We know that early Christians faced torture and violence by the pagan Roman Empire. So early Christian communities had to hide from Roman Empire’s authorities. They built underground cities and settlement areas to high territory for this purpose. We are visiting one of those places;

A monastery that was built on high territory was one of the important religious center for Christians. Building one on high territory provided security for this community. This monastery was built as complex to provide a living area for the community. It is thought that it was built before 7th century AD. The social events and religious stories were described on walls of complex. After the acceptance of Christianity, this complex turned into a holy place.

It is located in Kuşadası county of Aydın province. It is one of the most important praying facilities of early Christians.

As we know that Romans were addicted to war game competitions so they organized every sort of those games and competitions in their land.

A gate was discovered in Central Anatolia (in Konya). A horse and an inscription were put on the rock. It is about a competition that was organized in the name of a young cavalry who died young. The rules of this competition were mentioned. It was constructed in Roman Empire period.

The competitions such as this one were aimed to keep soldiers and public ready for the war times. We know that peaceful periods were short in ancient era.

Hittites left us very valuable heritage including monuments. A monument which was erected in Central Anatolia belongs to Hittite Storm God. It was described as standing between two lions. It was built in 13th century BC.

Hittites had a developed water transfer system. The monument in Central Anatolia is dated back to 13th Century BC. Lions and Gods were described in reliefs.

It is one of the best samples in northern western background of Turkey. It is located in Artvin province.

According to written historical sources, the church was constructed between 899 and 914 by a prince of Bagrat. The icons were based on apostles. Sculptures of ram are on every side of the roof.

It is one of the historical heritages that need care.

Rhosus ancient site was an important port site in Roman period. It was a trade center and naval port. Romans made a connection to Mediterranean region by using this port. We have a few knowledge on history of this ancient site due to urbanization.

Rhosus ancient site is located in Hatay province. It was the proof that Romans’ navy and trade fleet were there. Due to urbanization, some of the remains were lost.

It is absolute that it is going to be a different place with archeological excavations.

Some ancient sites were built near the river banks but there is the fact that the rivers bring alluviums to the sea. Seleucia Priera was one of those sites.

Selecuia Priera was one of the important port cities in Mediterranean coasts in Roman period. Also it was a naval port in 4th century BC. But it lost its importance when the gulf was filled with alluviums. So it became an inner land site. It was a famous site with various buildings such as city walls and temples.

It is located in southern region of Turkey. It is in border of Hatay province.

Urartu civilization was one of the empires that had deep impact on the history of this peninsula.

We are going to Eastern region of Turkey. There is a remain from an Urartu civilization in Erzincan province of Turkey. A fortress was built here by Urartu State and it was constructed 2700 years ago. By the results of archeological excavations, some Urartu tombs were unearthed and they provided us valuable information on Urartu civilization.

Urartu state left valuable heritage to realize how Small Asia developed and became the center of history.

An ancient site that is located in Bursa province today was a big site.

It was founded by Ionians in 7th century BC. The settlement area was so big that the boundaries of the site extended to coast line in the past. We can see that there were various buildings in the site.

Unfortunately some settlement areas are under urban area. Remains of the ancient site prove us that it was a big site.

Ankara is the capital of Turkish Republic. It has an important role in Turkey due to its location. As it is located in the center of the peninsula, it is a junction point in every direction.

This ancient site was named as Ankyra. Due to its locations, the site had the same important role as present. There used to be a big site with various buildings including baths. Also it was a Roman military base.

We know that Ankara has been hosting important civilizations. Romans built this site as a defensive center through Byzantium.