Let’s Travel in Turkey Prepared by

Ayşe Esra ÇAĞIL, Begüm GÜMÜŞER, Fatma DOĞAN

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EDİRNE

Edirne is in the nortwest of Turkey and in the Marmara Re-

gion. Edirne is in the border line both Bulgaria and Greece.

The population of Edirne is about 400.000. The distance

between Edirne and İstanbul is 227 kilometres.

Selimiye Mosque Süleymaniye

Fatih Bridge

Edirne was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire. So it has

a lot of historical monuments. Some of them are Selimiye

Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Fatih Bridge, Gazimihal Bridge,

Meriç Bridge, Rüstem Pasha Caravansary, Sokullu Hamam and

Beylerbeyi Mosque Graveyard.

Gazimihal Bridge

Rüstem Pasha Caravansary

Meriç Bridge

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Sokullu Hamam Beylerbeyi Mosque Graveyard

If you visit Edirne, you should taste fried liver served

with onions and almond paste. Edirne is famous for its

decorative soaps which are in the shapes of fruits. You

can buy the decorative soaps as a present for your rela-

tives and friends.

Fried Liver Almond Paste Decorative Soaps

Kırkpınar Grease Wrestling Matches and Cultural Activities

are held in the last week of June and the first week of July.

During this festival there are various activities such as folk

dances, fairs, displays, beauty contests and regional cooking

contests.

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ANKARA

Ankara is the capital city of Turkey. It is in the Central Ana-

tolian Region. Ankara is the second most crowded city in Tur-

key. Its population is around a half and four million people.

Turkish Grand National Assembly is in Ankara. Turkısh

Grand National Assembly was establıshed on 23rd April

1920.

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M. Kemal Atatürk is the father and leader of Turks. He

was our leader in the Independence War. He established

Turkısh Republic on 29th October 1923. He made a lot of

revolutions. The Turkish Republic became more modern

thanks to his revolutions. The principles of Atatürk are

Republicanism, Nationalism, Secularism, Revolutionism, Po-

pulism and Statism. We live in the direction of Atatürk’s

principles.

How happy is the one

who says "I am a Turk"

M.Kemal ATATÜRK

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You can visit Ankara Castle. One of the most historical

monuments in Ankara is Ankara Castle. Anatolian Civili-

sation Museum is near Ankara Castle. If you visit Ana-

tolian Civilisations Museum, you can have information

about the history of Anatolian Civilisations. The most

well-known mosque in Ankara is Kocatepe Mosque.

Ankara Castle

The Anatolian Civili-

sations Museum

ANKARA

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You can see most of the

view of Ankara from the

tower ‘Atakule’.

Atakule (Ata Tower)

Hitit Güneş Anıtı

Kocatepe Mosque

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İZMİR

İzmir is in west of Turkey and the Aegean Region. İzmir is

the third most crowded city of Turkey. The population of

İzmir is about 4 million people. İzmir is a modern and sophis-

ticated city. At the same time it is a trade center. İzmir is

called “the Pearl of Aegean “. The history of İzmir goes back

to 8.500 years ago. So İzmir has a very rich historical and

cultural treasure. İzmir has a 629-kilometer coastline. It is

accessible easily by airway, seaway and motorway. The geog-

raphical location, historical and cultural treasure of İzmir

make it a touristic center.

Clock Tower

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İzmir has Efes (Ephesus) ancient city which is in Selçuk

now. The history of Efes goes back to 6.000 years ago.

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is Arte-

mis Temple in Efes. The ruins also include a teather, gym-

nasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celcus.

Additionally, the house of Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) is

there.

Efes Ancient City

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Şirince is a well-known traditional village with its grapes and

wines. It’s in the 9 km east of Selçuk.

İZMİR

Şirince

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If you visit İzmir, you should see Asansör, Kadifekale, Tele-

ferik and Clock Tower. You can buy souvenirs from Kemeraltı

shopping center and then you can have a rest and sip your

coffee in Kızlarağası Hanı.

Asansör

Kemeraltı

Kızlarağası Hanı

Teleferik

Kadifekale

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TRABZON

Trabzon is in the Black Sea Region. It has a rich history. Its

history goes back to 2000 B.C. In the ancient silk route

Trabzon had an important point between Europa and Asia.

Because of that, this city became a unique home to many civi-

lisations throughout history.

The museums, monasteries, mosques, tombs, inns, baths, be-

destans and citadel surrounding the city reflect the rich his-

tory of Trabzon. For example Sumela Monastery has a won-

derful view.

In addition, Trabzon is known as the city of Sultan’s sons.

Trabzon is the city which Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered,

Yavuz Sultan Selim administered and Kanuni Sultan Süleyman

was born in.

Trabzon has a lot of natural beauties such as the Black Sea,

lakes, streams, mountains and high plateaues. For example

Uzungöl has a picturesque view.

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Hazelnut, tea and maize are grown as the main agricultural

products.

There are lots of traditional food in Trabzon such as

mıhlama, hamsi tava, corn bread… etc.

The traditional instrument is kemençe and the traditional

folk dance is horon in the Black Sea Region. When you visit

Trabzon, you should see Sumela Monastery, Uzungöl, the be-

autiful plateaues, go rafting and taste traditional meals.

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ANTALYA

Antalya is in the west of Turkey and in the Mediterranean

Region. The population of Antalya is about two million. Antal-

ya has a rich historical and cultural background. Antalya is a

tourism center with beatiful be-

aches, historical monuments and

its unique nature. The excava-

tions show that the people lived

there 40.000 years ago. Antalya

has hosted many states during

history and was founded by At-

talos II in B.C. 133 The meaning

of Antalya was Attalos’ country.

Antalya has hosted many civilisations such as Helenistic,

Seljuk, Byzantine, Roma and Ottoman.

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When you go to Antalya, you should see Aspendos Amphithe-

atre, Manavgat and Düden waterfalls, Damlataş and Karain

inns, Perge Ancient City and Red Tower.

Antalya has a warm climate, so we can say three seasons are

spring and a season is summer. In summer people go to Toros

Mountains to get cooler. Or the

people who stay in the city swim

in the sea to get cooler. Don’t re-

turn without scuba diving

and paragliding.

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ESKİŞEHİR

Eskişehir is in the Central Anatolia Region. The population

of Eskişehir is about 1.5 million people. The distance

between Eskişehir and Ankara -the capital city- is 233 km

and you can reach Ankara by fast train nearly in an hour.

Eskişehir was founded by Phry-

gians B.C. 1000. Eskişehir is one

of the most important junction

points.

There are two universities

in Eskişehir. So it is known

as ‘city of students’.

Haller Youth Center

Eskişehir is rich about cul-

tural and social avtivities

such as theaters, cinemas

and concerts.

Yazılı Kaya

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Porsuk river goes through city

center and there are lots of

cafes along the river.

Eskişehir is famous for its

historical Odunpazarı Houses.

There are lots of parks and

picnic areas in Eskişehir.

Lületaşı (meerschaum) is almost

completely mined and engraved

in Eskişehir in the world. It is

used to make especially jewel-

lery and pipes.

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It is known that Nas-

reddin Hodja and Yunus

Emre lived in

Eskişehir.

Nasreddin Hodja is fa-

mous for his clever jo-

kes. One of them is

that:

One day Hodja bor-

rowed a cauldren from

his neighbour. A few

days later, he put a

small cauldren in the ca-

uldren and returned

them to his neighbour.

When his neighbour saw the small cauldren, he said ‘’What is

this?’’and Hodja answered ‘’Your cauldren gave birth.’’The

neighbour was very happy and thanked to Hodja. A few we-

eks later Hodja borrowed his neighbour’s cauldren again and

didn’t return it. When his neighbour asked for it, Hodja

answered “Your cauldren died.”The man was surprised and

said “Oh,come on Hodja! Cauldrens don’t die.” Hodja snapped

back “You believed that it gave birth, but why don’t you be-

lieve that it died?”

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Yunus Emre is known as a

poet in Islamic Sufism phi-

losophy and his poems are

full of love of God and hu-

manity.

These are some examples

from his lines:

Knowledge should mean a full grasp of knowledge: Knowledge means to know yourself, heart and soul. If you have failed to understand yourself, Then all of your reading has missed its call.

(Reference: Halman, Talat Sait. 1993. Yunus Emre: Selected Poems Translated by Talat Sait Halman. An-kara: Ministry of Culture)

Come, let's know each other, to make things easier Let's love and be loved, no one is eternal on this world.

(http://lyricstranslate.com/en/sevelim-sevilelim-love-be-loved.html)

Finally, you shouldn’t forget to taste Çibörek and

Met Candy when you visit Eskişehir.

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ÇANAKKALE

Çanakkale is in the northwest of Turkey. Çanakkale is

between Asia and Europe. It has Çanakkale Strait which is

called Dardanelles. Çanakkale Strait connects the Marmara

Sea and the Aegean Sea.

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Historic National Park of Gelibolu Peninsula was established

to honor the 500,000 soldiers who lost their lives on Gelibolu

also known as Gallipoli. İn 1915, Mustafa Kemal, commander

of the Turkish army, led a successful campaign to drive out

allied powers from the area. The park includes memorials,

monuments, cemeteries, the natural beauty of the Arıburnu

Cliffs and Salt Lake.The beauty of green hills,sandy beaches

and blue waters provides an honorable resting place for the

soldiers who bravely fought and died in this historic batt-

le.You cannot help but sense the heart of the Turkish nation

in the patriotic spirit of the place.

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Troia is an ancient city in Çanakkale. Archaeological excava-

tions have revealed nine separate periods of settlement inc-

luding ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a

theatre. Homer immortalized Troia(Troy) in his stories of

King Priam,Hector,Paris and the beautiful Helen. A symbolic

wooden Trojan horse commemorates the legendary war.

Nowadays the miniature forms of Trojan horse are prefer-

red to buy as a souvenir by the visiters.

ÇANAKKALE

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Gökçeada is the lar-

gest island of Turkey

and it takes place in

Çanakkale.

The Temple of Athena is another spectacular ancient pla-

ce in Assos. It was built in the 6th century BC. It has a

wonderful view.

Words fail for Çanakkale. To understand

Çanakkale you should see and live there!

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References:

http://www.kulturturizm.gov.tr

http://www.izmirkulturturizm.gov.tr

http://www.hotelstellakusadasi.com/kusadasivecevresi.aspx

http://www.sefertasitarifleri.com/2007/11/hamsi-

tava.html#.UXlAK9lbsyQ

http://www.trabzonkulturturizm.gov.tr/belge/1-94045/

trabzon-rehber-guide-book.html

http://www.tumhaber.com.tr/HaberOku.php?

haber_id=114116

http://osymtercih.net/antalya

http://www.antalyakultur.gov.tr/belge/1-53843/

eski2yeni.html

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/13412203

http://v3.arkitera.com/UserFiles/Image/File/

spotlight/2009/MeclisBinalari/tbmm02.jpg

http://www.bilx.net/form/turkiye-illeri/canakkale-ili-tarihi-

ve-canakkale-sehri-hakkinda-bilgiler/

http://www.eskisehirkulturturizm.gov.tr/belge/1-58654/

fotograf-galerisi.html

http://www.i-gunler.com/Eskisehir/Sehir-Tarihi/26

http://www.yunusemre.gov.tr/index.php/en/yunus-emre-s-

life/339-yunus-emre-and-the-love-of-humanity

http://www.webhatti.com/yabanci-dil/623799-ingilizce-

nasrettin-hocanin-kazan-fikrasi.html

http://www.evrensel.net/images/images/2012/12-2/yunus%

20emre.jpg

http://www.yunusemre.gov.tr/index.php/en/poems

http://lyricstranslate.com/en/sevelim-sevilelim-love-be-

loved.html