Gaziantep-Zeugma
Turkey’s southeast province of Gaziantep was until recently
best known for its highly developed industrial areas,
pistachio nuts and baklava.Forty-five
kilometers away from Gaziantep close to the town of Nizip on
the Euphrates is the tiny village of Belkis, whose
inhabitants carefully tender their groves of pistachio
trees. The nuts are their sole source of income. Yet not all
wealth can be measured in currency, and the villagsed real
asset is the magnificent ruins of the ancient city of
Zeugma, which has stayed buried beneath the pistachio groves
for nearly two thousand years.Belkis/Zeugma is considered
among the four most important settlement areas under the
reign of the Kingdom of Commanage.
In the Hellenistic Era the city was called “Seleukeia of
Euphrates”. The ancient city of Zeugma, originally, was
founded by Selevkos Nikador, one of the generals of the
Alexander the Great, in 300 B.C. At that time the city was
named after the general and called “ Selevkaya Euphrates.”
And the population in the city was approximately 80 000. In
64 B.C. Zeugma was conquered and ruled by Roman Empire and
with this shift the name of the city was changed into Zeugma
to mean “bridge-passage.”
During the roman rule, the city became one of the
attractions in the region, due to its commercial potential
originating from geostrategic location. Because, the Zeugma
city was on the silkroad connecting Antiach to China with a
quay on the river Euphrates. In 256 A.D.
Zeugma city experienced an invasion and it was fully
destroyed by the Sassanian King, Sapur I. The invasion was
so dramatic that Zeugma city was not able to recover and
thrive for a long time. To make the situation even worse, a
violent earthquake hit the city and buried it beneath
rubble. Indeed, the city never gained the prosperity once
achieved during the Roman rule. In 4th Century A.D. Zeugma
settlement became a Late Roman territory. During the 5th and
6th Centuries the city was ruled over by the Early Byzantine
domination. As a result of the ongoing Arab raids the city
was abandoned ance again. Later on, in the 10th and 12th
centuries a small Abbassid residence settled in Zeugma.
Finally a village called “Belkis” was founded in the 17th
century. Later on Belkis/Zeugma became one of the four major
attractions of the Kingdom of Commanage. During the Roman
Era, troops called “Schythian Legion” consisting of
Anatolian soldiers was positioned around Zeugma. For about
two centuries the city was home to high ranking officials
and officers of the Roman Empire, who transferred their
cultural understanding and sophisticated life style into the
region.
Adiyaman-Nemrut Mountain
Adiyaman, in southeastern Turkey, was originally founded in
the 7th century A.D. and settled by Omayyads of Damascus,
Abbasids of Baghdat, Selcuks, Mongols, Memluks, and Ottoman
Turks. Of interest in the city is the Adiyaman Citadel
which dates back to the 8th century A.D. and the 16th
century Abdulgani Mosque, an Islamic religious
building.
Tourists mostly come to Adiyaman to visit the biggest
attraction in the region, Nemrut Dagi (or Nemrut
Mountain). The site was constructed by the Roman
Antiochus I, king of the small Commagene civilization, as
his own final resting place. Giant-sized head statues of
Apollo, Fortuna, Zeus, Herakles and Antiochus I atop the
highest peak of the mountain make an impressive sight. The
king traced his descent to the gods through Alexander the
Great. There are also eagle and lion statues. Among the
numerous reliefs, one of the most striking is the
constellation Leo on the west terrace.
Nearby Karakus tumulus, surrounded by carved pillars
with animal motifs, is said to be the burial site of the
Commagene royal women. One column carries a sculptured black
eagle on the top; thus, the name karakus (“black bird” in
Turkish) was given to the site.
On the road to Kahta village (ancient Arsameia) is
the 300 feet long single-span Roman Era Cendere Bridge
over the Kahta Cayi (ancient Nymphaium River).
Urfa-Harran
Sanliurfa, known as the City of Prophets, has a very rich and far reaching background, due
to its location in the great fertile plain of upper Mesopotamia. The archaeological and ethnographical museums
exhibit finds of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic eras from
the lower Euphrates region. You will notice a cave here, with
several mosques around it here. This cave is believed to be
the birthplace of Abraham. The Meviid Halil Mosque is also
of another interest. Sanliurfa was praised as the city of
the prophets Hiob, Jethro and St. George, besides Abraham,
who were said to have lived here.
It is a holy city with "Balikli Gol" at the foot of a
crusader castle and surrounded by mosques. The Halil Rahman
Mosque is next to a pool which is full of sacred carp. The
story about this pool that a holy person of Islam was about
to be burned by non-believers and had stafied a big fire to
burn him, but the logs turned into carp and the fire into
water, and so the "Balikli Gol" was formed. On the other
side of this pool, is the Ottoman Rizvaniye Mosque. The
Firfirli Mosque, which was once the church of the Apostles,
is worth a visit. A walk by the typical eastern bazaar and
the old inns (hans), especially Gumruk
Hani and Barutcu Hani, will take you back to the days of 1001 nights.
Sanliurfa Citadel and Ayn-i Zeliha
Lake are other historical
sites in the city.
Harran,
48 kms. south of Urfa, lets you visit a place directly connected
with the Bible. It is said that Abraham spent several years
of his life in
Harran. Harran
is a fascinating little town. The beehive-houses are built
here and which are still occupied by families who may invite
you for a look inside and to drink something cool. You
should also visit the ruins of the biggest, ancient Harran
Islamic University at which many great Islamic scientists
were educated. In addition the ancient city walls are still
standing.
Kilis-Revanda Castle
Kilis is a province in south-central Turkey. It
used to be the southern part of the province of Gaziantep
and was formed in 1994. The town of Kilis is home to around
67% of the inhabitants of the province, the other towns and
villages are very small.
Kilis is located in the southern foothills of the Taurus
Mountains west of the Euphrates River on the northern edge
of the Syria Plain. The district contains areas of good
agricultural land, watered by small rivers and 68% of the
land area of Kilis is planted. Almost 4% of Turkey's grape
production comes from Kilis. Other important agricultural
products are olives, fruit, wheat, barley and tobacco. A
Mediterranean climate dominates over the region, which is
around 60 to 80 km away from the sea. Winters are cool and
rainy, spring and fall months warm, and summers are hot.
Average winter temperatures are 4 to 7 degrees Celsius,
while in summer the temperatures do not fall under 25
degrees Celsius.
There is a border crossing into Syria, from where the
road goes south to the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Revanda Castle
Ravanda Castle Castle is near to the Ravanda Village of
Polateli province, at 24 km. north of Kilis. Its environment
is clear, and constructed on a steep hill of a mountain,
which is reigning to the horizon. Remaining current part of
the castle, constructed via engraving of the peek of the
mountain, is the internal castle.
Oylum Tumulus It is one of the biggest tumuli among
Anatolia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Strategic position holding
tumulus is settled during nearly all ages. As a result of
excavations performed on Oylum Tumulus, which shows definite
settlement dated back to Chalcolithic Age , ,history of
Front Asia besides history of the region, is enlightened.
There are lots of tumuli other than this within the city.
Akpınar Akpınar is a promenade in which clear waters are
flowing in the middle of a land with limestone. It environs
is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and orchards, and
this unique nature beauty covered with a carpet composed of
grass is filled with Kilis residents during spring and
summer months.
Söğütlüdere Söğütlüdere, which is used as an entertainment
and picnic area during spring and summer months, has a
privileged place within the lives of Kilis residents.
Söğütlüdere, where streams coming from north slopes, Zoppun
River and Akpınar springs are covered with green, is an
important place for a perfect feast with kebab and meal
sorts, unique to Kilis residents' kitchen culture, during
especially weekends.
For information and contact e-mail.info@turkeyephesustour.com
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