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Turkey has developed as the regional hub for medical and healthcare services in the region, pursuing medical excellence and strong expertise accompanied with a strong technologic and infrastructural base and current approach to the quality of care. The Turkish private healthcare system is striving to become a strategic global health service provider manufacturing center accommodating not only the regional medical needs but also the needs provided throughout the world.

Turkey participated 3rd Moscow Medical&Health Tourism Congress in Moscow, 21 - 24 March 2012, RUSSIA

MOSCOW- Health Tourism Business Council in cooperation with Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism participated with Gold Sponsorship in 3rd Moscow Medical & Health Tourism Congress.

Turkey Opens Its Doors To Health Travelers

Centrally located West and East, Turkey is in a unique position to serve Americans and Western Europeans as easily as Middle Easterners and Eastern Europeans.

Members of Heath Tourism Business Council has conducted a health delegation visit to Baku, 28 February 2012, Azerbaijan

BAKU - Members of Health Tourism Business Council primarily visited Minister of Health in Azerbaijan.

Sun, beaches and laser eye surgery in Turkey

ISTANBUL - The cost of receiving medical care may still be burning the wallets of Turkish citizens, however, the prices are still low enough to lure in foreign patients. A surgery that would cost 5,000 euros in Europe can cost as little as 500 euros in Turkey

Americans prefer Turkey for low-cost health services

Those who have lost their jobs and can no longer benefit from health insurance in the United States have discovered Turkey and its offer of health services at reasonable prices.

Turkish Airlines Medical Tourism Support Package

The medical tourism market in the world has been rapidly growing in recent years. In order to increase share of Turkish Health Care establishments in the market and support national economy, Turkish Airlines has prepared a support package for Health Care Establishments who invest in medical tourism.

Read testimonials of real life patients describing their treatment and travel experiences in Turkey

DEIK / Health Tourism Business Council aims to promote the highly-developed Turkish health sector achieve its well-deserved place in the international arena. Composing more than 15 reputable healthcare groups in Turkey, the Council is working towards making Turkey a center of attraction through various publishes.

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ARRANGING YOUR TRIP

Before your trip to Turkey or any other country for your medical treatment purposes, , we have some suggestions to reduce the possibility of any inconveniences you may have.

If you know about your diagnosis and treatment needs, it is easier to search for a physician. For this reason, it is best to have a close communication with your local doctor or medical specialist and try to obtain your medical reports in written form. Informing them that you will be treated out of the country will be helpful because when you return to your country, your local doctor may continue your care and treatment. During your physician research, do not hesitate to ask questions and directly contact them until you feel comfortable.
Most of the medical travelers travel with a companion – close friend or family member – to help them every step of the way.
For all your arrangements such as costs estimates, appointments, recommendations, accommodations and airlines keep all writings and bring with you.

Make sure that you’re not planning your trip too tightly. Your treatment and recovery could necessitate extra time then you expected. So, reducing the expensive rescheduling your flight or inconvenience, we suggest you to add extra days for your trip. If everything goes well, you may use this extra time for enjoying the local sights.

Before you leave your country, contact with your bank and credit card companies and make sure to let them know that you will be out of the country and make arrangements in order to avoid any problems during your travel.

When you start planning your trip to Turkey for healthcare travel, make sure that your passport is valid for at least 90 days. To avoid any inconvenience, please make your visa application in person and one month before you proceed to Turkey. For more information you may visit:

http://www.mfa.gov.tr/sub.en.mfa?cc4e437c-6769-4d79-9017-10b63c651224

TOURISTIC ACTIVITIES DURING YOUR VISIT

While you are undergoing treatment in Turkey, you may enjoy the country as well. Istanbul is the most populous and historic city in Turkey. The next important city is the capital city, Ankara, it is the center of the Turkish state and government. Izmir and Adana are the next health traveller’s cities of Turkey and have numerous cultural and touristic attractions.

Turkmenbasi Natural Park and Polonezkoy just two examples of nature parks. Subasi Havuzlar Plane Tree is a nature monument of Istanbul. Goknarlik Nature Reserve is a natural protection area and palaces are Malta Kosku, Hidiv Kasri, Sepetciler Kasri, Tophane Kasri, Aynalikavak Kasri, Kucuksu Kasri, Maslak Kasri, Ihlamur Kasri, Ciragan, Yildiz, Beylerbeyi, Dolmabahce and Topkapi. There are really nice historic Turkish baths in Istanbul and which are Eski (Old) Bath, Buyuk (Grand) Bath, Aga Bath, Sofular Bath, Suleymaniye Bath, Cardakli Bath, Cagaloglu Bath, Galatasaray Bath and Cemberlitas Bath.
Istanbul has many options for entertainment and some are Cemil Topuzlu Harbiye Acikhava Tiyatrosu, Garaj Istanbul, Tophane-i Amire, Kurucesme Arena, Aya Irini and Babylon. Besides the places you may go are Taksim & Istiklal Street, Nuru Osmaniye – “The Street to Grand Bazaar”, Grand Bazaar (Tour), Kite Festival, Spice Market, Kadikoy Market Place, Akmerkez Shopping Mall and Arnavutkoy. For more information, please visit:

http://english.istanbul.com/index.aspx

ISTANBUL MUSEUMS

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum – It is the first Turkish museum covering the Turkish and Islamic art works.

Topkapi Palace Museum - Topkapi Palace was the official and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans in for 400 years of their 600-year reign, from 1465 to 1856. It is the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to our day. In 1924, it was turned into a museum at Ataturk’s request.

The Great Palace Mosaic Museum – A series of protective shelters above 6th-century mosaics that once graced the floors of Byzantine Constantinople’s Great Palace.

Rumelihisar Museum – It was built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (1451-81) as part of his efforts to conquer the city of Constantinople.

Yedikulehisar Museum, Anadoluhisar Museum

Galata Mevlevi House – It was built by Iskender Pasha in 1491 and converted into the Museum of Ottoman Literature in 1973.

Other museums are Museum of Classical Ottoman (Divan) Literature, Fethiye Museum (Pammakaristos), Caria Museum, Hagia Sophia Museum anrchaelogy Museum.

Istanbul has great mosques to visit and some examples would be Zeyrek Mosque (Molla Zeyrek Camii), Dolmabahce Mosque, The Bayezid II Mosque (Beyazit Camii), Ortakoy Camii (Ortakoy Mosque), Yeni Camii (New Mosque), The Fatih Mosque, Eyup, Suleymaniye (The Magnificiant) and Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque).

Istanbul was selected as the European Capital of Culture 2010 in 2006 along with Peç (Hungary) and Essen (Germany). Istanbul maintains a distinguished position among the metropols of the world with its unique geographical location and a cultural heritage of thousands of years. As one of the most energetic cities in the world, Istanbul never falls out of the world radar as an attraction center.For more information, please visit:

http://www.en.istanbul2010.org/index.htm

Adana

Situated in the middle of the Cukurova Plain (Cilician Plain), Adana is the fourth largest city of Turkey, nestled in the most fertile agricultural area of the whole country which is fed by the life-giving waters of the Seyhan River.
The city's name originates in mythology, where it was said to have been founded by Adanus, the son of Cronus (God of Weather, Zeus' father).

Due to its being in the heart of that fertile center Adana has been an important city for many civilizations for centuries dating back to the Hittites. The precious River Seyhan is spanned by the ancient Taskopru (Stone Bridge) which was built by Hadrian and then repaired by Justinian. It is worth noting that to build 300 yards long stone bridge in Roman times was a real feat.

In the city, the 16th century Great Mosque (Ulu Camii), the Yag or Eski Mosque, the Hasan Aga Mosque, Saat Kulesi (the clock-tower) built in 1882, an old covered bazaar, Bedesten or Arasta are of interest. You can also see the Ethnographical Museum where Turkish carpets, swords, manuscript books and tombstones are exhibited. The building itself is interesting as well since it was built as a church by the Crusaders. The Adana Archaeological Museum merits visiting, too. Adana is also famous for its delicious Adana Kebap and other meat dishes.

The tea houses and restaurants alongside the Seyhan Dam and Lake provide a cool and perfect view of the city and the river at sunsets.
Yumurtalik (84 kilometres from Adana) and Karatas (50 kilometers from Adana) are the nearest beaches with proper accommodation. In Yumurtalik there is an ancient harbor castle contributing much to this pretty fishing city. For fishing, there is Camlik Park 30 kilometers southwest of Adana.

There are some ancient cities on the road to Iskenderun which include Roman remnants. Misis is on the caravan route that came from China, India and Persia. Among the remains of Roman times, the most interesting is the elegant mosaic of the 4th century A.D. representing Noah's Ark. Yilanlikale has the ruins of a fortress set atop a peak dominating the River Ceyhan. Dilekkaya, the ancient Anavarza, was an important Roman Byzantine city which still preserves the outline of the old city including two particularly worthwhile mosaics. Karatepe National Park is the neoHittite site where you will find the remains of the summer residence of King Asitawada, tablets of Hittite and Phoenician inscriptions, and an open air museum holding many remnants. Castabala and Toprakkale are the other historical remains.
Karsan Forest, Burucek, Tekir, Horzum, Zorkum meadows are ideal for picnicking and resting.

Museums & Art Galleries

Adana Archeological Museum was opened in 1924; one of the oldest museums in Turkey. It moved to its current location at the west corner of Seyhan Bridge in 1972. The museum exhibits archeological works from all over Çukurova. Notable works are; two Augustus statues from Hittites, Achilles Sarcophagus depicting Trojan War and statues from Magarsus and Augusta ancient cities.

Adana Ethnography Museum was opened in 1983 after Archeological Museum moved to its new location. At the front and back yard there are epitaphs and gravestones of Adana's leading figures of 17th century. On the west yard, there are inscriptions of Stone Bridge, Misis Bridge, old City Hall and Bahripaşa Fountain. Inside, there are clothing, jewellery and weaponry of Yörük village men.

Atatürk Museum exhibits War of Independence and first years of Republic at the mansion, Atatürk stayed during his trips to Adana.

Misis Mosaic Museum, on city's east end at the west bank of Ceyhan River, exhibits mosaics that were on the basement of a 4th century temple in the ancient city of Misis. Mosaic depicts Noah and 23 birds and poultry that he took to his ship during the flood. Museum also exhibits the works that were excavated from Misis Tumulus.

State Fine Arts Gallery was opened in Sabancı Cultural Center in 1982. It carries 59 plastic piece of art. 75. Yıl Art Gallery in Atatürk Park, Adana City Hall Art Gallery and Art Gallery in Seyhan Cultural Center are the other public art galleries.

Architecture

The first developments at Tepebağ Tumulus dates back to Mesolithic age. Once surrounded by walls, Tepebağ is steps away from Stone Bridge and in between there used to stand a castle. Tepebağ is currently being converted into an archeological park, in which the houses from 18th century will be restored and converted into boutique hotels, cafes and restaurants.
Taşköprü (Stone Bridge), a Roman bridge, was built in the 4th century by architect Auxentios. It is 319 metres long and 13 metres high, and was built on 21 arches which get larger towards the center. Today, 14 of the arches remain. There are two lion artworks on the largest arch.

Büyük Saat Kulesi (The Great Clock Tower), a large clock tower that was built by the local governor of Adana in 1882. It was damaged during French occupation, but was rebuilt in 1935, and its image can be found in the city's coat of arms. Kazancılar Çarşısı (Bazaar of Kazancilar), founded around the Büyük Saat.
Çarşı Hamamı (Turkish bath of the Bazaar) was built in 1529 by Ramazanoğlu Piri Paşa and it is the largest hamam in Adana. It is built with 5 domes and inside is covered with marbles. During the time it was built, water was brought from Seyhan River by water wheels and canals.[22]

Irmak Hamamı (Turkish bath of the River), located next to Seyhan District Hall, was built in 1494 by Ramazanoğlu Halil Bey on the ruins of an ancient Roman Bath. Its water comes from the river. Other historical hamams in the city are Mestenzade Bath and Yeni Bath.

Ramazanoğlu Hall was built in 1495 during the reign of Ramazanoğlu Halil Bey. A three-storey building, made of stone, it is one of the oldest sample of a house in Turkey. This hall is the Harem section, where Ramazanoğlu family lived. Selamlık section, where the government offices were, do not exist today.

MOSQUES

Sabancı Merkez Camii, though not being historical, is the most visited mosque in Adana, as it being one of the largest mosques in the Middle East. The mosque was opened in 1998 and can accommodate 28500 prayers. It is built in loyalty to Ottoman Architecture. The mosque possesses six minarets, four of them having height of 99 meters. Dome has a diameter of 32 meters and it is 54 meters high from praying area. It is located on the west bank of Seyhan River at the corner of Seyhan Bridge and can be seen from a wide area.

Ulu Cami was built in 1541 during Ramazanoğlu period. The mosque has black and white marble with decorative window surrounds and it is famous for the 16th century Iznik tiling used in its inner space. The minaret is a unique sample with the Mamluk effects it bears and with its orthogonal plan scheme. Inside there is the tomb of Halil Bey, Emir of the Ramazanoğlu Dynasty.
Yağ Camii was originally built as Church of St.James, then converted into a mosque by Ramazanoğlu Halil Bey in 1501.[24] Later, his successor Piri Mehmet Paşa added it's minaret in 1525 and its madrasah in 1558. It is in the Seljukid Grand Mosque style and has an attractive gate made of yellow stone.

Yeni Cami (New Mosque) was built in 1724 by Abdülrezzak Antaki, and still known as Antaki Mosque by some. The influence of Mamluk architecture is visible. It is built in rectangular order and has interesting stonework on south walls.

Alemdar Mescidi, Şeyh Zülfi Mescidi, Kızıldağ Ramazanoğlu Mosque, Hasan Aga Camii (16th Century Wooden Architecture constructed without nails) are some other mosques with historical value.

CURCHES

In the 19th century, city had 4 churches; 2 Armenian, 1 Greek and 1 Latin. Bebekli Kilise (Saint Paul Catholic Church) was built in 1870 and used as an Armenian Church until 1915. It is currently serving to Roman Catholic community of the city. It is located in old town, close to 5 Ocak Square. On Abidinpaşa Street, there used to stand a larger Armenian Church[26]. During the republic period, the church was demolished and Central Bank (Merkez Bankası) regional headquarters was built instead. Latin Church was built in 1845 at Kuruköprü area and converted into a museum in 1924.

Parks and Gardens

Adana has plenty of parks and gardens, mostly well maintained. Owing to the warm climate, parks and gardens are open all year long without the need of winter maintenance.
Recreational pathways on both banks of Seyhan River cross the entire city from south end to Seyhan Reservoir. Pathway then connects to Adnan Menderes Boulevard which goes all the way along the southern shores of Seyhan Reservoir, and the wide sidewalks of the boulevard extend the pathway to the west end of the reservoir. Dilberler Sekisi is the most scenic part of the pathway which is along the west bank, in between the old and the new dam. Recreational pathway along the north side of the irrigation canal goes from east end to west end of the city, crossing Seyhan River from old dam's pathway. Some sections of this pathway has not completed yet. Once completed, within the city there will be almost 30 km of continuous recreational pathway connecting several parks along.

Merkez Park is a 33-hectar urban park that is located on both banks of Seyhan River, just north of Sabancı Mosque. It has a magnificent landscaping, carrying wide variety of trees and plants in an open concept. With 2100-seater amphitheatre, a Chinese Garden, and two cafes, it is the main recreational area of the city. In the park, there is a Rowing Club which serves recreational rowers.
Atatürk Park is a 4.7-hectar city park built during the first years of Republic. It is centrally located at the commercial district. The park holds a statue of Atatürk and hosts Public Ceremonies.
Süleyman Demirel Arboretum is a large botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended partly for the scientific study of Çukurova University researchers. Arboretum is also used for educational and recreational purposes by city residents. 512 species of plants exists in the arboretum.

İnönü Botanical Garden exhibits the rich variety of Çukurova flowers, located next to Adana Court of Justice.
Çobandede Park is a 16.5-hectar park at the west shore of Seyhan Reservoir. It is situated on a hill and has nice scenery of Reservoir and around. The park hosts the tomb of Çoban Dede, a wiseman from Karslı Village. Many people visit the tomb every year to pray and wish for him.

Yaşar Kemal Woods is a hiking area on the east bank of Seyhan River across Dilberler Sekisi. It is dedicated to Çukurova native writer Yaşar Kemal.
Çatalan Woods is a large recreational area in between Çatalan and Seyhan Reservoirs, north of the city, in Karaisalı district.

Performing Arts

Çukurova State Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert in 1992 and since then, the orchestra is performing twice a week from October to May at Greater Municipality Theater Hall. The orchestra consists of 39 musicians and conduct regular tours in Turkey and abroad.

Adana State Theater opened its stage in 1981 at Sabancı Cultural Center. It performs regularly from October to May.
Greater Municipality Theater Hall also hosts Adana Town Theater, Town Chorus and community theatre, folklor and concert performances. Seyhan Town Theater and Seyhan Folkloric Dances stage weekly at the 1000-seater Theater Hall of Seyhan Cultural Center.

Amphitheaters in Adana host performances from April to November. Mimar Sinan Amphitheater, the largest in Adana, can accommodate 8000 guests and hosts concerts and movies. It is located at the west bank of Seyhan River. 2100-seater Merkez Park Amphitheater, 3000-seater Çukurova University Amphitheater and Doğal Park Amphitheater in Çukurova District also hosts theatres, concerts and cinemas.
Recently, historical buildings are restored and converted into cultural centers. 515 year old Ramazanoğlu Hall and 130 year old former High School for Girls (now called Adana Center for Arts & Culture) serve as cultural centers hosting art exhibitions and cultural events.

Festivals

Adana Golden Boll International Film Festival (Altın Koza) is one of the top film festivals in Turkey, taking place every year in June since 1969. During Golden Boll of 2009, 212 international films were shown in 11 movie theatres across the city. Long Film Contest, International Student Film Contest and Mediterranean Cultures Film Contest are held during the festival.
International Sabancı Theater Festival is held every year in April since 1999. In 2009 festival hosted 16 theatre groups, 6 of them international. Opening ceremony of the festival was held at Stone Bridge with a Dimonis Show by Spanish Comediants Group.

International Çukurova Instrumental Music Festival held for the 5th time in 2009. 2-week long festival is held annually in Adana, Antakya and Gaziantep.
Çukurova Art Days is a regional festival that takes place every April since 2007. 115 poets, painters, musicians and caricaturists from 10 different countries attended festival in 2009, which took place in Adana, Mersin, Gaziantep, Antakya, İskenderun, Tarsus and Aleppo. 77 talks, 13 concerts, 13 exhibitions, 4 panels and 23 film showing were held during the 4 days of the festival.[31]

13 Kare Arts Festival began in 1999 as a festival of photography dedicated to 13 photographers of Adana who died in an accident during an AFAD (Adana Photography Amateurs Association) trip. Festival then extended to other arts. During the festival, exhibitions of nature, under-sea and architecture photography, puppet shows, Shadow Theater and several concerts are held. Festival takes place every December.
Adana Literature Festival held every April at Adana Center for Arts & Culture. Around 100 writers, poets and critics attend the festival and performing several talks, panels and presentations.
Seyhan Cultural Events is a month long festival during Ramadan. During the festival, theater plays, sufi music concerts, folkloric dancers and children shows held at Seyhan Cultural Center.

Ankara

As the capital of Turkey, Ankara is the country’s second largest city after Istanbul. It lies in the center of Anatolia on the eastern edge of the great, high Anatolian Plateau, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level and has a population of 4.4 million. It is the center of the province of the same name, which is a predominantly fertile wheat steppe-land with forested areas in its northeast region and agricultural lands in its south. Ankara has a continental climate; summers are hot and dry, winters are cold and snowy. It is bordered by the provinces of Cankiri and Bolu to the north, Eskisehir to the west, Konya and Aksaray to the south, and Kirikkale and Kirsehir to the east. The city is well connected to the other parts of the country by highways and railroads; there is also a big international airport.

The region's history dates back to the Bronze Age; Hatti Civilization, which was succeeded in the 2nd millennium B.C. by the Hittites, then the Phrygians (10th century BC); Lydians and Persians followed. After these came the Galatians, a Celtic race who were the first to make Ankara their capital (3rd century BC). It was then known as Ancyra, meaning anchor. The town subsequently fell to the Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuks under ruler Alparslan in 1073, and then to the Ottomans under sultan Yildirim Beyazit in 1402, who remained in control until the First World War.

The city was an important cultural, trading and arts center in Roman times, 19th century. It became an important center again when Kemal Ataturk chose it as the base from which to direct the War of Independence. In consequence of its role in the war and its strategic position, it was declared as the capital of the new Turkish Republic on 13th of October, 1923.
Ankara is generally a formal city because of the parliament and heads of the state residing here. It is housing all foreign embassies and also home to no less than 10 universities. There are many interesting museums and sites to visit in Ankara, a skiing center nearby, and a fine nightlife.

SITES TO SEE

Anitkabir (Ataturk's Mausoleum) It's located in an imposing position in the Anittepe quarter of Ankara. The Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, was built between the year 1944 - 1953 with an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architectural ideas and remains unsurpassed as an accomplishment of modern Turkish architecture. It covers an area of 750.000 square meters. There is a museum housing a superior wax statue of Ataturk; writings, letters and items belonging to Ataturk as well as an exhibition of photographs recording important moments in his life and the establishment of the Republic. An important exhibition of the War of Independence is also open to the public. Ismet Inonu, comrade in arms of Ataturk and the second president of the Republic, is also buried in the courtyard facing the Mausoleum. (Anitkabir and the museum is open every day, except Mondays. During the summer, there is a light and sound show in the evenings).

Ankara Citadel The foundations of the citadel were laid by the Galatians on a prominent lava outcrop, and completed by the Romans; then the Byzantines and Seljuks made restorations and additions. The area around and inside the citadel is the oldest part of Ankara and many fine examples of traditional architecture can be seen within its walls. Some of these old wooden houses are renovated and used as small restaurants with the views of the city. There are also lovely green areas in which to relax.

Temple of Augustus The Corinthian style temple can be found in the old Ulus district of Ankara. It was built in the 1st century BC and only later dedicated to the Roman Emperor Augustus at the beginning of the 1st century AD. It is important today for the 'Monument Ancyranum' or 'Res gestae Divi Augusti', the testament and political achievements of Augustus that is inscribed on its walls in both Latin and Greek. This inscription is the copy of the original which was engraved on two bronze pillars and placed at the entrance of his Mausoleum in Rome. The originals are lost but the copy engraved on the Augusteum in Ankara still exists. In the 5th century the temple was converted into a Christian church.

Roman BathThe bath, situated on Cankiri Avenue in Ulus, has the typical features of Roman baths: a frigidarium (cold section), tepidarium (cool section) and caldarium (hot section). The hot and warm rooms were wider divisions because of Ankara's very cold winter climate. They were built in the time of the Emperor Caracalla (3rd century AD) in honour of the god of medicine, Asclepios. The dimension of the bath was 80x130 meters and it was made of stones and bricks. Today, only the basement and first floors remain.

Column of Julian This column, located in Ulus district, was erected in 362 AD probably to commemorate a visit by the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate on his way to the campaign against Persians. It stands 15 meters high and has a typical leaf decoration on the capital.

Other Sites Monument of the Republic, Monument to a Secure and Confident Future, Victory Monument and Hatti Monument.

MUSEUMS

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Close to the Citadel gate, a 15th century Ottoman bedesten has been beautifully restored and since 1921 it houses a marvellous and unique collection including Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Urartian and Roman works. In 1997, this great museum won the "European Museum of the Year" award among 65 museums from 21 European countries. (Open daily between 08:30-17:30 except Mondays. During the summer, the museum is open every day).

Ethnography Museum Opposite the Opera House on Talat Pasa Boulevard in Namazgah district is the Ethnographical Museum. There is a fine collection of folkloric artefacts as well as fine items and rugs from Seljuk and Ottoman mosques in this museum since 1930. When Ataturk died in 1938, he was buried at the internal courtyard until the construction of his Mausoleum in 1953. The bronze statue of Ataturk on the horse in front of the museum was made in 1927 by an Italian artist P. Canonica. (Open daily between 08:30-17:00, except Mondays).

The Painting and Sculpture Musuem It is close to the Ethnography Museum and houses a rich collection of Turkish art from the late 19th century to the present day. There are also galleries for guest exhibitions. (Open every day except Monday).

Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum This is Turkey's second industrial museum opened in April 2005 by Koc family in a 500 year old building. Cengelhan was originally built in the mid-16th century by Rustem Pasha, husband of Mihrimah Sultan and son-in-law of Suleyman The Magnificent. This was a typical Anatolian caravanserai offering lodging for travelers and also supplies for the tradesman. This building opposite the Citadel is now converted into a museum preserving its architectural characteristics in a new setting. Here, the story of early industry is told through scale models since most of the full-size objects are on exhibit at the Rahmi Koc museum in Istanbul.

You can also enjoy its Brasserie in the museum courtyard, sitting together with classic cars from 1900's.

Hacettepe University Arts Museum The Arts Museum was opened by Hacettepe University on October 2005. It's originally the continuation of Paintings and Sculpture museum founded in 1970's, and then renovated by the university itself. There are several halls where you can see over 250 works of many Turkish painters and artists from the early ages of the Republic until our times. The museum is located in Sihhiye district of Ankara, inside the university's cultural center. It can be visited between 10:00 - 17:00 during week days (closed on Saturday - Sunday).

Artefacts of Pious Foundations (Vakif) Museum The building was built by the General Directorate of Pious Foundations in 1928 as the first Law School of Turkey. After 1941, the school was used as a Girls' school, as a dormitory, and as a supper room until 2004. Then it was restored and opened as a museum of Vakiflar (Pious Foundations) Directorate in May 2007.The museum is located on Ataturk Boulevard in Ulus district and houses many artefacts collected by the Vakiflar Directorate showing Turkey's near past in a wonderful display. In many exhibition halls of the museum one can see great Turkish carpets from 15th and 16th centuries, historic candle holders and Korans, old watches, woodworks from 13th century, traditional tiles, and many other ethnographic objects. The museum will compete in 2009 to win the Best Museum Award of Europe. There is also a cafeteria for the visitors and some facilities for the disabled.

Other museums

Some other museums in or near Ankara are:The Independence War Museum (open every day except Monday),
Museum of the Republic (open every day except Monday),
Ataturk’s House (open on Sundays, religious and national holidays, from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm),
The National History Museum (open every day except religious and national holidays),
Aviation Museum in Etimesgut district (open daily between 09:00-16:30 except Mondays & Tuesdays),
Meteorological Museum (open daily between 10:00-16:00 except weekends),
TRT Museum (open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm),
Mehmet Akif Ersoy Museum (open weekdays from 8:30 am to 12:00 am – 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm except official holidays),
TCDD Open-air Locomotive Museum (open every day),
Cartography Museum (open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 am to 12:00 am – 2:00 pmto 5:30 pm),
Toy Museum (open weekdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm),
Pink Pavillion at the President's residence in Cankaya district (open only during some of the National holidays between 10:00-17:00),
Stamps Museum at Turkish Telecom in Aydinlikevler district (open daily between 08:30-17:00 except during official holidays),
Ulker Zaim Museum (open during weekdays between 09:30-17:00),
Gavurkale rock friezes and Kulhoyuk Hittite burial grounds in Haymana town (60 km south-west of Ankara).

MOSQUES

Haci Bayram Mosque This mosque, located in Ulus district next to the Temple of Augustus, was built in the early 15th century and subsequently restored by Sinan in the 16th century with Kutahya tiles being added in the 18th century. The mosque was built in honour of Haci Bayram Veli, a Sufi poet lived between 14th-15th centuries, whose tomb is next to the mosque.

Kocatepe Mosque It is recently constructed mosque of great size in classical Ottoman design with four minarets. Built between 1967 – 1987 in the Kocatepe quarter, its size and prominent situation have made it a landmark.

Aslanhane Mosque Seljuk mosque, near the citadel, was built in the 13th century. The mosque has a mihrap (prayer niche showing the direction to Mecca) of Seljuk tiles, and an unusual double colonnade of wooden columns. Next to the tomb of Ahi Serafeddin.

Ahi Elvan Mosque Found in Ulus quarter near the citadel, this mosque was built and finished during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. The finely carved walnut minber is of particular interest.

Alaaddin Mosque Inside the citadel walls. It has a carved walnut minber, the inscription on which shows that the mosque was built in the 12th century by the Seljuk ruler, Mesut.

PARKS

Ankara has many delightful parks and open spaces established in the early years of the Republic in accordance with Ataturk’s belief in the importance of trees and natural beauty. Some of them are:
Genclik Park
Botanical Garden,
Goksu,
Segmenler,
Anayasa,
Kugulu,
Abdi Ipekci,
Guven,
Demetevler,
Cemre,
Kale,
Anit,
Altin (Fairground),
Harikalar Diyari,
Kurtulus,
Ataturk Orman Ciftligi (Ataturk Farm and Zoo) is within the growing city and is a pleasant place to spend a day. There is a replica of the house where Ataturk was born, an excellent restaurant, and some cafes. Visitors can sample such famous products of the farm as its excellent beer, old-fashioned ice cream, yogurt, milk and meat rolls.

ART AND CULTURE

Ankara is the center for opera, ballet, jazz and modern dance and home of Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Has also large number of theatres staging many ambitious productions. In addition to public and private galleries throughout the city, exhibitions are also held at the Ataturk Cultural Center. The city also has many cinemas showing the best Turkish and foreign films, and there are a number of film festivals on various themes throughout the year (ex. International Film Days). Every year in April and May the city hosts the Sevda Cenap and International Arts and Music Festival. The Children Festival on April 23 is also quite an event, with groups of children from all over the world taking part. April also the month for the International Cartoon Film Festival and in May and June is the Asian-European Arts Biennal. Ankara also hosts the Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival. Altin Park is home to the Ankara Fairgrounds where lovely fairs and held year-ground.

SHOPPING

Cikrikcilar Yokusu – is an old shopping place near Ulus.
Bakircilar Carsisi – (The street of cooper workers) is particularly popular, and may interesting old and new items, not just copper, can be jewellery, carpets, costumes, antiques and embroidery.
Citadel Gate – may found interesting shops selling spices, dried fruits, nuts, and all manner of produce; the selection is huge and very fresh.
Kizilay and Tunali Hilmi Avenue are modern shopping areas.
Shopping malls – Karum, Atakule (in Cankaya), Galleria (in Umitkoy), Bilkent Center, Ankamall (in Akkopru), CarrefourSA (in Batikent), Arcadium (in Cayyolu), Mesa Plaza (in Koru), Armada (in Sogutozu), Cepa, Kentpark, Gordiyon, Acity are other modern shopping opportunities.

ENVIRONS LAKES

Golbasi Lake
It is 25 km to the south of Ankara on the Konya road and popular place to visit for its attractive scenery and its fine lakeside restaurants.
Incek
It is 15 km southwest of Ankara and is a favourite rest area, with its lovely fruit trees, green areas and picnic areas.
Karagol Lake
It is 68 km north of the city on the airport road, for which one should take turn off for the town if Cubuk.

DAMS
Cubuk – 15 km on the Cankiri Highway, Kurtbogazi – 50 km on the Istanbul Highway, and Mavi Lake (Bayindir Dam) – 15 km on the Kirikkale Highway. They are pleasant places to visit for swimming and picnicking.

FORESTS
Beynam Forest – south of the city, 54 km on the Kirsehir Highway.
Kizilcahamam Soguksu National Park – north side of the city, 82 km on the Istanbul Highway.
Camkoru Forest – north side of the city, 110 km on the Istanbul Highway.

MOUNTAIN
Elmadag Mountain – about 23 km east of Ankara. It is 1855 metres). The fist snowfall on the mountain heralds the start of winter and the beginning of skiing, and other winter sports to be enjoyed at the pleasant resort center there.

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICES

(Provincial Directorate) Anafartalar Cad.No: 67, ULUS Tel: 0312 310 0446 – 310 8787

(Info.) GMK Bul. No: 121, MALTEPE Tel: 0312 231 5572

(Info.) Esenboga Airport Tel: 0312 398 0100

Ministry of Culture and Tourism Ismet Inonu Bulvari, No: 5, EMEK Tel: 0312 212 8300 / Ataturk Bulvari, No: 29, OPERA Tel: 0312 309 0850

Istanbul

Istanbul is truly a world city, a city which everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. It is an enchanting blend of Eastern and Western culture, a vibrant, modern city, with a unique identity. Its rich past coexists alongside its youthful exuberance. Although no longer the capital of Turkey, Istanbul still remains the country's cultural and business centre.

The layout of İstanbul can seem confusing at first. The Bosphorus divides the city into the European and Asian sides, linked by two magnificent bridges, spanning the continents, the first of which was opened in 1973 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic. Most visitors to the city, staying for a few days, will have little reason to visit the Asian side, except for as part of a Bosphorus tour, on a boat which zigzags from side to side, to take in the best of each.

The Istanbul Strait

Golden Horn: This horn-shaped estuary divides European İstanbul. One of the best natural harbours in the world, it was once the centre for the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests. Today, attractive parks and promenades line the shores, a picturesque scene especially as the sun goes down over the water.

Beyoğlu and Taksim: Beyoğlu is an interesting example of a district with European-influenced architecture, from a century before. Europe’s second oldest subway, Tunel was built by the French in 1875, must be also one of the shortest – offering a one-stop ride to start of Taksim.

From the Tunel area to Taksim square, is one of the city’s focal points for shopping, entertainment and urban promenading: İstiklal Caddesi is a fine example of the contrasts and compositions of İstanbul; fashion shops, bookshops, cinemas, markets, restaurants and even hand-carts selling trinkets and simit (sesame bread snack) ensure that the street is packed throughout the day until late into the night.
Taksim and Beyoğlu have for centuries been the centre of nightlife, and now there are many lovely bars and clubs off Istiklal Cadesi, including some of the only gay venues in the city. Beyoğlu is also at the centre of the more bohemian arts scene.

Sultanahmet: Many places of tourist interest are concentrated in Sultanahmet, in heart of the Imperial Centre of the Ottoman Empire. The most important places in this area, all of which are described in detail in the “Places of Interest” section, are Topkapı Palace, Aya Sofya, Sultanahmet Mosgue (the Blue Mosque), the Hippodrome, Kapalı Carşı (Covered Market), Yerebatan Sarnıcı and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Ortaköy: Ortakoy was a resort for the Ottoman rulers because of its attractive location on the İstanbul strait, and is still a popular spot for residents and visitors. The village is within a triangle of a mosque, church and synagogue, and is near çirağan Palace, Kabataş High School, Feriye, Princess Hotel.

Sarıyer: The first sight of Sarıyer is where the İstanbul strait connects with the Black Sea, after the bend in the river after Tarabya. Around this area, old summer houses, embassies and fish restaurants line the river, and a narrow road which separates it from Büyükdere, continues along to the beaches of Kilyos.

Üsküdar: Relatively unknown to tourists, the suburb of Üsküdar, on the Asian side of the İstanbul strait, is one of the most attractive suburbs. Religiously conservative in its background, it has a tranquil atmosphere and some fine examples of imperial and domestic architecture.

Kadıköy: Further down to the south along, the İstanbul strait towards the Marmara sea, Kadıköy has developed into a lively area with up-market shopping, eating and entertainment making it popular especially with wealthy locals. Once prominent in the history of Christianity, the 5th century hosted important consul meetings here, but there are few reminders of that age. It is one of the improved districts of İstanbul over the last century, and fashionable area to promenade along the waterfront in the evenings, especially around the marinas and yacht clubs.

Bağdat Caddesi is one of the most trendy – and label-conscious – fashion shopping streets, and for more down-to-earth goods, the Gen Azim Gündüz Caddesi is the best place for clothes, and the bit pazari on Ozelellik Sokak is good for browsing through junk. The Benadam art gallery remains in Moda district with many other foreing cusines, restaurants and cafes.

Haydarpaşa: To the north of Kadikoy is Haydarpasa, and the train station built in 1908 with Prussian-style architecture which was the first stop along the Baghdad railway. Now it is the main station going to eastbound destinations both within Turkey, and international.

Polonezköy: Polonezköy, although still within the city, is 25 km. away from the centre and not easy to reach by public transport. Translated as “village of the Poles”, the village has a fascinating history: It was established in 1848 by Prince Czartorisky, leader of the Polish nationals who was granted exile in the Ottoman Empire to escape oppression in the Balkans. During his exile, he succeeded in establishing a community of Balkans, which still survives, on the plot of land sold to him by a local monastery.

Kilyos: Kilyos is the nearest beach resort to the city, on the Black Sea coast on the European side of the İstanbul strait. Once a Greek fishing village, it has quickly been developed as a holiday-home development, and gets very crowded in summer. Because of its ease to get there, 25km and plenty of public transport, it is good for a day trip, and is a popular weekend getaway with plenty of hotels, and a couple of campsites.
Şile: A pleasant, small holiday town, Şile lies 50km from Üsküdar on the Black Sea coast and some people even live there and commute into İstanbul. The white sandy beaches are easily accessible from the main highway, lying on the west, as well as a series of small beaches at the east end. The town itself if perched on a clifftop over looking the bay tiny island.

Prince’s Islands: Also known as İstanbul Islands, there are eight within one hour from the city, in the Marmara Sea. Boats ply the islands from Sirkeci, Kabataş and Bostancı, with more services during the summer. These islands, on which monasteries were established during the Byzantine period, was a popular summer retreat for palace officials. It is still a popular escape from the city, with wealthier owning summer houses.
Büyükada The largest and most popular one in İstanbul is Büyükada (the Great Island). Large wooden mansions still remain from the 19th century when wealthy Greek and Armenian bankers built them as a holiday villas. The island has always been a place predominantly inhabited by minorities.

Burgazada It is a smaller and less infrastructured for tourists.The famous Turkish novelist, Sait Faik Abasıyanık lived there, and his house has been turned into a museum dedicated to his work, and retains a remarkable tranquil and hallowed atmosphere.

Heybeliada ‘Island of the Saddlebag’, because of its shape, is loved for its natural beauty and beaches. It also has a highly prestigious and fashionable watersports club in the northwest of the island. One of its best-known landmarks is the Greek Orthodox School of Theology, with an important collection of Byzantine manuscripts.

ASIATIC SIDE

ANADOLU KAVAGI: The last station on the Asiatic side, an authentic Turkish village in Macar Bey, between two promontories with abandoned forts. On the northern promontory are the picturesque ruins of the Byzantine Castle of Yovoz Kalesi, known since 14th century as the Genoese Castle. In antiquity the promontory and the strain (one of the narrowest points in the Bosporus) were called Hieron (Sacred Place), after the Altar of the Twelve Gods and a Temple of Zeus Ourios, granter of fair winds.

ANATOLIAN CASTLE: It is also called Guzel Hisari (Beautiful Castle). The picturesque castle from which the place takes its name was built by Beyazit I in 1395 as an advanced post directed against Constantinople.
ANATOLIAN LIGTHOUSE: on a low cape by the village of the name, situated on the cliff-fringed coast with an old fort.

CANNON HILL: Past Cengelkoy, Kuleli, Vanikoy and Top Dagi (Cannon Hill); farmed for its view over the whole of the Bosporus, to Kandilli, on the promontory opposite Bebek Bay.

CUBUKLU: It is in Beykoz Bay. In Byzantine times there was a monastery of the Akoimetoi here, in which monks, in successive groups continued in prayer day and night.At the head of the bay lies Pasabahce, with its beautiful gardens. Near the shore is a Persian-style palace built by Murat III.

JOSHUA’S HILL: To the north of Cubuklu is Yusa Tepesi (Joshua’s Hill), known to the Europeans as the Giant’s Grave, an important landmark for vessels coming from the Black Sea. The road passes behind the palace of Mohammed Ali Pasa along the wooded and well-watered Valley of Hunkar Iskelesi, once a favoured estate of the Byzantine Emperors and Sultans. On the summit of the hill is a mosque, with the “Giant’s Grave” and view extending over the whole of the Bosporus and part of the Black Sea.

KABAKOS BAY: with basalt cliffs in which countless sea-birds nest, and the steep-sided promontory of Yum Burun, at the northern entrance to the Bosporus.

EMIRGAN PARK: The pavilions are in fashionable English style and are open to the public as restaurants and concert hall. A large collection of shrubs and trees have been planted in the park. There are conifers, deciduous and evergreens in the park.

EUROPEAN SIDE

BESIKTAS CIRAGAN SARAYI: Opposite the landing-stage, the turbe of Kheireddin Barbarossa. Beyond this the massive ruins of the Ciragan Sarayi, a luxurious palace in the same style as the Dolmabahce Palace, built by Abdul Aziz in 1874 and burned down in 1910. On the hill above it is Yildiz Kosku (Yildiz Sarayi), residence of the retiring Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
The palace has been restored and is now a luxury hotel.

BUYUKDERE: Buyukdere is a popular summer resort, with a large park. The bay of Buyukdere (Large Valley) forms the widest part of the Bosporus.

EUROPEAN CASTLE: (Rumeli Hisari) Above the cypresses of an old cemetery rise the picturesque wall and towers of Rumeli Hisari, built by Mehmet II in 1452. It commands the narrowest part of the Bosporus, where the current is at its strongest(Sstan’s Stream); fine view. Here Darius built a bridge of boats over the Bosporus in 514 B.C. Ahead the Second Bosporus Bridge spans the river.

ORTAKOY: Suburb of Ortakoy, with beautiful gardens; handsome mosque (1870); last view of Istanbul to rear.

EUROPEAN LIGHTHOUSE (Rumeli Feneri): At the northern entrance to the Bosporus, with the village of the same name and on old fortress on the cliffs at the north end of the bay. The dark basalt cliffs to the east are the Cyanaean Islands or Symplegades, the “clashing rocks” of the Argonaut legend.

RUMELI KAVAGI: The last station on the European side, below a castle built by Murat IV in 1628. On a hill to the north are the ruins of the Byzantine Castle of Imroz Kalesi, the walls of which once reached right down to the sea and were continued by a mole, which could be linked by a chain with the mole and walls of Yoroz Kalesi on the Asiatic side.

In summer the boats usually go on (5 min) to the resort of Altinkum (Golden Sand), with a restaurant on the plateau of an old fortification.

SARIYER: At the mouth of the wooded and well-watered Valley of roses. There is an interesting museum, Sadberk Koc Hanim Muzesi (tiles, porcelain, glass, crystal, silver, costumes, jewellery; documents belonging to the Sadberk Koc family), in the old Azaryan Yali. From here a bus or dolmus can be taken to the Kilyos, a popular little resort on the Black Sea with a good sandy beach.

TARABYA (THERAPIA): A sizeble township in a little bay, known in antiquity as Pharmakeios. Pleasantly cool in summer owing to the wind blowing in from the Black Sea Tarabya has numerous houses, where some of the European diplomatic missions have their summer quarters.

IHLAMUR KASRI: It is in Bosporus displays roses, pampas grass, and usual annuals. Fine trees include limes, Magnolia grandiflora, ginkgos and plane trees in the bed of an old stream.

YENIKOY: Last station for most boats, with delightful villas and gardens. In St. George’s Church is an old icon of the Mother of God Kamariotissa.

SITES TO SEE

Dolmabahçe Palace Built in the reign of Sultan I Abdulmecit during the 19th century, this over-ornate palace lies along the European coast of the Bosphorus. Dolmabahce Palace was constructed between 1843 and 1856, mixing different European artistic influences and built by Abdulmecit’s architect, Karabet Balya. It was built over three levels, and symmetrically planned, with 285 chambers and 43 halls. The palace has a level of luxury not present in most other palaces, with walls and ceilings decorated with gold, and European art from the period. Top quality silk and wool carpets, southeast Asian hand-made artifacts, and crystal candlesticks adorn every room. The men’s hamam (public bath) is adorned with alabaster marble, and the harem also contains the Sultan’s bedrooms and the women and servants’ divisions.

Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi) Underground Cistern which is also known as Yerebatan Palace was built in app. 540 A.D. by the Emperor Justinianos I of the Byzantine Empire. A big square was dug underneath the ground and it was supported by 300 columns. At the time, it was the most important water storage area and provided water to the whole city. Its exotic and unbelievable appreance make the cistern an irresistable attraction.

Galata Tower, one of the oldest and most beautiful towers in the world, was constructed in 528, during the reign of the Byzantine Empire. It was used in the 13th century by the Genoese. From the top there is a marvelous panaroma of the Golden Horn, Bosphorus, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Maidens Tower, old city Sultanahmet.
The tower was erected to observe the port and the city, and after being used for various purposes over the centuries, it has now reassumed its original function of watch tower - this time to enjoy the view. An elevator takes the visitors to the top two floors of the tower that are today occupied by a restaurant.

Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi) This small and attractive tower is on a tiny island at the entrance to Istanbul's harbor. The tower is considered as one of the most romantic symbols of Istanbul. The first tower was constructed in the 12th century, used as a watchtower and a lighthouse, it has been preserved in its 19th Century appearance. It serves as a landmark for ships entering the Bosphorus and will be used for touristic purposes.
Western sources have erroneously attributed the tower to Leander, who drowned as he was trying to swim to his lover Hero. Actually, this mythological story took place in the Dardanelles.
According to another story, an emperor once dreamt that his daughter was going to die because of a snake bite and settled the girl in this tower to ensure her safety. Nevertheless, the tragedy could not be averted and the girl was bitten by a snake hidden in a fruit basket.

Beylerbeyi Palace, where the Asian pillar of the Bosphorus Bridge sits, is a pleasant district that has been reserved for palaces since the Byzantine era. Beylerbeyi Palace was built by Sultan Abdulmecid between 1861-1865 on the site of another wooden mansion. Beylerbeyi Palace was a summer palace, more particularly used for the entertainment of representatives of foreign states, including the Prince of Serbia, the King of Montenegro and the French Empress Eugénie among its guests. Sultan Abdülhamid spent his last years in the palace after his deposition and was here, in 1918, that he died.
Its unique architectural monument reflects the imperial art and culture of the last Ottoman period. It displays neo-classical influences in its façade and Turkish and Moroccan influences in its interior decoration, while its plan resembles that of the traditional Turkish House. together with the basement, consists a three-storey building, containing six salons and twenty-four rooms.

MUSEUMS

Topkapi Palace Museum One of the most astounding and popular places to visit in Istanbul is Topkapi Palace, the symbolic and political centre of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. It stands on the tip of land where the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus come together, and is a maze of buildings centered around a series of courtyards, typical of Islamic tradition. Such is the complexity of each building, it will take many hours in order to be explored properly. It was built between 1466 and 1478, a couple of years before the death of Fatih. Unlike any European Palace, its architecture is predominantly Middle Eastern in character.Other highlights in the Palace are the Spoonmaker’s Diamond (the fourth largest diamond in the world), the Topkapi Dagger, a vast collection of paintings and miniatures, and the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle. www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr

Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya), which is considered as one of the eight wonders of the world, also occupies a prominent place in the history of art and architecture. It is one of the rare works of this size and age that has survived to our day. The church (called Ayasofya in Turkish) is erroneously known as Saint Sophia in the west. The basilica was not dedicated to a saint named Sophia, but to Divine Wisdom. St. Sophia has been an inspiration for Ottoman mosques thought in idea, and is reviewed as a product of east-west synthesis. St. Sophia served for 916 years as church and 481 years as mosque since its year of construction. Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum in 1935.

Istanbul Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums of its kind in the world. Constructed by the architect Alexandre Vallaury (also, the architect of our hotel) and founded as a museum during the Ottoman Period, in 1981. The museum collection includes a number of findings from various parts of the Ottoman empire, including Mesopotamia and Anatolia to Arab Peninsula and Afghanistan that were in the borders of the Ottoman Empire, and in particular such monuments as the Alexander’s Tomb, the tomb of the Weeping Maidens and the Lycian Tomb found at Sayda in Syria in 1891.
Besides its importance as the “first Turkish museum”, it has an importance and specialty of being one of the museum buildings that are constructed as a Museum in the World. Today, it still protects its outstanding place in the World’s biggest museums with its works more than a million belonging to various cultures.

Kariye Museum (St. Savior in Chora) in Istanbul is one of the finest preserved galleries of Byzantine mosaics as well as a detailed account of early Christian history. Besides its attractive exterior, the mosaics and frescoes inside are considered masterpieces of the Byzantine "renaissance". These decorations and the additions made in the 14th century were ordered by Theodore Metochites. Mosaic panels in the two narthexes at the entrance depict the lives of the Virgin and Christ in the chronological order described in the Bible.

Istanbul Modern Museum , the first private museum devoted to modern and contemporary art in Turkey, was founded in 2004 in order to promote wider enjoyment and understanding of modern art among the public. Located beside the Bosporus, the strait separating Europe from Asia, the museum brings together the İstanbul cityscape with the production of arts ranging from painting, sculpture, and photography to video and new media. The museum aims to collect, preserve, and exhibit modern and contemporary art and to provide a venue fostering the integration of the visual arts with the rich cultural spectrum of Turkey.

Pera Museum , which opened its doors in early June 2005, is the first step of a comprehensive cultural endeavor that the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation has launched at this distinguished venue in the city for the purpose of providing cultural service on a variety of levels. An historical structure which was originally constructed in 1893 by the architect Achille Manoussos in Tepebaşı (İstanbul's most prestigious district in those days) and which was, until rather recently, known as the Bristol Hotel, was completely renovated to serve as a museum and cultural center for the project. Transformed into a fully-equipped modern museum, this venerable building is now serving the people of İstanbul once again.
The Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation's collection of Orientalist art consists of more than three hundred paintings. This rich collection brings together important works by European artists inspired by the Ottoman world from the 17th century to the early 19th. This collection, which presents a vast visual panorama of the last two centuries of the Ottoman Empire, includes works by Osman Hamdi, regarded by art historians as the genre's only "native Orientalist" and of course his most famous painting The Tortoise Trainer.

Sakip Sabanci Museum Sakıp Sabancı Museum is located in Emirgan, at one of Istanbul's oldest settlements on the Bosphorus. In 1927 Prince Mehmed Ali Hasan of the Hidiv family of Egypt commissioned the Italian architect Edouard De Nari to build the villa, now the museum's main building, and it was used as a summer house for many years by various members of the Hidiv family; for a short time it also served as the Montenegran Embassy.After the mansion was purchased in 1950 by industrialist Hacı Ömer Sabancı from Prince Iffet, a member of the Hidiv family, it came to be known as "Atlı Köşk", The Horse Mansion, because of the statue of a horse (purchased in the same year) that was installed in the garden; the statue is the 1864 work of the French sculptor Louis Doumas.
The museum presents a versatile museological environment with its rich permanent collection, the comprehensive temporary exhibitions that it hosts, its conservation units, model educational programs and the various concerts, conferences and seminars held there.

Rahmi M. Koc Museum The Rahmi M Koç Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of Transport, Industry and Communications. Housed in magnificent buildings - themselves prime examples of industrial archaeology - on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, the collection contains thousands of items from gramophone needles to full size ships and aircraft.

MOSQUE

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) One of the largest of Istanbul's structures, the complex includes a mosque, medresses, the sultan's chamber, shops of tradesmen, a hamam, a public fountain with a spout, a mausoleum, a hospital, a soup kitchen and a primary school. Some of these survived to the present.
The complex was built (1609-1617) by the architect Mehmet Aga for Sultan Ahmet I. The mosque is located in the centre of the complex and referred to as 'Blue Mosque' on account of the roughly 20,000 blue glazed tiles which covered its exterior.

Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) The Blue Mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617), as Islam's answer to Haghia Sophia, and remains the symbol and centre of religious demonstrations and Istanbul's only mosque with six minarets. Blue Iznik tiles dominate the interior, and blue light shines through more than 250 windows. The interior is stunning, from the vast central dome designed to lift all eyes heavenward to the latticework-covered Imperial Loge and the mihrab (prayer niche) containing a piece of sacred black stone from Mecca. After dusk during summer there is a Son et Lumière (sounds and lights) show with Turkish, English, French and German on different nights. The Imperial Pavilion also contains the state-run Vakiflar Carpet Museum with Usak, Bergama and Konya samples, dating between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Süleymaniye Mosque Although fewer tourists make it here than to the Blue Mosque, this mosque commissioned by Sultan Süleymaniye I (‘the Magnificent') is even grander and more peaceful, and one of the finest creations by Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The huge dome and pencil-slim minarets from each corner of the courtyard are an exquisite essay in symmetry and elegance. Built in the 1550s, the site also contains the tombs of Sinan, Sultan Süleyman I and his wife Roxelana decorated with intricate tiles, the original apartments of the mosque astronomer, charitable foundations, caravanserai and fountain, all set around a tranquil courtyard. There are several outdoor tea-houses in a row behind the mosque in what was formerly known as ‘Addict's Alley'.

Bayazit Mosque To the west of the great bazaar, on the third of Istanbul’s seven hills, Bayazit Square occupies the site of Theodosius I’s forum. On the east side of the square is the Bayazit Mosque or Pigeon Mosque, built 1498-1505, during the reign of Mehmet II’s son Bayazit. The interior, painted in Turkish Rococo style in the 18th century, is a simplified imitation of the Hagia Sophia.

Yeni Mosque On the south side of Eminonu Square in Istanbul stands the large Yeni Mosque, the New Mosque of the Sultan’s mother, which was begun in 1615, on the model of the Ahmet I Mosque, for Ahmet’s mother but completed only in 1663. The interior of the mosque and the adjoining royal apartments are richly decorated with tiles.

Nuri Osmaniye Mosque North of the Burned Column in Istanbul, on the east side of the Great Bazaar, we come to this mosque, constructed entirely of marble(1748-55).

Fatih Mosque West of the aqueduct, on Istanbul’s fourth hill, is the Fatih Mosque, built in 1463-71 on the site of the chuch of the Holy Apostles and almost completely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1765. It is the holiest mosque in Istanbul after the Eyup Mosque. In the turbe behind the mosque is the Tomb of Sultan Mehmet.

Other Mosques:

Kariye Mosque
Mihrimah Mosque
Sultan Selim Mosque
Selimiye Mosque

SHOPPING MALLS

Grand Bazaar One could only visit Istanbul for the shopping alone. The Grand Bazaar in the old city is the logical place to start. Charming souvenirs and gifts can be selected from among Turkish crafts, the world-renowed carpets, gold jewelry, brillant handpainted ceramics. The Old Bedesten offers a curious assortment of antiques. Spice Bazaar, next to the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu, transports you to fantasies from the mystical East. Sultanahmet has become another shopping center in the old city. The Bazaar of Istanbul Arts, The Arasta (Old Bazaar) of the Sultanahmet Mosque a thriving shopping arcade makes both shopping and sightseeing Istanbul very convenient.

Misir Çarşisi (Egyptian or Spice Market) This L-shaped market, facing the Golden Horn, was built in the 17th century as an extension to Yeni Camii (New Mosque), and financed by the money paid as duty on Egyptian goods. Originally famed for its exotic spices and oils from the Orient, these days it also sells dried fruits, caviar and Turkish delight, as well a plethora of souvenirs at prices generally lower than the Grand Bazaar. Its surrounding streets are a hub of commercial activity, with local craftspeople, traders and a great selection of cheeses and olives.

Kanyon Shopping Mall Kanyon gets its name from Canyon (a.k.a Grand Canyon) due to its architectural resemblance to a steep-sided gorge. It was the first open-air social structure/mall in Istanbul and had encountered a lot of criticism during its opening. Now, it has become one of the most frequented establishments during lunch hours, after work and on Sundays for the cinema. Kanyon has a mall area, an elegant food court area, a fitness center, a residential section and an office building. The fitness center, Mars Athletic Club, is a trendy, upscale place catering mostly to those working in and around Kanyon.

Istinye Park Istinye Park is a very large complex with too many shops (around 290 different brands), more than 10 cinema saloons, a traditional Turkish bazaar section, a fitness center and an open area with posh bars and restaurants and lux. stores. It is the open area that has really earned Istinye Park its fame and glory. The Istanbulites set their rendez-vous at either Masa Restaurant or Beymen Bej Cafe in the open area and spend hours sitting, drinking, eating and occasionally shopping, while the press hunts down the popular faces trying to catch a glimpse of some hot gossip. The more interesting and the more cozy part of Istinye Park is its Bazaar Area. In the Bazaar Area is the steakhouse Gunaydın as well as an Ottoman Restaurant and a Fish Restaurant. All of these Restaurants also serve as grocery stores specialized in meat or fish.

Cevahir Shopping Center The largest mall in continental Europe, and the second largest in the world make this worth seeing. Only two metro stops away from Taksim, it's easy to find and well worth a look, if only for the world's largest clock anchored to the ceiling. Hundreds of stores and many international brands make this place a smart place to spend an afternoon.

Izmir

Historically called Smyrna, Izmir today is Turkey’s third most populous city, with 3.7 million inhabitants. As the country’s largest port after Istanbul, Izmir is the passageway for 20 percent of Turkish exports. Its Aegean shores are among the loveliest landscapes in the country-olive groves, rocky crags, and pinewoods surround the city. Reflecting its location in the westernmost part of the country, Izmir’s citizens combine a Western lifestyle with Turkish customs and habits. Izmir is widely regarded as one of Turkey’s most progressive cities in its values, ideology, lifestyle, and dynamism.

Izmir represents almost 5,000 years of urban history. It incorporates several centers of international tourism, including Bodrum, Cesme, Foca, Kusadasi, and Mordogan, as well as the nearby ancient cities of Ephesus, Klazomenai, Pergamon, Sardis, and Troy. The modern city still retains traces of its ancient Ottoman and Levantine past; as the hub of the Levantine community, Izmir has long been a center of culture and civilization where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have always coexisted peacefully.

Boasting numerous museums, concert halls, and sports events, along with five universities, Izmir is a sophisticated city of culture and arts and a top destination for vacationers. Every year the city hosts an international arts festival and the Izmir International Fair. Izmir hosted the World University Games (Universiade) in 2005.

MUSEUMS

Archaeological Museum The modern museum, located on Halil Rifat Street in Konak district, was opened in 1984 after being open to public in different areas of the city since 1927. Exhibition halls, laboratories, warehouses, photography rooms, libraries, and conference halls cover an area of 5000 square meters, with over 1500 artefacts on display. The exhibition is organized in different floors and halls containing findings from ancient city of Smyrna as well as from surrounding ancient sites such as Iasos, Pitane (Candarli), Pergamon, Myrina and Kyme (Aliaga), Ephesus, Larissa and Gryneion (Menemen), Kolophon, Teos (Seferihisar), Klazomenai (Urla), Foca, Metropolis, and Lebedos. The museum is open every day except Mondays.

Ethnographical Museum Next to the Archaeological museum, there is an Ethnographical Museum with cultural objects from daily social life of Anatolian people housed in a 19th century three-storey neoclassical building which was used as a hospital and seniors day care in the late 1800's. It was opened as a museum in 1984 after moving artefacts here from Ataturk's Mansion. These artefacts are displayed in the first two floors, 3rd floor is reserved for storage, laboratory, photographic studio and administrative offices. The museum displays many models of extinct or near extinct handicrafts due to the industrialization, such as; tinsmith, clog making, pottery, blue bead making, wood imprinting, carpet weaving, rope making, feltsmithery and saddlery.

Ataturk Museum The Neoclassic style four-storey masonry building on Ataturk Avenue (1. Kordon) in Alsancak district was built by the end of 19th century by a carpet merchant as a resident. After the abandon of the building in 1922 during the War of Liberation it was used by the Turkish Army as its headquarters. After 1923 the army left the building and it was converted into a hotel, named as Naim Palas. During their visit to Izmir on 16th of June 1926, Ataturk and Ismet Pasha stayed here for a while. In the same year Izmir Municipality purchased the building and presented to Ataturk as a gift, so Ataturk always stayed in this residence during his visits to Izmir between 1930 and 1934. After His death in 1938 the building was inherited by his sister Makbule Baysan and in 1940 Izmir Municipality expropriated the building in order to convert it to a museum. It was opened to the public in 1941. The museum contains some furniture and rugs used by Ataturk, some of his personal objects, books and writing sets.

Ahmet Piristina Museum of Metropolitan History and Archive The Museum of Metropolitan History and Archive is located in the old Fire Department office which was restored lately. The museum is dedicated to Mr. Ahmet Piristina, former Head of Izmir Municipality who died in 2004, and was opened by the Municipality only few months before his unexpected death. This very well organized museum contains photographs, drawings and explanations about the history of Izmir since the times of Smyrna, from 3000 BC until our days. Last section of the exhibitions is reserved to the photographs of big fires in Izmir as the museum is housed inside an old Fire Department building. There are many permanent and temporary exhibitions, conference halls, research rooms, a restaurant and a cafeteria inside the building.

Selcuk Yasar Museum of Arts Named after Selcuk Yasar, one of the well-known businessmen of Izmir, this is the first paintings museum from a private sector opened in 1985 and is located in an old Izmir mansion on Cumhuriyet Boulevard at Alsancak district. There are various paintings on display, some belonging to Selcuk Yasar himself and some to the prize winners in the DYO Painting Contests held since 1967. The museum is open between 10:00-19:00 except on Sundays.

Museum of History and Art The museum was opened to public in 2004 at Kulturpark for the exhibition of artefacts collected during excavations in and near Izmir. The displays are grouped in three main sections; stone works, ceramic works, valuable item works. On the entrance floor stone works such as statues from Archaic, Classic, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods are exhibited. A display of sarcophagi and steles in this floor show the burial culture of Hellenistic and Roman times. Sculptures, inscriptions and friezes of gladiators and Olympic games can also be found in this section. Ceramic works section has a very rich collection of this kind of objects covering a time range between Prehistoric and Byzantine period. In the valuable items section, gold, silver, bronze, and precious stone objects are on display, starting from 6th century BC until the Ottoman period. Especially coins and jewellery are the most interesting artefacts of this section.

Museum of Arts and Sculpture The museum was opened as a gallery in 1952 inside the Kulturpark. There are many paintings, statues and ceramic works on display. Most of the works belong to Turkish artists and some to foreign artists from different periods. The museum also contains a library with many books on arts and art history open to all students and researchers. There are classes and courses for design, painting, ceramics, water coloring, sculpturing, and traditional handicrafts in the workshop; these are open to primary school students at the weekends. Those who follow these arts courses for two years, receive a certificate at the end.

Railroad Museum It's located in a four-floor stone building across the Alsancak train station. In several halls, you can find an art gallery and exhibitions of standard tools and equipment used in trains and stations, as well as uniforms of the personnel from the early days of Turkish Railways. Occasionally there are training and research workshops as well. During the late Ottoman period, the construction of railroads was privileged to foreign companies because of the fact that the Ottoman Government was in huge dept to those countries.

Museum of Commercial History This is the first commercial history museum in Turkey established by Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) inside their structure in Pasaport neighbourhood. The entrance to the museum is free of charge. At the entrance you can notice a model of a trading ship of 1st century AD as Smyrna was always on trade routes, showing how amphorae were stored in commercial ships in the old times. To the left, there is a model of Izmir and many displays containing ceramics, terracotta objects, statuettes, metal weights, oil lamps, glassware, seals, and gold, silver and bronze coins exhibited in chronological order dating back to prehistoric, archaic, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. On the walls, you can enjoy descriptions, maps and photographs of ancient land and sea trading routes around Smyrna, from past until today. To the right of the museum hall, weights, balances, calculators, gold and silver coins from the Ottoman period are displayed. There are also many photographs depicting the commercial life at Izmir from late Ottoman and early Republic periods.

SITES TO SEE

Clock Tower The clock tower at Konak Square is Izmir's landmark today. It was built by architect Raymond Charles Pere in 1901 to commemorate 25th year of enthronement of Ottoman sultan Abdulhamit I. Architect Pere was born in 1854 in Izmir from a French Levantine family, keeping with the tradition among Levantines of the time to educate their children in Europe. After his education as an Architect in Europe he came back to Izmir and married with the daughter of another Levantine family and spent his entire life at this beautiful Aegean city until his death in 1929. The clock mechanism was a gift from German Kaiser Wilhelm II and never broken since over 100 years. The clock tower is 25 meters tall and consists of four levels on an octagonal plan. The north African style column capitals and the filling in of the horseshoe arches show the architectural character of the tower. There are fountains on four sides of the tower.

Agora, ancient market place, was first built in the 4th century BC to the north of Pagos (Kadifekale) where Smyrna was moved after Bayrakli. Like all other Agoras of the ancient world, it was a meeting place for all commercial, political, and religious activities for the local people. It was surrounded mostly by state buildings on a rectangular plan with a large central courtyard and a covered stoa around it. The agora was destroyed several times by strong earthquakes and it was rebuilt after each one of them, final restoration was done by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius when a major earthquake hit the city in 178 AD. Northern and western stoas have been excavated including their basements, and a large 165 x 28 m basilica has been found on the northern stoa. One of the main streets of Smyrna city was cutting through the agora dividing it in two equal parts, and there were entrance gates at both ends. The excavation works are still ongoing at the agora for the basilica and a part of the eastern stoa.

Tepekule (Smyrna) First settlement of ancient Smyrna dates back to 3000 BC. During the excavations in Bayrakli district, these settlements were discovered at Tepekule area in the north-eastern part of Izmir. In the Ionic dialect the city was called Smurne, and in the Attica as Smyrna, but it's also believed that this word could be a local Anatolian dialect. According to the Greek geographer Strabo, the name was coming from an Amazonian queen. This small peninsula of Tepekule had a grid plan and a small harbour considering the Hellenes were mainly involved with the sea. At around 205 meters high hill of Bayrakli there are some ruins belonging to the tomb of king Tantalus, a mortal son of Zeus, from 7th century BC. Phrygians and Lydians had their influence on Smyrna between 8th-7th centuries BC. The famous writer and poet Homer was born in Smyrna at around 8th century BC. In the 6th century Persians captured the city, which was freed by Alexander The Great in the 4th century BC. Old Smyrna lived its heydays until 4th century BC when its harbour was silted up because of Meles river and floods, therefore it was moved to the location of Pagos mountain.

Kadifekale (Pagos) The city on the Pagos hills overlooking the gulf which was founded in the 4th century BC by Lysimachos, one of the generals of Alexander The Great, today stands at the location between Kadifekale and inner harbor of Izmir. According to a legend, while Alexander The Great was hunting at the woods of Pagos hill he fall asleep under a tree at the Nemesis holly area. In his dream he saw two Nemesis telling him to found a new city at this location and that its citizens would have a very prosperous and happy life. After waking up, Alexander refers his dream to Apollonian oracle priest and they comment him to built his city on the hillside of Pagos, than Lysimachos makes this dream real in 302 BC. But besides the legends, it's more reasonable today to believe that the real reason of the foundation of the city at this spot would probably because of the military and commercial needs of the era developing on the land and sea. The city went under Roman control in 133 BC thus Roman and Byzantine influences can be seen on the Acropolis wall ruins of Kadifekale. There was also a defence wall starting from the Acropolis and extending to the direction of Basmane district (old Sardis road), and another one to the direction of Esrefpasa district (old Ephesus road). Remains of aquaducts, stadium, theater and agora can be seen around Pagos hill. The theater on the northern slope overlooking the gulf offered great views and had a capacity of 16 thousand seats.
The castle which we see today along with its five towers and southern walls, was restored several times by Byzantines, Seljuks, and finally Ottomans. Kadifekale was abandoned until 18th century and many stones from ancient buildings were used as construction material. After 18th century people started to settle again and in the last 50 years invaded by irregular housing. The castle at 186 meters above sea level is one of the highest points of the city which offers a bird-eye view of Izmir.

Aquaducts These Roman aquaducts were built on the Meles (Kemer) river to bring fresh water to the city. They're from late Roman period and double arches were built by bricks and stones stick together with Roman mortar. Same aquaducts were restored and used also by Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. Today only few sections left from a long aquaduct which can be seen at Sirinyer (old Kizilcullu) district driving from the airport to the city center.

Kizlaragasi Han This typical Ottoman building in Kemeralti neighborhood was built by Kizlaragasi Haci Besir Aga in the 18th century as a caravanserai. The Bedesten (Inn) is a square-shaped and two-level building, the large courtyard used to have a small pool (Sadirvan in Turkish) in the middle which doesn't exist today. Upper floor had rooms for merchants to overnight after leaving their camels and stuff downstairs in the courtyard. Around the courtyard there were shops and rooms where servants of the tradesman used to sleep. Kizlaragasi Han, being also close to the port, was an important trades point in Izmir until the developing of transportation technologies and opening of new trade routes, at certain times it even served as a local stock exchange. After 19th century the Inn was mainly used for storage of the goods instead of caravans' stop.
Kizlaragasi Han was restored in 1993 as a tourist spot, despite it's off-tourist route, and converted into a handicrafts sales center. There is a small cafeteria in the open-air courtyard where you can relax and have a Turkish tea or coffee.

Hisar Mosque This mosque is one of the oldest monuments of the city built by Aydinoglu Yakup Bey towards the end of 16th century, officially between the years 1592-1598. It has a central dome supported by eight pillars and smaller domes around it. The open courtyard (late-comers courtyard or Son Cemaat in Turkish) is surrounded by a gallery of seven domes. There are also two small fountains used for the ablutions before the prayers. It has one minaret with a single balcony (Serefe). The mosque was restored several times during 19th and 20th centuries thus influence of European decorative elements can be seen especially on column capitals, window frames, and outer walls and on Mihrab and Mimbar. The mosque stands in the Kemeralti market area.

Kemeralti Market The historical Kemeralti neighbourhood in Konak district is the best known local shopping market in Izmir. Originally it was built around 17th century right behind the harbour and expanded in the following centuries as the port was silted in. Original shops were made of wood or bricks, some covered with domes. The name Kemeralti (under arches) comes from the fact that there were streets covered with arches with all the shops underneath. Besides small shops, there were many inns as well. Starting from 20th century it became a shopping area of mainly middle class people as it offered very reasonable prices.
Today, besides vaulted and domed shops of the past, here you can find modern business centers, stores, movie theaters, and cafeterias. All kinds of traditional Turkish handicrafts, ceramic ware, wooden objects, clothing, leather and kilims are sold in the markets, including food and fish for your daily shopping. Kemeralti consists one of the most frequented neighbourhoods of the city today, especially by local people.
On Anafartalar Street in Kemeralti, there is an old marble fountain called Donertas Sebili, built in 1814 by Osmanzade Seyyid Ýsmail Rahmi Efendi. The name derives from a turning marble column in its corner. The fountain has a square plan and a brick-tiled dome roof. There are two windows and a small door which was giving access to its cistern.
At the entrance of Kemeralti from Konak, one can see Mayors' Building (Hukumet Konagi) which was built between the years 1868-1872. This building occupies an important role in the history of the city; when Turkish Army entered in Izmir during the War of Liberation, the Turkish Flag was raised on its balcony on September 9th, 1922, marking the liberation day of Izmir. The building was restored after suffering a big fire many years ago.

Havra Street Havra is an important street of historical Kemeralti neighborhood. Local people come here to get their fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. The street gets its name from many Jewish synagogues (Havra in Turkish) built here. There are nine Synagogues on this street but only four are operative today, Talmud Torah is the oldest of nine in this street.

Beth Israel Synagogue This synagogue was built in 1905 by Nisim Levi in the Karatas quarter where an important Jewish community lived at the beginning of the 20th Century. The decoration went on for many years because of economical problems until 1950's. At the entrance of the synagogue, on the upper-right corner, there is the opening date of 5668 according to the Jewish calendar, and on the upper-left corner there is Shaday (God) name inscripted. The interiors of the synagogue are beautiful, wood works are very impressive, and there are marble slabs with the names of the donors. Lower floor is reserved for men and has a capacity of up to 600 people, and upper floor is reserved for ladies. Surprisingly, the Hakodesh (holy cabinet for Sefer Torah) is not to the east but to the south of the synagogue.
Beth Israel is one of the two most frequented synagogues used today for important ceremonies, other one is a new synagogue located in Alsancak district where the main Jewish Community of the city now lives. Many other synagogues are rarely used.

Anglican Church The first Anglican church in Izmir was built around 1625 by British Levantines of Smyrna. A second church was built in 1843 for the use of British living in Smyrna and named for St. John the Evangelist, completed in 1899 with a capacity of around 150 seats. It has beautiful wood carvings, stained glass windows and an impressive organ. A Vicarage built next to the church is now used as the British Consulate of Izmir. The church is located across Alsancak train station.Another Anglican church in Izmir is the church of St. Mary Magdalene which was built around 1858 by British Levantines again, at Bournabat (today's Bornova). St. Mary Magdalene is located within the grounds of Ege University in Bornova. This church is closed except special occasions or scheduled services.

Saint Polycarp Church This is the oldest Christian church in Izmir which was built in 1625 with the permission of Sultan Suleyman of the Ottoman Empire and by the wish of King of France Louis 13th. It was dedicated to St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was martyred by Romans in 155 AD, at the age of 86, in the stadium near Kadifekale. The church was badly damaged during earthquakes and fires in the 17th century, and was restored each time. Inside the church, next to the altar, there is a self-portrait of Raymond Pere, Levantine architect of the Clock Tower in Konak district.

Asansor (Elevator) The historical Asansor built in 1907 on Mithatpasa Street, and Dario Moreno street running to the Asansor, are interesting places to visit in Izmir. Before its construction, a stairway with 155 steps was used to climb to the Halil Rifat Pasa district 50 meters above. This elevator tower has joined the two districts with the aid of two elevators. Besides its breathtaking panorama of the city on the Aegean Sea especially at sunset or at night, a restaurant today is serving to its customers.
Near the Asansor, there are Usakizade Latife Hanim House and Beth Israel Synagogue worth a visit. The House witnessed the wedding of Ataturk and Latife Hanim in 1923, and today is used as a school and museum.

Alsancak district, called Punto in old times, is one of the centers of Izmir and an elegant and exquisite residential area. The neighbourhood is stretching from the waterfront, called Kordon which is lined up with nice bars and fine restaurants, to the inland. Along the waterfront it has a nice pedestrian promenade where one can enjoy fine shops and fine dining without the traffic noise, looking at the Aegean.
In the old times, Alsancak was a favourite place of Levantines, Greeks and Armenians. Many buildings and churches with their authentic architectures remaining from these years can be seen in the backstreets. Today, some of these buildings have been renovated and used as entertainment or cultural places. Ataturk Museum, Museum of History and Arts, Selcuk Yasar Museum of Arts, Railroads Museum, Museum of Arts and Sculpture, Museum of Commercial History, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Museum of Metropolitan History and Archive can be found in this district.
Near Alsancak, there is Kulturpark, a place most frequented by local people with its artistic and cultural activities, International fair, tea gardens, restaurants, zoo and parks.
Alsancak train station was built in 1858 in a colonial architecture style. Trains to Aydin, Denizli and Buca depart from here. There is also a busy port in Alsancak district where commercial and cruise ships dock. There are regular ferry connections between Alsancak and Karsiyaka districts.

Karsiyaka district stands to the north shore of the Izmir Gulf and is one of the residential centers of the city. The name literally means "Opposite Shore" in Turkish, as location-wise it is. The residents of this fine district are so proud of living here that they even consider themselves as living in another town; they don't say that they live in Izmir, but in Karsiyaka.
The district has many old houses and mansions with large gardens, but lately many new apartments have been build along the waterfront. St. Helen Church at Karsiyaka is the very first Catholic Church here, having a former name of Cordelia. It was built around 1904.
At the shoulders of the city there is Yamanlar Peak, highest hill of the city with a crater lake. Birds Paradise Natural Reserve (Kus Cenneti) is next to Karsiyaka, where there are over 200 bird species including many domestic, summer immigrant, winter immigrant, and transit species pulling for a stop here.

FESTIVALS

Ahmet Adnan Saygun Art Center The İzmir International Festival beginning in mid-June and continuing to mid-July, has been organized since 1987. During the annual festival, many world-class performers such as soloists and virtuosi, orchestras, dance companies, rock and jazz groups including Ray Charles, Paco de Lucia, Joan Baez, Martha Graham Dance Company, Tanita Tikaram, Jethro Tull, Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Chris De Burgh, Sting, Moscow State Philarmony Orchestra, Jan Garbarek, Red Army Chorus, Academy of St. Martin in the Field, Kodo, Chick Corea and Origin, New York City Ballet, Nigel Kennedy, Bryan Adams, James Brown, Elton John, Anathema, Kiri Te Kanawa, Mikhail Barishnikov and Josep Carreras have given recitals and performances at various venues in the city and surrounding areas, including the ancient theatres at Ephesus and Metropolis (an antique Ionian city situated near the town of Torbalı). This festival is the member of "European Festivals Association" since 2003.

The İzmir European Jazz Festival is among the numerous events organized every year by İKSEV (The İzmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education) since 1994. The festival aims to bring together masters and lovers of jazz in the attempt to generate feelings of love, friendship and peace.
International İzmir Short Film Festival is organized since 1999 and the member of European Coordination of Film Festivals.
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality has built Ahmet Adnan Saygun Art Center in Güzelyalı over an area of 21.000 m2 in order to contribute to the city's culture and art life. The acoustics of the center has been prepared by ARUP which is a world famous company in its own field.

Antalya

Antalya is the major city on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, and is the hub of the so-called Turkish Riviera. Most of Antalyas historic buildings can be found alo streets of Kalekapisi. Most of Antalyas historic buildings can be found along the narrow, winding streets of Kaleici, the old quarter. Historical, architectural and archaeological sites of note include: Yivli Minaret, Karatay Medresesi, Hidirlik Tower, Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque, Hadrian Arch, and the Clock Tower. Many structures date back to the Hellenistic era. Also The Antalya Museum has a notable archaeology collection.

Cappadocia

The fairytale castles of Cappadocia are plainly stunning and a hot-air balloon ride over the peaks of them provides the ideal finish to your holiday in Turkey. The area is steeped with mystery and although the rock formations are said to be the conclusion of years of fire, water and wind working together to create the outstanding landscapes, no one is quite sure why the locals decide to live underground in cave houses. The houses date from 3000 BC and you can visit the indoors of one whilst on your holiday in Turkey.

Dalyan

Dalyan is a settlement in Mugla region in the Aegean region of Turkey. Dalyan is established in an environmentally protected area. This is one of the few in existence places of paradise, an area of organic beauty and historical advantage. The ancient town of Caunos lies here with its ruins dating back to the 3rd Century. The Dalyan channel through which water circulates between the Mediterranean and Koycegiz Lake winds its way down past the ancient Rock Tombs to the sea, via a small network of lakes and waterways. Through the rustling reed beds rising between 3 and 5 metres in height. With its mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands are now home to a vast number of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them, species such as the Sparrow hawk, Crane, Kingfisher and Jay.

Didim

Didymia is an ancient Greek Temple located near Turkey's holiday resort of Altinkum. The word 'Didymia' is Ancient Greek for twin and this refers to Apollo and Artemis, who were the twin children of Zeus and Leto. The temple was an important Greek site for oracles, where deities gave answers to questions through the mouth of a priest. The Persians and earthquakes may have destroyed a large amount of the Temple but the remains are positively worth discovering on your Turkish holiday.

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus is a tremendously trendy site with tourists on their holidays in Turkey. The town is said to be the best preserved ancient city in the Eastern Mediterranean, and many trust it to be one of the best preserved Greek sites in the whole world. The city was home to the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the seven original wonders of the world, but now is only represented by a single column standing in a lake. Nevertheless there is still plenty to see on a visit to Ephesus and you certainly won't be disappointed on your Turkey holidays. The Basilica of St. John is the resting place of St. John the evangelist and is therefore a popular Christian pilgrimage destination, whilst the Cave of the Seven Sleepers tells the legend of seven Christian boys who fell asleep in this cave in 250AD and woke up in the 5th century.

Gallipoli

Gallipoli is a pilgrimage destination for the thousands of Australians and New Zealanders who stay at the destination on April 25th every year in order to give their admires and watch the ANZAC day memorial celebrations. The Turkishchieffeared that if England. A trip to the battlefields, the cemetaries and the museum has grow to be a "must do" pilgrimage for Australians and New Zealanders visiting Turkey. Daily tours of the battelfields operate from Çanakkale. The best time to visit in April 25th where all the people gather and think of that most bloody war of the human kind.

Istanbul

Istanbul (Istambul) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial hub. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both literally and figuratively. Istanbuls population is variously estimated bng the narrow, windingetween 12 and 19 million people, making it also one of the largest cities in Europe. The center of historical Istanbul is Sultanahmet, the district centred on the Byzantine Hippodrome in the oldest part of the city. The city is best explored on foot, as most sights are within easy walking distance of one another. If the pace does get too much, a cay bahce (tea garden) is never too far away.

Izmir

Izmir is the third biggest city in Turkey with a population of around 2.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is now a modern, developed, and busy commercial center, set around a huge bay and surrounded by mountains. The broad boulevards, glass-fronted buildings and modern shopping centers are dotted with traditional red-tiled roofs, the 18th century market, and old mosques and churches, although the city has an atmosphere more of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey.

Olympos

Olympos is about 50-60 km south of Antalya. Nearest major towns are Kumluca and Finike to the west and Kemer to the north of Olympos. There are minibuses from Antalyas otogar (main station for intercity buses). Ancient Lycian ruins, an isolated Mediterranean beach, accommodation in treehouses and flames that mysteriously burn from the side of a mountain are some of the attractions of Olympos (Olimpos) in Turkeys south.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is an ethereal location, with a name that translates into English as 'Cotton Castles'. The landmark is a made up of a spontaneously occurring wonder of white stalactites and water-filled plateaus. The geothermal hot springs that stand on this site are full of naturally occurring minerals, predominantly chalk and limestone, so when the water hardens whilst coming down the mountain this unique landscape occurs. Of course, something this spectacular can't be missed whilst on your holiday in Turkey and many tourists visit this area in order to bathe in the spectacular sacred pool, which is located inside the Pamukkale Hotel.

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