Tourist Attractions & Monuments Turkey

Housed in a beautiful old building that originally served as a hospital, the small ethnographic museum provides information (unfortunately not enough) on the traditional architecture of Izmir, daily life and customs of the region. Beautiful sculptures. Not to be missed: the Ottoman pharmacy and the bridal room. This is also an opportunity to discover the Zeibeks, a tribe from the vicinity of Izmir, whom Descamps depicted with high conical turbans, huge belts and curved swords, the famous yatağan.

Gülşehir unveils two superimposed churches in the same cone of tufa, the higher church offers beautiful frescoes, which are very well restored recently.

Built in 1729 just at the entrance of the Topkapı palace, in front of the imperial gate. Public fountains are located at the four corners of the monument and pools are installed in niches placed in the middle of each of its facades. Decorated and enhanced with colours, the fountain is one of the most representative monuments of the Tulip Age; the work of bronze and stone is remarkable for its finesse. Verses by the poet Vehbi appear on the walls in gold letters.

Located 10 km south of Mustafapaşa, on the road to Soğanlı, and indicated by a yellow sign on the right, the monastery is about 2 km past the village of Cemil. It is difficult to access without a vehicle and still not much visited by tourists: it is worth seeing. Built in the ^13th century, it has a large refectory and two churches: Kara Kilise ("the black church"), which hides many frescoes damaged by smoke, and Aios Stefanos ("the church of St. Stephen") whose frescoes in yellow and orange represent mainly bunches of grapes.

The only Byzantine prison that remains today. Anemas is the name of a Byzantine general of Arab origin. Imprisoned in 1107, after a plot against the Byzantine Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118), he left his name on one of the towers, the other being called Isaac Angel. Everything suggests that only personalities were kept in the dungeons. It is the emperor's daughter, Anne Comnene, who is said to have helped Anemas escape. The site has been renovated.

To get to this district, it is possible to take the Yeni Çarsı Caddesi which runs alongside the Galatasaray high school. Then, by the second street on the left, you reach rue Française and Çukurcuma, a district that is mainly known for its antique dealers. In the first Hayriye Street, next to the Koyu Kahve, is the Apelyan building, which you will recognize by its yellow facade and Italian-style architecture. Dating from the 19th century and having belonged to the Apelyan family.

The easiest way to get there is to take a boat from Eminönü. The district is known for its fish restaurants and its military, a strategic point. The village, its narrow streets with wooden houses, its few shops are dominated by the hill Yuşa Tepesi. It is easy to get there in 30 minutes, for its fortress (Yoros Kalesi) and the wonderful view of the Bosporus and the Black Sea. Two fishing villages further away: Anadolu Feneri with its lighthouse (fener) and Poyrazköy with its small paying beach.

Attended assiduously since Suleiman the Magnificent as a place for hunting and relaxation, the park is part of a complex that saw the first buildings appear under the era of Ahmed I (1603-1617). Abdülmecit (1839-1861) wanted the building redeveloped and all the structures were demolished, but it was during the time of Abdülaziz (1861-1876) that the current buildings were built. Thus, he asked the architect Garabed Balian to build the pavilions of the Tent (Çadır Köşkü) and Malta (Malta Köşkü). Interior paintings often reflect the themes of hunting and serenity. But the park is best known for Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876-1909) who, suspicious of the Dolmabahçe palace, which he considered dangerous to his health and well-being, had chosen it as his first residence. Due to his hostility towards the constitutional monarchy and the nationalist movements that were then beginning to germinate, Sultan Abdülaziz was the victim of a putsch on 30 May 1876. His successor, Murad V, remained in power for only 96 days! Allegedly insane, he was dismissed in favour of Abdülhamid II. Passionate about carpentry and fond of art, contrary to the austere image he is given, he enriches the park with new buildings: theatre and opera hall, hammam, library, pharmacy, zoo...

Near the entrance, on the right, a path leads to the mausoleum (türbe) of Yahya Efendi,one of Islam's most famous saints. He was born in Trebizond on the same day as Suleyman the Magnificent. His mother being the Sultan's nurse, he accompanied him to Istanbul and became one of the most prominent theologians of his time. Going up to the left, you first arrive at the Tent Pavilion (Çadır Köşkü), now a café-restaurant. Continuing the slope, almost at the top, awaits you the most beautiful building in the park, the Şale Köşkü. Built and enlarged according to the will of Abdülhamid II, its name comes from the French "chalet", perhaps an allusion to its location. The whole thing was completed in 1898. Unlike Dolmabahçe, the architectural aesthetics give the impression of a simpler harmony, while remaining elegant and expressive. Moreover, the site was intended to accommodate foreign representatives and statesmen. To reach the Malta pavilion, also transformed into a café-restaurant, you must pass on the right wing at the end of the park. The Hamidiye Mosque is not within the park, a parallel (Müvezzi Caddesi) that starts at Çırağan Caddesi joins it (at the far right).

Built in the ^13th century, on the road that connected Konya to Persia, this caravanserai is particularly well preserved although it has not been restored. A small mosque also called "mosque-kiosk" is located in the courtyard with around stables, dormitories, rooms and bathrooms. At the back, there is a magnificent monumental portal decorated with small columns and niches with motifs reproducing natural stalactites.

It is one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul, as evidenced by the epigraphy on the pediment of the front door dated 1471-1472. The prayer hall is an exception in Ottoman architecture, which tends to favour larger ranks of the faithful. It was built on the initiative of Has Hasan Paşa, which is illustrated during the wars waged by Mehmed the Conqueror against the Turkoman White Sheep dynasty, Uzun Hasan.

Along the road that runs along the sparsely populated coastal strip, you will come across the Austrian consulate, the summer palace of the German consulate, the Art Nouveau presidential residence and a villa belonging to the former Italian ambassador. This private mansion has become the property of the State. Tarabya has a beautiful small cove, unfortunately disfigured by an imposing hotel. In this upscale district of the capital, pleasure boats await their wealthy owners, facing fish restaurants, trendy bars and social clubs.

This passage was conceived in 1885 by a businessman from Aleppo in Syria. It housed the Pera circus at the rear, a theatre and opera room as well as specialized music stores. Even after numerous alterations and restorations, this theatre still remains (Ferhan Şensoy Tiyatrosu): of modern appearance, it mainly attracts a young clientele. Cinémas and Pera cinemas. By its functions, this passage is very lively, especially in the evening.

The Ethnological Museum traces the traditions of Cappadocia in scenes of daily life, ideal for getting acquainted with local customs and habits. As the museum is also a restaurant and café, it is very pleasant to eat quality Turkish food and to visit the museum before or afterwards. Interior room and terrace. Perhaps only one drawback: the place is spacious and can accommodate groups, which consequently make a stopover there.

In the center of the village, on the main square, the pediment of the imposing church shows painted grapes. The building has a dome and was built in 1729, before being restored in 1850. The interior is less interesting than the exterior architectural structure, but it nevertheless houses frescoes a little worn by time that date from the nineteenth century. If you want to visit it, you have to get the key at the tourist office.

The entrance to the site is near the springs.

Theandrôn A (4th century), place where important men met. Next to it, perhaps the dwellings of the priests. Very impressive, the mausoleum certainly sheltered the remains of a powerful family.

Andrôn B (4th century), built by Mausole, has two rooms. The monumental staircase leads to the propylaea around the Roman baths and the Byzantine church. The nearby lake and the sacred fish allowed the oracle to answer visitors.

Theandrôn C, located near theandrôn B, dates from the Byzantine era.

City of Artemis and Apollo, it was founded by settlers from the city of Miletus. With time, the island joined the land to become a peninsula. Not much remains of it. Firstly because of the successive wars from the 2nd century. Then, because the Turks used part of the ruins that they moved to Istanbul for the construction of various buildings. The remains of the walls - the boulê (city council), the agora and the mosaics in a Roman villa - are the major parts still visible.

It takes a lot of imagination to reconstruct the Roman bouleutêrion, baths and theatre. On the other hand, it is easy to recognize the small Hellenistic temple of Athena perched on a hill. On the peninsula are the ruins of the bishopric's palace and some tombs almost covered by the lake water. A little further west, a Hellenistic building with four columns, sanctuary of Endymion. The thick ramparts that surrounded the city are very well preserved.

Located in front of the islands of the peninsula, Ildırı is a fishing village also famous for the archaeological site of Erythrai, which makes it a protected site.

The café of Ildırı is the meeting place of the fishermen. For Turkish pastries, go to the Manzara café famous for its lokma.

For fish, a typical address Chez Ali which only serves fish that he caught himself (Ali'nin Yeri, tel. 0232 725 13 22; on the front sea in Ildırı). Another option is Mutlu Restaurant, which offers barbecued fish (tel. 0232 725 14 11).

The valley is located 6 km northwest of Nevşehir. The walkers are more rare because the path is recent. You will find yourself in a fascinating nature with beautiful greenery. This area is full of churches and thousands of pigeonholes dug into the cliffside. The gigantic rocks are riddled with holes or drawn. Hiking in these places is an impressive experience. After 4 km, a hairpin turnoff leads to the Fırın-Asma valley, where you can visit the church of the same name.

The city of Aphrodisias was destroyed in the 4th century. The museum includes the ancient site itself (from the 3rd century BC) and the marble quarries located to the north-east of the city. It was these quarries that gave the city of Aphrodisias its prosperity. The place is interesting especially for its ancient statues. Indeed, the famous school of the city produced for a long time effigies of quality for many Roman cities. Steles, tombs, coins and many other objects found on the site are also exposed.

The convent and its annex buildings were built in 1703 by Sultanahmet III. The ensemble consists of a Tevhidhane for ceremonies, a section for women and another for men, and mausoleums. The structure of the convent has hardly changed since its foundation. The particularity of Cerrahi dervishes is to pray while singing while others dance in a circle. Those who sing are also called howler dervishes in opposition to dancers or turners.

Cem Cayan was born in Istanbul, works in tourism and knows Istanbul like the back of his hand. In almost perfect French, he offers "classic" tours of Istanbul (Palace Topkapı, Blue Mosque...) or "tailor-made" according to your wishes. He can organize a thematic program: participation in conferences, concerts, meetings with Turks of all social levels or with a certain trade, have you participate in a meal with the locals, walk through the interesting suburban districts. All you have to do is ask!

Covering an area of more than 18 ha, it is located on a hill overlooking the Bosporus and shelters several century-old trees. It has several terraces that offer superb panoramic views, walking trails and playgrounds for children. The pavilion is on a steep slope. Designed by an Italian architect for the last Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi Paşa (Abbas II, 1892-1914), who wanted a replica of one of his properties on the banks of the Nile.

Completed in 1571, it is one of the works of the architect Sinan. The complex consists of a mosque, a medersa, a dervish convent and an ablution fountain. The building is decorated with 16th-century Iznik tiles. The dervish convent consists of a central space topped by a dome and ritual ceremonial rooms(semahan) extending to the sides. The mosque contains four fragments of the Black Stone of Mecca.

This agency has a team of French-speaking guides certified by the State, passionate and in love with their country. The team, led by Dündar Karabenli, guide since 1985, will take you on a superb journey through Turkey. Specialists in history, society, or storytellers of crisp anecdotes, these guides will be precious assets to discover this magnificent country that is Turkey. The proposed tours are adaptable to your desires. Futé : the website of the agency (www.toutelaturquie.com) is a good advice to prepare your stay.

It is a religious complex(külliye) founded in 1726, comprising, in addition to the mosque, a medersa, a hospice and a library. The mosque is also called Kur unlu ("with lead") because its dome is covered with this metal. Opposite, the hammam is still in use and welcomes mainly tourists. Open from 6am to midnight, it is possible to get all the traditional treatments at very good prices. Note that the men and women sections are not separated.

This museum was originally located in the 13th century medersa of Hunat Hatun Külliyesi. Its contents have been housed in a historic 15th century house since 1998. And it is indeed the building that is worth seeing with its black and white stone facade and its splendid ceilings. Otherwise, you can admire a collection of ceramics, costumes, weapons and usual objects as well as a reconstruction of a house and a nomad tent (yurt).

Kayseri has magnificent Seljuk mausoleums, two-storey buildings that housed the remains of nobles. The most famous and beautiful is the Döner Kümbet (revolving mausoleum) in Talas Caddesi. Built in 1276 to house the tomb of a princess, it is spiral-shaped and appears to turn around. The fine outer ornaments with animal motifs are superb. Nearby you can also see the Sırçalı Kümbet which was originally covered with coloured earthenware.

A cruise on the Bosphorus? The state-owned company remains the best alternative, both in terms of its very attractive price and its schedule (and safety) advantages. What's more, it's the only one to sail up to the Black Sea, as far as Anadolu Kavağı. Passengers are more Stamboulians than tourists. For timetables, it's best to get them from the website. Only one boat in winter. The big vapur, the water bus, departs from the "Boğaz iskelesi" pier in Eminönü. Its terminus is Anadolu Kavağı.

St. Peter's Castle is the headquarters of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, founded by G. Bass in 1973. The finds of divers during excavations of wrecks, including the 3,400-year-old wreck east of Kaş, are displayed there. Every part of the castle is used to display the objects or stage reconstructions. The Gothic chapel of the Hospitallers, houses a fragment of the frieze of the mausoleum. The visit of the castle is a superb walk in its enclosure.

Camii Kilise or Aşağı Camii or Büyük Kilise, the Byzantine church of St. Gregory of Naziance (theologian, one of the fathers of the Greek Church) dates from the 4th century. It became a mosque after the population exchange of the 1920s. It houses a magnificent pulpit and an iconostasis of chiselled wood.

Sivişli Kilise or the Church of St. Annargiros has a dome and columns carved into the rock as well as 19th century frescoes. On leaving, take the stairs on the left to enjoy a superb panorama of the village.

This building is an old Seljuk Koranic school built in 1267 by Ata Ata Fahreddin Ali, entirely in ashlar. With its particularly remarkable and beautifully decorated portal, it is now a place where a book market is held. The place hosts a small exhibition on Seljuk art. A Roman tomb is located nearby. The mosque no longer exists and the fountain has been moved from the interior to the front of the building.

This valley allows you to reach Göreme and its open-air museum from Ürgüp. The dolmuş, departing from the center of Ürgüp, will drop you off on the Nevşehir-Ürgüp road, at the starting point of the hike, which is south of Müze Caddesi. This 6 km long hike, also known as the "valley of love", contains beautiful specimens of phallic formations, some rock churches, including El Nazar Ikilesi at the end of the walk. This quiet walk will be an opportunity to meet the inhabitants who will offer you açay or a bunch of grapes.

Located in a 15th century building with a beautiful white marble portal, this medersa has two floors and a flat roof which is not common. The inner courtyard (8.5 meters by 9.5 meters) is open and lined with porticoes, there is a well in the center. The name of the architect of the Ak Medrese, which was commissioned by Ali Bey during the Karamanid reign, is not known. The monument now houses the music classes of the university. The entrance is reached by descending twelve steps from the street on the north side.

There is little left of the Ionian city of Phocaea. The five-gates castle (Beskapilar Kalesi), with the aqueduct, the ruins of the ancient theatre and those of the temple of Athena, is one of the only remains worthy of interest in Foça. It is a Genoese building, in fact a landing stage, restored by the Ottomans to which they added towers to the ramparts in the 16th century. The former boat shelter, partially and several times restored, is now used as an open-air theatre. You'll find it as you pass the sanctuary and the city walls.

Located 2 km south of Özkonak, Belha Monastery is located in the middle of nowhere and is completely rocky. It is the largest and oldest known monastery in Cappadocia, probably dating from the 6th century. Note the remarkable portico overlooking a courtyard, and a basilica which must have been the meeting point for the hermit monks of the surrounding area, a storeroom and two funeral chapels that make it a place not to be missed. Another point of interest is the view from the top of the hill. Follow the road for 4.5 km that leads to the top. Superb.

Named after a Turkish architect, and not our famous singer, this passage was built in 1883 and restored in 1993. It once housed the Café du Commerce. Shortly after the entrance, souvenir shops of all kinds. It extends over two floors. On the left, you can take a staircase to the basement. There is a bar, comic book shops (only in Turkish) and clothing shops. There is also a billiard room and a sports hall.

It is more of a han (commercial patio) than a passage. Built in the early 19th century in neoclassical architecture, it was used by the Russian consulate until 1924 and was also used as a prison. Recently restored with its salmon-coloured facade, this building unfortunately no longer has much to do with what it used to be. It still has an inner courtyard and now houses some shops and the illusion museum.

The church of St. John the Baptist overlooks the village. Dating from the 19th century, notice the domes and the Greek inscription above the door. A restoration project with the collaboration of an American foundation is underway. Unfortunately, the authorities seem to be more or less neglecting the preservation of the church. Graffiti is spoiling some places, like the altar, it's a pity. At the entrance, a well of wishes receives your coins...

The excavations that have been carried out in the region have mainly fed the museum in Ankara, but some of the finds have been transferred here. These remains concern mainly the Neolithic period (about 9000 BC), the Chalcolithic period (about 4000 BC), and the Assyrian settlements (end of the third millennium BC). There is also a small ethnographic section and a collection of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman coins.

Built between 1408 and 1409 by Kılıçarslan's son, Rükneddin Mesud, on a rectangular plan, and then enlarged and restored during the Karamanoğulları period, this mosque reflects the architectural traditions typical of the beylicat era following the Persian-influenced Seljuk period. Inside, note the beautiful carved wooden minbar. The mosque is built of smooth cut stones and some yellow stones of the portal have been preserved.

The archaeological museum exhibits a model of the sanctuary of Zeus as it originally was. This life-size reproduction of the original, which is now in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, is worth a visit. Also, a beautiful collection of Roman and Byzantine architectural elements as well as funerary steles. It is recommended to visit it before your visit to the acropolis. Beautiful collection of statues. Finally, an ethnographic gallery, testimony of the habits and customs and the craft industry at the time of the Ottomans. Tea room next to the museum.

In the village, next to the ruins. It dates from the ^14th century and was probably built on the site, and with the stones, of a ^6th century Byzantine church. The building is quite modest. Above the entrance, you will notice crosses and Greek inscriptions. Note that the Hüdavendigâr Mosque (which means "Bursa"), is one of two such mosques remaining in all of Turkey. The second is in Bursa.

The Great Mosque was built in the twelfth century by the Turkish emirs and completed in 1205 by the Seljuks. It is also known as the Sultan Mosque or Cami-i Kebir. It is the oldest building in the city. Thanks to successive restorations, it has remained in very good condition. Note its rectangular shape, its beautiful cylindrical minaret of red bricks which is one of the highest in the country and the particular minbar in carved wood. Its fountain built near the south wall dates back to the beginning of the 18th century.

The Nevşehir museum is very small but it is free. There are two exhibition halls, archaeological and ethnographic. The latter displays objects from different periods going back to the Bronze Age, and some interesting sarcophagi. On the second floor there is an ethnographic collection of carpets and jewelry. The museum conducts excavations in the village of Şahin Efendi (near Ürgüp), the ancient Sobessos. Friendly staff, especially the director of the museum.

This Lego temple is designed for the pleasure of children and their companions. Composed of a Miniland (Lego amusement park), a "Space Mission" area, workshops, shops, a 4D cinema, a visit to the Lego factory, laser games, this Lego park does not leave its visitors, young and old, indifferent. Ideal for families and weekdays but to avoid on Saturdays or risk a severe migraine at the end of the day because of all the screams of the crowd of children. Your eardrums, it's not sure, but your children will thank you!

The archaeological museum in the city of Kayseri reminds us how Anatolia was the cradle of great civilizations that shone at various times. His collection includes finds from the Hittite city of Kanesh (Kültepe), tablets engraved with cuneiform inscriptions as well as Hellenistic and Roman objects. In the garden are two impressive lions from the 7th century BC. Although the museum is not very big, it is quite interesting.

This museum is the work of the Suna-Inan Foundation Kıraç. He gave the art world and the city of Istanbul an invaluable gift. On five floors, the museum occupies a completely refurbished 1893 building, where works of art from the couple's private collection are displayed. The works are exhibited by theme. The first floor is structured around the Weights and Measures of Anatolia and the Earthenware and Ceramics of Kütahya. The first part is presented as the only collection on this scale in the field: it contains various instruments used in Anatolia over the years. Kütahya's collection includes more than 400 pieces. If you have visited the Topkapı palace beforehand, the second floor will be a perfect addition. In a spacious and airy setting, paintings on the Ottoman Empire are displayed. You can see, spread mainly over the last two centuries, portraits of the sultan but also paintings of the orientalist current, the last one being the imaginary reflection of the painters of the time, since no one was allowed to enter a harem. The foundation of many fantasies in the West, Western literature has been strongly imbued with them, thus mixing imagination with reality. The painting called The Turtle Tamer is presented as the most expensive in the collection. As for the top three floors, they are reserved for occasional exhibitions designed to showcase young talents, representing various trends.

Built in 1312, by the daughter of Rukneddin Kılıç Aslan, Hüdavend Hatun, it is one of the most beautiful mausoleums in the country. In Anatolian Seljuk style, the burial chamber is located halfway up and has three openings. It is a tiered and octagonal tomb, built from white marble for the doors and windows, yellow trachyte stone and red stone. The general style and that of the reliefs suggest strong influences from Persia and Central Asia. The mausoleum has preserved its original style to the present day.