Exploring Turkey

Exploring Turkey!

If you're looking for ideas for your next trip, you must consider Turkey. It is a historical city with an infusion of the modern world. It is home to Santa Claus,  the first church was located in Antioch, Turkey, and it offers one of the world’s best cuisines!

Below, we look at the history of Turkey and the top 3 things to do when visiting this incredible country.

History of Turkey

The history of Turkey dates back to 2000BC. However, modern-day Turkey was formed in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal. 

It was formed when two societies- Anatolia and Eastern Thrace - came together under the control of the Ottoman Roman Empire during the second century. Anatolia was primarily on the Asian side, while Eastern Thrace was on the European side. Therefore, the Republic of Turkey sits partially in Europe and Asia. 

At the end of World War 1, the Ottoman Empire had weakened. Mustafa led the Turkish in a War for independence. They defeated the Ottoman Empire leading to the incorporation of the Republic of Turkey. Mustafa Kemal took over the leadership of the country. He oversaw various social, political, and legal reforms. He was also keen to promote democracy in Turkey.

What to Do and See in Turkey

• Visit the Blue Mosque

Also known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Blue Mosque is truly a historic site to behold in Istanbul. It is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.

The mosque was constructed during the Ottoman Empire era between 1609 -1619 under the rule of Ahmed. It stands out for its unique design. The mosque’s interior tiles are hand-painted in blue, while the exterior frame constitutes 5 primary domes, 8 secondary domes, and 6 minarets. It is still a functioning mosque.

• Visit the Ephesus City

Ephesus is one of the most famous archeological attractions in Turkey. The city was built in 10th Century BC. The Goths ruined it in 263 B.C, and although there were attempts to rebuild it, it did not thrive as it had earlier. It was further destroyed by an earthquake in 614.

Ephesus is a favourite among tourists as it has numerous things to see. It is home to the Temple of Artemis, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theatre, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Gate of Macaeus, Odeon, Marble street, and Terraced houses, among other attractions. It is also vital to Christian history as it is mentioned in the book of Revelation, and it is believed the book of John was written there.

The city is easily accessible location from the Adnan Menderes Airport or the Kusadasi cruise ship port. 

• Indulge in Turkish Cuisine

Turkish cuisine is a fusion of many cuisines, including the Mediterranean, Central Asian, Armenian, Balkan, Greek, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and European. Therefore, there is a variety of foods, e.g., soups, savoury dishes, desserts, etc.

Turkey is truly rich in beautiful sites. You should definitely add it to places to visit soon. In the meantime, shop some Turkish handcrafts on One World Bazaar.