Topkapı Palace

The Topkapı Palace (Turkish: Topkapı Sarayı) or in Ottoman Turkish: طوپقپو سرايى, usually spelled "Topkapi" in English is a palace in Istanbul, Turkey, which was the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years of their 624-year reign, from 1465 to 1856.



The palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments and is a major tourist attraction today, containing the most holy relics of the Muslim world such as the Prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword.Topkapı Palace is among those monuments belonging to the "Historic Areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and is described in Criterion iv as "the best examples of ensembles of palaces of the Ottoman period."

Initial construction began in 1459, ordered by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Byzantine Constantinople. The palace is a complex made up of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. At the height of its existence as a royal residence, the palace was home to as many as 4,000 people,formerly covering a larger area with a long shoreline. The complex has been expanded over the centuries, with many renovations such as after the 1509 earthquake and 1665 fire. It held mosques, a hospital, bakeries, and a mint.The name directly translates as "Cannon gate Palace", from the palace being named after a nearby, now destroyed, gate.

Topkapı Palace gradually lost its importance at the end of the 17th century, as the Sultans preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosporus. In 1856, Sultan Abdül Mecid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace, the first European-style palace in the city. Some functions, such as the imperial treasury, the library, mosque and mint, were retained though.

After the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1921, Topkapı Palace was transformed by government decree on April 3, 1924 into a museum of the imperial era. The Topkapı Palace Museum is under the administration of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The palace complex has hundreds of rooms and chambers, but only the most important are accessible to the public today. The complex is guarded by officials of the ministry as well as armed guards of the Turkish military. The palace is full of examples of Ottoman architecture and also contains large collections of porcelain, robes, weapons, shields, armor, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts and murals, as well as a display of Ottoman treasure and jewelry.

Niagara Falls

Niagara River from Lake Erie about 56 miles long and up to the lake is emptied Ontoria. Are also the world's biggest hydroelectric power. 99 meters and the height between the two lakes finds. Niagara Falls in Canada around the horseshoe-shaped lake, 52 meters long, between the lake surface and the base is 55 meters.



Niagara Falls History
Niagara'yı missionary in 1678 for the first time have discovered, in 1791 became the first travelers.

People came in here 12 thousand years ago. Niagara Falls is located at this time from the current 11 kilometers below. To erode over time under the stone to its present location has been eroded. 1950s up to three meters per year, this erosion continued to wear, but in that year by changing the direction of the Niagara river safer for tourists to visit the place where the flow of water is supported by steel blocks. Though this work is being done at the same time as a bride adorned Niagara'yı colorful night lighting system is also mounted. Niagara'nın 600 million years ago based on the true story. He claimed that once here, the shallow sea. 100 million years of rain, wind and waves in layers under the sea can cause these layers to settle. All of a sudden the world, the Appalachian Mountains begin to compress towards each other when they get new features and huge rivers of mud to form the delta, more than 600 miles east of Lake Ontoria ta in size until the present Niagara.

Another belief is in Niagara Falls North America's largest, 10,000 years ago came from the North Pole ice are caused by depression.

Valley of the Butterflies

Butterfly Valley Location
Butterfly Valley, in Mugla province, Dead Sea resort town of Fethiye within the borders is a natural treasure. Butterfly Valley, in south-west Mediterranean coast Babadag (Ancient Kragos Mountain) at the foot of Ölüdeniz It appears from 3-4 miles away. Waterfall flowing from the east to the bed of the valley, 350 m high steep cliffs has created a special place.

Butterfly Valley Tourist Facilities
The name of the canyon, between the months of July-September, deemed "Jarsey Tiger" was taken from his butterflies. "Arctidae" most beautiful member of the family, the "Tiger Butterfly" hundreds of species of butterflies found in a colony, especially in the months of June and October and amaze those watching.

Because of its endemic species of the world heritage protection has been proposed as one of 100 mountains in the Babadağ Valley of the Butterflies, February 8 1995 1 degree of natural protection has been declared closed and all kinds of urbanization and industrialization. 350 meters, reaching the valley surrounded by steep rocky walls of the name, hosted by over 80 species of butterflies and butterflies, especially Tiger took. Pension in the village supply fallen from 50 meters high waterfall, a stream passing through the valley to the Mediterranean through the middle reaches.

Great Pyramid of Giza

In Egypt Giza, in which case it can be seen today are three pyramids. These are the years between 2613-2494 BC, around the tomb was built for the Egyptian king.

Among the seven wonders of the world until today are the Egyptian pyramids.

The pyramids are dozens of bites in various regions. About how and why the pyramids were made despite some opinions to these questions could not give definitive answers.

But the most plausible is a divine meaning of the pyramids in Egypt is the tomb of the pharaoh. The hidden corridors, doors, halls, and all the treasures of Pharaoh against foreigners was made to protect the mummified body. The largest of these pyramids of the 146-foot-high pyramid of Pharaoh is Keops'a.

Seven wonders of the world until now, the only work that Khufu Pyramid in Egypt is. Egypt's capital Cairo, the Nile River near the Giza Plateau is located to the west. Slightly smaller than the Great Pyramid of Giza near the pyramids are Khafra, and Mikorinos. Also, in the closest to the princess and the mummy of Pharaoh found the pyramid, there are five.

The great Pyramid of Khufu, called Pyramid, BC Towards the 2800 ruling of Egypt's 4th year Tomb of the ruler is the era of family Keops'un. The second largest pyramid, Keops'un pharaoh after the death of a brother and he belongs to the Kefren'e. The small pyramids BC Mikerinos'a ruled in 2500 belongs. Memorial-tomb of the Egyptian pyramids on earth are the oldest and largest. One of the most imposing exterior, the Great Pyramid of Giza and the "Wonder of the World's First" were entitled to character.

Pyramids, pharaohs and mummies of the unique qualities they valued each other in their artwork, king, queen, prince statue was also inside the store and were made to keep these unique treasures.

The height of the Great Pyramid is 138 feet. 10 yards up the hill is eroded. 10-15, some 2.3 million tonnes which was formed by two blocks of stone piled up. 227 meters with a square edge floor occupies an area of 50 524 square meters. Interior of the pyramid in the middle, 100 feet from the top down and bottom is 40 meters above the pharaoh's chamber. Pharaoh's mummy, treasury and private goods has put into this room. Room at 10.5 meters long, five meters wide and six meters high. 50 meters is entered from a corridor here. One belonging to the queen, there are two rooms.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Of the garden, is estimated to be close to the king's palace, the ancient ruins of Babylon were built near the excavation, water channels and the walls of the ruins of Babylon 'Hanging Gardens of what can be owned. Babylon of the Hanging Gardens, but who knows, and takes the glory, and perhaps still in Iraq again someday make healthy scratch it is possible to obtain more reliable data is available.

'Babel' s Vine Gardens of the side you approach, the structure of the layers rises do you see ... giant plant stacks, big and thick trees, so attractive that the ministers' charms. River from the abundant water equipment increases, and outside they can not see. " (The historian Diodorus Siculus)

Fruits and flowers, waterfalls, gushing from the floor of the structure of the garden of exotic animals ... Here Babel "Hanging Gardens of" ni those who had them in mind for the rest. If ancient Greece 's without the historians and poets, anyone would be aware of such a miracle.

Nabukadnezar itself, a stone tablet with cuneiform script on a text written in the present refers to the ongoing construction activities. You do not suffice to mention only the walls also gives the following information.

"I've cooked and shaped in the form of bricks, a branch of the royal place for myself as a Babylonian of fortifications yüksekterek large, cascading a" sand "structure would be built"

This is exactly what the sand structure Nabukadnezar 's inscription does not tell of course. But again Nabukkadnezar 's talking about here is a garden adjoining the count is possible. Besides the royal palace, many of the old oriental rooms are linked directly with an introduction and ruler, would have a park can rest undisturbed. Greek words used for this type of garden, and so the German in the East 'is from the past.

Nabukadnezar's "royal place", indeed, that such a small area near the palace may have been heaven. But this was a garden? And where was exactly.? "

Perhaps an answer to these questions, the oldest city in our own hands we can find two depictions. Babylon they found in an ancient text and the Greek historian Heredetos' s depiction of the city is doing.

Babylon's most ancient depiction of the city was in. This text is written in Babylonian cuneiform on a large number of copies of cuneiform texts, but until today, written in the Greek alphabet is a transcription of the fracture fragments.

Means that Babel 'at the earliest sources about the structure, are responding to our questions about the hanging gardens. In fact the earliest statements about the garden, Nabukadnezar than two centuries, but even after a longer period of time, ie, BC 4. century is.

Aspendos

Aspendos, Antalya - Alanya highway is the most glorious return at the end of the road, but also functional aspects of the best designed and most complete examples of Roman theater is faced with. Structure, according to Greek tradition, the slope of a hill made of. Today, visitors to the building after a long walk in the door they built in front. In fact, the original entry, vaulted the two ends of the stage building paradoslardandır. And a large semicircular diasoma Caeva is divided into two. Above 21 below, there are 20 seats.

Without difficulty for the audience to settle down for ease of movement gradually spread to the stairs were made, the number of stairs in chapter 10, while the orchestra level, starting at the beginning of this number 21 above the upper diasoma is. Considered at a later date on the 59-arched galleries, top caeva 's extends from one end to the other end. Architectural perspective diasoma vaulted gallery top caeva 't have a supporting infrastructure. As the general rules of the protocol caeva 's on both sides of the entrance to the imperial family and the lodges themselves Roman goddess Vesta heart of' or holy virgin dedicated to the devoted. Starting from the orchestra upstairs, the first time for the senators, judges and ambassadors, and second row of the other notables of the city was divided. Other sections are open to all citizens. Women usually sit in the top row of the gallery below. Cavea 'sit at the top of the carved names of specific places here is also clear that some people had left. The theater's seating capacity, although it's impossible to determine precisely 10000-12000 seating capacity is said. Antalya Film and Art Festival held in recent years as part of the concert in the theater could be seen in the theater audience is 20,000.

Undoubtedly the most striking elements of the theater stage building. The two-storey stone masonry in the basement of this building, providing the output of artists on stage and has five doors. Port center, known as Regia on both sides of doors and two small doors are known as port hospitales. Small doors at orchestra level of the reserves where wild animals belong to the drop-down long corridors. The remaining parts, in wall niches and building a small structure in the form of small ornaments into the roof of the triangle and a semicircle (pediment) is placed under the sculptures can be understood.

Have the top floor of the center-column pediment'te god of wine, the founder and patron of the theater of Dionysos' flour has baking. Some parts can be seen in front of the stage building of white plaster on the red zigzag motifs, belong to Seljuk period. Scene at the top of the building is very ornate and covered with a wooden roof.

Aspendos' said Phoenix Theatre is famous for outstanding acoustics. Issued in the middle of the orchestra, even the smallest voice can be heard easily in the top of the gallery. Rich cultural heritage of Anatolia, the nobles who live in the middle of the city and around the monuments they have created stories about. One of those stories passed from generation to generation is related to the Aspendos Theater.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia (Kappadokia) region 60 million years ago, Erciyes, Mount Hasan and the lava and ash Güllüdağ'ın sprayed layers formed by the soft rain and wind over millions of years by erosion has emerged.

Human settlement goes back to the Paleolithic era. Living in the land of the Hittites Religious later became one of the most important centers. The houses and churches carved into the rock area of the pagans to Christians fleeing from persecution have made a huge bunker.

Cappadocia region, particularly to Kırşehir Nevşehir, Niğde, Aksaray and Kayseri is a region that has spread to.

Cappadocia region, where nature and history is an integrated. Fair chimneys creating geographical events, historical processes, people, this Fairy chimneys in houses and churches that have them decorated with frescoes and thousands of years of civilization has been followed to the present. Paleolithic period of human settlements, along with the written history of Cappadocia begins with the Hittites. Colonies throughout the history of trade among countries in the commercial and social hosts, and builds a bridge, Cappadocia, Silk Road is one of the major intersections.

Geological formation

Million years ago 3. Taurus rose in the geological era. Volcanoes of the Anatolian Plateau in the north of the press goes into operation.

Erciyes, Mount Hasan and the rest in between Göllüdağ, drove to the region lavas. A soft layer of ash deposited on the plateau of tuff created. Tuff layer above the rough in places, covered with a layer of basalt lavas which were thin. Basalt cracked and torn apart. Rain leaking through the cracks began to corrode the soft tufa. Warm and cold air and wind also joined the formation. The cone of basalt rock hard so that the hats were created. Different and interesting shaped rocks that fit what the public has a name: "fairy chimney".

Ephesus Ancient City

The first era, one of the most famous cities of the ancient city of Ephesus, Little Menderes river water discharge has been established near the gulf. Arable land, large trade routes opened up to the East, the need to both paganism of Christianity in the period of a major religious center,
to pass into history as a great city has provided. Has announced the name of science and the art world, famous people trained. Their interpretation of dreams Ardemidotus, poet and Hipponax Callinos, philosopher Heraclitus, Painter Parrhasius, Zenodotos grammar knowledge, physicians and Rufus'tur Soranos. The history of the ancient city of Ephesus M.Ö.6000 URLs which it extends, and in recent years Arvalya Çukuriçi finds revealed in the mound.

Ayasuluk Hill during excavations here today from the early Bronze Age settlements have continuously showed up. This is also the former Hill Ayasuluk Ephesus, where the Tribes and the Hittites of Anatolia was settled by Canada. Hittite texts also Apasas in this town is the last city that became final. Strabo and Pausinias ancient writers, history Herodotus, the ancient sources Callinos Efes'li poet of Ephesus was established by eBay, and indigenous people have pointed out Karians create and Leleg

B.C.11-century Athens, the son of King Kodros'un Androklos, like other colonists had arrived in Anatolia, is located around the ancient city of Ephesus. According to legend, Androklos way to build a new city will consult the priests before. Priests where he founded the city will be represented by a fish and wild boar will tell. Anatolian coast of the island of step with the man they caught fish Androklos pan, while the splash of a fish jumped out of the pan sparks will ignite bushes. A wild boar behind the bushes in the flames begin to flee in fear. Remember what I said Andraklos priests and the horse will follow, and it kills the wild boar and wild pigs killed over the city will set up. This myth is depicted in the frieze of the Temple of Hadrian. The originals of these reliefs are exhibited in the Ephesus Museum.

Church of Aya Yorgi

Aya Yorgi deliberately made on behalf of George Church, is located in one of the highest point Büyükada. The Archbishop of the Orthodox Church in Turkey to accept the authority of the church has the distinction of being.

Yorgi church's history

According to describe the Byzantine church of Aya Yorgi remaining in the period under occupation and the icon to save the priests, sacred objects, they buried the bodies and cover the sides of them. After many years of intervening month Yorgi saints, and the church entered into a shepherd's dream of extending road to climb, where the bell sounds to stop and told the diggers.

Did not receive much attention in the event shepherd, he saw the same dream three nights in a row, "I got a job in this business," he not talking to church barefoot and alone and has climbed the long hill. The incident took place in a dream saw the church as soon as it approached the sound of the bell and began to dig at that point, was found buried objects. In addition, each of the bodies had been buried so new that day.

Aya Yorgi Church, 19th century is the structure and is famous for its three bells. Buyukada west, behind a rising slope, Heaven `s is under way. XVII.yy was held in a large part of the monastery, believed that between the years 1920-23 by a White Russian refugees were burned at the time. Higher up from the monastery, the road lined with pine trees on the plains just below the church haçvari plan. It is estimated that the monastery was built with. Middle of the fourth frame openings are covered with a dome that fits on the column. The pendant is passed to the dome. Openings between the corner with four small openings in the dome is covered with barrel vaults. There are 12 windows in the dome. Narthex at the entrance is simple. Both church and narthex have ikonalarla is decorated with murals. Some İkonaların silver embossed, carved wood throne, is despotic. Below is the first time has been under the Byzantine church. Because many were destroyed and a new church was destroyed, the second church in the 1894 earthquake crashes down the present church was built in 1897 `. Monastery on the island now dwindling numbers are used as homes by Cypriot citizens.

According to records obtained from the Patriarchate Monastery of St. Yorgi 1751 date of the building. The small church built on this date, and a prayer chapel in the old church is known as a two-story brick structure covered with a small. Bell tower on the hill at the back of the church which was built of cut stone, and in 1905 the new moon Yorgi Church was built in 1909, was opened for use.

Temple of Artemis

Temple of Artemis (Greek: Artemision; Latin: Artemisium) also known as the Temple of Diana. Goddess Artemis 'temple has been dedicated to Ephesus' in BC Was completed in 550 years. Entirely of marble, the temple was built. The temple, one of the seven wonders of the world today, only two marble pieces from the back survived.



Temple, started by Croesus of Lydia 120-year project is a work. Who compiled the world's seven wonders of Sidon 'lu Antipader temple was described as follows.

Haughty Babel 's on the chariot of the way to the wall and Alpheus' in Zeus, the statue and the vineyards I've seen and the sun and high pyramids of the enormous labor and Mausolus 's vast tomb, but Artemis' in the clouds built on evnini to see what all the other wonders shine lost and I said "Here!, Olympus" s, except the sun did not look at something so big.

For the temple, Byzantine Philo writes:

Ancient Babylon of the walls and hanging gardens, Olimposlu Zeus' s statue, Rhodes' s Kolossusu nu, high craftsmanship of the pyramids and the mighty Mausoleus' s saw the grave. But the clouds toward the rising of Ephesus' sa temple when I saw all the others remained in the shadows

Artemis Temple, 50 km to the city of Izmir today. Located in Ephesus was built in.

A Brief History of the Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1478, the construction of the Dolmabahce Palace Sultan Abdülmecid State's administrative headquarters and nearly 380 years has been the official residence of Ottoman sultans. In its formative years in an area of approximately 700 000 m. ² area of the Palace today 80 000 sq m. dir.Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the people, Star and others were evacuated with the start to live in palaces. After being abandoned by the Sultans or the Topkapi Palace, many officials have not lost any significance. When time was restored palace. In the month of Ramadan, the Sultan and his family visited by the Office of the Holy Relics to be maintained every year is a separate attention.

Topkapi Palace, the first time, almost like a museum opened to visitors Abdulmecid (1839-1861) period are found. At that time the British ambassador to the items shown in the Topkapi Palace Treasury. After that, the Topkapi Palace Treasury in the ancient works of foreigners show become a tradition, and the Sultan Abdul Aziz (1861-1876) time, ampir style in the antics windows are made, the Treasury's previous works, the display cases in foreigners to be shown begins. Sultan II. Abdul Hamid (1876-1909) was dethroned in the Topkapi Palace Treasury-i Hümâyûn'un during Sunday and Tuesday to be opened to the public yet it never realized it was thought.

Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, by order of April 3, 1924 on to the public to be opened in Istanbul Asar-ı Atika Museums Directorate and connecting to Topkapi Palace, before the Treasury Chamberlain, then the Treasury Directorate with the name began to serve, and finally the Topkapı Palace Museum Directorate under the name of providing service continues.

Offical Website: www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr