Monuments to visit Turkey

The fortress, even if imposing, has no particular features. Its charm comes above all from its dream location on the banks of the Bosporus. Climb the steps of the 57-metre high Zaganos Tower to dominate the Bosporus. Even the strong wind does not spoil the pleasure. The quays are charming all around, and you will find small cafés and restaurants to recharge your batteries.

In 1452, Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror was determined to get his hands on the irreducible Constantinople. For several years now, he has been developing a vast conquest project, including the unprecedented design of super-powerful guns. Nothing should be left to chance and especially not the Bosporus Strait, which could well see the arrival of a Christian fleet landing from the Black Sea via the Danube. The sultan himself drew up the plans and more than 3,000 workers were busy working day and night. In 4 months and 13 days, a 250 m long fortress appeared. Facing a previous fortress (Anadolu Hisarı), it is the narrowest point of the strait without forgetting the currents that make navigation dangerous! Constantine XI Dragases, still unaware that he would join history forever as the last emperor of Byzantium, tried to oppose it. That's where the legend comes in. Byzantium excels in the art of negotiation, an ancestral tradition that has saved it from many adventures. Using his hunting activities as an excuse, the Sultan asked Constantinople for permission to build a pavilion there. The emperor accepts but delimits its size: it will be on the surface of an ox skin. The sultan nods: a skin is cut into very thin strips and distributed, end to end, to delimit its space. The sultan is a winner in reality as in legend and Byzantium falls, without the fortress really being of any use whatsoever. We'll quickly turn it into a small prison afterward. The Knights of Malta will be the first to suffer the consequences. In time, it will be abandoned to its fate, even seeing a population settling there. Restored between 1953 and 1958, it was converted into a museum and concert hall. It has 17 towers and 5 doors. Ottoman and European cannons are on display in the fortress, which is now a garden, as well as pieces of the chain that closed the Golden Horn to shipping as part of the Byzantine defence system.

This is a beautiful example of a Seljuk caravanserai, built in 1229. Burned down, the building was rebuilt 50 years later and has been recently restored. There is a beautiful carved portal, in the center of the courtyard, an oratory(mescid), a huge pillared hall(ahır), a hammam, rooms... At its time, it is one of the largest caravanserais in Anatolia. The village of Sultanhanı, in the steppe landscape that separates Konya from Aksaray, offers a few guesthouses.

Located on the hill of Maltepe, this monumental mausoleum lined with columns was built between 1944 and 1953. Guards stand in front of the hall that houses the imposing marble cenotaph of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. In the adjacent museum (Atatürk müzesi) are displayed his personal objects, photographs and his car collection. In the courtyard to the right is buried the second president, Ismet Inönü.

The impressive head of Medusa with its hair of snakes welcomes you. Originally, it decorated the frieze of the temple; its twin sister is in the basilica cistern in Istanbul. The sacred well is just below it. The pilgrims who wished to question the pythia, paid a sum varying according to the nature of the problem and sacrificed an animal to Apollo. Before the sacrifice, the priests sprinkled the animal with cold water from the well and, according to its reactions, decided whether the god wanted to answer the question asked. Then the pilgrim entered the sanctuary through a forest of 108 gigantic Ionic columns. Although only three of them have kept their original size, one can imagine the effect of this temple which was one of the three largest in the Hellenistic world - the other two being that of Artemis in Ephesus and that of Hera in Samos. Notice the rich decoration of the bases of the columns. After climbing a few steps, one descends to the pronaos, the vestibule of the sanctuary where the visitor formulated his question to the priest. The walls are preserved, but originally the vestibule was covered with an elaborate ceiling. The priest, after having crossed a room and a corridor, arrived at theadyton, interior court with a small room sheltering the statue of Apollo, and transmitted the message to the pythia. This one, after having tasted the water of the sacred source, chewed laurel leaves and entering in trance, was delirious in an often confused language.

Built in 1890 especially for the famous Orient-Express which linked Paris to Istanbul. It is the work of the German architect Jasmund, who has managed to reconcile the different architectures present in the city. The exterior walls in stone and brick are in Byzantine style; the windows are topped with horseshoe-shaped arches. Lines to European cities are still operating from Sirkeci station. It also has a typical café where nostalgic people can stop for a break.

This is a trophy that the 31 Greek cities reported on the temple of Apollo Pythium in Delphi after their victory over the Persians during the Battle of Platée in 479 B.C. This pointes, formed by the winding of three snakes, supported a large tripod and a gold vase. Constantine the Great reported it from Delphi to install it on the Hippodrome square, while the tripod and the vase had already been looted. Snakes, demonic symbols par excellence, rained neither the Byzantine nor Muslims afterwards, and were maimed several times. Mehmed the Conqueror himself broke the mouth of one of the snakes after the capture of Constantinople. But, according to legend, this episode was followed by an invasion of snakes in the capital and then made the decision to protect them. All heads have nevertheless disappeared over time. One fragment of one of them is exhibited at the Archaeological Museum.

Carved into the rock face, located at the northern end of the city on a hill, is a Hellenistic theater. Built in the 4th century BC, the monument has been restored. Originally, it could accommodate 13,000 people. Walking on the steps of the theater is the ideal walk to enjoy the sun setting over the bay of Bodrum and the castle. The view is splendid. In the summer, many concerts and shows are given in the enclosure, it is complicated to park but it is the promise of nice evenings.

Founded in 1732 by the main imperial architect Mehmet Ağa for Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754). Beautiful facades decorated in the purest rococo style and a white marble cage.

Monumental in appearance with its immense facade, it was completed in 1908 by two German architects and more than 1,000 Italian stonemasons. This is where trains departed for Ankara, the East or the Southeast. In 2015, the station is no longer in operation and becomes a museum and exhibition space. In any case, it is possible to visit it and sit at the station café for tea, coffee or even a full meal. For an unforgettable sunset, go on the steps, facing the sea, at nightfall.

If you have the courage, this is an idea for a nice walk from the agora. This is where the ancient acropolis of Smyrna was located, built by Lysimachus during the reign of Alexander. However, the current walls of the citadel come from the Byzantine period. The view from the fortress, on the gulf, is magnificent. The enclosure would however need a restoration by places. Small restaurant on the spot, with the splendid panorama.

In a valley planted with poplar, it is a cave called palace opened by the local population. It comprises fées, tombs of the Roman era, houses and rock churches (th and th centuries).

It is the largest building in ancient Smyrna, and the residence of the governor. Located on the waterfront, and in front of the Belediye, stands Saat Kulesi, the Clock Tower, which dates from 1901. 25 meters high and with its elaborate decoration, it has become the emblem of Izmir. The clock was originally a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II. It was designed according to the architectural plans of a French foreman. The tower faces the former location of the customs house.

Built in 1870, it was designed as a private residence, and Sultan Abdülaziz even had an apartment there. Today, it is emblematic of Istanbul's "alternative life" and hosts many shops mainly for young people. There are thrift stores, some baroque souvenir shops and second-hand clothes. There is the Atlas cinema, the Sadri theatre Alışık Tiyatrosu Küçük Sahne, a tattoo artist and bars.

Founded by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad at the beginning of the 13th century, the citadel underwent two major restorations, one in 1470 by Ishak Paşa the Ottoman, the second much more recent, in 1955. It is probably built on the site of an earlier building, perhaps dating back to the Hittite era. The octagonal bell tower serves as a landmark. The enclosure houses a mosque, tombs and a green garden with a beautiful view of the old town. The building is easily accessible and well restored.

It dominates the entrance to the Black Sea, which is constantly used by large tonnages. A tradition links this 14th century fortress to the Genoese, but it is Byzantine. It was disputed many times and eventually became an Ottoman at the end of the same century, under Yıldırım Beyazıt (1389-1402). With a length of 500 m and a width of 30 m to 60 m, it will be restored and equipped with a small mosque as part of a large programme undertaken by the Sultan Bayazıt II (1481-1512). During his trip to Egypt in the second half of the 16th century, the German traveller Michael Heberer Von Bretten described it in his book as being in very good condition; he took the opportunity to make an engraving. It was not abandoned until the 19th century. Note that you can also go there by several other points than Anadolu Kavağı, all along the coastal road (more deserted) or by the center of Beykoz from where the journey is a little longer and more complicated (1 hour). It is the Umurbey Yolu road that leads to it. To take it, you have to leave Beykoz along the sea: Fevzi Paşa Caddesi, then Ahmet Paşa Caddesi, junction, Yalıköy Çayırı Caddesi (left), well after school take a left (Deri ve Kundura Fabrikası Caddesi, bridge, not very beautiful), it is the Umurbey Yolu, which zigzags to the goal. A saint would rest in the mausoleum. No source proves it, but the believers do not agree with it, so they regularly visit it (huge tomb!).

To the northwest, the Myndos Gate was part of the city walls, 7 km long at the time of Mausoleus, who ordered its construction in the 4th century B.C. It is the only remaining gate. You can also see the remains of a moat, as well as several ruins, a little further on. Also, some tombs and mosaics. The date of 334 B.C. remains famous because many soldiers of Alexander the Great died in the moat by drowning.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.