This is the post about my journey through Turkey with my wife, my “bro,” and his wife. I’d like to share a few curiosities we discovered. Enjoy!
Ankara
First, a brief stop in Ankara, the country’s capital, before heading out into the countryside, where I feel much more at home than in the big metropolises.
Perched on a hill overlooking the city, Anıtkabir is an immense mausoleum built in honor of Kemal Atatürk, the first president of modern Turkey, who chose Ankara as the capital in 1923.
Atatürk Mausoleum
Anıtkabir is the name of the colossal palace erected in memory of the founder of modern Turkey, who was also the first President of the Republic: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who passed away on November 10, 1938. This splendid mausoleum is located specifically on Anıttepe Hill. This historic building is almost always included in various Turkey travel packages.
Beyond being a national monument, this is an absolute “must-see” when visiting Ankara. It is also a site of official protocol; foreign dignitaries on diplomatic visits to Turkey are required to lay a wreath and sign the guest book here. During national holidays, the sitting President of the Republic kicks off the festivities at this site.
On November 10th, tens of thousands of Turks come here to commemorate the death of their historic leader, observing two minutes of silence at the exact time of his passing. This speaks volumes about the importance of Anıtkabir to the Turkish people.
For tourists looking for things to do in Ankara, there is a museum dedicated to the country’s founder and the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1922) where you can learn more about this almost sacred place. Every year, over three million visitors of all nationalities pass through its doors.
Lake Eğirdir
After Ankara, we visited Lake Eğirdir. Located in the Isparta province, it is the second-largest freshwater lake and the fourth-largest lake overall in Turkey.
Sitting at an altitude of 3,008 feet (917 m), it stretches 31 miles (50 km) long and between 2 to 9 miles (3–15 km) wide, covering a total area of 200 square miles (517 km²). It is nestled between the Karakuş and Sultan mountains. It is nicknamed the “Lake of Seven Colors” because the hues change depending on the location, the weather, and the time of day.
The karst formations of the local geology played a significant role in the lake’s creation. Its clear waters, coves, and beaches—sometimes located right next to cafes—allow you to enjoy the beauty of the site while swimming. Small boats are also available for a scenic cruise.
Pamukkale: The “Cotton Castles”
Of course, we couldn’t miss a visit to the famous “Cotton Castles,” known by the Turkish name Pamukkale. These grounds are magical, located in the open countryside far from the usual urban hustle and bustle. There is a certain serenity here.
The name Pamukkale means “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, and it truly does look the part. This strange “white waterfall” is a 100% natural phenomenon. As far back as the Roman period, these large basins were used for bathing. In fact, the city of Hierapolis was built next to this natural site over 2,000 years ago.
How did it form? The origin of these basins lies in the thermal waters that spring from just a bit higher up. As this water—highly saturated with calcite—flows down and evaporates on the cliffs, it creates these travertine formations that look like a series of small cotton clouds.
A Turkish Carpet Factory
A quick visit to a Turkish carpet factory. Turkish carpets are everywhere; you can’t escape them, and the discoveries are often surprising.
Turkish carpets are said to be comparable to Persian rugs. This comparison usually refers to the type of knot used in their creation. The Turkish knot, or “Ghiordes” knot, results in a thicker carpet made of wool, cotton, or silk.
Boat Trip
To close out this trip, we took a boat ride along the Aegean coast near Fethiye, where there are sunken archaeological sites. Along the shores, there are many tourist villages and seaside resorts.
Interested? Pack your bags and dive into the adventure waiting for you!