The History of the Turkish Coast: From Ancient Civilizations to the Present

The History of the Turkish Coast: From Ancient Civilizations to the Present
Turkey has a rich history of thousands of years and has been home to many different civilizations from east to west. In order to understand the history of this country, it is especially important to look at the coastal regions of Turkey, which are the scene of many historical events. Here is a brief overview of the history of the Turkish coast...
 

Aegean Coasts and Ancient Civilizations

The Aegean coast of Turkey has been home to many different civilizations throughout history, which has ensured that the region has a unique cultural and historical heritage. Here are some of the important ancient civilizations on the Aegean coast:
 

Ephesus: Ephesus was an important center during the Ancient Greek and Roman periods and today it is considered one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. The city is home to many important historical buildings such as the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater and ancient houses. Ephesus has also been an important center for Christianity, because it is believed that the Virgin Mary spent her last years here.
 

Didyma and Miletus: Didyma is famous for the Temple of Apollo and was one of the most important centers of prophecy in the ancient world. Nearby Miletus, on the other hand, has been an important port city since prehistoric times. Miletus is also known as the birthplace of Thales, who is considered the father of Western philosophy.
 

Troy: The ancient city of Troy, mentioned in Homer's Iliad epic and the host of the Trojan War, is located in Çanakkale. The city has a history dating back to 3000 BC and has been home to many different civilizations. The ruins of Troy are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
 

Knidos: Located at the tip of the Datca peninsula, Knidos is famous for the statue of Aphrodite by Praxiteles, one of the most famous sculptors of the ancient world. It is also the birthplace of Eudoxus, who made important contributions to astronomy and mathematical science.
 

Pergamon: Pergamon, located in Pergamon, was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. The city is famous for its important buildings such as a large library, theater, temples and a hospital. It is also believed that the world's first psychiatric hospital was established here.
As a result, the Aegean coast of Turkey offers a rich field of exploration for history and culture enthusiasts. While exploring these unique ruins of the ancient world, you can experience the dusty pages of history all over again!

The Shores of the Marmara and the Byzantine Empire
The shores of the Marmara Sea occupy an important place in the history of Turkey, gaining importance especially during the Byzantine Empire. Here are some of the important historical points on the coast of Marmara:
 

Istanbul: Once the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Istanbul is one of the richest cities in the world in historical and cultural terms. Istanbul has been the center of many civilizations for thousands of years due to its strategic location between the East and the West and its natural beauty. Dec. Places such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern in the city are among the important historical buildings remaining from the Byzantine Decadence.
 

Edirne: Edirne, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire before Istanbul, was also an important center during the Byzantine period. The city is famous for the architecturally magnificent Selimiye Mosque and the historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling.
 

Iznik: Iznik, which was an important center in the ancient period, maintained its importance in the Byzantine period as well. Nicaea is known for the Council of Nicaea, which was held in 325 and determined the important dogmas of Christianity. In addition, the city is also known for the famous Iznik tiles produced during the Ottoman period.
 

Bursa: Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, was an important center known as Prusa during the Byzantine period. The city is famous for its mosques, inns and baths, which exhibit the most beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture.
The Marmara coast is one of the most important regions of Turkey with its historical and cultural richness. The cities in this region bear the permanent traces of the Byzantine Empire and the subsequent Ottoman Empire. Therefore, the Marmara coast is a very interesting destination for history enthusiasts.

The Black Sea Coast and the Pontic Civilization

The Black Sea coast covers the north of Turkey and has been home to various civilizations throughout history. One of them, M.D. 8. founded in the century and founded by the Roman Empire M.S. 1. it is the Pontic Civilization that continued to exist until it was conquered in the century. Here are the important historical points on the Black Sea coast:
 

Amasya: Amasya, the capital of the Pontic Kingdom, is famous for its historical and natural beauties. With its rock tombs, old mosques and traditional Turkish houses left over from the Ottoman period, this city is a paradise for history lovers.
 

Sinop: Sinop, an important port city in ancient times, was a strategic center for the Pontic Civilization. Historical Sinop Prison, Sinop Castle and historical Sinop Houses are some of the most important tourist attractions of the city.
 

Trabzon: Trabzon, one of the important centers of the Pontic Civilization, has been an important commercial and cultural center throughout history. Important historical buildings such as Trabzon Hagia Sophia and Sümela Monastery are some of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.
 

Samsun: Samsun, the largest city of the Black Sea, has been home to many civilizations throughout history. The city is also important as the place where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, started the War of Independence.
The Black Sea coast is one of the most striking regions of Turkey with both its natural beauties and its historical and cultural riches. The historical ruins dating back to the Pontic Civilization offer a unique historical journey to the visitors of this region.

Mediterranean Coasts and Lycian Civilization

Lycia, B.C. 2. it was an ancient civilization that dominated the region for a century and today it is located in the southwest of Turkey, along the Mediterranean coast. Lycia is known for its historical and cultural riches. Among these riches are remarkable rock tombs with a way of burying their dead, impressive cities built on steep Declivities and ancient laws protecting natural beauties.
One of the most famous ancient cities of Lycia is Xanthos. Xanthos, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, was one of the oldest and largest cities of Lycia. Among the ruins of the city there are important structures such as monumental tombs, a theater and an agora. Dec.

On the other hand, Patara was one of the important port cities of Lycia. This city was home to the world's first democratic parliament. Patara is also known for having one of the three major oracle centers of Lycia.

Myra, another important city of Lycia, is especially known for its Rock Tombs and ancient theater. Also Myra is known as the place where St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, became a bishop.

Lycia has presented one of the first examples of democracy in the ancient world. This system, known as the Lycian Union, was a confederation that brought together many cities in the region. Dec. Each city would send a certain number of representatives to the union, depending on its population. This system was used by the founders of the United States as a model when designing the federal system.

As a result, Lycia, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, was one of the most interesting and important civilizations of the ancient world. This region still preserves its historical and cultural riches, natural beauties and the first examples of democracy. Therefore, exploring this unique region of Turkey is an unmissable opportunity for history and culture enthusiasts.