Historic Sites in Turkey

Historical sites in Turkey : Site Index

• Aizanoi
  Aizanoi houses ancient Roman ruins including a stadium, gymnasium, theatre and an impressive Temple of Zeus.
  Photo by ozanhatipoglu (cc)

• Alanya Castle
  With Hellenistic foundations, this magnificent Seljuk ruin sits atop a 250m high peninsular overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
  Photo by Eaglestein (cc)

• Alanya Citadel
  Part of Alanya Castle, the Citadel (or Ickale) dates back to the 6th century and offers magnificent views.
  Photo by Allie_Caulfield (cc)

• Anadolu Hisari
  Anadolu Hisari was built by the Ottoman Sultan Beyazid I in 1395.
  Photo by salihigde (cc)

• Antalya Museum
  The Antalya Museum contains thousands of ancient and prehistoric artifacts.
  Photo by Alaskan Dude (cc)

• Anzac Cove
  Anzac Cove was the landing site for Australian and New Zealand troops in the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I.
  Photo by Adam Jones, Ph.D. (cc)

• Aphrodisias
  The ancient city of Aphrodisias was named after the Goddess of Love; Aphrodite. Established in what is now modern day Turkey in the 6th century BC, it expanded into the thriving capital of the surrounding region.
  Photo by Ken and Nyetta (cc)

• Ari Burnu Cemetery
  Ari Burnu Cemetery is a World War I Commonwealth cemetery in the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.
  

• Aspendos Roman Theatre
  Aspendos Roman Theatre is a large and beautifully preserved Ancient Roman site in Turkey.
  Photo by archer10 (Dennis) (cc)

• Assos
  The city of Assos was founded by Ancient Greeks from the 7th century BC. The ancient ruined city is crowned by an impressive temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena.
  Photo by Travelling Runes (cc)

• Beylerbeyi Palace
  Beylerbeyi Palace is a nineteenth century palace built to house important guests.
  Photo by arteunporro (cc)

• Bodrum Castle
  Bodrum Castle is a 15th century citadel built by Christian knights and houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
  Photo by HBarrison (cc)

• Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology
  The Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Bodrum exhibits treasures from underwater excavations including one of the earliest shipwrecks ever found.
  Photo by HBarrison (cc)

• Cappadocia Underground Cities
  The Cappadocia Underground Cities are incredible Christian subterranean fortified cities in Turkey protected by UNESCO.
  Photo by Alaskan Dude (cc)

• Catalhoyuk
  Catalhoyuk is the site of an important Neolithic town in Turkey.
  Photo by jessogden1 (cc)

• Church of Saint Nicholas, Myra
  One of the oldest surviving churches in the world, this church and museum looks at the life of Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus.
  Photo by yilmaz ovunc (cc)

• Derinkuyu Underground City
  Derinkuyu Underground City is the most famous of the Cappadocia subterranean cities built by early Christians and protected by UNESCO.
  Photo by astique (cc)

• Didyma
  Didyma in Turkey contains the ruins of the temple of Apollo, which was one of the most important oracles of the Hellenic world.
  

• Dolmabahce Palace
  Dolmabahce Palace is an opulent nineteenth century palace which twice served as the seat of the Ottoman Empire.
  Photo by xiquinhosilva (cc)

• Ephesus
  Ephesus in Turkey represents some of the best preserved Greek and Roman ruins in the Mediterranean.
  Photo by Donna and Andrew (cc)

• Galata Tower
  Galata Tower is a medieval turreted tower first built by the Genoese in 1348.
  Photo by access.denied (cc)

• Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum
  This astonishing museum features thousands of square feet of lovingly restored mosaics from the Roman town of Zeugma.
  Photo by I was in Turkey (cc)

• Gordion
  Gordion is an ancient Phrygian city which today contains the astounding burial mound said to belong to King Midas.
  Photo by archer10 (Dennis) (cc)

• Goreme Open Air Museum
  Located in the picturesque Goreme Valley, Goreme’s open air museum is one of the most accessible ways to explore the region's ancient rock-cut churches.
  Photo by alex_m_jones (cc)

• Hadrian’s Gate
  Hadrian’s Gate is an Ancient Roman monument in Antalya built in honour of the Emperor Hadrian.
  Photo by Lori_NY (cc)

• Hagia Sophia
  Hagia Sophia is a world famous sixth century church turned mosque in Istanbul.
  Photo by David Spender (cc)

• Hagia Sophia, Trabzon
  A thirteenth century church, a fifteenth century mosque and a twentieth century museum, the Trabzon Hagia Sophia has a fascinating history and boasts a wealth of ancient art and frescoes.
  Photo by Turkish Travel (cc)

• Haidar Pasha Cemetery
  The Haidar Pasha Cemetery in Turkey is the final resting place of thousands of Crimean War soldiers.
  

• Hatay Museum
  Hatay Museum in Antakya explores the history of the famous ancient city of Antioch. Among a host of other artefacts is a collection of exquisite Roman mosaics.
  Photo by william.neuheisel (cc)

• Hattusha
  Hattusha is one of Turkey’s great ruins of the capitals of the Hittite Empire and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  Photo by Maarten Dirkse (cc)

• Hierapolis
  Hierapolis was once a thriving, multicultural ancient city and spa, the remains of which can now be seen in modern day Turkey.
  Photo by Chris. P (cc)

• Hill 60 Cemetery
  The Hill 60 Cemetery is a Commonwealth World War I military cemetery in Gallipoli.
  

• Ihlara Valley
  The Ihlara Valley is famous for a number of rock-carved ancient churches known for their ornate frescoes depicting biblical events.
  Photo by Verity Cridland (cc)

• Istanbul Archaeology Museum
  The Istanbul Archaeology Museum houses around a million artefacts from an impressive range of cultures and periods.
  Photo by ae35unit (cc)

• Istanbul Maritime Museum
  The Istanbul Maritime Museum exhibits a variety of ships, weapons, works of art and artifacts relating to Turkey’s naval history.
  

• Istanbul Mosaic Museum
  The Istanbul Mosaic Museum contains the amazing remains of mosaics excavated the Great Palace of Constantinople built during the Byzantine period.
  Photo by Elisa atene (cc)

• Kabatepe Museum
  Kabatepe Museum in Turkey is dedicated to the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I.
  

• Kaunos
  Kaunos contains the remains of an ancient Carian city and includes a host of Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine remains – particularly its impressive theatre.
  Photo by Rev Stan (cc)

• Kayakoy
  The abandoned town of Kayakoy bears witness to the 1920s population swap between Greece and Turkey. Today visitors can explore this deserted town, including its houses and churches.
  Photo by samurai_dave (cc)

• Kaymaklı Underground City
  Kaymaklı Underground City is a large subterranean city in central Turkey built by early Christians and part of a UNESCO site.
  Photo by Alaskan Dude (cc)

• Kizilkule
  Part of Alanya Castle, the Kizilkule or Red Tower was built in 1226 and stands 29 meters high.
  Photo by Allie_Caulfield (cc)

• Knidos
  The picturesque remains of the ancient city of Knidos are a popular tourist attraction, as much for the beautiful coastal views as for the archaic ruins.
  Photo by silverman68 (cc)

• Laodikeia
  Laodikeia was an Ancient Greek then Roman city, which is now represented by a set of ruins.
  Photo by Ian W Scott (cc)

• Lone Pine Cemetery
  Lone Pine Cemetery is a Commonwealth graveyard for soldiers who died during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I and also a battle site.
  Photo by laszlo-photo (cc)

• Lone Pine Memorial
  The Lone Pine Memorial commemorates Anzac soldiers who died during the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I.
  Photo by Adam Jones, Ph.D. (cc)

• Mausoleum of Mausolus
  The Mausoleum of Mausolus was one of the most impressive tombs of its time, but has since been entirely destroyed.
  Photo by HBarrison (cc)

• Miletus
  Miletus was an important ancient Greek then Roman city, which still has an impressive theatre, but relatively few other ruins.
  Photo by Miia Ranta (cc)

• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
  With a collection spanning around 10,000 years housed in two magnificent Ottoman buildings, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is a must-see for any visitor to Ankara.
  Photo by zolakoma (cc)

• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
  The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts is a site through which visitors can explore both the cultural and political history of Turkey.
  Photo by mahaz (cc)

• Myra
  Myra has one of the best-preserved collections of ancient ruins, and is a perfect place to experience an illustrious period of Greek and Roman history being brought back to life.
  Photo by erinc salor (cc)

• Olympos
  Olympos is truly a stunning destination, a playground for pirates; these ancient ruins tell a story that blurs the line between myth and reality.
  Photo by denverkid (cc)

• Ozkonak Underground City
  Ozkonak is one of many examples of an underground city in Cappadocia which was carved into the mountains in ancient times. It is smaller but far quieter than many of the other underground cities in the region.
  Photo by bitmask (cc)

• Patara
  Patara not only has a rich and varied history, the former Lycian port town is situated in a beautiful corner of Turkey, alongside a 20km long white sand beach.
  Photo by Camera on autopilot (cc)

• Pergamum
  Pergamum was a thriving ancient Greek then Roman city, home to famous sites such as its Asclepion, theatre and library.
  

• Perge
  Perge is a Turkish archaeological site containing mostly Roman ruins, but has a history dating back to Ancient Greece.
  Photo by pavdw (cc)

• Phaselis
  Phaselis is an exquisite ancient site, where the ruins lie scattered amongst pine trees and the beautiful Mediterranean coast.
  Photo by Dave Lonsdale (cc)

• Priene
  Priene is a quiet, picturesque ancient Greek city in Turkey which boasts some amazing historical remains without the crowds of the nearby sites.
  

• Quinn’s Post Cemetery
  Quinn’s Post Cemetery is a World War I Commonwealth cemetery in the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.
  

• Rumeli Fortress
  The Rumeli Fortress was built by Mehmet the Conqueror as part of his campaign to capture Constantinople.
  

• Sagalassos
  Sagalassos is an active archaeological site in southwest Turkey which contains mostly Hellenistic and Ancient Roman ruins, some of them very well preserved.
  

• Side Ruins and Museum
  Impressive ruins and a fascinating museum, Side hosts a wealth of Graeco-Roman remains and the impressive amphitheatre is a particular highlight.
  Photo by Tobias Lindman (cc)

• Simena
  The ruins of Simena are spread along beautiful beaches and submerged under crystal clear waters. Enjoy spectacular views from the crusader castle or explore an authentic Lycian Necropolis.
  Photo by offwhitehouse (cc)

• St Savior in Chora
  St Savior in Chora is an eleventh century church turned mosque and, more recently, a museum known as Kariye Muzesi.
  

• Sumela Monastery
  A 13th century monastery nestled into the cliff-face of the Zigana Mountains, this picturesque Byzantine monastery is located in a scenic, mountainous setting.
  Photo by samurai_dave (cc)

• Termessos
  Nestled on the slopes of the Güllük Mountain the majestic ruins of the ancient city of Termessos are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty.
  Photo by birasuegi (cc)

• The Basilica Cistern
  The Basilica Cistern is an underground wonder and one of Istanbul’s best Byzantine sites.
  

• The Blue Mosque
  The Blue Mosque was the ambitious creation of a young sultan and would become one of Istanbul’s most iconic sites.
  

• The Canakkale Martyrs Memorial
  The Canakkale Martyrs Memorial commemorates the Turkish soldiers who died in the Gallipoli Campaign.
  

• The Florence Nightingale Museum
  The Florence Nightingale Museum in Turkey gives a glimpse into the work and hospital of the Lady of the Lamp.
  

• The Helles Memorial
  The Helles Memorial commemorates Commonwealth and French casualties from the Gallipoli Campaign.
  

• The Hill 60 New Zealand Memorial
  The Hill 60 New Zealand Memorial in Turkey commemorates the missing New Zealand soldiers who fought in the Battle of Hill 60 in 1915.
  

• Topkapı Palace
  Topkapı Palace is a fifteenth century former residence of the Ottoman Sultans and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  

• Troy
  Troy is a world-renowned archaeological site, inhabited since the 4th millennium BC and believed to the have been the location of the famous Trojan War.
  Photo by Travelling Runes (cc)

• Van Castle
  Van Castle was built in the Iron Age as part of the Urartu Kingdom and now stands as a stunning ruin in modern Turkey.
  

• Yedikule Zindanlari
  Yedikule Zindanlari is an impressive Byzantine and medieval fort in Istanbul.
  Photo by By Ramblurr (cc)

• Zeugma
  The remains of this important Roman city are under excavation in Turkey. Though not open to the public, many finds from the site can be seen in the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
  Photo by adam_jones (cc)