GTurkiye

Author: tur

  • The Site of Ancient Pergamon, also known as Pergamum, One of the Seven Churches Addressed in Revelation

    The Site of Ancient Pergamon, also known as Pergamum, One of the Seven Churches Addressed in Revelation

    Located 100 km from north of Izmir in the Bakircay river basin, Bergama is one of the Turkey’s oldest civilized settlements which, has been inhabited from pre historic times through the Ionic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. It shares the site of ancient Pergamum (q.v.), of which there are extensive ruins remaining. The modern town lies over the remains of the Roman city, while the remains of the ancient Greek city with its acropolis lie northeast across the Bergama River, on a high hill with terraced slopes. Greek ruins also lie on the western outskirts. The Archaeological Museum in town contains a large collection of artifacts from the area, ranging in age from Paleolithic to Byzantine. The town has cotton and leather industries, and in the surrounding area there is farming in cotton, tobacco, and grapevines.

    Usually seen on a two day tour of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor or on an Aegean sea cruise, Pergamon (pop. 40,000) is the site of the ancient cultural city of the same name. Pergamon merits a visit because of its impressive ruins. The ruins include an acropolis with an Altar of Zeus, palaces, gymnasiums, temples, the world’s steepest amphitheater, an Aesculapium (ancient medical center) and a now empty library (it once held 200,000 volumes). Note the familiar symbol of medicine on the base of the Serpent Altar; Pergamon was the home of early medical theoretician Galen, whose teachings held sway for 1,500 years. Unfortunately, the most spectacular treasures from Pergamon can’t be seen there they’re at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany. Allow a few hours to tour the ruins. 50 mi/80 km north of Izmir.

    It has yielded archeological treasures of which importance is recognized world wide. To the southwest of Bergama, Asclepion, an important health center of the ancient world, the acropolis founded on top of a steep hill (300 m) and the Temple of Serapis (Kizil Avlu) make this area a fascinating stop for history loving tourists. The Altar of Zeus was smuggled to Germany in 1897.

    History
    The modern day name, comes directly from its ancient name, Pergamum. Known for centuries for its monuments, it was a great city and served as the centre of Pergamum kingdom. Its location made it strategic in the Middle Ages and was the centre of the Karesiogullari Principality before it finally became a part of the Ottoman State. The city’s golden era was during the reign of Attalos I and his son Eumenes II, the time when an acropolis, theatre and other important projects were completed.

    It was an important city in the Roman period. The city experienced many developments during the reign of Hadrian (117-138 AD), and it was adorned with Roman works of art. In the Byzantine era after the spread of Christianity, Bergama was first under the influence of the bishopric of Ephesus, and then became a metropolis.

    Zeus Altar
    Built during the years 197-159 B.C. by Eumenes II, King of Pergammon, it was revealed by German archaelogists during excavations made after 1865 in Pergammon and the remains were sent to Berlin. It was restored in the Berlin State Museum and was opened to exhibition in 1871. After that date, the museum acquired the name Pergammon Museum.

    Bust of Alexander the Great
    This marble bust 42 cm in height was found during the excavations at Pergammon and dates back to 3rd century B.C. of the original busts of Alexander the Great made during his lifetime, none have reached us todaay, we have only found reproductions. The bust found in Pergammon is famous, it being more realistic than the one in Louvre Paris. (Istanbul Archaeological Museum)

    Climate
    The Mediterranean Climate dominates the region. Summers are hot and dry while winters are mild and rainy.

    Access By Road
    The main bus station is at the south end of the town centre, although many buses coming from other cities will drop passengers off, on the edge of town. There are regular services from Ayvalik (45 mins) and Izmir (2 hours), and one or two daily to Afyon (7 hours), Ankara (11 hours) and Istanbul (10 hours).

    Access By Train
    The nearest station is at Soma, 45 km away, which is on the main line between Izmir and Bandirma.

  • Turkey is situated in a geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate

    Although Turkey is situated in a geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate, the diverse nature of the landscape, and the existence in particular of the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, results in significant differences in climatic conditions from one region to the other. Istanbul is part of Europe and the weather reflects that. You’ll find a wet cold winter (3-8 degrees Celsius) slowly turning into a damp, warm Spring and a mild to hot (18-32 C°) summer that doesn’t hang around any longer than feels is necessary. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers (24-36°C) and mild winters (4-16 °C). Cappadocia shares the climate of much of inland Turkey. Summers can be very hot and your altitude is directly proportional to the amount of snow you get in the winter.

    Being a large country there is no ‘average’ climatic condition and there are considerable variations between Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coastal regions. In Central Anatolia (Cappadocia) there is a considerable variation between day and night time temperatures, with summer peaking at around 26°C. Around Izmir and Ephesus the climate is warmer still, with average summertime temperatures occasionally exceeding 30°C. Further south on the Mediterranean in Fethiye mild winter for a few months and long hot summers with 30°C average. As for eastern Turkey The climate of the region can be harsh and unpredictable, summers tend to be hot and extremely dry. Winters are bitterly cold with frequent, heavy snowfall. Villages can be isolated for several days during winter storms. Spring and autumn are generally mild, but during both seasons sudden hot and cold spells frequently occur.

    There are seven basic climatic areas:
    Marmara — temperate, warm and fairly humid summer days, cool nights, chilly and rainy winters; Marmara Average Temperature: 14.2

    Aegean — hotter and drier than Marmara, but can be almost as cold in winter; Aegean Average Temperature: 4.3

    Mediterranean — hot and humid in summer, especially the eastern coast, mild but rainy and coolish in winter; Mediterranean Average Temperature: 17.2

    Central Anatolia — hot, dry summers, cold, rainy winters with snow; Central Anatolia Average Temperature: 0.7

    Black Sea — high rainfall, most days overcast, mild and humid in summer, damp and chilly in winter; Black Sea Average Temperature: 12.5

    Southeast Anatolia — very dry and very hot (100+ F/38+ C) in summer, mild and dry in winter; Southeast Anatolia Average Temperature: 16.0

    Eastern Anatolia — mild, short, dry summers, long and bitterly cold winters with lots of snow. Do take a sweater for evenings year round. Eastern Anatolia Average Temperature: 8.1

  • Lake Bafa with its small white beaches and small resort places at the coast

    There is Lake Bafa, which is the mirror of Lunar Goddess Athena between oil groves, on Soke Milas road. Lake is just like a mirror including moon within summer nights with its small white beaches and small resort places at the coast. It is recommended to eat the grey mullet and yilan baligi.

  • Mylasa one of the most important and largest centers of Western Caria

    Mylasa, which was the former capital of Caria, houses monuments bearing witness to great past of the town. From the ending of the name “asa”, we understand this was an Anatolian name and it is suggested it was one of the early cities established in the region. Strabo mentioned Mylasa one of the three noteworthy cities in the region. It is not certain how the city got its name.

    One of the earlier accounts about Mylasa was during the Persian rule when a tyrant, appointed by the Persian Satrap, Oliates, ruled the city. However, the Golden Age of Mylasa came during the early 4th century during the rule of famous Persian Satraps such as Hysaldomus, Hekatomnos and Maosolos. At the beginning, it seems that the former city of Mylasa was situated at Percin Kale, great rock situated 3 miles distance from Mylasa. During 4th century BC and then it moved to its present site, which was an unusual location for a Carrian, city, usually built on the rocky hills. This great rocky hill supplied good quality of marble for the city of Mylasa and to nearby cities. The importance of Mylasa continued even after the move of the capital to Halicarnasus. It was the most important inland city of Caria throughout the Hellenistic and Roman Periods.

    She went on as a chief center for the Carian district. Under the Ptolemy II, the city was under the rule of Egyptian Kings. After a short rule, the city passed into the hands of Antiochus of Syria who captured the city without any difficulty. The region fell into hands of Macedonian Kings. Mylasa gained importance and power by establishing reciprocal citizenship with major cities in the region. The men of Euromos, Miletos, Labranda, Olimus, they were all considered as the part of famous tree tribes of Mylasa. When Roman armies defeated Antiochus, the king of Syria, Roman authorities gave Caria region to Rhodians. Not pleased with the Rhodian rule, Carians organized a rebellion against Rhodians. This confusion ended when Romans decided that Rhodians should put an end with the fight and retreat as quickly as possible.

    The city was badly damaged in 40 BC by the Parthian and Roman troops under the command of Labianus, a former general of Brutus and Cassius. After this disaster, Mylian asked for the help of Emperor Augustus. From the inscriptions, we understand that emperor helped for the reconstruction of the city and people Mylasa built a temple for Augustus and Goddess Rome. During the Byzantine Period, mlasa became the Episcopal see and it was under the directions of the bishop of Stavrapolis. It was conquered by Menteseoglu tribe in the 14th century and joined Ottoman territory in 1425.

    There is little left of ancient Mylasa in the city of Milas. Strabo mentions that people of Mylasa had three temples dedicated Zeus, the most popular divinity, worshipped by all the independent tribes who got united during under his name during the times of real danger the Greek and Persian invasions. Although Carian Zeus with many names was worshiped in many temples in Caria, none of his temples survived in good shape. On the other hand, archaeologist discovered many coins depicting Zeus, holding a spear and double headed axe in his hands. A native God who is later named as all the Carians worshiped Zeus there.

    The Temple
    There is little left from this first century temple in Corinthian Order. It was built on high podium. The carvings of the Corinthian columns and masonry of the wall surrounding the temple help to archaeologist to date the temple first century BC.

    Baltali kapi The gate with the Axe
    This beautiful Roman Gate took its name from a double axe, carved at the top of the main arch. This gate led to sacred way, which extended from Mylasa to Labranda, the famous Carian Shrine. This impressive gate with the double axe of Carian Zeus was part of the city walls, dated to second century BC.

    Gumuskesen monument
    This small Roman copy of ancient mausoleum is one of the great monuments of Mylasa. Dated to 2nd century AD, Gumuskesen monument is consist of high podium, columned area, stepped crepidoma and possibly a statue at the top. The temple of Augustus and Roma The temple, which had been built for Emperor Augustus for the renovation work he accomplished after the destruction of the city by Libanius in 40 BC, is now totally vanished from the stage of history.

  • Saklikent Ski Resort, Antalya, Turkey

    Saklikent, 50 km from Antalya, is an ideal winter sports resort on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain at an altitude of 1,750 to 1,900 meters. In March and April you can ski in the morning, eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish at Antalya’s marina and sunbathe, swim or windsurf in the afternoon. High in the mountains above Fethiye rushing torrents cut a narrow gorge through the mountains, creating Saklikent (Hidden City).

    A cool refuge on hot summer days, Saklikent is a favourite picnic spot, with rustic restaurants serving delectable fresh trout. The wildlife, deer and mountain goat in Duzlercami Park, north of Antalya are under a conservation program. On the way, you can stop at the astonishing 115 meter deep Guver Canyon.

    Arrival: The resort can be reached from the centre of Antalya by bus, taxi or a hotel service vehicle in one hour.

    Geography: The altitude for the skiing areas is between 2000-2400m, with a snow depth between 0.5-1m and a short season.

    Facilities: There is a pension with 14 beds, a restaurant, café and local coffee-houses. There are two T-bars, and two ski runs at easy/moderate level.