EASTERN TURKEY:
ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY
The tomb of Antiochus I at Nemrut Dagi
7
Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly--and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.
8
And look--a thousand Roses with the Day
Woke--and a thousand scatter'd into Clay:
And this first Summer month that brings the Rose
Shall take Jamshyd and Kaikobàd away.
9
But come with old Khayyàm, and leave the Lot
Of Kaikobàd and Kaikhosrú forgot:
Let Rustum lay about him as he will,
Or Hàtim Tai cry Supper--heed them not.
10
With me along some Strip of Herbage strown
That just divides the desert from the sown,
Where name of Slave and Sultàn is scarce known,
And pity Sultàn Mahmúd on his Throne!
11
Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
A Flask of Wine, a Loaf of Bread,--and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness--
And Wilderness is Paradise enow!
Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly--and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.
8
And look--a thousand Roses with the Day
Woke--and a thousand scatter'd into Clay:
And this first Summer month that brings the Rose
Shall take Jamshyd and Kaikobàd away.
9
But come with old Khayyàm, and leave the Lot
Of Kaikobàd and Kaikhosrú forgot:
Let Rustum lay about him as he will,
Or Hàtim Tai cry Supper--heed them not.
10
With me along some Strip of Herbage strown
That just divides the desert from the sown,
Where name of Slave and Sultàn is scarce known,
And pity Sultàn Mahmúd on his Throne!
11
Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
A Flask of Wine, a Loaf of Bread,--and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness--
And Wilderness is Paradise enow!
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
THE TOUR
This three week study tour has an emphasis on the ancient sites and cultures of the east of Turkey. We start in Istanbul with a visit to the historic heart of the city - here we explore the famous Byzantine Chora Church and the Ottoman splendour of the Suleymania Mosque. We then fly to Kars in the far east of the country. We visit the fascinating ruins of Ani, the ancient capital of Armenia, which preserves many early churches. We also explore the historic centre of Kars including a Seljuk era castle.
We head south to see the ruins of the Ishak Pasha Seray, a magnificent 18th Century palace situated on a mountain pass with views of Mt Ararat. We spend a few days in Van where we explore the Urartian ruins of Tushpa (9th Century BC). We also see the ancient ruins of Cavustepe and the Kurdish castle of Hosap. We travel along the southern shore of Lake Van to visit the early medieaval church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island.
We then travel south to Diyarbakir, dramatically located on the Tigris River, where we explore the Great Mosque, the city walls and the local markets. Our journey takes us west, stopping to see the fascinating relief scenes on the pre-Neolithic temple site of Gobekli Tepe. From here we travel to Sanliurfa, ancient Edessa, which has a splendid complex of shrines and monuments associated with the Prophet Abraham. We also visit the citadel and Great Mosque and explore the exotic bazaar.
We visit the Euphrates Dam and continue on to Nemrut Dagi where we see the superb mortuary complex of Antiochus I of Commagene - numerous statues of the gods and the king look out over the rugged landscape. We travel to Gaziantep where we see a stunning collection of mosaics - these were rescued from the Roman city of Zeugma when a dam was built across the Euphrates. We also explore the old quarter of Gaziantep.
Our journey takes us west, stopping to see the Neo-Hittite palace at Karatepe and the Crusader era castle of Toprakkale. We then visit Antakya, the site of ancient Antioch on the Orontes River. Here we visit the newly built Hatay Archaeology Museum which has one of the world’s best collections of mosaics.
We travel to Yilankale, a superb Armenian castle, and on to Adana where we explore the medieval quarter. We see Kizkalesi Castle on the Mediterranean Coast, and head inland to see the ruins of the famous Neolithic settlement of Catal Huyuk. We next visit Konya, famous for its shrine to the Mevlana, founder of the Whirling Dirvish movement. In Konya we also see the Alaettin Mosque, and the archaeology museum.
Our tour then heads north to Bogazkoy, the site of Hattusas, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire. We spend a day exploring the ancient palace, and also see the temple complex at Yazilikaya. We then head to Ankara where we see the wonderful Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the Mausoleum of Ataturk. The tour ends in Istanbul with a visit to the stunning Dolmabahce Palace.
The Palace of Ishak Pasha at Dogubayazit
ITINERARY*
Day 1: Depart Australia
You should arrive in Istanbul.
Day 2: Chora Church - Suleymania
In the morning we visit the Church of Saint Saviour in Chora. This preserves some of the best mosaics and frescoes from the Middle Ages. We also explore the Theodosian Walls of Istanbul. In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Suleymania Mosque. Constructed by the famous architect Sinan, it is a one of the great Ottoman buildings. Overnight Istanbul.
Day 3: Fly to Kars - explore Kars
We head to the airport for our flight to Kars in the far east of Turkey. In the afternoon we visit the Armenian church of the Holy Apostles and the Seljuk era Castle overlooking Kars. Overnight Kars.
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The churches of Ani |
Cuneiform inscriptions at Van citadel |
Day 4: Ani ruins
Today we visit the ruins of the city of Ani, once the medieval capital of Armenia. We explore the numerous churches within the city, and see the walls and towers of this ancient city set in a dramatic mountainous landscape. Overnight Kars.
Day 5: Mt Ararat - Dogubayazit - drive to Van
In the morning we head south, passing through dramatic mountain territory. We travel close by Mt Ararat, purported resting place of Noah's Ark. We visit the superb Ishak Pasha Palace at Dogubayazit which is located at the entrance to a mountain pass heading east. This magnificent 18th Century palace is a mixture of different architectural styles and is located with views of Mt Ararat. In the afternoon we continue south to Van. Overnight Van.
Day 6: Hosap - Cavustepe
In the morning we see the 17th Century Ottoman castle at Hosap, built to guard a major trade route through the mountains. The castle is located on a dramatic rock outcropping and preserves its palace rooms. After lunch we head to Cavustepe where we see the fortress palace of Sarduri-Hinili, built by the Urartian Kings in the 8th Century BC. Overnight Van.
Day 7: Ahdamar Island - Van castle
We head around the southern shore of Lake Van, stopping at Ahdamar Island to see the 10th Century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross. Built in 921 it is decorated with frescoes and relief carvings of Biblical stories. We return to Van where we visit the citadel of Tushpa, the 9th Century BC capital of the Ancient Kingdom of Urartu. Overnight Van.
Day 8: Drive to Diyarbakir
We travel south through scenic mountain county, stopping to see an Ottoman carvanserai. In the afternoon we arrive into Diyarbakir, dramatically located overlooking the Tigris River. We explore some of the ancient walls and go for a walk in the historic quarter. Overnight Diyarbakir.
Day 9: Diyarbakir
Today we explore more of the ancient city of Diyarbakir, a major Kurdish centre surrounded by impressive black basalt walls. We explore the bastions and walls of the city, the Great Mosque built in 1091, the Hasan Pasha Han (markets), an ancient Caravanserai and a number of churches (including an ancient Syrian Orthodox church). Overnight Diyarbakir.
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The walls of Diyarbakir |
Gobekli Tepe pre-Neolithic ruins |
Day 10: Gobekli Tepe Temple
In the morning we head west to see the excavations of the remarkable pre-Neolithic temple at Gobekli Tepe. Constructed around 10,000 BC it is the earliest known man-made place of worship. Overnight Sanliurfa.
Day 11: Sanliurfa - Euphrates
The day is set aside to explore the historical centre of Sanliurfa. We visit the famous fish pools and the Prophet Abraham's cave. We also see the 12th Century Great Mosque and explore the wonderful bazaar with its ancient hans. Our journey then takes us north to the Euphrates Dam (Ataturk Dam). Overnight Adiyaman.
Day 12: Nemrut Dagi
In the morning we drive to Mt Nemrut. We see the magnificent stone figures which decorate the tomb of Mithridates of Commagene, built around 80 BC. We also see the intact Cendere Roman Bridge built by the Emperor Septimius Severus. Overnight Adiyaman.
Day 13: Gaziantep - Zeugma Mosaic Museum
In the morning we drive to Gaziantep. After lunch we visit the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum which is renown for its superb collection of mosaics. These wonderful art works were rescued from the ancient Roman city of Zeugma which was partially flooded by the building of the Birecik Dam on the Euphrates River. Overnight Gaziantep.
Day 14: Karatepe - Toprakkale
In the morning we head west to see the ancient site of Karatepe, location of a spectacular Neo-Hittite palace built by ruler Azatiwatash dating to the 8th Century BC. The incised reliefs, left in situ but covered, show gods of the Hittite Pantheon. The palace gates are guarded by carved lions. We then explore the spectacular Crusader castle of Toprakkale. Overnight Antakya.
Day 15: Antakya - Hatay Archaeology Museum - Yilankale
Today we explore the history of Antakya, the ancient city of Antioch on the Orontes River. This includes a visit to the recently built Hatay Archaeology Museum which has one of the greatest collections of mosaics in the world. In the afternoon we head north, stopping to see the 12th Century Armenian Castle called Yilankale. Overnight Adana.
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The shrines of Sanliurfa |
The lion gate at Karatepe |
Day 16: Adana
The day is set aside to explore the historic centre of Adana. We visit the 319m Roman bridge built by Hadrian and restored by Justinian. We also see the mameluke Great Mosque built in 1507 and the Covered Bazaar. The archaeological Museum has a good collection of local artefacts from Hittite to Roman times. In the afternoon it is possible to have a Turkish bath. Overnight Adana.
Day 17: Kizkalesi - Catal Huyuk
In the morning we stop to see the 12th Century Kizkalesi island castle. We then head inland, stopping in the afternoon at the ruins of the Neolithic city of Catal Huyuk. The site was occupied from 6800-5700 BC and preserves a rich array of artefacts and wall paintings. Overnight Konya.
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Stunning mosaics from Zeugma |
The Lion gate at Hattusas |
Day 18: Konya
In the morning we explore the old quarter of Konya including the Mevlana Museum of Rumi, founder of the Whirling Dervish movement. We also see the Seljuk era Alaettin Mosque. After lunch we travel NE to Bogazkale. Overnight Bogazkale.
Day 19: Hattusas
The day is set aside to explore Hattusas, the Late Bronze Age capital of the Hittites. Highlights include the royal citadel, the Great Temple and the impressive city gates. We also visit the rock-cut shrine of Yazilikaya which preserves remarkable representations of the Hittite pantheon. Overnight Bogazkale.
Day 20: Ankara Museum - Ataturk mausoleum
In the morning we travel to Ankara. We visit the newly revamped Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, home to an impressive collection of artefacts representative of Turkish history from the Paleolithic Era down to the Roman period. Of particular interest are the neo-Hittite reliefs from Carcamesh and the Assyrian letters from Kanesh. After a break we see the mausoleum of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, founder of the modern nation of Turkey. Overnight Ankara.
Day 21: Fly to Istanbul - Dolmabahce palace
In the morning we fly to Istanbul. In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace on the shores of the Bosphorus. Constructed by Sultan Abdul Mecit in the mid-19th Century, it was lavishly decorated in a European style. Our visit includes the state rooms and harem. Overnight Istanbul.
Day 22: Depart Istanbul
We depart Istanbul.
* Please note that the Company reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary may also be subject to minor re-arrangement due to the scheduling of the operators and availability of access. If this occurs, the Company will endeavour to provide a comparable alternative.