesopotamia", the Ancient City of Dara is the most precious ancient city of the Southeast Region. There are ruins of churches, palaces, bazaars, Agora, armory and bridges that have survived in Dara, which was built by the Eastern Roman Empire in 505 to protect against the Sassanids. The story of the tombs prepared by carving cavities in the regional stones in the ancient city of Dara is interesting: The Romans built these tombs because they believed that they would be resurrected.

Mardin

Mardin, unlike any you have seen before, is like reading a history book… The pearl of Mesopotamia has been under the rule of powerful states with rich cultures such as Assyrians, Arabs, Seljuks, Kurds, Persians, Mongols and Ottomans from past to present; It has become a cultural mosaic where religions, languages ​​and cultures meet. It is like a movie scene with stone houses built under a cliff with labyrinth-like passages, madrasahs, churches, monasteries and mosques in its historical center.