Historical Turkey

Here's a few more photos of the trek through Turkey, most being from the north west area of the country. One of the highlights was the ancient city of Ephesus, which was built by Greek colonists in the 10th century B.C. and really flourished when the Romans took it over around 129 B.C..It was famed for the Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World. It always fascinates me to know I am walking on the same marble roads and touching the same columns that Roman Emperors and Generals, or other historical figures also did over 2000 years ago. 

Of course, some things never change, like appearances, and it was pretty funny to find out that there was a tunnel that ran from the library to the brothel across the street. We had also visited Hierapolis, another Roman influenced city. The road into Hierapolis is lined on either side with tombs of the Romans who lived and died there, having come to the city to heal themselves in the mineral waters of Pamukkale. Obviously, as lot didn't make it and it was pretty eerie to be walking past all these stone caskets, with inscriptions etched into the sides.

Not that i didn't love swimming in the very salty Mediterranean and sipping the locally made Efes beer but the historical significance of Turkey was a real experience as well.

We visited the ancient city of Ephesus, built by the Greeks but flourishing when the Romans took it over in 129 B.C.

There were cats everywhere we went in Turkey and this guy obviously has no regard for the countless Roman emperors and Generals who marched past this column with their armies

The amphitheatre likely saw gladiators in action

The Austrian Archaelogical Institute is heavily involved in the restoration of the city of Ephesus

We went to a sulpher spring and mud bath for 'spa day'

Another Tturkish tradition is backgammon, which we enjoyed with the local drink "Raki" at an streetside cafe

The Turkish flag for sale in an Istanbul street market

If the smell of the spice market doesn't lure you in, the amazing colours will certainly do the trick

The Basilica Cistern was built in the 6th century and can hold 80,000 cubic metres of water

Yes, that is how close the street car comes to the sidewalk, and no barriers either!

Modern city with traditional dress code in some neighbourhoods