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Ancient Cities in Turkey
Ancient Anatolian (Turkish) Cities, Ancient Cities in Anatolia, Ancient Cities in Turkey
Anatolia-the heartland of Modern Turkey is that region lying to the south of the Black Sea, to the east of the Aegean Sea, north of the eastern Mediterranean Sea and, inland, the Fertile Crescent, and west of the Caucasus-Azerbaijani districts. A very roughly hewn upland region for the most part, it has been both a home and a highway for a bewildering variety of peoples for as long as there have been humans.
This list (Ancient (Turkish) Cities) will give a brief overview of Anatolian chronology from the earliest times to the present. It does not pretend to be complete in any sense; Anatolia is a very large area, and though there have been times, like the present, when it has been completely unified, there have also been many times when fragmented local nations were the rule. In such instances, I have either listed the most significant among local conditions, or simply indicated a general period of local conditions. Even during times of union with large Empires, very often outlying districts were partially or completely autonomous; read Xenophon’s Persian Expedition for an insight into conditions obtaining in the Anatolian highlands of the Persian Empire, during the winter of 401/400 BCE.
Alacahoyuk
Alacahoyuk; Situated in Alaca town in the city of Çorum, Alacahöyük predominantly shows the Hittite influence during the Bronze Age, although ruins belonging to four different cultural phases can also be seen.
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias; With a history dating back to 5000 BC, the ancient city of Aphrodisias was established during the Greek and Roman times and is one of the most valuable settlements that have survived to the present day.
Asclepeion
Asclepeion Ancient City in Pergamon; An ancient medical center, the Asclepeion in Izmir province, is built nearby the springs that are believed to be curative.
Assos
Assos; Its history dating back to the 6th century BC, Assos is built on a dormant volcano of andesite rock, in the modern city of Canakkale.
Cappadocia – Historical Places
Cappadocia-Historical Places
Cappadocia-Historical Places; Cappadocia history and historical places of Cappadocia. Get facts, photos, and travel tips for Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, a World Heritage site in Turkey.
Çatalhöyük
Çatalhöyük; Founded 9 thousand years ago in the Cumra town of Konya, Çatalhöyük is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Ruins at Ephesus, Turkey
Ephesus
Situated in the town of Selcuk in Izmir province, Ephesus is one of the twelve cities of Ionia.
Halicarnassus
Halicarnassus; Named Halicarnassus in the ancient times and one of the most beautiful districts of Muğla province
Harput
Harput; Located within the province of Elazığ today, Harput has a history dating back to 2000 BC.
Kalamaki
Kalamaki; Kalamaki is situated in the town of Kas in Antalya province, also known as Kalkan, is impressive for its closeness to the ancient cities in the region and for its natural beauty.
Knidos
Knidos; Among the major settlements of the ancient times, Knidos is located at the edge of the Datça Peninsula which is a district of Muğla famous for its natural wonders.
Laodikea
Laodikea; The ancient city of Laodicea, in Denizli province, used to be one of the most well-known and important Anatolian city in the 1st century BC.
Letoon
Letoon; On the Fethiye-Kas highway, Letoon is originally founded in the name of Leto, mother to the Olympian divinities Apollo and Artemis.
Lotape
Lotape; Located in Antalya province among the Mediterranean cities with the warmest climate, the ancient city of Iotape was named after the wife of king Antiochus of Commagene.
Miletus
Miletus; Situated near to Soke, a town in Aydin province, Miletus earned its independence in the year 38 BC with the help of Roman emperors.
Myra Necropolis – Demre, Turkey
Myra
Myra; An ancient Lycian city, Myra is situated in the fertile lands of the town of Kale in Antalya.
Denizli Hierapolis Pamukkale
Pamukkale (Hierapolis)
Pamukkale (Hierapolis); Located close by the natural wonder of Pamukkale, the ancient city of Hierapolis was founded in 190 BC.
Patara
Patara; Located between Fethiye and Kalkan, the ancient city of Patara is known as the birth place of the Greek sun god Apollo.
Pergamon
Pergamon; is founded in the county of Bergama (Izmir), where the Aegean and Anatolia regions come together. P
Perge is very distinctive for its comprehensive visual perception compared to other archaeological cities amongst its contemporaries in the wider area.
Perge
Perge; Situated in the town of Aksu in Antalya province, Perge was founded during the Bronze Age.
Phaselis
Phaselis; Nestled amidst the lush green nature in Antalya province, the ancient city of Phaselis was founded in the 7th century BC. .
Priene
Priene; An ancient Ionian city, Priene is located within the borders of Aydin province.
Ruins of Ani
Ruins of Ani; The ancient citadel of Ruins of Ani is situated on the barren plains above the Arpaçay Valley which separates Turkey and Armenia.
The archaeological site of Sagalassos is located in SW-Turkey, near the present town of Aglasun (Location: Burdur)
Sagalassos
Sagalassos; Close to Aglasun, a town of Burdur province characterized by its natural beauties, Sagalassos is known to be the first of the Pisidian cities.
Sardis
Sardis; The capital of the kingdom of Lydia, Sardis is situated in the Salihli town of Manisa province.
Smyrna
Smyrna; is the ancient name of Izmir which is not only one of the earliest settlements but also one of the most beautiful cities of the Aegean Region.
Stratonikeia
Stratonikeia; The ancient city of Stratonikeia, situated near the town of Yatağan in Aydin province, was a member state of the Khrysaor Union and founded in the 3rd century BC.
Telmessos
Telmessos; Located close by Fethiye, Telmessos takes its name from the sun god Apollo’s son. P
Telmissos
Telmissos; Telmissos is on the Bodrum-Turgutreis road, three kilometres past Ortakent.
Termessos
Termessos; Built on a natural platform on top of the Mount Güllük (Solymos), Termessos is one of the best preserved ancient cities in Anatolia.
Ani, city of 1001 churches
The antique city of Ani
The antique city of Ani; in Kars province is another highly recommended ancient site worth the time to visit.
One of the richest cities of the ancient times and among the worldwide popular tourist attractions, Troy is located in the heart of nature in Çanakkale province. The ancient city of Troy was founded 5000 years ago and is now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Troy
Troy; One of the richest cities of the ancient times and among the worldwide popular tourist attractions, Troy is located in the heart of nature in Çanakkale province.
Xanthos
Xanthos; Located around Fethiye, the ancient city of Xanthos once functioned as a capital of the Lycian League.
Zeugma After the Flood
Zeugma City
Zeugma City; Founded approximately in 300 BC by the generals under Alexander the Great, Zeugma is situated in the Nizip town of Gaziantep.
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- Denizli Hierapolis Pamukkale
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- Zeugma After the Flood
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- One of the richest cities of the ancient times and among the worldwide popular tourist attractions, Troy is located in the heart of nature in Çanakkale province. The ancient city of Troy was founded 5000 years ago and is now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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- Ani, city of 1001 churches
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- The archaeological site of Sagalassos is located in SW-Turkey, near the present town of Aglasun (Location: Burdur)
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- Perge is very distinctive for its comprehensive visual perception compared to other archaeological cities amongst its contemporaries in the wider area.
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- Myra Necropolis – Demre, Turkey
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- Ruins at Ephesus, Turkey
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- Cappadocia – Historical Places
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- Air View of Alacahoyuk ( Havadan Alacahöyük )
ANCIENT CITIES
Discover Turkey, home of ancient cities
ANCIENT CITIES IN TURKEY
If you are interested in the history of the place where you spend your holiday in Turkey, we suggest you visit the ancient cities which are the open air museums of Turkey.
ANCIENT CITIES
Throughout its long history spanning over 10,000 years Anatolia, the land that is now Turkey has been the birthplace of many great civilisations and empires all of which have left their mark in unique ways.
Lose yourself in the ancient cities and sites of Turkey, which includes once in a lifetime chance to visit the cities of Ephesus, Aspendos, Perge, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Gobeklitepe, Hattusas, Catalhoyuk, Assos, Troy, Ani, Demre (Myra) and Side as well as the Aizanoi Ancient City.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
There are lots of ancient cities and ancient ruins in Turkey, for the archeology lovers and fans. You can see the heritage from neolithic period when people start farming to classical and middle ages’ magnificent cities.
From the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk to well preserved ancient Greek and Roman ruins, to Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques, the layers of history in Turkey has myriad architectural, archaeological and religious legacy.
FEATURED ANCIENT CITIES
Aizanoi, Alacahoyuk, Anavarza, Ani, Assos, Astra, Arsameia Ruins, Aspendos, Antiphellos, Aphrodisias, Blaundos, Cappadocia, Chimera, Catalhoyuk, Daglik, Demre (Myra), Ephesus, Erythrai, Etenna, Gobeklitepe, Hattusas, Hierapolis.
Karahoyuk, Kilistra, Kekova, Kaunos, Kolophon and Notion, Lagina Hekate, Lagina, Laodicea, Limyra, Miletos, Musgebi, Olba, Olympos.
Patara, Pergamon, Pedesa, Perge, Phaselis, Phokaia, Sagalassos, Sardis, Selge, Selinus, Seleukeia, Side, Stratonikeia,, Telmessos, Termessos, Telmissos, Tlos, Tripolis, Troy, Xanthos – Letoon, Zeugma
Latest Update: Jul 29, 2024
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