Turkey 2001

In Sept of 2001 we travelled to the western region of Turkey

We arrived here just a few days after the event of 9-11 in New York. To say the least security was at high alert

1- ISTANBUL

We arrived in Istanbul, the start of our tour

Night time views from the roof of our hotel

The Hagia Sophia, dating from 537 CE

Views inside Hagia Sophia

More views of Hagia Sophia

A underground water storage area, they turned old Roman columns upside down and used them as roof supports

The spice Bazaar

Endless types of spices and many other items for sale

The old Palace

The chimneys of the kitchen

Some of the rich flooring and wall patterns

The ceiling in one of the rooms

A cage to protect a royal window

A boat tour up the Bosporus

Things you see along the shore

At the north end we stopped and got off the boat. At the dock, fisherman were working on their gear

A view of the river from near a military base

Old military fortifications

Nice place for a picnic

2- GALLIPOLI AND TROY

We work our way down the West part of the country

Visiting the Battle ground of Gallipoli. This peninsula was the site of a major military Campaign in WW1

We then moved on to the ancient site of Troy, and finally to Assos

We wait for our boat to get moving

We approach the old battle ground, parts left as they were in 1916

The monuments to the fallen

arriving near Troy

Some of the ancient ruined of Troy

A jar once used for olives, at least that is what we were told

ASSOS

Described as a small historically rich town. It was founded in the 10th Century BCE

On the way to the old ruins are a number of shops and vendors

We approach the temple of Athena

It has a commanding view of the Aegean Sea

Down at the harbour

We watch the sun set

3- PERGAMON AND EPHESUS

We continue south from Assos by bus, first reaching Pergamon, and then on to Ephesus aka Efus and it's famous library

Peramon

The city is centred around a 335 M high mesa of Andesite which formed it acropolis

It's history dates back to 400 BCE

The Acropolis

Some of the columns have been place back up, others lay were they fell.

Ephesus, near the town of Selcuk

This city had a number of features, from the Famed Temple of Artemis (550 BCE), the Library of Celsus, and a theatre that could hold 25,000 spectators

An inscription on a floor that marked a place for early Christians to meet.

The Theatre

This was the great Trajan water fountain

The ceiling of the Library of Celsus

Another part of the library of Celsus

Along the Agora (commercial shops)

A set of views from the seating are of the great Theatre

People in the market of Selcuk

Items in the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selcuk

The remains of the temple of Artemis at Selcuk

High up on a hill overlooking Selcuk is the Ayasoluk Castle or Fortress

Shots around Selcuk

4- Pamukkale Termessos and Antalya

Leaving Ephesus we first visit Pamukkale, then on to Termessos and Antalya

Pamukkale and Termessos

Parts of the Necropolis (Cemetery) at Pamukkale

Pamukkale means Cotton Castle in Turkish. The water from a thermal spring is very rich in cabonate materials, As it dries, it leaves this almost snow like material

Sort of reminds of winter here in Ontario