Ephesus

From Bergama we headed south to Selcuk, where Ephesus is located.

The Basilica of St. John the Apostle was built in Selcuk in the 6th century. It is claimed John wrote his gospel and was buried here.

Isa Bey Mosque was built by the Seljuk Turks in the 14th century.

The Grand Seljuk Fortress

What's left of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The House of the Virgin Mary. It is said St. John brought the Virgin Mary here after Jesus was crucified. Visiting the house is free, but Selcuk charges a "utilities fee" for the upkeep to all visitors.

Ephesus is perhaps the most extensive Roman ruin in the world.

Library of Celsus

Sarah and I (might have) explored the off limits part of Ephesus that was still being excavated.

Creepy

Pergamon

The ancient Greek city of Pergamon is located in modern day Bergama. It supported Rome in its wars against the Macedonians and the Seleucids, and was able to become a sizable independent kingdom in Asia Minor from 282 - 133 B.C. Its last king, Attalus III, bequeathed the kingdom to Rome on his deathbed, providing the Roman Empire a foothold to launch its conquest of Asia Minor. Above is a picture of the Temple of Trajan.

Pergamon puppies!

Bergama is also home to the Red Basilica. Once a temple of Serapis, a Graeco-Egyptian god invented by Ptolemy I to unify the two cultures, it was converted into a church, and later, a mosque. The Red Basilica is one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation; it is said to be the dwelling place of Satan and the location of his throne. Pergamon is located on the top of a hill overlooking the city Bergama, and when dozens of calls to prayer occur at the same time and echo through the valley bellow, it isn't a stretch of the imagination to think their combined dissonant wail is the bellows of some terrifying creature bellow the basilica.

Troy

From Canakkale we visited Troy on our way to Pergamon.

Canakkale had an excellent museum which housed a coastal fort and some awesome Ataturk artwork.

This is a replica of the mine-layer that planted the mines that thwarted British attempts to take Istanbul by sea during WWI.

Inside was an awesome indepth presentation of the battle for the straights which consisted of a beautifully crafted terrain model with light effects for the shelling of the coast and a video screen for the water showing where the ships and mines were.

Of course Troy has a replica Trojan horse.

Troy ruins actually consists of nine different cities built on top of one another. Troy VII is thought to be the Homeric Troy.

Troy was discovered during an expedition funded by German businessman Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s. Schliemann excavated the ruins poorly, but found a cache of gold known as Priam's Treasure. Schliemann smuggled some of the treasure out of Turkey back to Germany, where the Soviets eventually got a hold of it during WWII. Russia now refuses to give back to Turkey what it claims to be "war reparations from Germany;"  the treasure is now housed in the Pushkin Museum. Above is a picture of Schliemann's daughter wearing the treasure.

Troy kittens!

Gallipoli

The Gallipoli Campaign during WWI was a defining moment in Anzac and Turkish nationalism and launched Ataturk on the path to greatness. The Gallipoli Peninsula now houses many monuments to the war and an excellent (and surprisingly technical) museum on the subject.

The town of Gelibolu houses the Tomb of Karaca Bey, an Ottoman standard bearer who in 1410 ate a flag rather than let it be captured by the enemy. When his captors did not believe him, he cut open his stomach and pulled out the flag. Glorious.

Anzac Cove, with Sphinx Rock in the background

A monument to a Turkish soldier who saved an Australian soldier.

Australian Cemetery

Both sides had around a 60% casualty rate caused by desperate fighting to claim the high ground. Its advantages are abundantly clear.

We took a ferry across the Dardanelles from Eceabat to Canakkale. The big vehicle is the ridiculous Marshrutka we rented to drive around Turkey.

Istanbul

My family and I visited Turkey for winter break. Istanbul -> Gallipoli -> Troy -> Pergamom -> Ephesus -> Batumi -> Kutaisi -> Akhaltsikhe.

Blue Mosque

The back column is what's left of the Hippodrome.

A gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II. Bad call, Young Turks.

Hagia Sophia

Church -> Mosque -> Museum

Ottoman Sultan's tombs on the premises.

Entrance to the Harem at Topkapi Palace, where the Ottoman Sultans ruled.

The Golden Cage, where the heirs to the throne were kept imprisoned in luxury until it was their time to rule.

Ottoman Seal

Ottoman Coat of Arms

Galata Tower

The Panorama 1453 Museum, which details Sultan Mehmed II's capture of Constantinople. It has an awesome (wait for it) panorama of the event inside. The Theodosian Walls are in the background.

Chora Church, a museum full of beautiful mosaics.

Istanbul is full of stray cats, inside and out.

The Column of Constantine next to the Grand Bazaar.

I like squirrels.

Sarah likes Ataturk.

Sarah and I hiked along the Theodosian Walls near Topkapi Palace. They are largely inhabited by homeless people, who also have the best view of the Bosphorus.

Among the sketchier things I've done: Sarah and I hiked along a train track until we came to a station, hopped up on the boarding platform, and exited the station.

The Basilica Cistern, where water was stored in ancient Constantinople.

Medusa Head

Valens Aqueduct

Rumelihisari, a fortress I saw on a Bosphorus tour.

I also saw a Turkish submarine, nbd.