Royal Citadel in Hattusa

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 11/25/2016 - 09:56

The Royal Citadel (tr. Kral Saray), also known as the Great Castle (tr. Büyükkale), was, as its name suggests, the seat of the Hittite kings. Because of its location, at the highest point of the Old Town, it offers stunning views of the whole area of Hattusa but also the valley in the north where the modern Turkish village of Boğazkale is situated.

Museum in Ürgüp

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 11/24/2016 - 10:12

The museum in Ürgüp is one of the biggest disappointments that we experienced in Cappadocia. This tiny museum is neglected and underfunded. The prevailing atmosphere of perpetual boredom discourages the visitors from taking a closer look at the exhibits. We realize that most tourists do not come to Cappadocia because of the sudden desire to visit museums but to admire beautiful landscapes of the region. However, with such a significant tourist traffic, the lamentable state of this institution seems strange, just like in the case of Kayseri Museum. Why do local authorities not take advantage of the opportunity to attract the attention of visitors coming to Cappadocia and to interest them in the rich history of the region?

The relief of the archangel Gabriel. It once decorated a church in Mustafapaşa.

Tyana (Kemerhisar)

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 11/20/2016 - 15:03

The sleepy town of Kemerhisar, formerly known as Tyana, is located in the southern part of famous Cappadocia. Despite its favorable location, the town is rarely visited by tourists. Therefore, not many travelers have had the opportunity to admire the beautifully preserved Roman aqueduct, learn about the Hittite past of the settlement, or take a closer look at the biography of Apollonius of Tyana. We highly encourage you to make a stop at Kemerhisar, if only for one hour, especially if you are traveling to Cappadocia from the Mediterranean coast, through the famous Cilician Gates in the Taurus Mountains.

The Roman aqueduct in Tyana (Kemerhisar)

District of Temples in Hattusa

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 11/14/2016 - 09:29

The highest point in Hattusa - that is the artificial embankment of Yerkapı - is an excellent vantage point of the Upper Town of Hattusa (tr. Yukarı Şehir). On the left side, you can see the fortifications of the city, ascending from the Lion Gate to Yerkapı, and stretching further to the east, to the King's Gate. Yerkapı embankment stands in the middle of the arc demarcated by the city walls.

Şarapsa Han Caravanserai

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 11/10/2016 - 19:00

In Turkey, one can find many historic inns for travelers, traditionally known as hans (caravanserais), built in Seljuk and Ottoman times. Some of them slowly fall into ruin and oblivion, while others are carefully restored and converted into ethnographic expositions, and others - still serve the travelers, although in a way that probably would surprise medieval merchants. One of the caravanserais belonging to the latter category is Şarapsa Han (also known as Sarafsa Han), probably the most visited caravanserai in Turkey.