Türkiye – broad history and mass tourism today

Since the founding of the republic in 1923 as the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, Turkey has been secular and Kemalist in orientation. The country's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, initiated a modernization of Turkey through social and legal reforms modelled on various European nation states.

The current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been at the helm of the country since 2003. Since around 2012, he has led the country in an increasingly authoritarian manner. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press in particular are considered to be severely restricted. The currency and debt crisis triggered by its economic policies as well as high inflation have continued since 2018, which makes Turkey quite attractive from a tourist perspective.

The culture of today's Turkey is a fusion of the ancient Turkish nomadic culture of Central Asia and Siberia, the Greco-Roman era, the culture in the Ottoman Empire with its Byzantine, Persian, Arabic, Caucasian, Armenian and Kurdish influences, as well as the strong European direction since the founding of the Republic Ataturk. The cultural centre of the country is the metropolis of Istanbul.

With the political changes, the content of Turkish literature also changed. Early representatives include Fakir Baykurt, Sabahattin Ali, Sait Faik Abasıyanık and Yaşar Kemal, who put ordinary people at the centre of their work. With the turn to describing living conditions, social and political criticism of the state is inevitable. The state reacts with censorship and political violence. Authors like Nâzım Hikmet, Yaşar Kemal and Aziz Nesin spend many years in Turkish prisons because of the persecution of their publications. Kemal therefore referred to the prison as a “school of Turkish literature”.

Turkish cuisine has also influenced Greek and the rest of the Balkan cuisine - including etymology. For example, tzaziki comes from the Turkish cacık, and Ćevapčići comes from kabapcik. Yogurt also comes from Turkish Yoğurt. Doner kebab is made from beef, veal or poultry. In Turkey, but also in other countries, the kebab is also served on a plate.

Pamukkale - The Cotton Castle

Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is both, a magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world and with its ancient ruins it is perhaps the most attractive spot for tourists.

Laodicea: mentioned in the New Testament

Many of the ancient sites we visited in Turkey are closely related to the history of Christian development and are explicitly mentioned in the Bible in this respect, as it is the case with Laodicea.

Balıkesir - between Marmara and Aegean Resorts

Balıkesir, with about 315.000 inhabitants, is situated between the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea, i. e. between the towns of Istanbul and Izmir in the province of Balıkesir. The town covers an area of 14,500 m² and, with its 1.5 million inhabitants, it is one of the 20 largest of the 81 provinces of Turkey.

Kyzikos - Greeks from Miletus founded this colony!

To expand their trading activities, Greek settlers from Miletus moved to many new regions, including the ancient Mysian landscape, which corresponds to the modern Balız near Erdek in the province of Balıkesir.

Aphrodisias - the famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite

Aphrodisias was a town in Caria, Asia Minor. It is located near the modern village of Geyre, Aydın, Turkey. The ancient city of Aphrodisias is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Greek and Roman periods in Turkey.

Aydın - surrounded by Mountains

The city of Aydın is situated 65 km east of Kuşadası and is surrounded by the Samsun Mountain. The city has a rich cultural history. The local museum displays artifacts from the different periods of ancient history. There are many ruins and historical sites around the city which bear witness to its history.

Bafa Lake

Bafa Lake is situated in southwest Turkey, part of it within the boundaries of Milas district of Muğla Province and the northern part within Aydın Province's Soke district, approx. 30 km from Didim. 

Nysa of Caria

- The Ancient City of Romantic Breeze
The ancient city of Nysa was a famous settlement in Western Anatolia in Roman-Byzantine times. The well known traveller Strabon of Amaseia described Nysa as a kind of double city as it was situated on either sides of a tributary stream.

Dilek Peninsula National Park

The Dilek Peninsula National Park, known locally as Milli Park, offers a haven of peace and serenity away from the bustle of the city. On the way to the National Park you will find a large farm with many sorts of birds, sheep and many horses.

Güzelcamli of Kusadasi

Güzelcamli, with its unspoiled natural beauty, numerous sandy beaches and warm waters, stretches 23 kilometres southwest of Kusadasi. The town has been inhabited by many different civilizations and was a particularly important site during the Ionian period.

Kuşadası - Holiday-paradise on Earth

Kuşadası (Bird Island), is set in a superb gulf on the west coast of Turkey. It is known for its turquoise sparkling water, wide sandy beaches and modern marina. The very beautiful ancient city of Ephesus stood on the site of Kuşadası.

Kuşadası and its diversity of beach-activities

Kuşadası attracts those people who like to spend their holiday doing all sorts of activities such as horse riding, driving into the mountains, walking in the countryside, playing in swimming pools and aqua parks, going scuba diving along the rocky coasts or joining the daily boat trips or Blue Voyage.

Old Doganbey Village • Domatia

During our visit at some friends in Didim we had the opportunity to see some places next to the touristic spots of Didim. We heard about an old Greek village with old stone houses, we would like to see.