About Turkey
There are a lot off reason for visiting in Turkey ;
Check your Midnight Express stereotypes at the door - this is a rapidly
modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East. It's not
all oriental splendour, mystery, intrigue and whirling dervishes but it is a
spicy maelstrom of history knocking up against a pacy present.
Turkey has so much to offer her visitors; breathtaking natural beauties,
unique historical and archaeological sites, steadily improving hotel and tourist
infrastructure, a tradition of hospitality and competitive prices. It is not
surprising therefore that this country has recently become one of the world's
most popular tourism destinations. Due to Turkey's diverse geography, one can
experience four different climates in any one day.
The rectangular shaped country is washed on three sides by three different
seas. Its shores are laced with beaches, bays, coves, ports, islands and
peninsulas. The summers are long, lasting as long as eight months in some areas.
Turkey is also blessed with majestic mountains and valleys, lakes, rivers,
waterfalls and grottoes perfect action and sportive activities seekers. Skiing
fans, mountain climbers, trekkers, hickers all enjoy new and unforgettable
experiences in Turkey.
But Turkey is, above anything else, a huge open-air museum, a repository
of all civilizations nurtured by the soils of Anatolia. The huge amount of
historical and archaeological wealth in Turkey seems more appropriate for an
entire continent than a single country. For centuries, Turkey has been a
crossroads of religions, not only of Islam and Christianity, but of many others
now forgotten by history. Many religions devotees can find a site, a shrine, a
monument, a tomb or a ruin connected with their faith or belief.
Turkey is a country that's neither Asian nor European. It may be a cliché,
but Turkey connects the East and the West both literally and figuratively...
What words can describe Turkey. You would search in vain for a country where the
history and culture is as impressive as Turkey. The civilizations of the world
have left their own distinct marks on these lands. Turkey is full of intact
remains from the Hittites, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. They have all had
their capitals on this soil. Turkey is simply beautiful. When you start an
expedition to the countryside, or just leave cities for a couple of hours, you
will notice a handsome difference in scenery. Turkey has 7 geographical regions
and every region has its own beauty. While Black Sea dazzles your eyes with
thousands of different green tones, you find yourself in a Steinbeck novel on
the Eastern Turkey.
Turkey's land mass is 814,578 sq km. The European and Asian sides are
divided by the Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus), the Sea of Marmara, and the
Canakkale Bogazi (Dardanelles). Anatolia is a high plateau region rising
progressively towards the east, broken up by the valleys of about 15 rivers,
including the Dicle (Tigris) and the Firat (Euphrates). There are numerous lakes
and some, such as Like Van, are as large as inland seas. In the north, the
eastern Black Sea Mountain chain runs parallel to the Black Sea; in the south,
the Taurus Mountains sweep clown almost to the narrow, fertile coastal plain
along the coast. Turkey enjoys a variety of climates, ranging from the temperate
climate of the Black Sea region, to the continental climate of the interior,
then, to the Mediterranean climate of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal
regions. The coastline of Turkey's four seas is more than 8,333 km long.
Eat, drink and be merry! This epicurean motto never fit a country more
perfectly than Turkey that has one of the three biggest cuisines in the world.
The large variety of different dishes and delicacies for gourmet palates will
surprise every guest paying a visit to Turkey. Turkish people are very friendly
and hospitable. This is one of the virtues we are really proud of. When you
visit Turkey you will get this warm feeling in every step you make.
Today Turkey is abuzz with life, energy and enterprise. It is a modern,
secular country with a booming economy. It embraces the future as a bridge
between the east and West. Its cities teem with vibrant cosmopolitan life.
Wherever you travel in Turkey, the country and its people will amaze and impress
the surge of its market forces and the modernization of the infrastructure of
the whole country is impressive. Turkish hospitality and genuine warmth is a
tradition. Turks have a certain "Joie de vivre" for life and enjoy nothing more
than sharing their optimism and enthusiasm with travellers over a hot sweep cup
of tea served in the traditional tulip shaped glass.
Turkey is a country located at a very strategic point where the three
continents of the old world (Asia, Africa, and Europe) are closest to each other
and where Asia and Europe meet. Because of geographical location, Turkey has
always been important throughout history and is the birth place of many great
civilizations.
A spectacular country surrounded by sea on three sides, with more than 300
natural and 130 artificial lakes, and almost %35 of its lands covered by forests
and mountains, several rivers cutting the beaches to reach the seas makes the
country even more attractive
Turkey has been called "the cradle of civilization" and by travelling
through this historic land, tourists will discover exactly what is meant by this
phrase. The first city ever settled in the world with comparatively modern
organizational systems such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and trading, was a
Neolithic city Catalhoyuk, in central Turkey, dating back to 6,500 BC. From the
days of Catalhöyük up to the present, Turkey boasts a rich culture that through
the centuries has made a lasting impression on modern civilization. The legacy
of all those admirable cultures make Turkey a paradise of information and
cultural wealth. Hattis, Hittites, Carians, Lelegians Phrygians, Urartians,
Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks,
and Ottomans have all made important contributions to Anatolian history, and
ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof of each
civilization's unique distinction. When you travel by car, within half an hour
you can meet to an ancient city, remaining from those civilizations. Even in the
ancient times, this fascinating country was respected by those ancient people,
therefore it has been called as ANATOLIA, which means in ancient Greek,
''The lands, where the sun rises from '' as many vital initial ideas came
into existence from her fertile lap. No doubt, people always have been proud of
breathing on this amazing peninsula, combining different cultures, customs and
traditions, and she, once again started to offer her hospitality to new cultures
& people, by introducing a new law permitting foreigners to buy houses, who
deserve to meet her affectionate and fertile lands.
Turkey also has a very fascinating recent history. Upon the decline of the
Ottoman Empire, a young man named Mustafa Kemal, who was a soldier by occupation
but in character, a great visionary, took the defeat of World War I and turned
it into a shining victory by liberating Turkey from all foreign invaders.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. He led
his country into peace and stability, with tremendous economic growth and
complete, modernization. Through
decades of change and growth, Turkey still boasts this success, living by
its adopted motto of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World."
The money used in Turkish Republic is the Lira. As of January 2005, the
Turkish government has taken the decision to drop 6 zeros from the Lira, the new
lira is called ‘Yeni Lira- YTL'. The coins is called the ‘kurus'. Euros, British
Pounds and US Dollars are very strong currencies towards Turkish Lira, offering
foreign citizens a luxurious living at a low cost. Please see our FAQ's for
further information on cost of living. Euros and US dollars are very commonly
used currencies while shopping, you may also exchange at the banks or at the
exchange offices. In addition to Turkish Private banks, there are many
international banks such as HSBC, Citibank, ABN Amro in major cities, with
sub-branches or correspondent banks in the districts.
The Turkish language belongs to the Ural-Altaic ,group and has an affinity
with the Finno-Hungarian languages. Turkish is written with the Latin alphabet
and is spoken by some 300 million people around the world. Many people from the
young generation especially in the touristic areas speak foreign languages
mainly English, German and Russian.
In recent years, Turkey has become a major tourist destination in Europe.
With the rapid development of both summer and winter resorts, more and more
people from around the world are able to enjoy the history, culture, and
beautiful sites of Turkey. From swimming in the Mediterranean, trekking in
mysterious Cappadocia to skiing in Uludag Turkey has something to offer every
tourist. Oludeniz and Fethiye are wonderfull places of Turkey.
Turkey is a country located at a point where the 3 continents of the old
world (Asia, Africa and Europe) are closest to each other and where Asia and
Europe meet. Because of its geographical location, Anatolia has always been
important throughout history and is the birthplace of many great civilizations.
Surrounded by seas on three sides, it is covered by mountains, forests,
steppes and all sorts of land varitations.Thegenuine friendliness and
traditional hospitality of the Turkish people towards visitors is justly
renowned world wide.
Our country includes the famous holiday cities,beautiful resorts, museums,
comfortable hotels and motels, sincere people, magnificent landscapes and etc..
There are many fantastic regions in Turkey
The Hittits, Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans as well
as a great number of other civilisations rose and fell here through thousands of
years, leaving behind a multitude of historical and archeological sites. It is
in fact called the cradle of civilisations, harbouring in its bosom an
incredible blend of cultures, history, archaeological sites.
To seethis geografhicalsituation and for living this athmoshpere you must
be visit in Turkey.
When you come in Turkey you will enjoy..
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In Turkey, as a country teeming with heritages of Mouslim,Christian and
Jewish religions,much more than any other place in the world,we have started to
organize tours of faith as atravelling agency specialized extensively in this
particular field of tourism when the second millenium is two years ahead of us.
Each year thousands of people discover that Turkey is the home of legends
and history taught in classrooms the world over.Visit the legendary Troy of
Homer's ' Iliad', exotic Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman
Empire.Travel to the reputed landing place of Noah's Ark or Garden of Eden.Or
the place where Mark Antony and Cleopatra met and married, Saint Clause lived,
Home of Virgin Mary, Seven Churches mentioned in the testament are located.
Travel along the Old Silk Road of Marco Polo,Sail the in comparable
turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and sample food fit for a sultan.And do it
all in style and comfort. Modern,sophisticated resorts and casinos are
plentiful.
These things are here to be shared in a way that only the Turkish people
can.The people of Turkey are as varied as their landscape,from black hair to
red.from brown eyes to blue;all combine to make Turkey unique.The one thing that
is uniform throughoutthis fascinating country is the hospitality of its people.
We hereby assure you that as devouted visitors of any of the aforesaid
religions,you will be guided to so many sites of faith abounding within the
borders of Turkey at a scale unparalled in any other parts of the world.During
such cultivating and exiting tours,you will enjoy the opportunity of visiting
following sites,each of which manifests unique features of heritages of
different faiths;
Ankara - Modern capital of Turkish Republic as declared by Ataturk in
1923.Dates back to the Hittites,4000-3000 B.C.
Antalya - A seaport founded by Attalus,King of Pergamum,in 160 B.C.Now a
lovely resort city,South Aegean Coast.
Aphrodisias - Named for the Goddness of Love, Aphrodite,in the 6TH century
B.C.Also the site of one of the three sculpture schools in the ancient
world.South Aegean Coast.
Aspendos - Roman city of the second century B.C.Site of the best-preserved
theater in Asia Minor.
Cappodocia - An area of bizarre volcanic land formations.Although never
formally a nation,was regocnized as a kingdom in 600 B.C. Became a Roman
province in 17 A.D.Also recognized as a refuge for the early Christians.
Demre - Ancient Myra.Site of St.Nicholas Church.St.Nicholas lived here and
was ordained Bishop in the 4th century A.D.South Coast.
Ephesus - By the 11th century B.C.Ephesuswas already a thriving
seaport.Second-largest city of the ancient world,with a population of
approximately 300.000.
Hiearapolis - Site of an early therapeutic center with Roman baths.Reached
the height of its prosperity in the second / third centuries B.C.
Istanbul -The only city to bridge two continents,Europe and Asia.Istanbul
, or Constantinople, as it was called in the past,is approximately 2600 years
old Muslim capital.
Izmir - Ancient Smyrna, a vital trading port dating back approximately to
the tenth century B.C. Homer was born here.Alexander the Great a citadel here.
Konya - Home of the whirling Dervishes, a mystical sect founded by the
poet Calaleddin Rumi,Mevlana.This area has a history dating to the times of the
Hittites.
Kusadasi - Resort town close to ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow
pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the "Cotton Castle."
Pamukkale - Discovered by the ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow
pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the ' Cotton Castle'.
Perge - Pre-Hellenic city dating to 333 B.C.Site of St.Paul's first
sermon.
Phaselis - Founded in the 7th century B.C. by settlers from the Island of
Rhodes.Trading port and ancient pirate haunt situated on three natural harbors.
Trabzon - Founded in the eighth century B.C.Later became the furthest
outpost of the Greek Empire.Major trading city in the Byzatine era.It is on
black Sea Coast...
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WHY TURKEY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE CHRISTIANS ?
During the early days of christianity,this new religion found the
territory of Anatolia,where a significant portion of it was materialized,to be
very suitable medium facilitating its expansion and therefore it settled in
there. Some of noteworthy events of this particular period of time are as
described below:
Istanbul : In Istanbul which is one of 4 largest patriarchal center of the
Orthodox, the 5th meeting Consuls was held. Istanbul has become quite important
because of the Church High Sophia situated there as one of the most well known
church which has managed to remain intact until the present time.Furthermore,
the Patriarchate of Fener situated presently in Istanbul is of great interest
from the angle of the World of Orthodox.
Içel -Tarsus : The place of birth of St. Paul who was one of the 12
Apostles of Christ and who exerted great efforts in order to spread out
christianity and to make it an internationally recognized religion is Tarsus.
The Church of St.Paul and the Water Well of St. Paul are located in Tarsus.
Besides,in Içel there are many works of arts such as the church of Mary (High
Techia),the church of Olba Temple and the churches of Holy Mother and Alahan
Monestry.
Seven Churches : The Seven Churches where the christians,during those
period of time when The Chistianity was banned, gatherd together in order to
perform religious services and which were mentioned in the Juanna's Revelations
(Apocolyps ) are all situated in Anatolia (The churhes Ephesus, Symirna
,Bergamus ,Thyatira ,Saint Philedelphia,Laodecea)
Bursa-Iznik : Out of the meeting of the Consuls which were held 19 times
,8 of them took place in Turkey. In particular,the 1st and the 7th meeting which
led to the adoption of the traditon for the Consuls Meetings were held in the
High Sophia Church and the Palace of Consuls located at Iznik
FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIANTITY
Antakya : In the first century of the Chistianity, Antakya occupies a
special position. According to the traditional belief, " The Bible of Malta "
was written here. Those who believed in Jesus Christ was first named as the
christians in Antakya.
(The Deeds of the Apostles 11-22-26) Saint Paulus, setting out from
Antakya , made three trips in order to proclaim the Bible to the idolaters.All
those facts that Saint Juanna , nicknamed as "The Golden Mouthed "was originally
from Antakya ,the school of the Holy Book was located here and the churh of St.
Pierre,one of the first churches of the world being situated here contribute to
the fame of Antakya from religious aspects.
Saint Pierre Church : This is one the oldest churches in the world. Those
who believed in Jesus Christ were named as " The Christians" in this church .
This place was proclaimed as a site for pilgrimage in 1963 by the Pope 6th Paul
. Every year on 29th day of June , ritual ceremonies are organised by the
Catholic Church to be performed here. Furthermore,works of arts such as the
stilist Monastry of St.Simon and the ruins of Seleucia Port from where Saint
Pavlus has set sails in order to proclaim the Bible....
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VIRGINMARY
Izmir- Ephesus House of Virgin Mary : Located at 9 kilometers away from
Selcuk town on the top of Bullbul Mountain with a height of 420 meters, the holy
place called " Panaia Capulu" by the Christians is thought to have been built in
IV. Century A.D.
Following crucifixation of Jesus Christ, his close friend and apostle St.
Jean brought the Holy Mother to Ephesus by arranging her flight from Jerusalem
and concealed her in a hut that he constructed in a corner at the outskirts of
Bulbul Mountain under the cover thick woods. It is known that the Holy Mother
lived until she was 101 years of age and died at this place on Bulbul Mountain.
After the christianity has spred out, a church in the shape of cross was built
at this location by the Christians.
In the house of Holy Mother which was proclaimed as a sacred site in 1967
by the popedom, on first Sunday following 15th day of August every year a
special ritual ceremony is performed and the visitors then become pilgrims.
Besides, situated in the vicinity of Izmir, are ancient works of arts such
as the Basilica of St.Jean (The tomb of St. Jean who was one of the Apostles of
Jesus Christ ) , the Seven Sleepers, three of the Seven Churches (Church of
Symirna, Church of Ephesus ).
FEATURES OF CAPODOCIA
Capodocia :Capodocia as an interesting valley which combines the natural
beauty with the abundance of historical background and an influential region is
one of the most interesting locations of Turkey as one of the sites where
St.Paul stopped during his 30 years trip of missionary and selected as a site to
set up the first church, being the most attractive stop in Turkey with the
biggest number of churches and murals decorating these churches.The number of
churches carved into stones as situated at Nevsehir, particularly around Goreme
valley, at Zelve Chavushin, Ortahisar, Acikhisar, Mustafapasha, Yesiloz and
Aciksaray is over 200.
Isparta : The church of St. Paul situated in the ancient city of
Antiochelia in Yalvac is one of the first churches of the Christianity. Saint
Paul, after he was awarded with the right of citizenship of Rome, he was
baptized by Soul and Hanania. St Paul came to visit this city accompanied by St.
Barnabas in the year 46 A.D. and gave his first formal sermon in the sinagogue
located in here. Later on, over this sinagogue was built the church of Saint
Paul.
SANTACLAUS
St. Nicholas who is known as Santa Claus in the world of the christianity
lived at Demre and died here. Every year international festivals of Santa Clause
are held at Demre and at Kas on 6th and 7th days of December . Additionally,
there exist many more interesting religous sites for the Christians such as the
Monastry of Der - Ul-Zaferan at Malatya, Surmeli monastry at Trabzon, Akdamar
Island and Chapanak Churches at Van , Deyne and Derbe and Binbir Churches at
Karaman , Ani ruins and Mount Ararat at Kars.
Anatolia with Interesting Sites for the Jews
When Ottoman sultan Orhan Gazi conquered Bursa in year 1324, permission
was granted to the community of Jews to build the sinagogue of Et- Ahaim (The
three of life). The Jews who were expelled from France by Charles VI in 1324
took asylum in Edirne.
In 1492, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isebellan of Castilia banished
the Jews out of Spain. The Jews who were expelled from Spain because of their
faiths and traditons and thus were turned out to be people belonging to no
country , were embraced by Bayazid , the sultan of Ottoman Empire, being
accepted for settlement in Anatolia.
In the meantime, the jews have since been maintaining their way of
worshiping until present times in their own sinagoguers situated in Istanbul,
Izmir, Ankara and Bursa...
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" GREAT LOVES START ON JOURNEYS "
The God called Abraham and asked him to leave his father's house,his
relatives,his country and start his journey Why ? Couldn't God called on him
before he departed his country. The answer to this question is in the 11th verse
written in the Letter to the Hebrews.
'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he
was to receive as an inheritance:he went out,not knowing where he was to go.By
faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country...They did not
receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and
acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,for those who speak
thus show that they are seeking a homeland.If they had been thinking of the land
from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.But now they
desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.Therefore, God is not ashamed to be
called their God,for he has prepared a city for them.'
So, Abraham left the place he used to live,he was now looking for a new
homeland.But as described in the Bible this homeland was a heavenly one ruled by
God.However,in order to reach this mentioned land they were asked to leave
behind everthing they owned and Abraham listening to the voice of God, for love
of God and faith, Abraham left behind everthing without hesitation.In
fact,doesn't Jesus Christ wants you to fallow him leaving everthing behind that
carrying only the cross. Because it is written,where ever your treasure is,your
heart will be there.Why did God invited Abraham to this journey and Why Abraham
left everthing behind and took up the road ? Because great loves start on
journeys!
'It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with
Abraham,saying'
To your descendants I give this land,from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great
River, Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the
Hitites, the Perrizites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the
Gigashites, and Jebusites' Genesis,15/18-21 It is here the New Testament
mentions about the land of Hitites for the first time Holly Book at least said a
few things about the Hitites while the Greeks and Roman world stood complete
strange.In fact,excavations in Anatolia. So,in the verses of Genesis we meet the
shadow of God's spirit on this land.This spirit will later surrender this land
and would freely travel from one end to another and glorify this country.After
all,the God had promised this land to its own people. During the expansion
period of the Bible and even before that we have information about the colonies
of the Jewish societies in Anatolia,St.Paul is one of them.
When the holly spirit has coasted its spell on the Apostles it guided them
towards Anatolia, the spirit of Jesus Christ showed them the way which was like
a wind whose voice was heard from everywhere which did not know where it come
from and where it headed to.But this wind has blown on his land.People
travelling on this land say that they still hear the sound.The Apocalypse and
certain letters were written directly to communities in Anatolia.In other
letters and in the acts of Apostles Anatolia is again frequently mentioned.And
the followers of Jesus Christ were named as ' Christians' for the first time in
Anatolia. (The Acts of the Apostles )
A lot has changed in Anatolia since the day of Apostles,but the spirit
here has never changed.Today the warm and sensitive Muslim people the Anatolia
still breath the air that the Apostles have left on his land.The same mystical
winds blows on the mountains and plains of Anatolia,it is true that the sipirit
here has not changed.Because Jesus Christ is very much the same in yesterday,
today, tomorrow and the infinitive.
God called Abraham then,hundreds year later Apostles are called and today
Gods call you; ' I,Jesus,sent my angel to give you this testimony for the
churches.I am the root and offspring of David,the bright morning star. The
Spirit and the bride say,'Come.'Let the hearer say,'Come'. Let the one who
thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving
water. Revelation, 22/16-17.
Today,those living in Anatolia like the very first believers call on you
to join and embraces in the Christian Love,they are your Christian Brethren in
Anatolia that has listened to the echoing call on this land since the last 2000
years.You can share the joy and happiness with these brethren that still bare
the excitement that
resembles to the one that was witnessed in the period when the God's
massage was first heard.Because we drank from the same sipirit.Do not forget
that this is
not a commercial ar touristic but is a spiritual organization.Moreover,the
revenues to be gained from this journey will be used for the realization of the
similar spiritual services.
Abraham,and Apostles 100 years later..what was the reason that blow them
from one corner to another and today,the believers.Perhaps a song gives us the
reply that is frequently sang in Anatolia today'They do not have addresses,they
do not have any sanctuaries except love,yet they still live in four corners of
the world.During this journey you will fallow the footsteps of Apostles and you
will
be able to listen the message with a new understanding in places where the
Bible was first announced.You will have around you brothers and sisters that
enjoy the same spirit. the same in yesterday,today,tomorrow and the
infinitive...
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