Five must-see ancient cities in Turkey

Five must-see ancient cities in Turkey

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Turkey was home to many ancient civilizations and empires. The remains of this rich history are still evident in the ancient cities of Anatolia. Click through this photo gallery to see the most mystical ancient cities of Turkey...
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Ephesus: Ephesus is an outstanding example of a Roman port city, with a sea channel and harbor basin. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsius and the Great Theater.
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The remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” draws pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean. Since the 5th century, the House of the Virgin Mary, a chapel seven kilometers from Ephesus, became a major place of Christian pilgrimage.
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Hattusha: Hattusha has a rich history with its six-kilometer walls surrounding the ancient city, its monumental gates, the 71-meter-long underground passage, the palace in Büyükkale, 31 temples unearthed so far, the Lion Gate, the King Gate and the Yazılıkaya Open Air Temple.
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The Şapinuva ruins in Alacahöyük and Ortaköy district, known as the religious capital of the Hittites and where modern Turkey founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered the re-excavation work by allocating some funds in 1935, and the İncesu Canyon, where to the wheat silo and the Kybele relief are located, stand out as its prominent historical sites.
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Zeugma: Known for its “Gypsy Girl” mosaic, the ancient city of Zeugma has been an attraction center with its archaic beauty. Located on the banks of the Euphrates River, Zeugma was discovered in early 1960s during unauthorized excavations. Pieces of mosaic were smuggled abroad and ended up at Bowling Green State University in Ohio in the United States.
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Zeugma Mosaic Museum is one of the largest of its kind and is home to unique ancient artifacts, such as mosaics, Roman-era fountains, the bronze sculpture of Mars, the god of war in Roman mythology, and the famed Gypsy Girl mosaic.
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Patara: Patara, a 2,000-year-old ancient city in the southern province of Antalya’s Kaş district, has traces of human life dating back to 6,000 years and was once the capital of the Lycian Union.
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Patara, known as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis according to mythology, is also known as the place where Santa Claus was born and raised. Patara Beach, which is one of the longest beaches in Turkey, also attracts the attention of tourists. The 18-kilometer beach is also one of the most important spawning areas for the sea turtles known as Caretta carettas.
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Assos: Assos, known today as the village of Behramkale in Ayvacık district in the northwestern province of Çanakkale, was one of the most important port cities in the Age of Antiquity. It is one of the few ancient cities in the world where excavations started in the 1800s - and have continued without interruption since 1981.
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Founded on the summit and slopes of a volcanic hill at the southern end of the region, called “Troas” in ancient times, across the island of Lesbos in Greece, the city has been home to many societies for centuries. Assos was the first ancient city where U.S. archaeologists excavated in the 1800s. It was excavated in 1981 after a long break.
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Winter arrives in Turkey as snowfall hits metropolises

Winter arrives in Turkey as snowfall hits metropolises
Kütahya province welcomes winter with snowfall

Kütahya province welcomes winter with snowfall
Ancient Dara captivates tourists

Ancient Dara captivates tourists
Ancient Patara lures visitors

Ancient Patara lures visitors
Enchanting sunset scenery from Little Venice

Enchanting sunset scenery from 'Little Venice'

Blanket of snow covers renowned crater lake

Blanket of snow covers renowned crater lake
Frozen Lake Çıldır lures visitors

Frozen Lake Çıldır lures visitors
Postcard-like winter views from Turkeys Bitlis

Postcard-like winter views from Turkey's Bitlis