Showing posts with label Adalia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adalia. Show all posts
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
For 95 million years Caretta Carettas visiting Turkey's beaches, why you shouldn't?
Turkey is a melting pot of many cultures and religions and bridge between continents. With more Greek ruins than Greece, more ancient Roman sites than Italy, irrefutably land of Turkey is the cradle of civilization. Turkey has also its unique culture which comes from the Central Asia, Caucasus, and Balkans.
However, Turkey is much more than its history with over 7000km of coastline it's an excellent destination for a sunny holiday and water sports. Who could resist a change to spend a few days cruising along the Turkey's crystal clear turquoise coasts. The pleasure of yachting in Turkey will temp you to come back again and again, to explore yet another stretch of coast and to relive the luxurious ease of life on the sea.
In brief, Turkey is a perfect travel destination, has everything a traveler could possibly need; history, nature, sun, sea, fun, cuisine, culture everything.
Most importantly Anatolian people are very hospitable. Their motto comes from a great Turkish sufistic and philosopher, Mevlana.
Come, come, whoever you are.
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of living, it doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come even if you have broken your vow a thousand times,
Come, yet again, come, come.
Mevlana
WHY TURKEY?
House of Virgin Mary is in Turkey
Today, the House of the Virgin Mary is looked after by a small contingent of monks and nuns, is in Turkey, and is visited each day by people from the all over the world
The philosopher Aristotales lived in Assos
The philosopher Aristotales lived in Assos for three years and opened an Academy. Doric Temple to Athena has been built in Assos in 530 BC. From this temple Hermias of Atarneus, a student of Plato, ruled Assos.
Philosophy begins on Miletus in Anatolia
Philosophy begins on Miletus on the western coast of Anatolia (in what is now Aydin Province, Turkey). According to Bertrand Russell, "Philosophy began with Thales of Miletus."
There are nine World Heritage Sites located in Turkey.
Göreme National Park, Great Mosque of Divriği, Historical sites of Istanbul, Hattusa, Nemrut Dağı, Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Xanthos-Letoon, Safranbolu and Troy are in the list of The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Turkey.
The oldest known human settlement is located in Catalhoyuk Turkey
The oldest known human settlement in the world is located in Catalhoyuk Turkey, dating back to 6500 B.C
One of the oldest best preserved ancient thermal spa in the world located in Turkey
The ancient city of Allianoi, one of the oldest thermal spas in the world and located in the Bergama-Pergamon Turkey. Unfortunately the ancient city is in danger to be flooded. Surely your visit will be a great support to save Allianoi.
One of the three most distinctive traditional cuisines in the world is in Turkey
Turkey is noted for having one of the three most famous and distinctive traditional cuisines in the world. "We do not have only Kebab and Döner."
Most famous places of the ancient world are all in Turkey
Many of the famous sites from classical Greek culture are not in Greece at all but in Turkey, including the ruins of cities such as Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Miletus and Halicarnassus.
Would you want to see the most valuable silk carpet in the world?
The most valuable silk carpet in the world which has 144 knots per square centimeter is located in the Mevlana Museum in Konya.
The traditional Homeric Troy is in Western Turkey
The famous Trojan Wars took place in Western Turkey, around the site where the Trojan horse rests today.
Turkey ranks the third in Blue Flag Project
Turkey ranks third after Spain and Greece in the number of blue flags in marinas and beaches withh its 258 blue flaged beaches.
Second largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world is in Antakya
Antakya Archaeological Museum has the second largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world, found when excavating Roman villas on the hillside at Harbiye.
The first seven Ecumenical Councils were held in Asia Minor
Asia Minor (modern Turkey) was the home for all Ecumenical Councils in the early history of the Christian church.
The ICD had its origin in Turkey in 1920
The International Children's Day (ICD) which is celebrated in numerous countries, had its origin in Turkey in 1920 (April 23, 1920)
The first church built by man is in Antioch
The first church built by man (St. Peter's Church) is in Antioch (Antakya), Turkey.
Heredotus (the father of history) lived in Anatolia
Herodotus of Halicarnassus was a Greek historian who lived in southwest coast of Caria, Anatolia (Asia Minor) in the 5th century BC and is regarded as the "Father of History" in Western culture.
Santa Clause, was born in Patara and lived Demre in Antalya
St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Clause, was born in Patara and lived Demre, on Turkey's Mediterranean Coast.
In Antalya, in the spring time you can both ski and swim
For 95 million years Caretta Carettas visiting Dalyan beach why you shouldn't?
Dalyan beach is well known for the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtles) which have existed for 95 million years. International animal protection organizations monitor and protect the turtles' nesting grounds in Turkey.
The birthplace of Abraham is in Turkey
The traditional site of Abraham's birth is in the vicinity of Edessa (Şanlıurfa in modern Turkey)
The World does not know us enough. We do not have only Kebab, Döner or Belly Dancers. We have other great things too. You should discover Turkey!!!
I sincerely hope you enjoyed from some facts about Turkey and invite you to leave your comments.
Friday, September 4, 2009
ANTALYA
Antalya is set on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, also known as the Turkish Riviera. It is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort. The
City offers superb beach resort facilities and long stretches of golden
sands, with a fine selection of significant historical sites. The city
is loved by many for its palm lined streets, charming marina, delicious
restaurants, excellent shopping, cosmopolitan nightlife and lots of
historical attractions. Each year, millions of people visit Antalya.
Fantastic for families, couples and even the more experienced traveler,
Antalya’s mix of traditional, cosmopolitan and family friendly
activities will ensure everyone will enjoy a holiday in Antalya!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Demre-ANTALYA
Myra is an ancient town in Lycia, where the small town of Kale (Demre) is situated today in present day Antalya Province of Turkey. It was located on the river Myros (Demre Çay), in the fertile alluvial plain between Alaca Dağ, the Massikytos range and the Aegean Sea.
Myra features some of the most impressive and well preserved Lycian monuments in the country. These include an excellent collection of rock tombs and an imposing 2nd century theater.
Many of the tombs have log cabin features carved into the rock, presumably reflecting the domestic architecture of the period. A few easily accessible ones have inscriptions in the Lycian language. Carvings above are mostly in poor repair but the overall effect of this jumble of the architecture of death is dramatic.
The theater, like many others in major Roman cities, was later converted into an arena for gladiator fights and wild animal shows. Many carvings and inscriptions in the theater are still visible, and cavernous tunnels and access ways to the side have been cleared. While much of the seating is intact, the stage building is partly collapsed. A macabre set of three carved masks, presumably from the frieze, lies among the jumble of remains in the approach to the theater.
Today Demre is an important agricultural town on the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia. Around Demre there are also ruins of Andriake on Çayagzi beach and Kekova, Simena and Teimussa which are accessible by a short boat ride or some car driving.
Church of St. Nicholas, Myra (Kale/Demre)
The Church of St. Nicholas in ancient Myra (modern Kale or Demre) is a ruined Byzantine church containing the tomb of St. Nicholas of Myra (the inspiration for Santa Claus), as well as many fine mosaics and murals.
History
St. Nicholas was born in Patara around 300, became bishop of Myra, and died around 350. Only these basic details are known to history, but legends abound concerning the life of the saint. A much-embellished hagiography (life of the saint) was written by Simon Metaphrastes in the 10th century.
St. Nicholas is said to have been born of wealthy parents and to have traveled to the Holy Land in his youth. He was tortured and imprisoned during the persecutions of Diocletian, and released when Constantine ordered official toleration of Christians. Nicholas is said to have attended the famous Council of Nicea in 325 (although his name does not appear in the official lists), where he became so infuriated by the heretic Arius that he slapped him hard in the face!
Many of the legends of St. Nicholas involve him helping young people and the poor. In one tale, a butcher lured three boys to his house during a time of famine. While they slept, he killed them, cut them up and placed the pieces in a barrel of salt, intending to sell them for food. Nicholas, who was told of this horrendous act by an angel, hurried to the butcher's house and restored the boys to life.
Another popular legend has it that three daughters of a poor merchant were about to be forced into prostitution since they had no marriage dowries, but St. Nicholas saved them from a life of sin by dropping three bags of gold into the merchant's garden or chimney (versions vary), enabling them to get married.
The saint was buried in Myra upon his death, and a church may have been built over his tomb soon after. If so, it would have been badly damaged in the earthquake of 529 and repaired along with Myra's other buildings later in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian. Damaged in the Arab raids of the 7th century, the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra was rebuilt in the 8th century; it is this structure that largely survives today.
After his death, Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors and seafarers, and many pilgrims came to visit his tomb. Over the centuries, the legends and great popularity of St. Nicholas of Myra led to the Christmastime figure of the bearded man who secretly brings toys to children. He is still known as St. Nick in most of Europe (and he brings his gifts on December 6, not Christmas), but in America he came to be known as Santa Claus.
The church suffered another Arab attack in 1034 and was restored in 1043 by Emperor Constantine IX, at which time a walled monastery was added nearby. In 1087, a group of Italian merchants pushed past the monks and broke open the saint's sarcophagus. They stole the relics and took them to Bari, Italy, where they were placed in a shrine in the cathedral.
By the middle of the 19th century, the Church of St. Nicholas was in very poor condition. Two attempts by Russian groups to restore it were only partly successful. The bell tower and upper storey were probably added at this time.
What to See
The floor of the church is several meters below street level, and is accessed by a steeply descending ramp. There are fine marble mosaic pavements (opus sectile) and faded wall paintings throughout the church.
The church has three side aisles; the two on the south have chapels at the east end. A room beyond the north aisle provides access to the upper storey.
The nave is covered by a groined vault and has a synthronon (set of stepped seats for the clergy) with a covered passage in the apse. The stone altar is surrounded by four broken pillars and the exonarthex and narthex are well-preserved.
The empty tomb of St. Nicholas is in the south aisle between two pillars and behind a broken marble screen. A reused Greek-era sarcophagus, the lid features effigies of a man and a woman. The cloisters on the north side of the church are in a good state of repair.
Festivals and Events
The Church of St. Nicholas is only used for religious services one day each year: the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. The ecumenical celebrations begin with a Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Metropolitan of Myra, who lives in Istanbul. Next is a service in which Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant clergy participate. The Cardinal Archbishop of Bari, where the saint's relics are now, is also represented.
The International St. Nicholas Symposium is held at Demre in early December of each year.
