 Sanlİ
Urfa was known by the Ottomans as Urfa, and was awarded its
prefix, ‘glorious’ for its role in resisting the
French in the 1920’s. It is one of the most ancient
areas of settlement, and is believed by some to be the ancient
city of Ur. Today, it proudly displays the remnants of the
many civilisations which have made it their home. One of its
most impressive sights is the Halil Rahman Mosque with its
sacred pools of carp. You can also see the cave where Abraham
is believed to have been born. Both lie at the foot of a hill
crowned by an ancient citadel. Just 48 kms to the south is
the ancient city of Harran, mentioned in the Bible, with its
beehive shaped dwellings, which were probably designed in
the 3rd BC. It is believed to be the oldest settlement, which
has been continuously occupied, in the world.
Diyarbakİr, on the banks of the Tigris, is renowned for its
black basalt
walls, decorated with inscriptions and bas reliefs, which
surround the old city and have 16 towers
and 5 gates. Diyarbakİr’s
Ulu Cami or ‘Great Mosque’
is one of the holiest sites in
the Islamic world.
Lake Van is Turkey’s largest lake, and is the biggest
sodium carbonate
lake in the world. It is also one of the world’s highest,
at 1,650
metres above sea level. The water is so alkaline that the
villagers
can wash their clothes in it without using soap. It is also
very
salty. The scenery here is stunning – surrounded by
snow-capped
peaks, the highest of which, Süphan Dagğİ is over 4000
metres.
There are four islands in the lake, the largest of which is
Akdamar
Island, which can be reached by boat. It is home to the church
of
the Holy Cross, built by the 10th century Armenian King, Gagik,
one of the biggest attractions
in the area.
 Erzurum
was located on one of the main caravan routes between Europe
and India, and was, therefore, fought over by many different
civilisations. Most that remains of interest today is from
the Seljuk era including the religious seminaries, the ÇifteMinareli
Medrese with its twin minarets, and the Yakut Medrese.Also
impressive is the Byzantine citadel, from which there are
excellent views over the city. 43 kms from Kars is the ruined
city of Ani . In order to visit it you need to obtain permission
from the tourist office in Kars, Known to the Turks as Ocaklİ,
it was founded by theArmenians in the 4th century BC, and
reached the height of its prosperity under King Gagik I. Its
city walls, Medieval churches and grand cathedral are magnificent.
|
