| Turkey contains a wealth of archeological sites and | | | | steep hilltop with many well-preserved Hellenist |
| fascinating ruins, located as it is at the junction of three | | | | monuments. The majestic Acropolis of Pergamon is |
| continents, in a strategic position between Europe, Asia | | | | one of the most impressive, with the Hellenistic theatre |
| and Africa. More than a half a dozen important ancient | | | | standing as its central feature. The famous Pergamon |
| empires such as the Hittits, Hellens, Romans, | | | | altar is represented by a replica, as the original is in a |
| Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans, inhabited and | | | | Berlin museum. Bring sunscreen and sturdy shoes and |
| developed the land now known as Turkey before | | | | plan hours to visit these incredible ancient structures. |
| they fell. Travelers today can still sense the wonder of | | | | No visitor should fail to visit the underground city of |
| the civilizations through the buildings and artifacts they | | | | Kaymakli. Carved out of an rock hill in the Cappadocia |
| left behind. | | | | region, the city was likely constructed by the Hittites |
| One that shouldn't be missed is the city of Ephasus, | | | | about 2000 B.C., and was used by several other |
| which was once noted as the most impressive city in | | | | civilizations and cultures, including the Christians hiding |
| the ancient western world. Located on the Aegean | | | | from their oppressors. The city has many levels, |
| Coast, it is the location of the Temple of Diana (for the | | | | containing complex tunnels and ventilation shafts, |
| Greeks, Artemis), constructed entirely from marble and | | | | storage rooms, millstones, wineries, and large |
| noted as one of the 'seven wonders' at the time. | | | | conference rooms. Residents of the area built their |
| Christians find interest that the Virgin Mary spent her | | | | above-ground homes over the underground city, and |
| final years on a hillside near Ephasus. Add to these | | | | connected their homes with underground tunnels. |
| sites the Harbour Gymnasium and the ancient marble | | | | Another 'must visit' ancient site in the Kusadasi region |
| Arcadian Way, and Ephesus provides a bounty of | | | | of Tureky is the Spa at Hierapolis, called Pamukkale, or |
| ancient structures. | | | | cotton castle. The cotton castle is actually one of |
| The Roman theatre at Aspendos is an amazingly | | | | Turkey's famous mineral springs, where through the |
| well-preserved sample of the 'eastern' style in Roman | | | | years, the limestone filled water has built up sparkling |
| theatre construction. The seating is constructed of | | | | white terraces of stone with cotton-like etchings. The |
| beautiful, nearly marble-quality, sandstone, and the | | | | ruins of ancient Hierapolis surround the 'sacred pool' of |
| acoustics are incredible. | | | | ancient date, where modern visitors can still swim. |
| Bergama is the site of Ancient Pergamon, set on a | | | | |