Winter in Turkey impressions #16: Troy is another very interesting archeological site. Already mentioned in ancient Greek by Homer. After they found the remains, the excavations shows different levels of eras of inhabitations.
Winter in Turkey impressions #14: Ephesus surprised me not only with its sheer size and the huge roman theatre, but also with some incredibly well kept mosaics and wall paintings in some excavated houses. Lucky i arrived early, because i spent way much more time than estimated before. It was so amting to roam trough these contemporary witnesses from so many eras and history.
Winter in Turkey impressions #10: Derinkuyu is famous for its underground city. My camping neighbor told me about it. And since it started to snow i gladly took his invitation for the ride there in his comfortable heated van. Beside exploring this fascinating underground city, it was also nice having a nice pal to talk to.
Winter in Turkey Impressions #9: Cappadocia
Winter in Turkey impressions #8: Göbekli Tepe was of my highlights of the trip. Amazing display of earliest architectures of human beings. This buildings wasn’t used as settlement like Karahan Tepe, rather they were for spiritual use, but quite sure for astronomical observations.
From there i tried to visit also Nemrut Dagi, but couldn’t reach it due the snow. At least i got a wonderful sight of winter-wonderland in Anatolia.
Winter in Turkey Impressions #7: The way to Karahan Tepe brought me to a lovely campsite at the mediterranean sea near Iskenderun, before i continue my trip along the Syrian border to Sanliurfa, near the archeological site. This was merely a week before the huge, disastrous earthquake.
Karahan Tepe is one of the oldest settlement of human history. It is around 10000-12000 years old. Humans settled here approximately 10’000 – 12’000 years ago. Just discovered on early 2000’s it’s a rather young excavation site. In winter the work is paused and many areas are covered in tarpaulin.
Winter in Turkey Impressions #3: Heliopolis, an ancient roman town, lies just in the mountains above Pamukkale. Get your impressions here:
Akko, also known as Acre, has a rich history for around 5000 years. Many folks and and groups fought for it, because of its strategic location at the sea with a calm bay.
However, who is interested in history, please use the link provided (as usual 😉 )
My first day in Akko startet with a little breakfast surprise from my host. After that first coffee i was ready to explore the strong city walls and the areas within.
In the morning i found it quite empty. Happily, i walked around, found some small alleys, walked trough the market or watched the kids playing soccer between the mighty walls. Sometimes a stop for a coffee or a small bite. Just enjoying myself and imagine the life in times of the crusaders…
It’s not the most impressive Roman remains. Neither by its size, nor its preservation or buildings. The location is it, what makes it for a nice stop on my way up north along the coast.
And the location gave this town also the name: Caesarea Maritima For more details to its history follow the link i provide.
Altough there was already a few bus loads of tourists, the site wasn’t overrun. At the amphitheatre, overlooking the sea, a group of young Americans sang even a few short songs for the audience. I enjoyed it with the crowd, but later i went my own way.
The trick is, to bring patience and let pass the tour groups, try to move between the groups and find farther niches, which let me imagine how the life was around 2000 years ago.
Looking over the mosaic floor trough the archway and stepping out on the terrace to catch some sea breeze. Life wasn’t that bad here 2000 years ago…
If in Vatican, or Rome respectively, you must go to the Vatican Museum, they said.
But be prepared for very long queue in front of the entrance, they warned me too.
Well, when i arrived there on this cold, but beautiful winter morning, there was only a few people wanting into the museum. I just could walk trough the entrance, literally.
And so i got a glimpse of all the treasures the Catholic church collected over the past centuries and the art, sculptures and paintings they got from various artists in many of the rooms and halls.
The first section i visited was the Egyptian museum. Does these even belongs here to the Vatican, i’ve been thinking. But then more and more sculptures, paintings, mosaics and huge tapestry followed on the other rooms.
The tourists been waving with their phones, tried to capture the beauty of art in their pockets. So did i, more or less. But honestly, it’s hard to get a proper picture from the huge paintings in the wall, if you can’t inhale the spirit of the hall. In this way, it was just right to forbid to make photos in the amazing and world famous „Sistine Chapel“ There are guards, who not only watch out for illegal photographers, but also remind the visitors to be silent.
rene bauer photography 