Archaeological sights in Turkey
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A
Yedikule Zindanlari
If you arrived in İstanbul by train from Europe, or if you rode in from the airport along the seashore, you will probably have noticed this fortress looming over the southern approaches to the city. One of the city’s major landmarks, it has a history as substantial as its massive structure. In the late 4th century Theodosius the Great built a triumphal arch here. When the next Theodosius built his massive land walls, he incorporated the arch in the structure. Four of the fortress’ seven towers were built as part of Theodosius II’s walls; the other three, which are inside the walls, were added by Mehmet the Conqueror. Under the Byzantines, the great arch became known as…
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Troy
The ruins of ancient Troy may not be as breathtaking as those of Ephesus, but for anyone who has ever read Homer's Iliad or who has heard the tales of the Trojan Wars, they have a romance few places on earth can hope to match. Excavations have revealed nine ancient cities on the site, with Troy VI or VII believed to be the setting for the Iliad.
When amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann started excavating Troy in 1871, the pants of classical studies boffins around the world became decidedly damp. Up to this time, the Iliad was assumed to be based on legend, but post-digs, Troy was revealed as the Homeric city of Ilium, site of an epic battle between the Achaeans…
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B
Stadium
A bit further along from the Gymnasium of Vedius is the Stadium, dating from the 2nd century AD. The Byzantines removed most of its finely cut stones to build the castle on Ayasuluk Hill. This 'quarrying' of pre-cut building stone from older, often earthquake-ruined structures was a constant feature of Ephesian history.
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Sarcophagi
Throughout the town you will notice curious Lycian stone sarcophagi dating from around 450 BC. There's one north of the belediye and others in the middle of streets or in private gardens - the town was built around them. All were broken into by tomb robbers centuries ago.
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C
Field of Ruins
Check out Side's spectacular field of ruins, among them a library, an agora and a Byzantine basilica. All warrant some exploration, but be forewarned that this area gets scorching hot during the height of summer.
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