Historical Framework of Turkey
Anatolia has seen the rise and fall of sophisticated civilizations, including that of the great Assyrians, Hittites, Phrygians and Urartians. Over the centuries, this land was populated almost continuously. The Hellenictic period produced some of the finest sites. Near Çanakkale , on the Aegean coasts, lie the remains of ancient Troy and in the mountainous southwest are the ruined settlements of Lycia, whose inhabitants left behind and assortment of unusual rock tombs.
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In the early Christian era, St. Paul travelled through Asia Minor, then part of the Roman Empire, to preach the Gospel. Between the 3rd and 7th centuries,Christianity was a central force in the development of Anatolia. This was the period when the Byzantines endowed Turkey with glorious architectural masterpieces, which can still be seen at places like Ephesus,Aphrodisias and in Istanbul, Where the former church of Haghia Sophia has stood for more than 14 centuries.
The Seljuk Turks added their superb architectural legasy, as did the Ottomans, whose empire at one point stretched from Hungary to Iraq. Many other peoples, among them Jews, Russians, Armenians and Greeks, have played and important part in Turkey's complex history.
The fruits of this diversity can be seen in superb mosaics and frescoes, colourful tilework, underground cities, interesting historic and biblical sights, city walls and fortresses.
Turks are proud of the modern nation Atatürk forged out of the ruined Ottoman Empire.
" Ne Mutlu Türküm Diyene" is a common Turkish phrase that means "Happy is the person who can say he is aTurk."
The fruits of this diversity can be seen in superb mosaics and frescoes, colourful tilework, underground cities, interesting historic and biblical sights, city walls and fortresses.
Turks are proud of the modern nation Atatürk forged out of the ruined Ottoman Empire.
" Ne Mutlu Türküm Diyene" is a common Turkish phrase that means "Happy is the person who can say he is aTurk."
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