UNESCO - City Of Safranbolu, Turkey

From the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East–West trade route. During its apogee in the 17th century, Safranbolu's architecture influenced urban development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire. It has preserved its original appearance and buildings to a remarkable extent.

As you may guess, the name of the town derives from saffron, since this was a trading place and a center for growing this most valuable spice. Today saffron is still grown at the village of Davutobası which is 22 km east of Safranbolu and probably one of the best quality saffrons in the world.

No name on the card to say my thanks...for this beautiful view of the snow-covered traditional houses.

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Ephesus, Turkey

One of the newly inscribed whs sites is Ephesus, remnants of the ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, three kilometres southwest of present-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. During the Classical Greek era it was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League. The city flourished after it came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC. According to estimates, Ephesus had a population of 33,600 to 56,000 people in the Roman period, making it the third largest city of Roman Asia Minor after Sardis and Alexandria Troas

First the Library of Celsus,  built in honour of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus in 135 AD.  It was to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a mausoleum for Celsus, who is buried in a crypt beneath the library.

Second the grand theatre,  which was able to hold 25,000 spectators.

Many thanks to Ana, who had a great trip visiting the 'Turkish delights', among them the amazing Ephesus.

As Turkey is in all the news today following yesterday's general elections...I wanted to remind of the riches that this country possesses, in hope they await safe future.

UNESCO - Xanthos-Letoon, Turkey

The site of Xantos , once the capital of Lycia, illustrates the blending of Lycian traditions and Hellenic influence, especially in its funerary art. The epigraphic inscriptions are crucial for our understanding of the history of the Lycian people and their Indo-European language.

Thank you Onder :)

 

Galata Bridge, 19th Century Istanbul

I haven't included a postcard from Turkey for a while...I really like this vintage view, I can only imagine the life in 19th cent. Istanbul, it must have been a far more exotic place than in this modernised era! I think of the explorations, trading, Agatha christie's novels and Indiana Jones adventures...Thank you Marina and Nenad :)

 

UNESCO - Selimiye Mosque And Its Social Complex, Turkey

 

The most famous Ottoman architect of the 16th century Sinan considered this complex his best work. It consists of the square mosque with single dome and four slender minarets, as well as madrasas, a covered market, clockhouse, outer courtyard and library.

Many thanks to Nihan :)

Donkeys In Cappadocia

Hmm I haven't exactly been chop-chopping these last few days have I..? Days fly by, before you know it its October, the month or rains and winds and counting the last weeks until the end of season and, well, end of work for this year...Anyways, here is one bright card, a tough one to allocate as it belongs both to my donkey and Unesco collections...but as I have posted about Cappadocia before, here these donkeys are independant xD Thank you Onder!

Ephesus, Turkey

The ancient Greek and later Roman city of Ephesus was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classic Greek era (5th-4th cent. BC) and later played an important role in the beginnings of Christianity - the Gospel of John may have been written here.

The centre of this view of the archaeological site is the Library of Celsus, built in the honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, completed in the year 135 AD by his son. It was built to store 12 000 scrolls. In 262 the interior and all its books were destroyed by fire in a devastating earthquake...

Thank you Goran, I believe you enjoyed your tour of the archaeological sites in Turkey ;)

(UNESCO tentative list)

UNESCO - Archaeological Site Of Troy, Turkey

A replica, or rather a version of the famous Trojan Horse welcomes visitors at the entrance to Troy, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Got this card thanks to a private swap with Ezgi/melodia_ :)

 

The extensive remains of 4000-years-old Troy are the most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world, and of great importance for understanding the development of European civilization at a critical stage in its early development. It is the siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors from Greece in the 13-12th cent. BC that was famously immortalised by Homer in The Iliad.
I have been looking for a broader aerial view of Troy for a long time, until this private swap with Onder who also used amazing stamps, thanks so much! :)

UNESCO - Göreme NP And The Rock Sites Of Cappadocia

In a spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, the Göreme valley and its surroundings contain rock-hewn sanctuaries that provide unique evidence of Byzantine art in the post-Iconoclastic period. Dwellings, troglodyte villages and underground towns – the remains of a traditional human habitat dating back to the 4th century – can also be seen there.

And this one is Uçhisar Castle / Landlord's Castle situated in the Nevşehir Province.

I have received two other views of this Unesco site, but not sent from Turkey; so I grabbed the opportunity when I was in Istanbul, though sadly I havent had the chance to visit this surreal site (yet). I need one more shot to get a cancellation! heh.

UNESCO - Historic Areas of Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya) is perhaps the best-known site in Istanbul. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople; except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.

It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture - it remained the world's largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years thereafter, until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. Its famous in particular for its massive dome, which can be seen on the 2nd postcard.

A personal favourite - Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. Built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian, it is located some 150 meters southwest of the Hagia Sophia, and be careful cos you might miss it! It may have the capacity of 80000 cubic metres but its not conspicuous from the outside.

This postcard I received just before my trip to Istanbul, as a sort of an invitation :) I like the Galata Tower, especially in the night under those lights. Its a nine-story medieval stone tower (66.90 meters tall) in the Galata/Karaköy quarter, just to the north of the Golden Horn.

In the end what I found most fascinating about Istanbul is the skyline dotted with numerous imposing mosques...and just how tasty a street kebab can be :))

Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, Turkey

The Kocatepe Mosque is the largest mosque in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. It was built between 1967 and 1987  and its size and prominent situation have made it a landmark that can be seen from almost anywhere in central Ankara.

This beautiful postcard with equally beautiful stamps was sent to me by Leslie some years ago, thank you! :))

UNESCO - Nemrut Dağ, Turkey

Mount Nemrut is a mountain (2134m) in southeastern Turkey, notable for the summit where a number of large statues are erected around what is assumed to be a royal tomb from the 1st century BC. These statues are 8–9 m high and represent the founder King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene, two lions, two eagles and various Greek, Armenian and Iranian gods. Looks so surreal doesnt it??! Like Dali painting :) I got this for Choose a Country RR from aykutalpc, many thanks :)) Great huge stamps too!

Turkey - Uzungöl Village And Lake

Before I tagged this card I had no idea there are such sights in Turkey (or anywhere else for that matter heh). Such an amazing setting, it almost looks like the houses and the mosque will slowly slide down the waterfalls.

I am curious at why people adhere stamps like this, of course they'll get damaged on the way...this may very well have been a person in the post office, they are more or less indifferent to such things..! Thank you Iven :)

Rent A Donkey In Turkey

I wonder what are these donkeys looking for in the river, golden nuggets? :) Anyway they are as cute as they can be, thank you Nihan for another great swap! :)

Donkey And Camel Kids

Ahh so cute! The card is from Turkey but sent from Croatia - hvala Nenade na super iznenađenju! :)))

Donkey And Doggie, Turkey

This is a great card isnt it? The only trouble is, the same user sent it twice in a row in RRs AND i already had it in my album! So i thought i better post it here as well to avoid quadriples :) I do like the plane stamp & matching 'by air mail'  though :)

Hagia Sophia Mosaic, Turkey

This Comnenus Mosaic, located on the eastern wall of the southern gallery of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, dates from 1122. It represents the Virgin Mary with the Child Christ in her lap; on her right side stands the emperor John II Comnenus, holding a purse as a symbol of an imperial donation to the church. On the left of the Virgin is the empress Irene, wearing ceremonial garments and holding a scroll.

Thank you Ezgi/melodia_ for this card from my favs, and the excellent heart-shaped stamp :)
any reason its upside down..?! lol