Located squarely between the Black and Mediterranean Seas, Turkey is rich in both history and culture, it is quickly becoming one of the most popular tourists spots in the world. There is so much to see and do when visiting Turkey that it is nearly impossible to take it all in over the course of one visit. Because of this, here are the top tourist attractions to visit while vacationing in Turkey.
The Blue Mosque – Sultan Ahmet Camii – Istanbul, Turkey
Deriving its name from the beautiful blue and green Iznik tiles found throughout its interior, this tourist attraction is one of the most visited in all of Turkey. Sinan, the great Turkish architect, had a student by the name of Mehmet Aga who was responsible for finishing the Blue Mosque – Sultan Ahmet Camii in 1616.
The Blue Mosque – Sultan Ahmet Camii is also considered to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the entire world. Designed to showcase the beauty and splendor of Islam, the Blue Mosque – Sultan Ahmet Camii does just that. When completed, the Blue Mosque – Sultan Ahmet Camii was considered to be the Imperial Mosque of the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the mosque are 260 windows which allow the sun to bring the Iznik tiles to life in all of their shimmering beauty.
Pamukkale Cotton Castle – Denizli, Turkey
Located in Southwestern Turkey, in the Denizli Province, Pamukkale literally means, “cotton castle”. These natural hot springs, pools and mineral formations are 14,000 years in the making and are a big driver of tourism to the area. For thousands of years, people have come to bathe in these pools seeking the therapeutic relief the waters are thought to provide.
The antiquity in these waters has long been thought to cure kidney and heart disease as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Because of this, people travel from all over the world to take a dip in these waters. Not only are these pools thought to provide therapeutic relief, they are also breathtakingly beautiful to behold and one of the world’s natural marvels.
Ephesus – Efes, Turkey
Islam is not the only religion which has a rich history within Turkish borders. Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis is one of the seven churches referenced in the Bible’s Book of Revelation. Serving as home and pulpit for the Apostle Paul for nearly two years, the Temple of Artemis still stands as a testament to Christianity’s role throughout that region of the world.
Haghia Sophia Church Museum – Istanbul, Turkey
Built by Justinian in the 6th century AD, Haghia Sophia Museum is the third church to call this location home. In addition, it is also considered one of the great masterpieces of Byzantine art. Sacked in the 4th century, Haghia Sophia had originally lost many of its treasures to the crusades.
It was converted into a mosque in 1453 after the fall to Constantinople to the Ottoman Sultan, and then into a museum in 1936. Throughout Haghia Sophia Museum are many of the Byzantine artifacts and relics collected from the 6th century through the 13th century. It once stood as one of the largest churches in the world.
Ancient City of Pergamon – Pergamum, Turkey
Founded in the 8th century BC, Pergamon grew into one of Turkey’s cultural and intellectual epicenters by the 2nd century BC. Meaning “parchment”, Pergamon was also home to one of the greatest libraries of the day. In addition to many of the beautiful ruins found in the Ancient City of Pergamon is the Alter of Zeus. This was built by the Greeks during their settlement of the area. Pergamon was also another of the Seven churches mention in the Bible’s Book of Revelation.