Chasing History: Turkey's Hidden 5 Historical Sites
Chasing History: Turkey's Hidden 5 Historical Sites
Judging by the fact that you are on this page, it seems that you have a great interest in history. But do you know about how many undiscovered and hidden historical sites in Turkey? If you want to explore new places and test your knowledge of historical sites in Turkey, we invite you to continue reading!
The doors to the past reveal the traces of history and the secrets of ancient times. Although many hidden places from the past have been unearthed over time, some historical sites are still unknown to many people outside the field of experts. If exploring historical and touristic places intrigues you, then this article is perfect for you! We are about to shed light on Turkey's lesser-known historical sites and provide you with some important details to get to know them better. Let's embark on a journey to explore the lesser-known historical structures all around our country!
1 - Adana's Gem: Bebekli Church, Seyhan/Adana
You may have visited historical landmarks in Adana before and learned a lot about the historical structures built centuries ago in the region. But have you heard of Bebekli Church located in Seyhan?
Built in 1880 in the name of St. Paul, this historical monument, also known as St. Paul's Church, has an interesting reason behind being called Bebekli Church. It earned this name due to the resemblance of the 2.5-meter statue of Virgin Mary on its roof to a baby figure. Bebekli Church holds a special value among Turkey's historical and touristic sites. If you visit Adana, make sure to see Bebekli Church, offering a different option to explore beyond kebabs!
2 - Legendary Thermal Baths: Kral Kızı Bath, Sarıkaya/Yozgat
One of Turkey's lesser-known historical sites, Kral Kızı Bath, captivates visitors with its grand appearance and Roman architectural remains. As a thermal bath with a large pool, Kral Kızı Bath also draws attention with its legend.
In ancient times, the Roman king's daughter fell seriously ill and became unable to walk. The king sent his daughter to the thermal springs in Sarıkaya. After spending some time there, the princess miraculously recovered and started walking again thanks to the thermal water. In gratitude, the king had a marble pool built at the spot where the thermal water emerged and covered its surroundings with cut stones. Since then, this thermal bath is known as Kral Kızı Bath and welcomes visitors as a historical structure.
3 - Izmir's Crown Jewel: Kadifekale, Konak/Izmir
Kadifekale, the ancient fortress of Smyrna, is one of Izmir's important historical sites, surrounded by ancient cities. If you haven't explored Kadifekale yet, what are you waiting for? You should definitely breathe in the historical ambiance of this majestic structure!
In the Konak district of Izmir, which embraces many historical and touristic places in Turkey, there are many more things to do after visiting Kadifekale. If you want to explore other historical sites around Izmir, you can enjoy a Turkish coffee at Kızlarağası Han in Konak. Additionally, you can get a bird's-eye view of the city by visiting Izmir Historical Elevator!
4 - Hidden Ancient City in the Mediterranean: Olba Ancient City, Silifke/Mersin
We don't know if you have been to Mersin before, but if you plan to visit this charming Mediterranean city someday, don't forget to add Olba Ancient City to your list of places to visit. Olba Ancient City served as both a trade center and a temple during its time, and it hosted theater performances for a long time.
While exploring Olba Ancient City, you can see many relics from the past, envision the theater plays of that era, and take a little journey back in time within this historical atmosphere. After visiting Olba Ancient City, you can also see the Hellenistic and Imbriogion tombs in Silifke. As you can see, lesser-known historical places in Turkey reveal new treasures, connecting one to another. We hope you won't leave Silifke without tasting the famous Silifke yogurt and Mersin tantuni!
5 - Reflection of Medieval Architecture: Vazelon Monastery, Maçka/Trabzon
Among the historical places to visit in Turkey, Vazelon Monastery, relatively less known, is one of the many historical Greek structures in our country. With its unique architecture and enchanting appearance, Vazelon Monastery has been somewhat forgotten and even abandoned. Being surrounded by massive trees, the interior of the monastery can be somewhat eerie due to the growing trees. This historical site, worthy of a movie scene, deserves to be visited without delay!
