If we prepare a blog on time travel on that landscape, common cults can’t be ignored. That’s why I would like to introduce you a Greek god;

Dionysos was a common cult in ancient Greek world. He was the God of wine and fertility. Believers of Dionysos were based on nature and Dionysos’ attractive power. Fests were organized with wine and plays were performed in those fests. Naked dancers were dancing in those fests. Everyone was drinking wine. Those times were important because they made public feel great. There were temples for Dionysos. Although he was a god, he wasn’t one of the main gods of Mt.Olympos. He was described in various forms.

Dionysos was a cult that had a deep impact in cultural life. It is told that tragedy was invented during Dionysos fests.

We are in Ankara today. Ankara is the capital of Turkish Republic but it has been very important for centuries due to its location. This is the story;

We are going back to Phrygian period. We see King Midas and he was accepted as founder of ancient city of Ankara. Gordion was the similar city of Ankyra. Before that period, Hittites had important residences in the region.It was an important military station in Roman Period. East Roman Empire had used Ancyra for this purpose. Then Turkish states attacked this landscape and Turkish domination had begun. Finally it became the headquarter of Turkish Independence War and it is the capital of Turkish Republic in present.

Temple of Augustus was the important building because it was one of the biggest temples of this landscape. The symbol of the city was Sun figure in Hittite period. Briefly Ankara has been heart of this landscape for centuries.

Turkey is a country that has a lot of great ancient sites with tales. This is one of them;

Philadelphia was one of the most well known ancient sites in Small Asia. It was founded in Pergamon Kingdom period but it had its real fame in Roman period. Due to the festivals at the site, it was called as ” Little Athens”. The city was famous for its temples and festivals in ancient era. The public had a life that was full of fun and belief. The most outstanding building of the site was St.Jean church.

Maybe you can feel the atmosphere of those days among the ruins of Philadelphia.

Constantinople had treasures and all of them were so valuable that they couldn’t be compared with anything. Even the rumors are so impressive that we can imagine treasures that we dream. This is the story;

We are going back to 1453 and Constantinople was about to collapse. East Romans were in horror so they were trying to save as much as everything. Byzantines decided to hide their treasures such as golds and valuable metals underneath the Golden horn. The public and royal family members threw everything to Golden Horn. Finally Ottomans conquered the city.

Years had passed and this legend had lived here for centuries. Finally somebody decided to plan archeological work on this legend. Some scientists and archeologists searched the bottom of Golden Horn. According to their state, they couldn’t find anything. I wonder if it is true. According to the legend even there is a golden coach under the Golden Horn.

Is it really hiding a great treasure?

Mt.Uludağ is one of the well known resort places and winter sport facilities of Turkey. What do you know about its historical background of Mt.Uludağ?

This mountain was named as Olympos Mysia in early ages. Then its name had changed as Mt.Monk in Roman period because there were religious centers on the mountain. It was one of the important centers of Christianity. The monks had escaped from here when Turks dominated the region. The mountain had named as Mt.Uludağ after Turkish Republic was founded.

Especially in winters, many domestic and foreign tourists are attracted to the mountain. The hotels are open in winter season. It is a worth visiting place of South Marmara.

Istanbul city has a lot of mysterious points. One of them is the missing island of Marmara Sea named Vordonisi. This is the story;

We are going back to year 1010 and Byzantion faced a big earthquake. It was so big that the silhouette of the city had changed. In the same time, an island sank into Marmara Sea. That island wasn’t deserted, there used to be a monastery and priests on the island. So the geography of the city had changed again because earthquakes had changed the face of the region several times. This island was located nearby the Asian Minor and it was the resident of a monastery and priests. But it was sank because of an earthquake.

The story didn’t finish here. It had been forgotten for a while till the recent years. This island was found and the archeological works were begun. It is thought that it is going to give us valuable information on history of Istanbul and earthquake history of Istanbul.

I am looking forward to knowing more on this old residence of the city.

Assyrians were one of the states that developed trade in Small Asia. We are going back to 1950 BC and 1750 BC.

This is the period of Assyrian Trade Colonies era. Assyrians created a developed trade system between this landscape and Mesopotamia. This trade route consisted of many ancient sites and trade of natural goods were made. Trade was the major economical activity. This situation caused to provide an economical development. Traders were living in those centers so there used to be a busy life in those sites.

We have some archeological proofs that show us how much developed system it is. This is the sign of the importance of the landscape till today.

Persians were one of the greatest states that had a deep impact on this landscape. Persian Empire had a perfect communication system. Here are the details;

This path was built by Lydians firstly then it was extended to Persepolis in order to create a fast post route. It was around 3000 km. long and the Persian deliverers could be able to take this route in seven days. The Persian deliverers were the fastest ones in ancient era. This route was reconstructed by the Persian king Darius I in 5th century BC.

Thanks to this developed route planning and fast deliverers, Persian Empire created an impressive post system from Small Asia to capital Persepolis.

Sumela Monastery was one of the mysterious places of Turkey. It is located in Trabzon county of Turkey. The most outstanding feature is to be built in a mountain. We are going back to its history;

Two monks who didn’t know each other had the same dream. Barnabas of Athens and Sophronios saw the angels and Virgin Mary. So they arrived the same place where they dreamed. It was Mt.Mela (It takes its name from the mountain it was built). They started to build a church here. It was an unreachable place and good place for retirement. It was the year between AD 365 and AD 395. It was the first building. Then it was extended in time. It was an active monastery till 1923. Last monks went to Greece according to exchange agreement of Greece and Turkey.

Some secret places and tunnels were discovered in recent years. It is a great monastery in Black sea.

We are going back to 2400 years ago and our destination is Bthynia Empire capital. It is today’s Bursa county of Turkey.

Bthynia Empire was an important state because it was the neighborhood of East Roman Empire and it was a strong state. They had a net constructed under the city in order to supply water and food during a siege. This net was centered by Bithynia palace. It was so well organized that it could stand against a siege that could last long.

Today we discover those tunnels. It is understood that this net was built by a great engineering even for today.