WORLD HERITAGE IN THE CENTRAL ANATOLIA

In the museum of the Anatolian Civilizations we will discover the history of the Hittites and the Anatolian cultural heritage. Afterwards we will visit the old city and will have a city tour in Ankara. Ankara is the capital city and since 1923 it is the second biggest city in Turkey. After the Turkish war of independence Ankara became the symbol of the young Turkish republic and the rebirth of the Turkey as a modern nation. The Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, is a revered visiting point and the symbol of the city.

The culture of the Hittites was very highly developed. With to the Egyptians and the Assyrians/Babylonians they have been considered the third major power of the Old Orient. Our way leads us to the Bogazkale, into the Hittite capital city of Hattusa. The Hittites ruled between 1650-2000 BC in the wide parts of Anatolia and Syria. The famous rock temple Yazilikaya shows a procession of the Gods of Hittites. The Hittite’s capital city, Hattusa, today recognized a UNESCO World Heritage Center, was powerful and prosperous as the ruins of the temples, palaces and the defense systems prove. Afterwards we will be on the way to the archeological site of Alacahöyük, which has been settled already in the 4th millennium B.C. In Alacahöyük there are 13 settlement layers. Some of the burial objects could be seen on the previous day in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. Two overnights in Çorum.

Although the traditional houses from the Seljuk, Mongolian and Ottoman period stand picturesque along the Yesilirmak River, the historical importance of Amasya is beyond the imagination. Hattusha was ruled once from Amasya, afterwards under the reign of Mithradates the Pontic Kingdom was established here. Amasya was much favored by the early Ottomans; crown prince’s often served as governors. We will be visiting the old city with its typical “Konaks” (wooden houses), the impressive Pontic rock tombs, Gök Medrese and the 14th century Bimarhane Mental Hospital. At the end of the day, we will be visiting the archeological museum in Corum where the findings of the excavations in the area could be seen.

The Kızılırmak (Turkish for Red River) is the longest river in Turkey and today our way will be following Kızılırmak. In the ancient times the river was called Halys River and established an embattled border. The oracle of Delphi predicted to the Lydian king Croesus, he would destroy a great empire if he could pass the river. It came true actually… The valleys of this green region of Turkey are fruitful. In Tosya we will be informed about rice cultivation and afterwards our way continues to Kastamonu. Mustafa Kemal , the founder of the Turkish Republic gave his famous speech against the ottoman style headdress called “Fes” in Kastamonu on the terrace of the archeological museum in 1925. He called for all the men to use a Western style hat instead of the Ottoman fes. This hat law is still today effective. The wooden old houses from the Ottoman period, the mosque and the narrow streets are impressive

The beautiful wooden mosque in Kasaba village (Mahmutbey Camii) is from 1366. The entrance door is a masterpiece of woodcutting. The mosque is on the waiting list of the UNESCO cultural heritage. The “museum village” Yörük Köy is about 11 km far away from Safranbolu. Its historical buildings are magnificent. It is a small model of Safranbolu. The name of the town Safranbolu derives from “saffron” and the Greek word “polis” (city), since Safranbolu was a trading place and a center for growing saffron. The old town preserves many old buildings and Safranbolu was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1994 due to its well preserved Ottoman era houses and architecture.

The upper town of Safranbolu is at the UNESCO World Heritage as well. This area used to be once the vineyard. After having a look at the aqueduct we will be on our way to the metropolis Istanbul where we will arrive in the afternoon.

Return flight According to your request you can prolong your stay in Istanbul.