Two days ago we left Istanbul and began to travel.
First stop was Gallipoli
A peninsula on the European shores of the Dardanelles, the narrow strait that connects to the Bosporus in Istanbul, Turkey. Gallipoli became the site of one of the early battles that turned into the kind of carnage that WW1 later became known for. For the British and their Commonwealth allies, it was a heavy loss, for the Turks a significant victory, albeit a particularly costly one.
The Gallipoli campaign is especially legendary with Australians and New Zealanders who played a major role and suffered bitter casualties (esp. in relation to their total numbers). In modern Turkey’s history, Gallipoli is also important because of the decisive role Atatürk played in it.
Gallipoli
This was an extremely moving memorial. I could have spent days here. There was so much to see here.
But….on a group tour one must move on.
Troy was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt during its 4000 years of settlement. As a result, nine archaeological layers have been identified at the site, each corresponding to a city built on the ruins of the previous. Archaeologists refer to these layers using Roman numerals, Troy I being the earliest and Troy IX being the latest.
Troy was first settled around 3600 BC and grew into a small fortified city around 3000 BC (Troy I). Among the early layers, Troy II is notable for its wealth and imposing architecture. During the Late Bronze Age, Troy was called Wilusa and was a vassal of the Hittite Empire. The final layers (Troy VIII–IX) were Greek and Roman cities which served as tourist attractions and religious centers because of their link to mythic tradition.
The site was excavated by Heinrich Schliermann and Frank Calvert starting in 1871. Under the ruins of the classical city, they found the remains of numerous earlier settlements. Several of these layers resemble literary depictions of Troy, leading some scholars to conclude that there is a kernel of truth underlying the legends. Subsequent excavations by others have added to the modern understanding of the site, though the exact relationship between myth and reality remains unclear and there is no definitive evidence for a Greek attack on the city.
Troy
After leaving Troy we made our way to Pergamon. To get into these ruins, we had to take a tram. This is still one of my favorite sites on the trip so far.
This site rises high above the Bakirçay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region. The Acropolis of Pergamon was the capital of the Hellenistic Attalid dynasty, a major centre of learning in the ancient world. Monumental temples, theatres, stoa or porticoes, gymnasium, altar, and library were set into the sloping terrain surrounded by an extensive city wall. The rock-cut Kybele Sanctuary lies to the north-west on another hill, visually linked to the acropolis. Later, the city became the capital of the Roman province of Asia, known for its Asclepieion healing centre. The acropolis crowns a landscape containing burial mounds and remains of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires in and around the modern town of Bergama on the lower slopes.
Pergamon
Yesterday, Wednesday, we spent the day exploring another UNESCO site.
The world-famous travertine pools in Turkey are located in Pamukkale (meaning Cotton Castle) in the Denizli province. This dazzling UNESCO World Heritage site features brilliant white limestone terraces filled with mineral-rich, bright blue thermal waters.
At the end of the 2nd century B.C., the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples, and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site.
And that, my friends, is the end of this post. Whew. Remember that you can click on the individual pics and they will enlarge.
Although we are moving a lot and often, I am enjoying the journey so far. I get a bit peopled out, but there is always room to recoup before I join the group again. For someone who spends most of her time alone, I think I am doing pretty well.
The scenery is beautiful. We drove through the mountains today to return to the coast. The ride was beautiful as we traveled through the Taurus Mts. There was even snow on the peaks.
I will see you in a few days. Traveling On.
