The province of Van sits by Lake Van, and was the ancient Urartian capital of Tuspa. It is situated in a green, fertile oasis in the midst of rocky mountains in the Eastern Anatolian region of Turkey. An impressive citadel stands on one of these peaks and dates back to the 9th century BC. There are steps carved into rock leading to the fortress, and while descending you will be able to see some cuneiform inscriptions paying homage to Persian King, Xerxes of the 5th century BC. In the fortress, the Urartian royal tombs are of interest. The surrounding area is full of Urartian remains. In the old city there are many mosques and mausoleums such as the Ulu Mosque, the Hüsrev Pasa Mosque, the Kaya Çelebi Mosque and the Ikiz Kümbet. The Archaeological Museum in the new city exhibits the Urartian finds. At Van Harbor you may find pleasant places to rest. For swimming and camping you may head for Edremit, 14 kilometers to the southwest. It is a holiday resort center from where you may do some sightseeing excursions. At Gevas, there is a Seljuk graveyard, filled with extraordinary headstones, as well as the lovely Halime Hatun Tomb.
The explosion of Nemrut volcano led the formation of the largest lake in Turkey; Van and the deepest lake; Nemrut (it is not the same Nemrut mountain in Adiyaman). Urartus, Armenians, Kurds, Arabians, Romans, Seljuks, Ottomans, Byzantines all met on this gorgeous land.
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey (1.646 meters high and covers an area of 3.713 square kilometers) and provides good opportunities for enjoyable excursions. You may go for outdoor sports such as trekking or hunting in the mountains surrounding it, especially Mount Süphan, the second highest mountain in Turkey after Mount Ararat. Alternatively you may head for on the beach, or visit the Urartian sites and Turkish cultural centers. The islands on the lake are also interesting, most of them housing many monasteries and churches. The most important of these is the Akdamar Island with its 10th century church of Holy Cross. The church is now restored as a museum and its richly decorated walls have Old Testament relieves. After visiting the museum you may rest at the beneath lakeside the almond trees, where there are good opportunities for picnicking and swimming. Carpanak Island is also interesting and deserves a visit. Hosab, 67 kilometers east, has a magnificent old fortress fronted by huge walls. At Çavustepe, there is an Urartian site, which is 25 kilometers from Van on the Hakkari road.
88 kilometers north of Van, are the Muradiye Waterfalls, perfect place to rest while listening to natures harmony at one of the restaurants or tea gardens around the falls.
Van is also famous for its Van cat, a pure white, longhair cat which has the strange feature of one blue eye and the other green.
Very few people know Tirsin pasture in Van. The rocky area of this 2.400 meters high pasture is an open air museum. There are thousands of pictures on thousands of rocks: Schematic pictures of Taurus, bison dating back to ages between Mesolithic times and bronze age. These pictures created by the hunters support the thesis that the area was thickly forested in prehistoric times.
source: allaboutturkey.com
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
History of Uşak
Uşak, which was called "Temenothyrae" in the ancient times, is settled in the inner Aegean region which binds the Western and Central Anatolia regions.
It is found out that the first settlement in the region had begun after 4000 B.C, whereas the continuous settlements had begun in the early bronze age.
During the course of history the city of U§ak first went under the sovereignty of Phrigians and Lydians and then fell into the hands of Persians in 5466. C. and finally was captured by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C.
After 1071 the city had been exchanged frequendly between Seljukians and Byzantines. In 1117 with the Miryakefelon War, U§ak permanently joined Seljukians. Then it joined the Germiyan Principality and later Ottomans in 1429 as the last wish of Yakup Bey and became a district bound to Kutahya. In the Republican period, it became a province in 1953.
BEDESTEN
It has been constructed by an Italian architect in 1901 with cut stones as two storeys with 30 rooms. The first floor is used as jewellery bazaar and the upper is reserved for various commercial purposes.It was restored in 1987.
GÖĞEM ZAFER ANITI
The Victory Memorial raised in Gogem village where General Trikopis, the commander invading Greek forces, had been captured on 1st September, 1922.
HISTORICAL USAK HOUSE
Historical houses belonging to the Ottoman period are wooden and cradle-roofed with double storeys, the first floors are made of stone and the second floors have outward balconies.
PAHSA INN
Being constructed by a French architect in the 19th century, Pasha Inn had formerly been used as an inn but later restorated to be a hotel. It is now serving as a special hotel licensed by the ministry.
BURMA MOSQUE
It is one of the 14th century Ottoman structures. Construction date of the mosque is not clear. It had been on fire twice in / 862 and 1922 and restored tivice again in 1988. Because its tower is twisted, it was given the name "Burma Camii" meaning "Twisted Mosque" It has two
EŞME RUG
Eşme rugs are handmade from wool with special dyes extracted form plant roots and woven in a special style called warps and wefts. They are generally classified as Altınbaş, Toplu, Hurriyet, Altınbaş rugs and Selvi praying rugs. Every year in May International Rug Festival is organized.
LIBERATION MONUMENT
Monument has been built three types of figures on a block in the
first group, there are cavalryman figures that symbolize indepentence of Uşak. Second group, there is a victory column that symbolizes freedom of turkish notionely.
Third group, There are women figures that symbolize heroically support of Turkish women in the Turkish wor of independence.
ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM
Museums in our province have been managed under the control of the department of National I tint nliKii W/lh the opening of Ataturk and Ethrography Museums, Archeology Museum was started to be used as the central management building. With the coming of the Croesus's treasures the museum has been rearranged. Many precious historical pieces belonging from the Calcheolithic Age to the Byzantine period are exhibited.
ETNOGRAPHY MUSEUM
The museum building is an Ottoman structure, located where the Greek commander Trikopis was captured after the Turkish Independence War.
THE TREASURES OF CROESUS
The 6th century BC. Lydian pieces stolen from the tombs in Gure village of U§ak in mid 1960's were taken back from America through law procedures. These pieces are called the Croesus's Treasures. This treasure, consisting of 450 pieces has been exhibited in U§ak Museum since 1996.
BLAUNDOS
It is a border city established in the Hellenistic period near the Sulumenli village of Ulubey town on a peninsula surrounded by deep valleys. It gained more importance in the Roman period. The most noteworthy structures, are the castle, temples, theatre, stadium and the rock graves.
SEBASTE
Sebaste, established in Selçikler, had been the center bishopry of the neigbouring cities in 9th century A.D. It lived its golden age in the Byzantine period. There are two churches in Sefaoste; one big and the other smaller. The excavations had been carried out here between 1966-1978.
ÖRENCİK THERMAL RESORTS
Örencik Thermal Resort is located on the uşak-İzmir highway, 10 kms from Güre village. There are turkish baths both for men and women.
CLANDRAS BRIDGE
The bridge the Banaz Creek, has been built by lydians on the king road for a water course Geçkili stones belongs to rome period of time
ULUBEY CANYONS
There is a 75 kms long canyon in the southern and southwestern parts of the city formed as a result of the gological characteristics of the area.
source: frmtr.com
It is found out that the first settlement in the region had begun after 4000 B.C, whereas the continuous settlements had begun in the early bronze age.
During the course of history the city of U§ak first went under the sovereignty of Phrigians and Lydians and then fell into the hands of Persians in 5466. C. and finally was captured by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C.
After 1071 the city had been exchanged frequendly between Seljukians and Byzantines. In 1117 with the Miryakefelon War, U§ak permanently joined Seljukians. Then it joined the Germiyan Principality and later Ottomans in 1429 as the last wish of Yakup Bey and became a district bound to Kutahya. In the Republican period, it became a province in 1953.
BEDESTEN
It has been constructed by an Italian architect in 1901 with cut stones as two storeys with 30 rooms. The first floor is used as jewellery bazaar and the upper is reserved for various commercial purposes.It was restored in 1987.
GÖĞEM ZAFER ANITI
The Victory Memorial raised in Gogem village where General Trikopis, the commander invading Greek forces, had been captured on 1st September, 1922.
HISTORICAL USAK HOUSE
Historical houses belonging to the Ottoman period are wooden and cradle-roofed with double storeys, the first floors are made of stone and the second floors have outward balconies.
PAHSA INN
Being constructed by a French architect in the 19th century, Pasha Inn had formerly been used as an inn but later restorated to be a hotel. It is now serving as a special hotel licensed by the ministry.
BURMA MOSQUE
It is one of the 14th century Ottoman structures. Construction date of the mosque is not clear. It had been on fire twice in / 862 and 1922 and restored tivice again in 1988. Because its tower is twisted, it was given the name "Burma Camii" meaning "Twisted Mosque" It has two
EŞME RUG
Eşme rugs are handmade from wool with special dyes extracted form plant roots and woven in a special style called warps and wefts. They are generally classified as Altınbaş, Toplu, Hurriyet, Altınbaş rugs and Selvi praying rugs. Every year in May International Rug Festival is organized.
LIBERATION MONUMENT
Monument has been built three types of figures on a block in the
first group, there are cavalryman figures that symbolize indepentence of Uşak. Second group, there is a victory column that symbolizes freedom of turkish notionely.
Third group, There are women figures that symbolize heroically support of Turkish women in the Turkish wor of independence.
ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM
Museums in our province have been managed under the control of the department of National I tint nliKii W/lh the opening of Ataturk and Ethrography Museums, Archeology Museum was started to be used as the central management building. With the coming of the Croesus's treasures the museum has been rearranged. Many precious historical pieces belonging from the Calcheolithic Age to the Byzantine period are exhibited.
ETNOGRAPHY MUSEUM
The museum building is an Ottoman structure, located where the Greek commander Trikopis was captured after the Turkish Independence War.
THE TREASURES OF CROESUS
The 6th century BC. Lydian pieces stolen from the tombs in Gure village of U§ak in mid 1960's were taken back from America through law procedures. These pieces are called the Croesus's Treasures. This treasure, consisting of 450 pieces has been exhibited in U§ak Museum since 1996.
BLAUNDOS
It is a border city established in the Hellenistic period near the Sulumenli village of Ulubey town on a peninsula surrounded by deep valleys. It gained more importance in the Roman period. The most noteworthy structures, are the castle, temples, theatre, stadium and the rock graves.
SEBASTE
Sebaste, established in Selçikler, had been the center bishopry of the neigbouring cities in 9th century A.D. It lived its golden age in the Byzantine period. There are two churches in Sefaoste; one big and the other smaller. The excavations had been carried out here between 1966-1978.
ÖRENCİK THERMAL RESORTS
Örencik Thermal Resort is located on the uşak-İzmir highway, 10 kms from Güre village. There are turkish baths both for men and women.
CLANDRAS BRIDGE
The bridge the Banaz Creek, has been built by lydians on the king road for a water course Geçkili stones belongs to rome period of time
ULUBEY CANYONS
There is a 75 kms long canyon in the southern and southwestern parts of the city formed as a result of the gological characteristics of the area.
source: frmtr.com
History of Tekirdağ
The history of the city of Tekirdağ dates back to around 4000 BC.[4] The ancient city of Rodosto is said to have been founded by Samians. In Xenophon’s Anabasis it is mentioned to be a part of the kingdom of the Thracian prince Seuthes. Its restoration by Justinian I in the 6th century A.D. is chronicled by Procopius. In 813 and again in 1206 it was sacked by the Bulgarians after the Battle of Rodosto, but it continued to appear as a place of considerable note in later Byzantine history. It was also ruled by Venetians between 1204-1235.
In the Ottoman period the city was a part of the successively vilayet (province) of Rumelia, Kaptanpaşa (Its center was Gelibolu), Silistre and Edirne. It was called as at first "Rodosçuk" (Translation of "Radiestos"), after "Tekfurdağı" (Former name of Mount of Ganos).
In 1905, the city had a population of about 35,000; of whom half were Greeks[5] who were exchanged with Muslims living in Greece under the 1923 agreement for Exchange of Greek Orthodox and Muslim Populations between the two countries.
Tekirdağ was for a long time a large depot for the produce of the Edirne province, but its trade suffered when Alexandroupolis became the terminus of the railway up the river Maritsa.
source: wikipedia.org
In the Ottoman period the city was a part of the successively vilayet (province) of Rumelia, Kaptanpaşa (Its center was Gelibolu), Silistre and Edirne. It was called as at first "Rodosçuk" (Translation of "Radiestos"), after "Tekfurdağı" (Former name of Mount of Ganos).
In 1905, the city had a population of about 35,000; of whom half were Greeks[5] who were exchanged with Muslims living in Greece under the 1923 agreement for Exchange of Greek Orthodox and Muslim Populations between the two countries.
Tekirdağ was for a long time a large depot for the produce of the Edirne province, but its trade suffered when Alexandroupolis became the terminus of the railway up the river Maritsa.
source: wikipedia.org
History of Şanlıurfa
Sanliurfa is a museum city that has a history dating back 9000 years. Sanliurfa is where the Prophet Abraham, the genetic father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, was born; where the Prophet Job lived and which was blessed by Jesus is the most sacred city in Turkey. The city, which is preparing itself for the industrial and agricultural renaissance in the twenty-first century, along with the GAP project, has experienced many innovations, especially in the field of tourism, in recent years. Balikli Lake and its environs, which is the focal point of tourism of the city, has been closed to traffic and made green in a planned manner. According to belief, King Nemrut of the region had the Prophet Abraham thrown into a big fire that was lighted here and water emerging from the fire saved the Prophet Abraham from burning. The water transformed into the lake of today and the pieces of wood in the fire transformed into fish in the lake. Around the lake in which hundreds of carp live, there are the Halil Rahman and Rizvaniye Mosques and various recreation facilities. The cave where the Prophet Abraham was born is located in the courtyard of the Mevlid Halil Mosque, to the east of Balikli Lake. The Sanliurfa Citadel, extending in a west to east direction, is located to the south of this sacred area. The old Urfa houses, which are on the northern slope from where this sacred and mystic structure can be viewed panoramically, have been restored and transformed into hotels, pensions and restaurants where the traditional Urfa cuisine can be eaten.
source: enjoyturkey.com
source: enjoyturkey.com
Sunday, September 20, 2009
History of Samsun
Samsun is a very old residential area for the history of humanity. With the inclusion of today’s city center, people have been living in Kızılırmak valley, Kavak, Tekkeköy, and Çarşamba savannas.
In the middle stone age ( B.C 10000 - 5000) it is known that people were living in the asylums in Tekkeköy and they are the primal residents of the region. Again, in Neolithic and Calcolithic periods, it is known from the excavations that people were living in Dündar Tepe, Kalenderoğlu, and Bafra İkiztepe.
The primal community that lived in Samsun by establishing a state is Gashkas. Also this community is called as Gasgas ( B.C 5000 – 3500). After this known primal community, Paflagons who were in control of the whole North Anatolian, lived in Kızılırmak Basin ( B.C. 3000 – 1100). Hittites ( B.C. 2000 – 1200), Phrygians ( B.C 1182 – 676), Kimmers ( B.C. 676), Lydia’s ( B.C. 1200- 547, they constructed a site called ENETE in the place which is known as Kara Samsun today).
Milletlies (Ionia), (B.C. 2000 – B.C. 400), settled down to ENETE from Aegean by using Black Sea way, and they called ENETE as “Amisus” or “Amisos”. As the result of the beating of Krezus who is the king of the Lidia, against Persians ( B.C. 550-330), the Persian Empire captured the Amisos in B.C. 546. In B.C. 331, Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Empire, Macedonia Empire captured the Amisos. After the death of Alexander the Great, Kont Kingdom whose origins are based on the Persian Empire was established ( B.C. 255-63). Amisos became the capital city of Kont Kingdom. Later that, in the firs century before Christ, Amisos entered the dominance of the Roman Empire. After the Roman Empire was divided into two branches, Amisos stayed inside the borders of Byzantine Empire in A.C. 385. Although in A.C.860, during the Abbacy Period, with the order of Caliph Mutassım, Amisos was captured by the armed forces which were under the command of dreadful Omar; but Byzantine Empire took it back later. After Turks had come to Anatolian, Samsun was beleaguered by Danişmentliler, but it could not be obtained. During the Anatolian Seljuk Empire, Muslim residential areas of Samsun were captured by Anatolian Seljuk Empire in 1185. For the first time, the name Amisos was changed and it became Samsun. After the Crusade, Trabzon became the capital city. Then, Cenevizliler, had a dominance on the trade in Black Sea; so they lived here approximately 100 years. In this period, Samsun where the Turks lived was called as “Muslim Samsun”, and trade site of the Cenevizliler which is 3 km away from the Muslim Samsun, was called as “non-Muslim Samsun”.
In 1071, after Manzikert War, after Seljuks created the Muslim Samsun by constructing a castle at the coast of Samsun; with Kösedağ War in 1243, Trabzon Rum Empire captured Samsun; but then, in 1296, Samsun was captured by Anatolian Turks. In 1389, during Yıldırım Beyazıt period, it became a part of Ottoman Empire. While Anataolian Seljuks Empire was collapsing, it became capital city of Canik Principality.
source: samsun.gov.tr
In the middle stone age ( B.C 10000 - 5000) it is known that people were living in the asylums in Tekkeköy and they are the primal residents of the region. Again, in Neolithic and Calcolithic periods, it is known from the excavations that people were living in Dündar Tepe, Kalenderoğlu, and Bafra İkiztepe.
The primal community that lived in Samsun by establishing a state is Gashkas. Also this community is called as Gasgas ( B.C 5000 – 3500). After this known primal community, Paflagons who were in control of the whole North Anatolian, lived in Kızılırmak Basin ( B.C. 3000 – 1100). Hittites ( B.C. 2000 – 1200), Phrygians ( B.C 1182 – 676), Kimmers ( B.C. 676), Lydia’s ( B.C. 1200- 547, they constructed a site called ENETE in the place which is known as Kara Samsun today).
Milletlies (Ionia), (B.C. 2000 – B.C. 400), settled down to ENETE from Aegean by using Black Sea way, and they called ENETE as “Amisus” or “Amisos”. As the result of the beating of Krezus who is the king of the Lidia, against Persians ( B.C. 550-330), the Persian Empire captured the Amisos in B.C. 546. In B.C. 331, Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Empire, Macedonia Empire captured the Amisos. After the death of Alexander the Great, Kont Kingdom whose origins are based on the Persian Empire was established ( B.C. 255-63). Amisos became the capital city of Kont Kingdom. Later that, in the firs century before Christ, Amisos entered the dominance of the Roman Empire. After the Roman Empire was divided into two branches, Amisos stayed inside the borders of Byzantine Empire in A.C. 385. Although in A.C.860, during the Abbacy Period, with the order of Caliph Mutassım, Amisos was captured by the armed forces which were under the command of dreadful Omar; but Byzantine Empire took it back later. After Turks had come to Anatolian, Samsun was beleaguered by Danişmentliler, but it could not be obtained. During the Anatolian Seljuk Empire, Muslim residential areas of Samsun were captured by Anatolian Seljuk Empire in 1185. For the first time, the name Amisos was changed and it became Samsun. After the Crusade, Trabzon became the capital city. Then, Cenevizliler, had a dominance on the trade in Black Sea; so they lived here approximately 100 years. In this period, Samsun where the Turks lived was called as “Muslim Samsun”, and trade site of the Cenevizliler which is 3 km away from the Muslim Samsun, was called as “non-Muslim Samsun”.
In 1071, after Manzikert War, after Seljuks created the Muslim Samsun by constructing a castle at the coast of Samsun; with Kösedağ War in 1243, Trabzon Rum Empire captured Samsun; but then, in 1296, Samsun was captured by Anatolian Turks. In 1389, during Yıldırım Beyazıt period, it became a part of Ottoman Empire. While Anataolian Seljuks Empire was collapsing, it became capital city of Canik Principality.
source: samsun.gov.tr
Saturday, September 19, 2009
History of Rize
The ancient geographer Strabo of Amasya (66 B.C.-21 A.D.) states in his famous treatise, Geography, that in the mountains south of Trabzon and Giresun lived the Tibarenes and in former times the Tzans, also known as the Macrons. He goes on to write that after Trabzon comes the Colchis region, in the upper stretches of which lies the highly rocky Mt. Skydises, joined to the Moskhia range and its hills occupied by the tribe of Heptakometes.
The first written mention of Rize is made by Arrianus in a work named Periplo (Ship's Voyage). Dated at 131-132 B.C., the work records how its author, the governor of Cappadocia, made an inspection tour of the Eastern Black Sea territories that were part of his jurisdiction, first visiting the Roman Empire's Eastern Anatolian frontier garrisons before pushing on to the Black Sea coast in the Trabzon (Trebizond) region.
Although Arrianus describes the entire coast east of Trabzon, we will confine ourselves to his remarks on the region that concerns us here.
Sailing east of Trabzon with three vessels, on the first day Arrianus cast anchor in the harbor of Issiporto/Hyssos/Sürmene or as it is known today Araklý, and he inspected the Roman garrison, consisting of some 20 cavalry and a number of footsoldiers, in a fortress on the southern edge of Araklý's marketplace. Setting sail eastward once again they met with a storm blowing from the southeast, and after many tribulations made land at Athens, today's county seat of Pazar.
The author tells us that he believes the name of the town derives from that of the goddess Athena; but in A History of the Georgian People (London, 1932) W.E.D. Allen asserts that many Black Sea place names thought to be Greek in origin are actually Laz, and that in this language Athenai means “place of the shade.”Rhizaion (Rize), generally taken as Greek for “brass,” according to Allen is in fact a Laz word meaning "place where people and soldiers gather," while Mapavri (today's Çayeli) signifies “leafy.”
Listing the rivers and streams eastward from Trabzon, Arrianus names the Isso/Hyssus (tody's Karadere) 33 km. distant, the Ofi (Solaklý Deresi) 17 km. further east, the Psicro (Baltacý Deresi) some 5 km. east of that, still 5 more km. further the Kalo (lyidere), the Rizio some 23 km. east of the Kalo, the Ascuro/Askaros (Taþlýdere) roughly 5 km. further on, and the Adieno (Çayeli Deresi) some 1 2 km. east of that. From here he reports that it is another 34 km. to Athens (Pazar), and thence no more than 1300 m. to the Zagati (Pazar-Zuga Deresi).
Reporting that the Ofý (Solaklý) River divides the land of the Colchis from Tsannica, Arrianus states that the Tzans were even at that time a fýercely warlike people and sworn enemies of the Greek colonialists who inhabited Trabzon. Paying tribute to the Romans, and governed by no king, the Tzans occupied the territory stretching from Gümüþhane/Canca south of the city to the Solaklý River on the east, being concentrated in the Karadere Valley roughly in the center.
Xenephon, in travelling from the Bayburt region to Trabzon, had descended into the Karadere Valley from Mt. Thekhes/Madur, and there had entered the country of the Makrons; said by Strabo to be identical with the Tzans. Place names which preserve a trace of this people are Zanike/Canike (now the village of Yiðitözü, in the same valley close to the shore near Araklý) and Canayer (now the village of Buzluca), site of the medieval Sürmene/Sousoumania. Arrianus relates how the Tzans live armed to the teeth and devote themselves to banditry, not even bothering to pay the tribute they owe the Romans.
The author denotes the territory east of the OF-Solaklý River as the land of the Colchis, whereas Xenephon, who reached Trabzon from Eastern Anatolia in February of 400 B.C., gave Trabzon and Giresun as their country. This is important, for it shows that during the intervening five centuries the Colchis had been forced to withdraw eastward.
There have been numerous examples of this phenomenon in the course of history. For instance, Arrianus records that the Laz people lived around Taupse at that period. Furthermore, he says that the country beyond Pazar is not worth visiting, being nameless and deserted, implying not only that the Colchis lived mainly to the west of Pazar, but also that in later centuries the Laz, under pressure from neighboring peoples, were constrained to migrate into the relatively quieter lands east of Taupse.
Based on the information supplied by Arrianus we can list the peoples living east of Trabzon as (in order eastward from the lands of the Tzans and Colchis) the Machelones, Heiniochis, Zydritaes, Laz, Absilaes, Abhaz, and the Sanigaes who lived around Sohum.
After eliminating the Pontus Kingdom and gaining sway over the central and eastern Black Sea as well as the Crimea, Rome at first governed the region that includes Rize as part of the province of Cappadocia. Later it was to be part of another province, Pontus Polemoniacus. At the outset securing the empire's eastern borders through small, sponsored kingdoms, the Romans later changed this policy and sent out legions.
Rize was one of the regions guarded directly by Roman garrisons. Murdered in the Rize citadel by Romans during the early days of Christianity and later canonized, St. Orientos was declared the patron of the site where he had been killed. The fact that there is a church in his name in the citadel shows how important the latter was to the region. Furthermore the Notitia Dignitatum, a Byzantine document from the fýrst half of the 5th century, lists Rize as a military base in Trabzon with a cavalry division in the Pontic II Legion.
The Rize citadel gained further in importance during the time of the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527-565) when the realm was at war with Persia. The Tzans living south and east of Trabzon revolted and the Byzantine forces took refuge in the city fortresses. The folk inhabiting the southeasterly Black Sea region known as Colchis were also disaffected with Roman rule, being par- ticularly disgruntled that commerce was a Roman monopoly. The Lazica people living between the Fash and Rion rivers rose up
against Byzantium and requested support from the Sassanids. Seeing that all passes in the region were in hostile hands, the Byzantine garrison in the regional center Petra were forced to burn their homes, tear down the walls, and retreat toward Trabzon. In the aftermath, the southeastern stretches of the Black Sea coastal region became a theater of war between Byzantium and Iran, and the Byzantine frontier retracted to Asparos west of the Çoruh.
To make this frontier secure Justinian devised a line of defence, repairing the Rize citadel and placing a series of small fortresses between it and the legion headquarters at Trabzon, manning the redoubts with Bulgar Turks whom the Byzantine army had defeated in 530 in the Balkans.
During the reign of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius (610-641) Anatolia again became the scene of war between Byzantium and Persia, particularly important developments occurring when Heraclius marched on Iran in 622-28, and when he formed an alliance with the Khazar Turks. Reinforcing his might with Liz, Abhaz and Georgian troops, in 626 Heraclius wintered at Sürmene in the village of Canayer/Buzluca two km. south of Kalecik, which is west of the county of Araklý. Here he met with the Khazar King Yabgu, and the two formed a pact whereby the king was promised Heraclius' daughter Eudocia in return for 40,000 troops to be used as an ancillary force against the Persians.
Shortly after the Battle of Manzikert (1071) the Trabzon area became the target of Turkish raids, in 1073 and 1074 falling into the hands of the raiders. With the collapse of Byzantine power in the region, the territory east of Rize also suffered raids and pillaging on the part of the Georgians. In 1075 Byzantium sent an army under Thedore Gavras, who wrested the region from the Turcomans and restored Byzantine supremacy, for which he was rewarded with the Dukedom of Haldiya and made governor of Trabzon.
Ruling the Trabzon area independently of Byzantium, Thedore Gravas halted the pillage-bent Georgian incursions in 1089 and then succeeded in taking Bayburt from the Turks. Following his defeat near Bayburt by the army of Ismail, son to Gümüþtekin Ahmet Daniþmend Gazi, in a battle where Thedore Gavras lost his life, his son Gregory Gavras was made governor in Trabzon, a post thereafter held by Costantine Gavras, both men ruling independently of Byzantium and sometimes collaborating with the Turcoman emirates in the region to maintain their status.
Ruling Trabzon independently of Byzantium for three generations, cooperating with the Turcomans in doing so, the Gavras family, some of whom, like Hasan ibni Gavras, converted to Islam and served the Seljuk state, are seen by a number of historians as forerunners of the Comnenos dynasty which in 1204 was to pro- claim an empire in Trabzon and found a state.
When the Comnenos family was toppled from the Byzantine throne in a revolution, two of its scions, small children, were spirited from the capital by followers of their relative, Queen Thamara of Georgia, and taken to the Cholchid region. At the time of this escape the elder of the two, Alexius, was four years old. Eighteen years later, in 1204, when Istanbul was plundered by the Crusaders, the Byzantine rulers fled to territories as yet unoccupied by the Latins. While this was happening in the west the Comnenos brothers, Alexius and David, had appeared on the eastern coast of the Black Sea with an army given by Thamar and largely manned by Cuman Turks. Capping a successful westward march they seized Trabzon.
During the reigns of the Georgian King George III (1156-1184) and Queen Tamara (1184-1212) the Kýpça-Cumans had fallen on hard times because of the disintegration of the northern Black Sea states, and thereby been available as mercenaries, armies formed of which enabled Georgia to expand. Highly-ranked Cumans in the Georgian Army later converted to Orthodox Christianity and were posted to frontier regions confronting Muslim Turks.
The Kumbasars living at present in the mountain villages of Rize's Ikizdere county belong to the Kubasar family which, having commanded the Georgian army and then in advanced age been the subject of intrigue at the hands of Queen Thamar, left their freehold and withdrew into the Rize Mountains. And the Curtan/Cordans, who have given their name to an Arhavi village, the Arhavi uplands, and the mountains of this region, are members of another Cuman clan of that name. Villages with the name Cuman in the counties of Sürmene and Of also are relics of the Cumans who settled here at that epoch.
From 1214 onward this state founded by the Comnenos family maintained its existence by paying tribute to the Seljuks, Ghaznavids, Mongols and Ilhanids. When the emirates appeared, it was via alliances formed through marriage to the Turcoman emirs that the state subsisted.
A center for textiles and commerce at this period, Rize was at the same time administratively tied to the Greek Kingdom in Trabzon. The lands to the east of Rize were a separate administrative unit of the empire.
On his return from a journey as envoy to Tamerlane for the king of Spain, Clavijo passed in September of 1405 through the Hemþin region, which he called Arakuel and says paid fealty to Pir Hodja Bey, the Emir of Ispir. Clavjo reports that the inhabitants of the Hemþin region, dissatisfied with their ruler, had plotted with the Emir of Ispir to whom they dispatched said ruler after capturing him. The Emir, after throwing the man in prison, had sent a Muslim ruler to the region with a Christian lieutenant.
Asserting that “although they claim to be Christians and Armenians the people of the region are in fact barbarian tribes, a pack of thieves and bandits,” Clavijo provides information which in fact can shed light on the history of these parts. As the present article is not concerned with exploring the ethnic history of the region, we will content ourselves with pointing out that the Hemþens who lived here prior to Ottoman rule had their ancestor in common with the White Sheep Turks, and that they converted to Islam at a later date than the latter.
Among the strongest pieces of evidence for this thesis is the statue of a ram/sheep on the site of an ancient tomb where a forest now stands, on a small hill overlooking the Furtuna Deresi Valley in Çamlýhemþin's Aþaðýçamlýca (Aþaðýviçe) neighborhood. Another ram/sheep statue in the valley is that found in Ülküköy. One branch of the sheepherding White Sheep Turks was the Pornak/Purnak tribe, from whom derives the name Purnak which is so widespread in the uplands of Hemþin, also famous for sheepherding. There is an interesting type of large hinge attached to doors and still found in Hemþin houses dating back several centuries. The product of skillful iron-working, one side is a wolf's head and the other a stylized ram's head; and this is but one of the ethnographic materials in the region which, stemming from a very ancient culture, have survived to the present day.
When Uzun Hasan came into the Çoruh river valley in 1458, then held by the Atabeks, he added the Ispir region directly to the territories of the state, so that Hemþin also came under White Sheep sway. The country as far as the coastal town of Rize and Pazar, however, belonged to the Trabzon Kingdom. Then in 1461 Mehmet II personally led a campaign to conquer Trabzon, and the territory as far as the Çoruh River, including Hemþin, came undeý Ottoman rule.
Prior to this conquest an alliance had been forged among the Trabzon Greek Kingdom, the Megrel Dadyan, the King of Kartli and the Çoruh Atabek, with the White Sheep Turks, rivals to the Ottomans, included as protectors. The plan was for the alliance to join forces with other Turcoman emirs and with a crusade to be organized by the Pope, to swoop down upon the Ottoman and destroy him. It was when he became aware of this plot that Mehmet mounted a campaign in 1461 and struck at the nerve center of the alliance, the Trabzon Kingdom.
Before leaving the region Mehmet gathered together the Greek denizens of Trabzon, loaded them onto ships, and sent them to Istanbul.Then, because the surrounding fortresses and towns had been conquered along with Trabzon, he appointed men to rule them and only then departed. The fýrst step taken by the new gov- ernor of Trabzon, fleet admiral Kasým Bey, was to revise the local system of government along Ottoman lines.Thus the territories comprising the presentday province of Rize were organized into three nahiyes: Rize, Atine (Pazar) and Lazmaðal. In addition the nahiye of Rize, having a fortress, was endowed with a cadi, thus becoming a jurisdiction known as a kaza.
The oldest extant Ottoman document concerning Rize is a register dated 1483 which lists various administrators of the region.
In reorganizing the territory Kasým Bey deported certain persons to Rumelia, in addition to those Mehmet II had deported to Istanbul, and this too is recorded in the 1483 register. Among those deported were a Turkish Christian named Todoros Altemur and one Cori Sasmasnos, both of whom “owned vineyards,” as well as one Þemseddinoðlu who had been “prominent in the region” prior to the conquest.
Another functionary to effect deportations from Rize to Rumelia was Umur Bey, who before his posting to the Trabzon area had been governor of the province of “Rum.”
As these deportations gradually took place, the conquest of Trabzon was immediately followed by resettlement of another kind, as families were brought from provinces along the Central Black Sea and in Central Anatolia and given homes in the fortresses and towns of the newly acquired territory. In addition to these forced relocations there were those who voluntarily left those areas and came to settle in Trabzon and its environs.A handful of mostly Chepni families began to trickle in following the conquest, and this turned into a larger influx of Chepni groups in the 16th century.
But the influx was not confined to these.When Mehmet II conquered Karaman and eliminated the Karamanian Emirate, families were deported en masse to Istanbul, with some being sent to the Trabzon and Rize area where the luckier ones were given fiefs.
During Mehmet II's reign fairly large populations were relocated from Rumelia to this region, Albanians constituting the most numerous group. Inspection of the same register shows that many of these Albanians were given fýefs in the Rize area, and also that families arrived from such Balkan cities as Kosova, Siroz, Yeniþehir and Kalkandelen, in Rize as in other places being endowed with fiefs.
During Yavuz Sultan Selim's term as Trabzon governor (1481-1511) the events taking place in Eastern Anatolia marked a new phase in the history of the region. Little knowing that one day the Saffevids would pose a great threat to their own nation, the Ottomans had stood by indifferent as the Saffevids destroyed their mortal enemies the White Sheep Turks, massacring the populations; but Yavuz Sultan Selim recognized the danger and as White Sheep Turks fled the slaughter he welcomed and setlled them in the Trabzon Sanjak, a great many of them ending up in the Rize area.
When Yavuz became sultan his victory at Chaldiran was followed by the conquest of Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, and the elimination of the Dulkadir Emirate from the country around Marash. Many families from this emirate were relocated to the Trabzon Sanjak, being settled in the nahiyes east of the city, and in large part in and around Rize. As many surnames in that region are simply taken from ancestral places of origin, they reveal much about where families came from during Yavuz's term as governor and his reign as sultan.
These records, pertaining to the fýrst two decades following the Ottoman conquest, also make it possible to answer vain historical speculation concerning the region. The registers prove, for example, that there is no substance to claims that following the conquest the local people were forced by the Ottomans to convert to Islam
This record also makes it possible to state, contrary to claims made in Laz histories by those with ulterior motives, the Baltaoðullarý were not originally a Laz family but one of those brought to the region from the Balkans and endowed with a fief. There is also proof that prior to the conquest the Laz of this region voluntarily coexisted with the Ottomans, that Ottoman rule left the guarding of its frontier to Laz who had not yet become Muslim, and that thanks to the Ottoman umbrella the Laz were fýnally able to resist the Georgians and Abhaz who for centuries had robbed, oppressed and plundered them. The Ottoman records mention three great plundering raids made in the region (Rize and Pazar) between 1 461 and 1483. The first was carried out by the Georgians, the second by Georgians and Armenians, and the third by Megrels (denoted in the register as Mamiyan Infýdels). There is also mention of villagers who fought alongside the Ottoman soldiers in repelling infidel raids, and were rewarded with exemption from certain taxes. As for defence of the frontier, it was left to the Laz of the region, while other local Christians were enlisted as irreaulars to help defend the region and join in campaingns.
In order to put a halt to this pillaging, while still Trabzon governor Yavuz Sultan Selim conscripted locals, marched on Georgia, and made a number of conquests, being aided in this campaign by an Orthodox Christian, the Atabek of the Þavþat-Ispir region, Mirza Çabuk, who acted as guide. This comradeship persisted during the Chaldiran campaign. This peaceful coexistence in later centuries would be furthered when the local peoples voluntarily converted to Islam, with an even closer merging. Thanks to the security provided by Ottoman rule, the folk of the region no longer experienced the frustration of working all year only to see the harvested crops taken from them in raids.
This was the situation until such time as the Ottoman Empire began to wane, when the Abhaz crew, plagued by famine and poverty, set their sights on the prosperous lands under Ottman rule along the Eastern Black Sea coast. Their method was to approach in caiques, plunder the shoreline villages, and return.
In 1571 Abhaz pirates came in ships to raid the village of Sidere/Derecik near Arhavi.After looting the village and killing some of its inhabitants, the pirates took 47 of them prisoner and sailed away. At about the same time two shiploads of Abhaz raided the village of Makriyalu/Kemalpaþa in the same manner. The Porte commanded the Cadi of Arhavi, the Bey of Trabzon and the Bey of Batum to join forces, muster the vessels of the region, and put paid to these Abhaz depredations.
Meanwhile the Megrel Dadya had twice come with his subject Abhaz to raid Ottoman territory in nine great caiques fit out with guns and large cannon. When it was learned that both the pirates and the Megrel Dadya were procuring powder and weapons through trade with Kefe an action was mounted, and a force carried in caiques dispersed the buccaneers.
The Bey of Batum, who had commanded these troops, advised the Porte that Iskender Bey and the Abhaz pirates had made a habit of plundering the province of Gurel every year. Send me a thousand men, he said, and I will have the lands beyond Sohum pillaged in reprisal. The answer came that until the war with Cyprus and the Venetians were concluded no men could be spared; that the region must be defended using whatever troops were available locally, while those who supplied the pirates with arms and provisions, whether by sea or via Kefe, should be tracked down and captured. Among the measures taken was to forbid sea travel to the region.
To counter this coastal threat, caiques were mustered, the property of the state, to patrol the offshore waters constantly. But the problem was never completely solved; the Abhaz were indeed brought under control, but in the following century the Russian settlement policy meant that Cossacks relocated along the Ottoman- Russian frontier fulfilled the same nefarious role.
In 1647, the Cossacks having seized the fortress of Gönye, the governor of Erzurum attacked them with a force that included the famous traveller Evliya Çelebi, who in his renowned journal gives detailed information about the Cossack pirates' coastal raids, the measures taken to oppose them, and the action mounted to take back the fortress.
source: kultur.gov.tr
The first written mention of Rize is made by Arrianus in a work named Periplo (Ship's Voyage). Dated at 131-132 B.C., the work records how its author, the governor of Cappadocia, made an inspection tour of the Eastern Black Sea territories that were part of his jurisdiction, first visiting the Roman Empire's Eastern Anatolian frontier garrisons before pushing on to the Black Sea coast in the Trabzon (Trebizond) region.
Although Arrianus describes the entire coast east of Trabzon, we will confine ourselves to his remarks on the region that concerns us here.
Sailing east of Trabzon with three vessels, on the first day Arrianus cast anchor in the harbor of Issiporto/Hyssos/Sürmene or as it is known today Araklý, and he inspected the Roman garrison, consisting of some 20 cavalry and a number of footsoldiers, in a fortress on the southern edge of Araklý's marketplace. Setting sail eastward once again they met with a storm blowing from the southeast, and after many tribulations made land at Athens, today's county seat of Pazar.
The author tells us that he believes the name of the town derives from that of the goddess Athena; but in A History of the Georgian People (London, 1932) W.E.D. Allen asserts that many Black Sea place names thought to be Greek in origin are actually Laz, and that in this language Athenai means “place of the shade.”Rhizaion (Rize), generally taken as Greek for “brass,” according to Allen is in fact a Laz word meaning "place where people and soldiers gather," while Mapavri (today's Çayeli) signifies “leafy.”
Listing the rivers and streams eastward from Trabzon, Arrianus names the Isso/Hyssus (tody's Karadere) 33 km. distant, the Ofi (Solaklý Deresi) 17 km. further east, the Psicro (Baltacý Deresi) some 5 km. east of that, still 5 more km. further the Kalo (lyidere), the Rizio some 23 km. east of the Kalo, the Ascuro/Askaros (Taþlýdere) roughly 5 km. further on, and the Adieno (Çayeli Deresi) some 1 2 km. east of that. From here he reports that it is another 34 km. to Athens (Pazar), and thence no more than 1300 m. to the Zagati (Pazar-Zuga Deresi).
Reporting that the Ofý (Solaklý) River divides the land of the Colchis from Tsannica, Arrianus states that the Tzans were even at that time a fýercely warlike people and sworn enemies of the Greek colonialists who inhabited Trabzon. Paying tribute to the Romans, and governed by no king, the Tzans occupied the territory stretching from Gümüþhane/Canca south of the city to the Solaklý River on the east, being concentrated in the Karadere Valley roughly in the center.
Xenephon, in travelling from the Bayburt region to Trabzon, had descended into the Karadere Valley from Mt. Thekhes/Madur, and there had entered the country of the Makrons; said by Strabo to be identical with the Tzans. Place names which preserve a trace of this people are Zanike/Canike (now the village of Yiðitözü, in the same valley close to the shore near Araklý) and Canayer (now the village of Buzluca), site of the medieval Sürmene/Sousoumania. Arrianus relates how the Tzans live armed to the teeth and devote themselves to banditry, not even bothering to pay the tribute they owe the Romans.
The author denotes the territory east of the OF-Solaklý River as the land of the Colchis, whereas Xenephon, who reached Trabzon from Eastern Anatolia in February of 400 B.C., gave Trabzon and Giresun as their country. This is important, for it shows that during the intervening five centuries the Colchis had been forced to withdraw eastward.
There have been numerous examples of this phenomenon in the course of history. For instance, Arrianus records that the Laz people lived around Taupse at that period. Furthermore, he says that the country beyond Pazar is not worth visiting, being nameless and deserted, implying not only that the Colchis lived mainly to the west of Pazar, but also that in later centuries the Laz, under pressure from neighboring peoples, were constrained to migrate into the relatively quieter lands east of Taupse.
Based on the information supplied by Arrianus we can list the peoples living east of Trabzon as (in order eastward from the lands of the Tzans and Colchis) the Machelones, Heiniochis, Zydritaes, Laz, Absilaes, Abhaz, and the Sanigaes who lived around Sohum.
After eliminating the Pontus Kingdom and gaining sway over the central and eastern Black Sea as well as the Crimea, Rome at first governed the region that includes Rize as part of the province of Cappadocia. Later it was to be part of another province, Pontus Polemoniacus. At the outset securing the empire's eastern borders through small, sponsored kingdoms, the Romans later changed this policy and sent out legions.
Rize was one of the regions guarded directly by Roman garrisons. Murdered in the Rize citadel by Romans during the early days of Christianity and later canonized, St. Orientos was declared the patron of the site where he had been killed. The fact that there is a church in his name in the citadel shows how important the latter was to the region. Furthermore the Notitia Dignitatum, a Byzantine document from the fýrst half of the 5th century, lists Rize as a military base in Trabzon with a cavalry division in the Pontic II Legion.
The Rize citadel gained further in importance during the time of the Eastern Roman/Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527-565) when the realm was at war with Persia. The Tzans living south and east of Trabzon revolted and the Byzantine forces took refuge in the city fortresses. The folk inhabiting the southeasterly Black Sea region known as Colchis were also disaffected with Roman rule, being par- ticularly disgruntled that commerce was a Roman monopoly. The Lazica people living between the Fash and Rion rivers rose up
against Byzantium and requested support from the Sassanids. Seeing that all passes in the region were in hostile hands, the Byzantine garrison in the regional center Petra were forced to burn their homes, tear down the walls, and retreat toward Trabzon. In the aftermath, the southeastern stretches of the Black Sea coastal region became a theater of war between Byzantium and Iran, and the Byzantine frontier retracted to Asparos west of the Çoruh.
To make this frontier secure Justinian devised a line of defence, repairing the Rize citadel and placing a series of small fortresses between it and the legion headquarters at Trabzon, manning the redoubts with Bulgar Turks whom the Byzantine army had defeated in 530 in the Balkans.
During the reign of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius (610-641) Anatolia again became the scene of war between Byzantium and Persia, particularly important developments occurring when Heraclius marched on Iran in 622-28, and when he formed an alliance with the Khazar Turks. Reinforcing his might with Liz, Abhaz and Georgian troops, in 626 Heraclius wintered at Sürmene in the village of Canayer/Buzluca two km. south of Kalecik, which is west of the county of Araklý. Here he met with the Khazar King Yabgu, and the two formed a pact whereby the king was promised Heraclius' daughter Eudocia in return for 40,000 troops to be used as an ancillary force against the Persians.
Shortly after the Battle of Manzikert (1071) the Trabzon area became the target of Turkish raids, in 1073 and 1074 falling into the hands of the raiders. With the collapse of Byzantine power in the region, the territory east of Rize also suffered raids and pillaging on the part of the Georgians. In 1075 Byzantium sent an army under Thedore Gavras, who wrested the region from the Turcomans and restored Byzantine supremacy, for which he was rewarded with the Dukedom of Haldiya and made governor of Trabzon.
Ruling the Trabzon area independently of Byzantium, Thedore Gravas halted the pillage-bent Georgian incursions in 1089 and then succeeded in taking Bayburt from the Turks. Following his defeat near Bayburt by the army of Ismail, son to Gümüþtekin Ahmet Daniþmend Gazi, in a battle where Thedore Gavras lost his life, his son Gregory Gavras was made governor in Trabzon, a post thereafter held by Costantine Gavras, both men ruling independently of Byzantium and sometimes collaborating with the Turcoman emirates in the region to maintain their status.
Ruling Trabzon independently of Byzantium for three generations, cooperating with the Turcomans in doing so, the Gavras family, some of whom, like Hasan ibni Gavras, converted to Islam and served the Seljuk state, are seen by a number of historians as forerunners of the Comnenos dynasty which in 1204 was to pro- claim an empire in Trabzon and found a state.
When the Comnenos family was toppled from the Byzantine throne in a revolution, two of its scions, small children, were spirited from the capital by followers of their relative, Queen Thamara of Georgia, and taken to the Cholchid region. At the time of this escape the elder of the two, Alexius, was four years old. Eighteen years later, in 1204, when Istanbul was plundered by the Crusaders, the Byzantine rulers fled to territories as yet unoccupied by the Latins. While this was happening in the west the Comnenos brothers, Alexius and David, had appeared on the eastern coast of the Black Sea with an army given by Thamar and largely manned by Cuman Turks. Capping a successful westward march they seized Trabzon.
During the reigns of the Georgian King George III (1156-1184) and Queen Tamara (1184-1212) the Kýpça-Cumans had fallen on hard times because of the disintegration of the northern Black Sea states, and thereby been available as mercenaries, armies formed of which enabled Georgia to expand. Highly-ranked Cumans in the Georgian Army later converted to Orthodox Christianity and were posted to frontier regions confronting Muslim Turks.
The Kumbasars living at present in the mountain villages of Rize's Ikizdere county belong to the Kubasar family which, having commanded the Georgian army and then in advanced age been the subject of intrigue at the hands of Queen Thamar, left their freehold and withdrew into the Rize Mountains. And the Curtan/Cordans, who have given their name to an Arhavi village, the Arhavi uplands, and the mountains of this region, are members of another Cuman clan of that name. Villages with the name Cuman in the counties of Sürmene and Of also are relics of the Cumans who settled here at that epoch.
From 1214 onward this state founded by the Comnenos family maintained its existence by paying tribute to the Seljuks, Ghaznavids, Mongols and Ilhanids. When the emirates appeared, it was via alliances formed through marriage to the Turcoman emirs that the state subsisted.
A center for textiles and commerce at this period, Rize was at the same time administratively tied to the Greek Kingdom in Trabzon. The lands to the east of Rize were a separate administrative unit of the empire.
On his return from a journey as envoy to Tamerlane for the king of Spain, Clavijo passed in September of 1405 through the Hemþin region, which he called Arakuel and says paid fealty to Pir Hodja Bey, the Emir of Ispir. Clavjo reports that the inhabitants of the Hemþin region, dissatisfied with their ruler, had plotted with the Emir of Ispir to whom they dispatched said ruler after capturing him. The Emir, after throwing the man in prison, had sent a Muslim ruler to the region with a Christian lieutenant.
Asserting that “although they claim to be Christians and Armenians the people of the region are in fact barbarian tribes, a pack of thieves and bandits,” Clavijo provides information which in fact can shed light on the history of these parts. As the present article is not concerned with exploring the ethnic history of the region, we will content ourselves with pointing out that the Hemþens who lived here prior to Ottoman rule had their ancestor in common with the White Sheep Turks, and that they converted to Islam at a later date than the latter.
Among the strongest pieces of evidence for this thesis is the statue of a ram/sheep on the site of an ancient tomb where a forest now stands, on a small hill overlooking the Furtuna Deresi Valley in Çamlýhemþin's Aþaðýçamlýca (Aþaðýviçe) neighborhood. Another ram/sheep statue in the valley is that found in Ülküköy. One branch of the sheepherding White Sheep Turks was the Pornak/Purnak tribe, from whom derives the name Purnak which is so widespread in the uplands of Hemþin, also famous for sheepherding. There is an interesting type of large hinge attached to doors and still found in Hemþin houses dating back several centuries. The product of skillful iron-working, one side is a wolf's head and the other a stylized ram's head; and this is but one of the ethnographic materials in the region which, stemming from a very ancient culture, have survived to the present day.
When Uzun Hasan came into the Çoruh river valley in 1458, then held by the Atabeks, he added the Ispir region directly to the territories of the state, so that Hemþin also came under White Sheep sway. The country as far as the coastal town of Rize and Pazar, however, belonged to the Trabzon Kingdom. Then in 1461 Mehmet II personally led a campaign to conquer Trabzon, and the territory as far as the Çoruh River, including Hemþin, came undeý Ottoman rule.
Prior to this conquest an alliance had been forged among the Trabzon Greek Kingdom, the Megrel Dadyan, the King of Kartli and the Çoruh Atabek, with the White Sheep Turks, rivals to the Ottomans, included as protectors. The plan was for the alliance to join forces with other Turcoman emirs and with a crusade to be organized by the Pope, to swoop down upon the Ottoman and destroy him. It was when he became aware of this plot that Mehmet mounted a campaign in 1461 and struck at the nerve center of the alliance, the Trabzon Kingdom.
Before leaving the region Mehmet gathered together the Greek denizens of Trabzon, loaded them onto ships, and sent them to Istanbul.Then, because the surrounding fortresses and towns had been conquered along with Trabzon, he appointed men to rule them and only then departed. The fýrst step taken by the new gov- ernor of Trabzon, fleet admiral Kasým Bey, was to revise the local system of government along Ottoman lines.Thus the territories comprising the presentday province of Rize were organized into three nahiyes: Rize, Atine (Pazar) and Lazmaðal. In addition the nahiye of Rize, having a fortress, was endowed with a cadi, thus becoming a jurisdiction known as a kaza.
The oldest extant Ottoman document concerning Rize is a register dated 1483 which lists various administrators of the region.
In reorganizing the territory Kasým Bey deported certain persons to Rumelia, in addition to those Mehmet II had deported to Istanbul, and this too is recorded in the 1483 register. Among those deported were a Turkish Christian named Todoros Altemur and one Cori Sasmasnos, both of whom “owned vineyards,” as well as one Þemseddinoðlu who had been “prominent in the region” prior to the conquest.
Another functionary to effect deportations from Rize to Rumelia was Umur Bey, who before his posting to the Trabzon area had been governor of the province of “Rum.”
As these deportations gradually took place, the conquest of Trabzon was immediately followed by resettlement of another kind, as families were brought from provinces along the Central Black Sea and in Central Anatolia and given homes in the fortresses and towns of the newly acquired territory. In addition to these forced relocations there were those who voluntarily left those areas and came to settle in Trabzon and its environs.A handful of mostly Chepni families began to trickle in following the conquest, and this turned into a larger influx of Chepni groups in the 16th century.
But the influx was not confined to these.When Mehmet II conquered Karaman and eliminated the Karamanian Emirate, families were deported en masse to Istanbul, with some being sent to the Trabzon and Rize area where the luckier ones were given fiefs.
During Mehmet II's reign fairly large populations were relocated from Rumelia to this region, Albanians constituting the most numerous group. Inspection of the same register shows that many of these Albanians were given fýefs in the Rize area, and also that families arrived from such Balkan cities as Kosova, Siroz, Yeniþehir and Kalkandelen, in Rize as in other places being endowed with fiefs.
During Yavuz Sultan Selim's term as Trabzon governor (1481-1511) the events taking place in Eastern Anatolia marked a new phase in the history of the region. Little knowing that one day the Saffevids would pose a great threat to their own nation, the Ottomans had stood by indifferent as the Saffevids destroyed their mortal enemies the White Sheep Turks, massacring the populations; but Yavuz Sultan Selim recognized the danger and as White Sheep Turks fled the slaughter he welcomed and setlled them in the Trabzon Sanjak, a great many of them ending up in the Rize area.
When Yavuz became sultan his victory at Chaldiran was followed by the conquest of Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, and the elimination of the Dulkadir Emirate from the country around Marash. Many families from this emirate were relocated to the Trabzon Sanjak, being settled in the nahiyes east of the city, and in large part in and around Rize. As many surnames in that region are simply taken from ancestral places of origin, they reveal much about where families came from during Yavuz's term as governor and his reign as sultan.
These records, pertaining to the fýrst two decades following the Ottoman conquest, also make it possible to answer vain historical speculation concerning the region. The registers prove, for example, that there is no substance to claims that following the conquest the local people were forced by the Ottomans to convert to Islam
This record also makes it possible to state, contrary to claims made in Laz histories by those with ulterior motives, the Baltaoðullarý were not originally a Laz family but one of those brought to the region from the Balkans and endowed with a fief. There is also proof that prior to the conquest the Laz of this region voluntarily coexisted with the Ottomans, that Ottoman rule left the guarding of its frontier to Laz who had not yet become Muslim, and that thanks to the Ottoman umbrella the Laz were fýnally able to resist the Georgians and Abhaz who for centuries had robbed, oppressed and plundered them. The Ottoman records mention three great plundering raids made in the region (Rize and Pazar) between 1 461 and 1483. The first was carried out by the Georgians, the second by Georgians and Armenians, and the third by Megrels (denoted in the register as Mamiyan Infýdels). There is also mention of villagers who fought alongside the Ottoman soldiers in repelling infidel raids, and were rewarded with exemption from certain taxes. As for defence of the frontier, it was left to the Laz of the region, while other local Christians were enlisted as irreaulars to help defend the region and join in campaingns.
In order to put a halt to this pillaging, while still Trabzon governor Yavuz Sultan Selim conscripted locals, marched on Georgia, and made a number of conquests, being aided in this campaign by an Orthodox Christian, the Atabek of the Þavþat-Ispir region, Mirza Çabuk, who acted as guide. This comradeship persisted during the Chaldiran campaign. This peaceful coexistence in later centuries would be furthered when the local peoples voluntarily converted to Islam, with an even closer merging. Thanks to the security provided by Ottoman rule, the folk of the region no longer experienced the frustration of working all year only to see the harvested crops taken from them in raids.
This was the situation until such time as the Ottoman Empire began to wane, when the Abhaz crew, plagued by famine and poverty, set their sights on the prosperous lands under Ottman rule along the Eastern Black Sea coast. Their method was to approach in caiques, plunder the shoreline villages, and return.
In 1571 Abhaz pirates came in ships to raid the village of Sidere/Derecik near Arhavi.After looting the village and killing some of its inhabitants, the pirates took 47 of them prisoner and sailed away. At about the same time two shiploads of Abhaz raided the village of Makriyalu/Kemalpaþa in the same manner. The Porte commanded the Cadi of Arhavi, the Bey of Trabzon and the Bey of Batum to join forces, muster the vessels of the region, and put paid to these Abhaz depredations.
Meanwhile the Megrel Dadya had twice come with his subject Abhaz to raid Ottoman territory in nine great caiques fit out with guns and large cannon. When it was learned that both the pirates and the Megrel Dadya were procuring powder and weapons through trade with Kefe an action was mounted, and a force carried in caiques dispersed the buccaneers.
The Bey of Batum, who had commanded these troops, advised the Porte that Iskender Bey and the Abhaz pirates had made a habit of plundering the province of Gurel every year. Send me a thousand men, he said, and I will have the lands beyond Sohum pillaged in reprisal. The answer came that until the war with Cyprus and the Venetians were concluded no men could be spared; that the region must be defended using whatever troops were available locally, while those who supplied the pirates with arms and provisions, whether by sea or via Kefe, should be tracked down and captured. Among the measures taken was to forbid sea travel to the region.
To counter this coastal threat, caiques were mustered, the property of the state, to patrol the offshore waters constantly. But the problem was never completely solved; the Abhaz were indeed brought under control, but in the following century the Russian settlement policy meant that Cossacks relocated along the Ottoman- Russian frontier fulfilled the same nefarious role.
In 1647, the Cossacks having seized the fortress of Gönye, the governor of Erzurum attacked them with a force that included the famous traveller Evliya Çelebi, who in his renowned journal gives detailed information about the Cossack pirates' coastal raids, the measures taken to oppose them, and the action mounted to take back the fortress.
source: kultur.gov.tr
History of Ordu
Ordu began to be settled around 15,000 BC. The Halips who came to the Black Sea Region from EasternAnatolia in 2,000 BC, settled in the mountainous regions.
They were dominant in the Black sea Region for a long time and beinggood at metal work made durable weapons from bronze.
Early research suggested that Miletian colonists founded the first settlement at Ordu in 756 BC, calling it Codyora. More recant research, however, attributes the firstsettlement to the Halips. Today, no trace of this tribe's settlement remains, probably because it was built from locally abundant wood.
Interestingly, the town of Bayramh in I skipnznr county used to be called Haliipia in 1398 during the Seljuk period.
Ordu was annexed to the Hittite Empire in 1,000 BC.
Although it has been claimed that ancient Codyora was located in Bozukkale, archaeological evidence doos not support this.
Bozukkale was a smail castlebuilt in the 11 th century AD. For a time, Ordu served as home for tne Medes and Persians. Returning from the Babylonion campaing, the survivors of Xenophon's Ten Thousand left Anatolia from Ordu in their retreat. Before leaving Ordu, Xenophon delivered a historic speech to his army. Laten in history, Ordu came within the region the Roman and ByzantineEmpires. Between 1204 and 1264, Ordu was part of the Comnene Empire which was centred in Trabzon.
Between the 12th and 14 th centuries, Ordu was part of the Seljuk State. It was added to the OrtomanEmpire in the 14 th century after Yildirim Beyazit conquered Samsun and the commanderof Halipia, conqueror of Giresun, Haci Emirzade Suleyman Bey recognized Ortoman sovereignty in the area. Ordu became its own regional centre (sancak) separate from Trabzon on April 17, 1920. In 1923 its status was changed from sancak to province.
source: gursoy(dot)com(dot)tr
They were dominant in the Black sea Region for a long time and beinggood at metal work made durable weapons from bronze.
Early research suggested that Miletian colonists founded the first settlement at Ordu in 756 BC, calling it Codyora. More recant research, however, attributes the firstsettlement to the Halips. Today, no trace of this tribe's settlement remains, probably because it was built from locally abundant wood.
Interestingly, the town of Bayramh in I skipnznr county used to be called Haliipia in 1398 during the Seljuk period.
Ordu was annexed to the Hittite Empire in 1,000 BC.
Although it has been claimed that ancient Codyora was located in Bozukkale, archaeological evidence doos not support this.
Bozukkale was a smail castlebuilt in the 11 th century AD. For a time, Ordu served as home for tne Medes and Persians. Returning from the Babylonion campaing, the survivors of Xenophon's Ten Thousand left Anatolia from Ordu in their retreat. Before leaving Ordu, Xenophon delivered a historic speech to his army. Laten in history, Ordu came within the region the Roman and ByzantineEmpires. Between 1204 and 1264, Ordu was part of the Comnene Empire which was centred in Trabzon.
Between the 12th and 14 th centuries, Ordu was part of the Seljuk State. It was added to the OrtomanEmpire in the 14 th century after Yildirim Beyazit conquered Samsun and the commanderof Halipia, conqueror of Giresun, Haci Emirzade Suleyman Bey recognized Ortoman sovereignty in the area. Ordu became its own regional centre (sancak) separate from Trabzon on April 17, 1920. In 1923 its status was changed from sancak to province.
source: gursoy(dot)com(dot)tr
Friday, September 18, 2009
History of Nevşehir
A settlement was founded on the slopes of Mount Kahveci in the valley of Kızılırmak (the ancient Halys) by the Hittites. The town along with the region came under the rule of the Assyrian Empire around the 8th century BC, then by the Medes and then by the Persians in the reign of emperor Cyrus the Great in 546 BC. In 333 BC Alexander the Great defeated the Persians. After his death, Cappadocia came under the rule of the dynasty of Ariobarzanes with Mazaka (present-day Kayseri) as capital. Cappadocian kingdom became part of the Roman empire, in the reign of Emperor Tiberius.
The underground shelters around Nevşehir and Göreme were originally built to escape persecution by the pagan Roman authorities.[citation needed] Many of the churches, hewn in the rocks, date from these early years of Christianity. Even when Theodosius I made Christianity the official religion of the empire the caves offered protection for the local people during raids by the Sassanid Persians circa 604 AD and by the Islamic Caliphate circa 647AD. And when Iconoclasm became state policy in the Byzantine empire again the caves of Nevşehir became shelters for those escaping persecution.
The castle on the hill dates from the Byzantine period, when the region was on the frontline in the wars against the Islamic Caliphate.
At the Battle of Manzikert (present-day Malazgirt) in 1071AD, the Byzantine emperor Romanos IV was defeated by the Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan. This led to the occupation of Anatolia by the Seljuks by 1074AD and Nevşehir along with the rest of the region became part of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and then under the rule of the Karamanoğlu dynasty in 1328AD and finally under rule of the Ottoman empire around 1487AD and was renamed "Muşkara". It remained a relatively insignificant settlement until the early 18th century.
The present-day city owes its foundation to the grand vizier and son-in-law of the Sultan Ahmed III, Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha who was born in Muşkara and therefore took a great interest in its construction as a city. The small village with only 18 houses, formerly under the administration of the kaza of Ürgüp, was rapidly transformed with the building of mosques (the Kurṣunlu Mosque), fountains, schools, soup kitchens, inns and bath houses, and its name was changed from Muşkara to "Nevşehir" (meaning New City in Persian and Ottoman Turkish).
source: wikipedia(dot)org
The underground shelters around Nevşehir and Göreme were originally built to escape persecution by the pagan Roman authorities.[citation needed] Many of the churches, hewn in the rocks, date from these early years of Christianity. Even when Theodosius I made Christianity the official religion of the empire the caves offered protection for the local people during raids by the Sassanid Persians circa 604 AD and by the Islamic Caliphate circa 647AD. And when Iconoclasm became state policy in the Byzantine empire again the caves of Nevşehir became shelters for those escaping persecution.
The castle on the hill dates from the Byzantine period, when the region was on the frontline in the wars against the Islamic Caliphate.
At the Battle of Manzikert (present-day Malazgirt) in 1071AD, the Byzantine emperor Romanos IV was defeated by the Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan. This led to the occupation of Anatolia by the Seljuks by 1074AD and Nevşehir along with the rest of the region became part of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and then under the rule of the Karamanoğlu dynasty in 1328AD and finally under rule of the Ottoman empire around 1487AD and was renamed "Muşkara". It remained a relatively insignificant settlement until the early 18th century.
The present-day city owes its foundation to the grand vizier and son-in-law of the Sultan Ahmed III, Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha who was born in Muşkara and therefore took a great interest in its construction as a city. The small village with only 18 houses, formerly under the administration of the kaza of Ürgüp, was rapidly transformed with the building of mosques (the Kurṣunlu Mosque), fountains, schools, soup kitchens, inns and bath houses, and its name was changed from Muşkara to "Nevşehir" (meaning New City in Persian and Ottoman Turkish).
source: wikipedia(dot)org
Monday, August 3, 2009
History of Eskişehir
From the time when the human race changed from the hunter-nomad way of life to grower-settler society i.e. from the neolithic era until the present day the territory of Eskişehir has been home to many civilations. Approximately five thosund years ago small groups of people founded their first settlements on the fertile grounds of Eskişehir. After 2000 B.C. at the time when the Hittite empire was founded in Anotolia, Eskişehir bacame a principality. In the 12 th century B.C. the Phrygians moved in from Thrace and conquered Central Anatolia where they founded a United Kingdom. Eskişehir became a prosperous commercial and cultural centre under the name of Dorylaion. Many monuments has been preserved from those days.The Phrygian rule weakened in the 6 th century and cosequently the land was taken over by Lydians, who minted the first coins thus faciliating commerce. The Lydians built and guarded the "King's Road", which ran from Sardis to Nivevch. This historic road passed near Dorylaion and helped Lydia grow, but at the same time it helped the Persians conquer the whole country in 546 B.C. The Persian rule persisted until the battle at the river of Gronikos in May 334 B. C., where Alexander the Great of Macedonia licked the hell out of the Persian generals. Alexander died in 333 B. C. After having ruled the region only for a short period of time. During the days of confusion that followed Alexander's death crowded groups of Greeks moved in to settle on the fertile land around Eskişehir, and thus began Hellenistic era. Later between the years of 190 B. C. and 395 A. D. Romans ruled Dorylaion, or Dorylaeum as the Romans called it. They used the town as a spa and as a centre of entertainment. As the Roman empire split into two, Eskişehir came under Byzantium until it was finally conqured by Selijuks in 1074. The "Kings Road" was used by Crusaders during the Cruades, which began in 1096, so that Eskişehir (Dorylaeum) became the scene of numerous battles and frequently changed hands. At this time the Arabs call the town Duruliye, while the Selijuks call it Sultanönü or Sultanhöyüğü. In 1289 Osman Bey gets hold of the town, which due to its ruinous appearence was the named "Eskişehir" meaning "Old Town". The town remained under Turkish role until the present days During World War I. Now, Eskişehir is an agricultural, conumercial and cultural center.
source: alkara(dot)com
source: alkara(dot)com
History of Erzurum
Erzurum, the regional capital with a population of 400.000 and the leading mountain resort in Eastern Anatolia, is situated in a very high valley with an altitude of 2000 meters from sea level. Today, the city is a popular tourist haven for skiing and winter sports. Palandöken Mountain, just on the edge of the city, offers some of the best winter recreational activities in all of Turkey, allowing skiing until mid April.
The history of Erzurum dates as far back as 4000 BC. Excavations in and around the city have proven that many ancient civilizations were present such as the Urartians, Kimers, Scythians, Meds, Persians, Parts, Romans, Byzantines, Sasans, Arabs, Seljuks, Mongolians, Ilkhanids and Safas.
Having become the capital city of Eastern Anatolia under the leadership of the Seljuk Empire in the 12th century, Erzurum has undergone many name changes during the different dynasties. For centuries the city of Erzurum has played a very significant role as a crossroads where so many routes and civilizations converge as one.
Today, the city is characterized by many historical sites, which provide a unique appearance to the surroundings. Of these historical sites, the Double Minaret Medrese (or Çifte Minare) dating back to the 13th century is the most famous attraction of the area. In the shadow of the Double Minaret Medrese, stands the Yakutiye Medrese, this was built in the 14th century, and served in the Ottoman Empire as a theological school. Today it stands as a Turkish and Islamic work of art and Ethnographic Museum where various ethnographic objects of the region are exhibited.
From 1514 until the forming of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 the Ottoman Empire ruled the City and its surroundings. We can include the great Alexander and Timor amongst the important rulers who had control over the city and its surroundings. The city’s function in the defense of the region has a close relation to its geographic structure. The city has been established in a place where it can easily defend against any possible attack, which may come from the east. The resistance movement against the west’s alliances at the beginning of the 20th Century started in Erzurum under the leadership of Atatürk. Atatürk had gathered here the congress in which he laid the foundation of the national unity and independence movement on 23rd July 1919.
Historical work of art belonging to the ethnic groups and nationals mentioned above can be found in the City. Most of these have been preserved to date, without being spoilt. Along with these work of arts, which add to the natural beauty of our city there are many other natural beauties in existence to be discovered.
There is also a castle, built around the 5th century AD, which stands out as one of the relics of the Byzantium civilization. Added to these three main historical sites are the three tombs, the Lalapasa Mosque, Rustempasa Karawansaray, Atatürk House, the Congress Building and the Archaeological Museums. Just outside the city of Erzurum lies many additional attractions. There are other beautiful places to visit such as the Tortum Waterfalls, the Çobandede Bridge and Narman Fairy Chimneys. Some thirty kilometers to the East is the ancient town of Hasankale with its magnificent Castle. The city is also surrounded by attractive towns, villages and many public natural hot spring baths.
source: atauni.edu.tr
The history of Erzurum dates as far back as 4000 BC. Excavations in and around the city have proven that many ancient civilizations were present such as the Urartians, Kimers, Scythians, Meds, Persians, Parts, Romans, Byzantines, Sasans, Arabs, Seljuks, Mongolians, Ilkhanids and Safas.
Having become the capital city of Eastern Anatolia under the leadership of the Seljuk Empire in the 12th century, Erzurum has undergone many name changes during the different dynasties. For centuries the city of Erzurum has played a very significant role as a crossroads where so many routes and civilizations converge as one.
Today, the city is characterized by many historical sites, which provide a unique appearance to the surroundings. Of these historical sites, the Double Minaret Medrese (or Çifte Minare) dating back to the 13th century is the most famous attraction of the area. In the shadow of the Double Minaret Medrese, stands the Yakutiye Medrese, this was built in the 14th century, and served in the Ottoman Empire as a theological school. Today it stands as a Turkish and Islamic work of art and Ethnographic Museum where various ethnographic objects of the region are exhibited.
From 1514 until the forming of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 the Ottoman Empire ruled the City and its surroundings. We can include the great Alexander and Timor amongst the important rulers who had control over the city and its surroundings. The city’s function in the defense of the region has a close relation to its geographic structure. The city has been established in a place where it can easily defend against any possible attack, which may come from the east. The resistance movement against the west’s alliances at the beginning of the 20th Century started in Erzurum under the leadership of Atatürk. Atatürk had gathered here the congress in which he laid the foundation of the national unity and independence movement on 23rd July 1919.
Historical work of art belonging to the ethnic groups and nationals mentioned above can be found in the City. Most of these have been preserved to date, without being spoilt. Along with these work of arts, which add to the natural beauty of our city there are many other natural beauties in existence to be discovered.
There is also a castle, built around the 5th century AD, which stands out as one of the relics of the Byzantium civilization. Added to these three main historical sites are the three tombs, the Lalapasa Mosque, Rustempasa Karawansaray, Atatürk House, the Congress Building and the Archaeological Museums. Just outside the city of Erzurum lies many additional attractions. There are other beautiful places to visit such as the Tortum Waterfalls, the Çobandede Bridge and Narman Fairy Chimneys. Some thirty kilometers to the East is the ancient town of Hasankale with its magnificent Castle. The city is also surrounded by attractive towns, villages and many public natural hot spring baths.
source: atauni.edu.tr
History of Elazığ
Elazığ is a city in East Anatolia, which was built on the foot of the hill on which the historical castle of Harput takes place. The city, which is 1067 higher than the sea level is on a ground which, is a bit sloppy. The history of Elazığ as settle-place is new, however the history of the regain is very old. For this reason, we should consider the history of Elazığ with the history of Harput, which is its source. According to the available historical source, the oldest dwellers of Harput are the Hurrions who settled down East Anatolia from 2000 BC. Again according to historical restrictions we see that Hittites dominated the regain after Hurrions. After the freedom of Hittite, Urartus who founded the government in East Anatolia dominated Harput, from the 9th century A.D (from the ninth century A.D). The castle of Harput, which still stands with its historical grandeur even today, carries the traces of the time of Urartus. It has been ascertained that there are ladders, which were carved into rocks, tunnels dark rooms and aqueducts. Harput, which has been known as, fortified place with its castle since the ninth century BC, has the past of at least four thousand years. Har-the first syllable of the word Harput means stone (rock) the last syllable –put means castle. According to present Turkish, it means stone castle. When we examine the history of Harput deeply, we see that it was dominated politically and militarily by Roman people from the first century to the third century. A.D. But it is known that it was exchanged in the age of pontus King Mithradates, who did long and hand struggles so as to send Roman people away Anatolia, and at the later times. As well as this Harput was exactly depended to Empire from the time of emperor Dioclationus in the third century A.D.The first independence period of Bizans in the middle of the seventh century in Harput, which was always seen as dispute border in the wars which went on between Sasani and Bizans then and exchanged by being dominated by Sasani some time sand by Bizans sometimes. We see that the Arab, who owned syria and Iraq at the time of Hz. Ömer, occupied Harput and the places around it, towers the middle of the seventy-century. The Arab freedom which began by means of this went on until the middle of the tenth century.No active traces are seen from the Arab time like the time of Roman. The region was usually a stage for the body shows of Bizans and Arab’s political and military power.The second dominion of Bizans in Harput is the tenth century. The first target of the occurrences of Bizans against Islam World was always Harput. As a matter of fact Bizans dominated Harput and inquired the castles by foundering a city organisation hare in the first assault.Harput was said “Harpote” similar to its present saying in the history of Bizans. In fact the region of Harput is called Mesopotamia. The Sovereignty of Bizans in Harput went on until almost the end of eleventh century.
The Occupation Of Harput By Turkey:
Harput and the around part of it was taken by Turks in 1085 without certainty after Malazgirt battle on 26th August 1071. This was at the time of Selçuklu. The fist Turk sage of Harput was Çubuk Bey. Çubuk Bey founded a government in Harput provided he would be connected to the Selçuklu Sultan like the other Selçuklu people. As his son Mehmet Bey became successor to him, this age is called Çubukoğulları Devri. It isn’t suspicious that Çubukoğulları and the Turks who come with them are the ancestors of Harput people. The place which was only a fortified castle the domination of Turks in Harput became a developing city which Turks. After the time of Çubukoğulları, the age of Artukoğulları began in Harput. The age which started in the first years of the twelfth century went on until 1234. After Artuklu come to East Anotolia and settled down there, a branch of tem come to Harput, so they were called Harput Artuklu. Belek Gazi, who is still remembered in Harput and Elazığ, is known to be the most famous Turk conquerer whom Harput trained. (In 1965 a beautiful statue of Belek Gazi on a horse was mode y Harput Tourism Organisation) The most important utility of him with Selahattin Eyyubi. (Under the light of the last investigations historians state that the true name of Balak Gazi was Belek Gazi.) After Balak Gazi the princes who come from Artukoğulları dominated Harput until 1185. Fahrettin Karaaslan, one of them, has an unforgettable place and traces. Karaaslan dominated Harput between 1148 and had Ulu Cami, which takes place in Harput, built. The sovereignty of Artuk Dynasty in Harput ended in 1234 and was annexed to Harput Selçuklu Dynasty. At the time of Selçuklu Harput was directed by a police superintend and at this time no traces except Arab Baba Mosque and the tomb next to it were left. We see that in the fourteenth century İlhanlı dominated Harput for a while and then Dulkadiroğulları is it after the sovereignty of Anotolia Selçuklu in the region had finished. After the age of Dulkadiroğulları which didn’t lost long, Harput was occupied by Uzun Hasan in 1465 and for about forty years Akkoyunlu dominated it. After Akkoyunlu, Harput passed to the direction of Shah İsmail in 1507. It was conquered by Ottoman Army after Çaldıran War in 1516. Harput, which passed to Ottoman direction, was organised as a depending on Diyarbakır at the beginning. According to a registration in 1530, there were fourteen Moslem, four Armenian districts at that time. According to Kamus-ül-a’lam there were 2670 houses, 843 shops, 10 mosques, 10 Islamic schools, 8 libraries and churches, 12 ins and 90 baths in Harput at the end of the nineteenth century. Harput, whose historical ages we mentioned shortly above, was left like a lot of ancient Turkish cities, which mixed to the history by similar reasons and gave its place to Elazığ at present. Elazığ of today was started to be built on the place which was called “mezra” amongst people at the time of Retit Mehmet Pasha, who was made officer so as to make revelations and from the authority of the government in the easterncities in 1834, at the time of Mahmut II. In the some year (1834) hospital, barrack and ammunition building were built and the centre of the city was carried to Elazığ (the new city) from Harput. As Harput wasn’t a border city and more, was out of the main ways, it was difficult to reach there in winter and the village was suitable to build a beautiful city, this transfer was done. The city which was just built was a province and later a city centre at the beginning and then became a Sancak depending on Diyarbakır. It became independent governor of a province (müstakil Mutasarrıflık) in 1875 and a city again in 1879. In the last years of Ottoman Empire, Malatya and Dersim were connected to here and in 1921 both of the two Sancak left Elazığ. In the fifth anniversary of having the throne of Sultan Abdulaziz, in 1867 “Mamurat ul-Aziz) was given with the suggestion of Governor İsmail Pasha, who was sent there at the time of Hacı Ahmet İzzet Pasha. But shortly it was said “ELAZİZ” by people as the pronunciation of it was difficult. Along the visit of Atatürk in 1937 “Elazık” in the meaning of “Provisions City” was given, than this name turned to “Elazığ”.
source: el-teks.com
The Occupation Of Harput By Turkey:
Harput and the around part of it was taken by Turks in 1085 without certainty after Malazgirt battle on 26th August 1071. This was at the time of Selçuklu. The fist Turk sage of Harput was Çubuk Bey. Çubuk Bey founded a government in Harput provided he would be connected to the Selçuklu Sultan like the other Selçuklu people. As his son Mehmet Bey became successor to him, this age is called Çubukoğulları Devri. It isn’t suspicious that Çubukoğulları and the Turks who come with them are the ancestors of Harput people. The place which was only a fortified castle the domination of Turks in Harput became a developing city which Turks. After the time of Çubukoğulları, the age of Artukoğulları began in Harput. The age which started in the first years of the twelfth century went on until 1234. After Artuklu come to East Anotolia and settled down there, a branch of tem come to Harput, so they were called Harput Artuklu. Belek Gazi, who is still remembered in Harput and Elazığ, is known to be the most famous Turk conquerer whom Harput trained. (In 1965 a beautiful statue of Belek Gazi on a horse was mode y Harput Tourism Organisation) The most important utility of him with Selahattin Eyyubi. (Under the light of the last investigations historians state that the true name of Balak Gazi was Belek Gazi.) After Balak Gazi the princes who come from Artukoğulları dominated Harput until 1185. Fahrettin Karaaslan, one of them, has an unforgettable place and traces. Karaaslan dominated Harput between 1148 and had Ulu Cami, which takes place in Harput, built. The sovereignty of Artuk Dynasty in Harput ended in 1234 and was annexed to Harput Selçuklu Dynasty. At the time of Selçuklu Harput was directed by a police superintend and at this time no traces except Arab Baba Mosque and the tomb next to it were left. We see that in the fourteenth century İlhanlı dominated Harput for a while and then Dulkadiroğulları is it after the sovereignty of Anotolia Selçuklu in the region had finished. After the age of Dulkadiroğulları which didn’t lost long, Harput was occupied by Uzun Hasan in 1465 and for about forty years Akkoyunlu dominated it. After Akkoyunlu, Harput passed to the direction of Shah İsmail in 1507. It was conquered by Ottoman Army after Çaldıran War in 1516. Harput, which passed to Ottoman direction, was organised as a depending on Diyarbakır at the beginning. According to a registration in 1530, there were fourteen Moslem, four Armenian districts at that time. According to Kamus-ül-a’lam there were 2670 houses, 843 shops, 10 mosques, 10 Islamic schools, 8 libraries and churches, 12 ins and 90 baths in Harput at the end of the nineteenth century. Harput, whose historical ages we mentioned shortly above, was left like a lot of ancient Turkish cities, which mixed to the history by similar reasons and gave its place to Elazığ at present. Elazığ of today was started to be built on the place which was called “mezra” amongst people at the time of Retit Mehmet Pasha, who was made officer so as to make revelations and from the authority of the government in the easterncities in 1834, at the time of Mahmut II. In the some year (1834) hospital, barrack and ammunition building were built and the centre of the city was carried to Elazığ (the new city) from Harput. As Harput wasn’t a border city and more, was out of the main ways, it was difficult to reach there in winter and the village was suitable to build a beautiful city, this transfer was done. The city which was just built was a province and later a city centre at the beginning and then became a Sancak depending on Diyarbakır. It became independent governor of a province (müstakil Mutasarrıflık) in 1875 and a city again in 1879. In the last years of Ottoman Empire, Malatya and Dersim were connected to here and in 1921 both of the two Sancak left Elazığ. In the fifth anniversary of having the throne of Sultan Abdulaziz, in 1867 “Mamurat ul-Aziz) was given with the suggestion of Governor İsmail Pasha, who was sent there at the time of Hacı Ahmet İzzet Pasha. But shortly it was said “ELAZİZ” by people as the pronunciation of it was difficult. Along the visit of Atatürk in 1937 “Elazık” in the meaning of “Provisions City” was given, than this name turned to “Elazığ”.
source: el-teks.com
History of Edirne
Edirne throughout its history has had relative importance as a gateway from Europe to Asia and vice versa and as a place where many battles and sieges took place. The Greek mythology tells that formerly the city was built by the son of King Agamemnon, Orestes and named it as Orestias.
Later the Roman Emperor Hadrian founded the city of Hadrianopolis where previously were the ancient Thracian settlement known as Uskadama, Uskudama. He began to build many monuments and in few time the city became to one of the most important Roman cities of the Empire. During the Roman and Byzantine times Hadrianopolis was whiteness of many battles and some of the most important were the battle between the Roman army commanded by the Emperor Valens against the Goths in 378, where the Romans were defeated. Centuries later in 807, the city was captured by the Bulgars but early was recovered by the Byzantines.
In 1362, the city was captured by the Ottomans, been the sultan Murad I, and a year later the city was renamed to Edirne. In 1365 the city was declared as the Capital of the Ottoman Empire and conserved its title until 1453, when the capital of the Empire passed to Constantinople. During the 17th century Edirne underwent its Golden Era, when many Sultans went to the city to spend their time. In 1828 Russia captured the city after three days of siege during the Greek War of Independence, and in 1878 in the Bulgarian independence war. In 1912 was captured by Bulgarians and finally by the Greeks in the early 1920s, which finished with the Lausanne Treaty of 24 July 1923.
source: justturkey.org
Later the Roman Emperor Hadrian founded the city of Hadrianopolis where previously were the ancient Thracian settlement known as Uskadama, Uskudama. He began to build many monuments and in few time the city became to one of the most important Roman cities of the Empire. During the Roman and Byzantine times Hadrianopolis was whiteness of many battles and some of the most important were the battle between the Roman army commanded by the Emperor Valens against the Goths in 378, where the Romans were defeated. Centuries later in 807, the city was captured by the Bulgars but early was recovered by the Byzantines.
In 1362, the city was captured by the Ottomans, been the sultan Murad I, and a year later the city was renamed to Edirne. In 1365 the city was declared as the Capital of the Ottoman Empire and conserved its title until 1453, when the capital of the Empire passed to Constantinople. During the 17th century Edirne underwent its Golden Era, when many Sultans went to the city to spend their time. In 1828 Russia captured the city after three days of siege during the Greek War of Independence, and in 1878 in the Bulgarian independence war. In 1912 was captured by Bulgarians and finally by the Greeks in the early 1920s, which finished with the Lausanne Treaty of 24 July 1923.
source: justturkey.org
Friday, July 31, 2009
History of Diyarbakır
Diyarbakir maintained its importance throughout history mainly for its location where various civilizations flourishing in Upper Mesopotamia met and interacted. In 1946, excavations carried out in Bismil, Silvan and Ergani by the Turkish History Institution yielded some flint stone apparatus dating back to the Paleolithic age. Finds from excavations carried out in Çayönü tumulus, on the other hand, testifies inhabitation in the Neolithic age. Steles and inscriptions in Birkileyn Cave and Egil Castle belong to the Assyrians. The walls of Diyarbakir, one of the most spectacular defense structures in the world, also gives clues about the historical past of the city.
The province of Diyarbakir extends over an area of 15,355 km2. Farming in the province is mostly rain-fed and there is fallowing. The population of the province is 1,364,209 according to the Census of 2000. The peripheral districts of the province are Bismil, Cinar, Cermik, Cungus, Dicle, Egil, Ergani, Hani, Hazro, Kocakoy, Kulp, Lice and Silvan.
As the second largest city in Southeastern Anatolia, Diyarbakir consists of two main settlements as the "old" and "new" city. The old part of the city is surrounded by walls. These four-gated walls are the longest and strongest of all similar structures still standing in Anatolia. Important historical buildings of the city remain within the area surrounded by walls. The new city, on the contrast to the old city which expanded more recently in a planned manner looks much more modern with its avenues, parks, houses, official buildings and hotels. The Tigris is the major river flowing through the city.
Located on a transitional zone between the mountainous Eastern Anatolia and the plains of Upper Mesopotamia, Diyarbakır was once on important trade routes and it is still at the center of the main highway network reaching such centers as Elazig, Sanliurfa, Mardin and Bitlis. Railway reached the center of the province in 1935 and then extended to Kurtalan, out of provincial boundaries. Diyarbakir also has an airport with flights to all major centers in Turkey.
Despite the dominance of agriculture and animal husbandry as main economic activities, the province has a large potential for industrial activities and it is, in fact, the second industrial center of the region after Gaziantep. As one of the provinces given first priority in development, Diyarbakir has a small industrial area. The leading industrial-commercial branches include feed production, meat and meat processing.
source: gap.gov.tr
The province of Diyarbakir extends over an area of 15,355 km2. Farming in the province is mostly rain-fed and there is fallowing. The population of the province is 1,364,209 according to the Census of 2000. The peripheral districts of the province are Bismil, Cinar, Cermik, Cungus, Dicle, Egil, Ergani, Hani, Hazro, Kocakoy, Kulp, Lice and Silvan.
As the second largest city in Southeastern Anatolia, Diyarbakir consists of two main settlements as the "old" and "new" city. The old part of the city is surrounded by walls. These four-gated walls are the longest and strongest of all similar structures still standing in Anatolia. Important historical buildings of the city remain within the area surrounded by walls. The new city, on the contrast to the old city which expanded more recently in a planned manner looks much more modern with its avenues, parks, houses, official buildings and hotels. The Tigris is the major river flowing through the city.
Located on a transitional zone between the mountainous Eastern Anatolia and the plains of Upper Mesopotamia, Diyarbakır was once on important trade routes and it is still at the center of the main highway network reaching such centers as Elazig, Sanliurfa, Mardin and Bitlis. Railway reached the center of the province in 1935 and then extended to Kurtalan, out of provincial boundaries. Diyarbakir also has an airport with flights to all major centers in Turkey.
Despite the dominance of agriculture and animal husbandry as main economic activities, the province has a large potential for industrial activities and it is, in fact, the second industrial center of the region after Gaziantep. As one of the provinces given first priority in development, Diyarbakir has a small industrial area. The leading industrial-commercial branches include feed production, meat and meat processing.
source: gap.gov.tr
Monday, July 27, 2009
History of Çorum
This region is of especial interest to history buffs. Spread over the two important regions of Anatolia and Black Sea, it is the meeting ground of important civilizations that grew up there. These civilizations have left their mark all over Anatolia. The historical sites of the region therefore mostly contain remains of these civilizations of antiquity. This is what gives the place its importance.
Traces of human settlements of the Neolithic, Paleolithic and Chalcolithic ages have been found. Later it was the center of one of the most well known ancient civilizations - the Hittites. Much of the remains of the region are from the Hittite period. Corum later was ruled by the Phrygians, Medes, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Mongols and the Ottomans.
source: turkeyforyou.com
Traces of human settlements of the Neolithic, Paleolithic and Chalcolithic ages have been found. Later it was the center of one of the most well known ancient civilizations - the Hittites. Much of the remains of the region are from the Hittite period. Corum later was ruled by the Phrygians, Medes, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Mongols and the Ottomans.
source: turkeyforyou.com
History of Çankırı
Cankiri region of Turkey has witnessed the intervention of several races like Hittites, Pontus, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans.
As we go down the lane of history, we find that the foremost ruler of this region was the Paphlagonian king, Deiotarus philadelphus, under whose reign Cankiri was called Gangra (she-goat). After his death, the town was incorporated into the Roman province of Galatia. In the 3rd century B.C, a Galatian settlement took place, which was called "Gangrea". The location of the ancient city was on a hilltop behind the modern town of Cankiri. But from the Roman days, the city changed its position to the current one. In this period, the city usurped the name of Germanicopolis (after emperor Claudius), which lasted until the reign of Caracalla.
During the days of Christianity, in the middle of the 4th century, an important ecclestical synod took place in Cankiri. 21 Bishops assembled in this synod to take decision about Eustathius and his followers for their improper conduct in the society like condemning marriage, ignoring the offices of the church, denouncing riches, etc. At the end, the synod reprimanded the Eustathiun practices, but with considerable liberation. In the 15th century, Canciri was captured by the Ottomans and was imbibed in their empire. Much later, during Turkey`s war of liberation, this city fought extremely well and was hence visited twice by Kemal Ataturk, the father figure of modern Turkey.
source: turkeyforyou.com
As we go down the lane of history, we find that the foremost ruler of this region was the Paphlagonian king, Deiotarus philadelphus, under whose reign Cankiri was called Gangra (she-goat). After his death, the town was incorporated into the Roman province of Galatia. In the 3rd century B.C, a Galatian settlement took place, which was called "Gangrea". The location of the ancient city was on a hilltop behind the modern town of Cankiri. But from the Roman days, the city changed its position to the current one. In this period, the city usurped the name of Germanicopolis (after emperor Claudius), which lasted until the reign of Caracalla.
During the days of Christianity, in the middle of the 4th century, an important ecclestical synod took place in Cankiri. 21 Bishops assembled in this synod to take decision about Eustathius and his followers for their improper conduct in the society like condemning marriage, ignoring the offices of the church, denouncing riches, etc. At the end, the synod reprimanded the Eustathiun practices, but with considerable liberation. In the 15th century, Canciri was captured by the Ottomans and was imbibed in their empire. Much later, during Turkey`s war of liberation, this city fought extremely well and was hence visited twice by Kemal Ataturk, the father figure of modern Turkey.
source: turkeyforyou.com
History of Bursa
The earliest known site at this location was Cius, which Philip V of Macedonia granted to the Bithynian king Prusias I in 202 BC, for his help against Pergamum and Heraclea Pontica (modern Karadeniz Ereğli). Prusias renamed the city after himself, as Prusa.
Prusa evolved into one of the largest cities of Mysia and retained its importance for the region throughout the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Its strategic location on the westernmost end of the famous Silk Road ensured Prusa to remain as one of the largest centers of silk trade throughout the Medieval period.
Bursa became the first major capital city of the early Ottoman Empire following its capture from the Byzantines in 1326. As a result, the city witnessed a considerable amount of urban growth throughout the 14th century. After conquering Edirne (Adrianople) in 1365 the Ottomans turned it into a joint capital city for governing their European realms, but Bursa remained the most important Anatolian administrative and commercial center even after it lost its status as the sole Ottoman capital. The Ottoman sultan Bayezid I built the Bayezid Külliyesi (Bayezid I theological complex) in Bursa between 1390 and 1395[2] and the Ulu Cami (Great Mosque) between 1396 and 1400.
During the Ottoman period, Bursa continued to be the source of most royal silk products. Aside from the local silk production, the city imported raw silk from Iran, and occasionally from China, and was the main production center for the kaftans, pillows, embroidery and other silk products for the Ottoman palaces until the 17th century.
Another traditional artisanship in the city, among many others, is knife production, which still continues today. Historically, the city was a center for the production of horse carriages during the Ottoman period. In the latter half of the 20th century, Bursa became the largest center of motor vehicle production in Turkey.
source: wikipedia.org
Prusa evolved into one of the largest cities of Mysia and retained its importance for the region throughout the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Its strategic location on the westernmost end of the famous Silk Road ensured Prusa to remain as one of the largest centers of silk trade throughout the Medieval period.
Bursa became the first major capital city of the early Ottoman Empire following its capture from the Byzantines in 1326. As a result, the city witnessed a considerable amount of urban growth throughout the 14th century. After conquering Edirne (Adrianople) in 1365 the Ottomans turned it into a joint capital city for governing their European realms, but Bursa remained the most important Anatolian administrative and commercial center even after it lost its status as the sole Ottoman capital. The Ottoman sultan Bayezid I built the Bayezid Külliyesi (Bayezid I theological complex) in Bursa between 1390 and 1395[2] and the Ulu Cami (Great Mosque) between 1396 and 1400.
During the Ottoman period, Bursa continued to be the source of most royal silk products. Aside from the local silk production, the city imported raw silk from Iran, and occasionally from China, and was the main production center for the kaftans, pillows, embroidery and other silk products for the Ottoman palaces until the 17th century.
Another traditional artisanship in the city, among many others, is knife production, which still continues today. Historically, the city was a center for the production of horse carriages during the Ottoman period. In the latter half of the 20th century, Bursa became the largest center of motor vehicle production in Turkey.
source: wikipedia.org
History of Bitlis
Bitlis is a town in eastern Turkey and the capital of Bitlis Province. Kurds form the majority of the population, which was 38,130 as of 1990. [The Encyclopaedia of Islam]
A folk etymology explanation of the name Bitlis, is that it is derived from "Bedlis", the name of the commander who built a castle in the province, by the order of Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia.
The history of Bitlis extends back to 2000 BC, and the city contains traces from the Urartian, Armenian, Persian, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
It was known as the Kurdish principality Badlis from the 12th to the 19th century. The city was also the home of the 16th century Kurdish historian, Sherefxan Bedlisi (also: Sharaf al-Din Bitlisi), who was also an appointed prince of the Persian and later Ottoman Empires.
source: ikiyabanci.com
Bitlis had a significant population of ethnic Armenians prior to 1915. During the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1917, Turks and Kurds led by Jevdet Bey Pasha massacred some 15,000 Armenians until Russian troops, who were subsequently viewed as liberators by the survivors, moved into the area.
William Saroyan's family was originally from Bitlis.
Bitlis Province
Bitlis is a province of eastern Turkey, located to the west of Lake Van. Ethnic Kurds form the majority of the population. The provincial capital is the town of Bitlis.
Districts
Bitlis province is divided into 7 districts (the capital district is in bold):
* Adilcevaz
* Ahlat
* Bitlis
* Güroymak
* Hizan
* Mutki
* Tatvan
A folk etymology explanation of the name Bitlis, is that it is derived from "Bedlis", the name of the commander who built a castle in the province, by the order of Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia.
The history of Bitlis extends back to 2000 BC, and the city contains traces from the Urartian, Armenian, Persian, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
It was known as the Kurdish principality Badlis from the 12th to the 19th century. The city was also the home of the 16th century Kurdish historian, Sherefxan Bedlisi (also: Sharaf al-Din Bitlisi), who was also an appointed prince of the Persian and later Ottoman Empires.
source: ikiyabanci.com
Bitlis had a significant population of ethnic Armenians prior to 1915. During the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1917, Turks and Kurds led by Jevdet Bey Pasha massacred some 15,000 Armenians until Russian troops, who were subsequently viewed as liberators by the survivors, moved into the area.
William Saroyan's family was originally from Bitlis.
Bitlis Province
Bitlis is a province of eastern Turkey, located to the west of Lake Van. Ethnic Kurds form the majority of the population. The provincial capital is the town of Bitlis.
Districts
Bitlis province is divided into 7 districts (the capital district is in bold):
* Adilcevaz
* Ahlat
* Bitlis
* Güroymak
* Hizan
* Mutki
* Tatvan
History of Bilecik
The region was inhabited as early as 3000 BC, and was part of the territory controlled by such notable civilizations as the Hittites (1400-1200 BC), the Phrygians (1200-676 BC), Lydians (595-546 BC), Persians (546-334 BC), Romans (74-395 AD) and Byzantians (395 AD to late 13th century, with two brief occupations by Ummayads in between). The region is also where the Ottoman Empire was founded in 1281, and is the source of important archeological as well as cultural artifacts.
source: wapedia.mobi
source: wapedia.mobi
Sunday, July 26, 2009
History of Aydın
The city was founded in sixth century B.C. by the Greeks and they named it Tralles. In ancient times, it was home to well-known schools of sculpture and philosophy. After seeing through the Roman and Byzantine periods in 1186 AD, it fell to the Seljuks. In the fourteenth century it came under the Aydin dynasty and was named after them. In 1390 it became part of the Ottoman Empire and after a brief restoration of the Aydin principality went back to the Ottomans in early fifteenth century. During the Greek - Turkish conflict in 1922 the city was severely damaged and peace restored with the exchange of the Greek and Turkish populations.
source: turkeyforyou.com
source: turkeyforyou.com
History of Artvin
Historical background of Artvin is traced to 3000 BC, it means that it is related to Bronze Age. Hurri's, Urartu, Persians, Romans, Byzantine, Georgians and Armenians lived at Artvin. Than Artvin live Seljuklian, Saltuk, İlhanlı, Timur, Akkoyunlu, Safevi and Ottoman periods. It changed to a county of Rize in 1923, than changed to province again and named Çoruh at the year of 1936. Its name changed to Artvin in 1956.
source: turkeyodyssey.com
source: turkeyodyssey.com
History of Amasya
Amasya was earlier a Roman city. Until 183 BC it was the capital of the kings of Pontius. Pompey made it a free city and a large administrative center in 65 BC. Under Constantine I when the Roman Empire was split, Amasya fell in the Byzantine Empire, which also had a large population of Greeks. Later it became the capital of Turkmen Danismend emirs, until the Seljuk ruler Qilic Arslan conquered it. During the rule of the Ottoman ruler Bayezid I, Amasya flourished as a great Anatolian center of learning.
Amasya should be an important stop for any tour of the Black Sea Coast. This town with its quaint mansions, historical sights and natural beauty is one of Turkey`s coveted treasures.
source: turkeyforyou.com
Amasya should be an important stop for any tour of the Black Sea Coast. This town with its quaint mansions, historical sights and natural beauty is one of Turkey`s coveted treasures.
source: turkeyforyou.com
History of Ağrı
Ağrı made a crossing as the tribes had come from Middle Asia so that it has became a scene for lots of civilizations, But these civilizations accepted Ağrı as an entrance therefore they couldn t organized root civilizations.
Between 1340-1200 BC Hurris settled at this area as the Hittites which was thought they sovereigned the disticht had lost their power. Hurris couldn t have Ağrı that was far from Urfa which was the center of Kingdom.
Urartians made the rootest civilization, King Ispuini (825-810 BC) started expeditions in the countries which were in the North and the northeast of Lake Van at Urartu Sovereignty and these expeditions increased in the period of King Menua (810-786 BC) . The castles had been founded on the ways of the directions to the North and the northeast, shows that these raids had been planned before, An Urartu inscription was found between Karakoyunlu Village and Taşkıran Village on the slopes of Mount Ağrı was the definite prof of Kral Menua s dominance of this place.
Kimmers that settled accross Kızılırmak made temporary dominant over Ağrı in 712 BC.. Meds (708-555 BC) started to spread as the ruining of Assyrian so they obtained Ağrı and its surroundings.
Persians lived approximately 200 years to the time of BÜyÜk iskender gained the victory against Persian King Darius III. (331 BC) in this place as Meds disaster. Armenians benefited from the die of BÜyÜk iskender obtained the place.
The first Turkish society that come and placed in Middle Anatolian was Sakalar that had come into this place in 680 BC. They placed in Murat River and Artaksıyaslı Kingdom dominated Ağrı and its surrondings This place was conqered by Muslim army at the time of Hz. Osman. Ağrı that had controlled by Abaside till 872, was controlled Byzantine then.
Turkish tribes came into this place after Malazgirt war, Ağrı placed in sökmenli tribes s boundries approximately a century, IN 1027-1225 Ani Atabeks, in 1239 Cengizli tribe, in Ağrı, ilhanlı tribe sometimes had their general meetings in Mount Ağrı and they also managed Anatolia and Iran ,in 1933, Mongol Khan Aksak Timur obtained Ağrı area.
Ağrı had placed in Karakoyunlu tribe s land between 1405-1468 and with the runing of Karakoyunlu tribe, it was dominated by Akkoyunlu tribe, Ağrı came into ottoman s possesion after the çaldıran war thec.
ity s name was known as şorbulak but then Armenians changed the name as Karakilise, in the term of Kazım Karabekir pahsa, Karakilise was changed as Karaköse. Mount Ararat and its surroundings have been mentioned in the Torah because of Noah s Ark so Europians called Ağrı as Ararat. Ağrı had become anookin 1834 , atownin 1869 and a city centerin 1927, Ağrı took its name from Mount Ağrı because of being the biggest mount ainof Türkiye (5165m).
source: guneydoguolay.com
Between 1340-1200 BC Hurris settled at this area as the Hittites which was thought they sovereigned the disticht had lost their power. Hurris couldn t have Ağrı that was far from Urfa which was the center of Kingdom.
Urartians made the rootest civilization, King Ispuini (825-810 BC) started expeditions in the countries which were in the North and the northeast of Lake Van at Urartu Sovereignty and these expeditions increased in the period of King Menua (810-786 BC) . The castles had been founded on the ways of the directions to the North and the northeast, shows that these raids had been planned before, An Urartu inscription was found between Karakoyunlu Village and Taşkıran Village on the slopes of Mount Ağrı was the definite prof of Kral Menua s dominance of this place.
Kimmers that settled accross Kızılırmak made temporary dominant over Ağrı in 712 BC.. Meds (708-555 BC) started to spread as the ruining of Assyrian so they obtained Ağrı and its surroundings.
Persians lived approximately 200 years to the time of BÜyÜk iskender gained the victory against Persian King Darius III. (331 BC) in this place as Meds disaster. Armenians benefited from the die of BÜyÜk iskender obtained the place.
The first Turkish society that come and placed in Middle Anatolian was Sakalar that had come into this place in 680 BC. They placed in Murat River and Artaksıyaslı Kingdom dominated Ağrı and its surrondings This place was conqered by Muslim army at the time of Hz. Osman. Ağrı that had controlled by Abaside till 872, was controlled Byzantine then.
Turkish tribes came into this place after Malazgirt war, Ağrı placed in sökmenli tribes s boundries approximately a century, IN 1027-1225 Ani Atabeks, in 1239 Cengizli tribe, in Ağrı, ilhanlı tribe sometimes had their general meetings in Mount Ağrı and they also managed Anatolia and Iran ,in 1933, Mongol Khan Aksak Timur obtained Ağrı area.
Ağrı had placed in Karakoyunlu tribe s land between 1405-1468 and with the runing of Karakoyunlu tribe, it was dominated by Akkoyunlu tribe, Ağrı came into ottoman s possesion after the çaldıran war thec.
ity s name was known as şorbulak but then Armenians changed the name as Karakilise, in the term of Kazım Karabekir pahsa, Karakilise was changed as Karaköse. Mount Ararat and its surroundings have been mentioned in the Torah because of Noah s Ark so Europians called Ağrı as Ararat. Ağrı had become anookin 1834 , atownin 1869 and a city centerin 1927, Ağrı took its name from Mount Ağrı because of being the biggest mount ainof Türkiye (5165m).
source: guneydoguolay.com
History of Afyonkarahisar
The top of the rock in Afyon has been fortified for a long, long time. It was known to the Hittites as Hapanuwa, and was later occupied by Phrygians, Lydians and Persians until it was conquered by Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander the city (now known as Akroinon), was ruled by the Seleucids and the kings of Pergamon, then Rome and Byzantium. The Byzantine emperor Leo III after his victory over Arab besiegers in 740 renamed the city Nicopolis (Greek for the Victory City). The Seljuk Turks then arrived in 1071 and changed its name to Kara Hissar (the black castle) after the ancient fortress situated upon a volcanic rock 201 meters above the town. Following the dispersal of the Seljuks the town was occupied by the Sahipoğulları and then the Germiyan.
The castle was much fought over during the Crusades and was finally conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Beyazid I in 1392 but was lost after the invasion of Timur Lenk in 1402. It was recaptured in 1428 or 1429.
The area thrived during the Ottoman Empire, as the centre of opium production and Afyon became a wealthy city with the typical Ottoman urban mixture of Jews, Armenians, Greeks and Turks. During the 1st World War British prisoners of war who had been captured at Gallipoli were housed here in an empty Armenian church at the foot of the rock. During the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) campaign (part of the Turkish War of Independence) Afyon and the surrounding hills were occupied by French, Italian and then Greek forces. However, it was recovered on 27 August 1922, a key moment in the great Turkish counter-attack in the Aegean region. After 1923 Afyon became a part of the Republic of Turkey.
The region was a major producer of raw opium (hence the name Afyon) until the late 1960s when under international pressure, from the USA in particular, the fields were burnt and production ceased. Now Poppies are grown under a strict licensing regime. They do not produce raw opium any more but derive Morphine and other opiates using the poppy straw method of extraction.
Afyon was depicted on the reverse of the Turkish 50 lira banknote of 1927-1938.
source: wikipedia.org
The castle was much fought over during the Crusades and was finally conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Beyazid I in 1392 but was lost after the invasion of Timur Lenk in 1402. It was recaptured in 1428 or 1429.
The area thrived during the Ottoman Empire, as the centre of opium production and Afyon became a wealthy city with the typical Ottoman urban mixture of Jews, Armenians, Greeks and Turks. During the 1st World War British prisoners of war who had been captured at Gallipoli were housed here in an empty Armenian church at the foot of the rock. During the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) campaign (part of the Turkish War of Independence) Afyon and the surrounding hills were occupied by French, Italian and then Greek forces. However, it was recovered on 27 August 1922, a key moment in the great Turkish counter-attack in the Aegean region. After 1923 Afyon became a part of the Republic of Turkey.
The region was a major producer of raw opium (hence the name Afyon) until the late 1960s when under international pressure, from the USA in particular, the fields were burnt and production ceased. Now Poppies are grown under a strict licensing regime. They do not produce raw opium any more but derive Morphine and other opiates using the poppy straw method of extraction.
Afyon was depicted on the reverse of the Turkish 50 lira banknote of 1927-1938.
source: wikipedia.org
History of Kastamonu
It is not definitely known when Kastamonu was first founded. However, some sources dating back to the Early Middle Ages refer to the province. There are also some archeological findings dating back to about 100,000 years that suggest the region was inhabited then.
There are theories that the word Kastamonu derives from the Latin name of the Byzantine castle built by the Comnenus dynasty: Castra Comnenus.
What is now Kastamonu Province was inhabited by the Kaska (or Ghashgai) people at least from the 18th century BC who were a perennial problem for the Hittites, and at one point the Kaska raided the Hittite homelands, sacking their capital Hattusa. After a war between these two nations in 13th century BC, the region was occupied by the Phrygians, and in 7th century BC by the Lydians.
With the weakening of the Macedon kings, the whole Paphlagonia and Bithynia regions were engulfed by the newly formed Pontus kingdom. After the fall of the Pontus kingdom in 1st century BC, the area was incorporated by the Roman Empire by joining Paphlagonia with Bithynia. The capitol center of this new city-state was Pompeiopolis, of which the remains still stand near Taşköprü District in Kastamonu.
The region went then under the hegemony of the Seljuk dynasty 11th century AD, followed by the Danishmends, the Byzantines during the crusades, Çobanoğlu and Candaroglu beyliks. The Ottoman sultan Beyazid I conquered the province in 1392 however, following his capture and death in Battle of Ankara, the area was granted back to the Candaroglu by the Mongol warlord Timur Lenk. Ottoman sultan Mehmed II incorporated the region back to the empire in 1461.
During the Ottoman reign, the province boundaries were expanded up to reach Istanbul. The sultan's heirs were often sent to rule the province as governors to gain experience.
After the First World War, during the battles of the Turkish War of Independence, Kastamonu played an important role in the supply of ammuniton and troops to the İnebolu-Ankara front, transporting the war machines that would arrive to İnebolu by sea from Istanbul and the Soviets. When the Greeks noticed this activity, the İnebolu port was bombarded from the sea on June 9, 1921.
source:experiencefestival.com
There are theories that the word Kastamonu derives from the Latin name of the Byzantine castle built by the Comnenus dynasty: Castra Comnenus.
What is now Kastamonu Province was inhabited by the Kaska (or Ghashgai) people at least from the 18th century BC who were a perennial problem for the Hittites, and at one point the Kaska raided the Hittite homelands, sacking their capital Hattusa. After a war between these two nations in 13th century BC, the region was occupied by the Phrygians, and in 7th century BC by the Lydians.
With the weakening of the Macedon kings, the whole Paphlagonia and Bithynia regions were engulfed by the newly formed Pontus kingdom. After the fall of the Pontus kingdom in 1st century BC, the area was incorporated by the Roman Empire by joining Paphlagonia with Bithynia. The capitol center of this new city-state was Pompeiopolis, of which the remains still stand near Taşköprü District in Kastamonu.
The region went then under the hegemony of the Seljuk dynasty 11th century AD, followed by the Danishmends, the Byzantines during the crusades, Çobanoğlu and Candaroglu beyliks. The Ottoman sultan Beyazid I conquered the province in 1392 however, following his capture and death in Battle of Ankara, the area was granted back to the Candaroglu by the Mongol warlord Timur Lenk. Ottoman sultan Mehmed II incorporated the region back to the empire in 1461.
During the Ottoman reign, the province boundaries were expanded up to reach Istanbul. The sultan's heirs were often sent to rule the province as governors to gain experience.
After the First World War, during the battles of the Turkish War of Independence, Kastamonu played an important role in the supply of ammuniton and troops to the İnebolu-Ankara front, transporting the war machines that would arrive to İnebolu by sea from Istanbul and the Soviets. When the Greeks noticed this activity, the İnebolu port was bombarded from the sea on June 9, 1921.
source:experiencefestival.com
Saturday, July 25, 2009
History of Manisa
Manisa (an earlier name Saruhan) has a very long history and its first settlement dates back to as early as 14th century B.C. In 12th century B.C., the city of Magnesia Ad Sipylum was founded. Some 600 years later the region was conquered by the great Persian king – Cyprus II. In the 1st century, the city passed under Roman rule and thus prospered as a rich and commercially active city. During this period it first acquired the name Magnesiopolis and later became Magnesia. After the Romans, for a century the kingdom was ruled by the Christians (John 3 Ducas) and then was conquered by the Turkmen tribes who made it the capital of their principality. They also changed the name to Manisa. In 1390, Manisa was conquered by the Ottomans who chose the city as the training ground for crown princes. After 12 years the city passed into the hands of Timur Lenk who restored the principality and later Manisa once again was incorporated into Ottoman Empire. In the 16th century, the Mesir Macunu festival was started in the honor of the cure of Ayse Sultana, mother of Suleiman the magnificent. “Mesir Macunu” or spiced candy, which cured her, is made by mixing various spices and is supposed to restore health, youth and potency. The 16th-century Muradiye Mosque was designed by the great architect Sinan.The adjacent medrese, or theological college, today houses the Archaeological Museum. The annual Harvest Festival begins in September when the fruits of the vineyards are brought in amid great celebration. The region's numerous vineyards produce grapes that are then dried for export. South of the city lies the Sipil Dagi National Park, home of the famous "crying rock" of Niobe. If you travel to the northeast you come to Gordes, a pleasant town particularly known for its fine carpets.
The most splendid city of Manisa Province is Sardis which has many other magnificent mosques coming from the Ottoman Period. Sardis, the capital city of the Lydian Kingdom, located at the starting point of the famous "King's Road" which extends towards the east, was an important trade center. In fact, Sardis was where metal coins were used for the first time in the world as a commercial value. The Temple of Artemis, restored gymnasium and one of the oldest and largest synagogues in Anatolia dates from the third century A.D. are the places which are most frequently visited in Sardis today. On the south side of Sardis, Mt. Boz (ancient Mt. Tmolus) is good for hiking and other mountain sports.
source: manisabilisim.org
The most splendid city of Manisa Province is Sardis which has many other magnificent mosques coming from the Ottoman Period. Sardis, the capital city of the Lydian Kingdom, located at the starting point of the famous "King's Road" which extends towards the east, was an important trade center. In fact, Sardis was where metal coins were used for the first time in the world as a commercial value. The Temple of Artemis, restored gymnasium and one of the oldest and largest synagogues in Anatolia dates from the third century A.D. are the places which are most frequently visited in Sardis today. On the south side of Sardis, Mt. Boz (ancient Mt. Tmolus) is good for hiking and other mountain sports.
source: manisabilisim.org
History of Adıyaman
Archeological research has shown that Adıyaman has been settled since Paleolithic times, making it one of theoldest settlements in Anatolia. Theruins at Gritille Höyük and Samsatreveal that Adıyaman was also settled in the Neolithic Era, Copper Age andBronze Age. Set between theEuphrates and the Taurusmountains, this region hasbeen ruled by many tribesand states during itshistory. After the collapseof the Hittite Empire, Adıyaman served as thecapital of the kingdom of Kummuh for an extended period. The area was then ruled in successionby the Assyrians, Meds and Persians. With the arrival of Alexander the Greatin Anatolia, the region was ruled for atime by the Macedonians. In the firstcentury BC, while Adıyaman wasunder Seleucid rule, the local satrap or governor Ptolemaeus decided to revoltand established the independentkingdom of Commagene. The Commagene kings had a profoundimpact on the region. In 72 AD, Adıyaman became a part of the Roman Empire, and later came underByzantine rule. Muslim Arabs conquered Adıyaman in the 7th century. With the arrival of the Turks in Anatolia,the region was fought over by the Turks and Arabs, finally becoming apermanent part of the Ottoman Empire in 1516 when it was conquered by Sultan Selim I. When the Republic of Turkey was established, Adıyaman was placed under the jurisdiction of Malatya, and was declared a province of Turkey in 1954. Adıyaman is best known for theruins on Mount Nemrut, and for its Roman structures.
source: guneydogumirasi.org
source: guneydogumirasi.org
Friday, July 24, 2009
History of Kayseri
Kayseri has been a continuous settlement since 3000 BC. The city has always been a vital trade center since it is located on major trade routes, particularly along what was called the Great Silk Road. One of the oldest cities founded in Anatolia, Kültepe, lies nearby.
As Mazaca, the city served as the residence of the kings of Cappadocia. In ancient times, it was on the crossroads of the trade routes from Sinope to the Euphrates and from the Persian Royal Road that extended from Sardis to Susa. In Roman times, a similar route from Ephesus to the East also crossed the city.
The city's name was changed to Eusebia in honor of the Cappadocian king Ariathes V (163–130 BC). The name was changed again to Caesarea by the last Cappadocian King Archelaus or perhaps by Tiberius.
Caesarea stood on a low spur on the north side of Mount Erciyes (Mons Argaeus in ancient times). The site, now called the old town, diplays only a few traces from the old town. It was destroyed by the Sassanid king Shapur I of Persia after his victory over the Emperor Valerian I in AD 260. At the time it was recorded to have around 400,000 inhabitants. In the 4th century, bishop Basil established an ecclesiastical centre on the plain, about one mile to the northeast, which gradually supplanted the old town. A portion of Basil's new city was surrounded with strong walls and turned into a fortress by Justinian.
The Arab general Muawija invaded Cappadocia and took Caesarea from the Byzantines temporarily in AD 647. The city was called Kaisariyah by the Arabs and later Kayseri when it was captured shortly by the Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan in 1064. It became one of the most prominent center of at first the Danishmendids (1074-1178) , after Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate (1178-1243), until it fell to the Mongols in 1243. Within the walls lies the greater part of Kayseri rebuilt between the 13th and 16th centuries. The city became Ottoman in the 15th century.
Thus, there were three golden-age periods for Kayseri. The first, dating back to 2000BC, was when the city was a trade post between the Assyrians and the Hittites. The second golden age came during the Roman rule (200 - 300 AD). The third golden age was during the reign of Seljuks(1178-1243), when the city was the second capital of the state.
The 1500-year-old castle, built initially by the Romans, is still standing in good shape at the central square of the city. The short-lived Seljuk rule left large number of historical landmarks; historical buildings such as the Hunad Hatun complex, Kilij Arslan Mosque, The Grand Mosque and Gevher Nesibe asylum. The Grand Bazaar dates from the latter part of the 1800s, but the adjacent Caravanserai (where merchant traders gathered before forming a caravan) dates from around 1500. An Armenian church from the 19th century still operates as a church, another from the same period is used as a gymnasium. However, apart from these few, large, religious and secular constructions, most of Kayseri is modern. The town's older districts (which were filled with ornate mansion-houses mostly dating from the 18th and 19th centuries) were subjected to wholesale demolitions starting in the 1970s. The city is famous for its carpet sellers, and a range of carpets and rugs can be purchased reasonably ranging from new to 50 or more years old.
In the 4th century the city becomes central in early Christianity when St. Basil the Great establishes an ecclesiastical centre here. It is a Roman Catholic titular see and was the seat of an Armenian diocese.
The building that hosts Kayseri Lisesi was arranged to host the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the Turkish War of Independence when the Greek army had advanced very close to Ankara, the capital.
source: wikipedia.org
As Mazaca, the city served as the residence of the kings of Cappadocia. In ancient times, it was on the crossroads of the trade routes from Sinope to the Euphrates and from the Persian Royal Road that extended from Sardis to Susa. In Roman times, a similar route from Ephesus to the East also crossed the city.
The city's name was changed to Eusebia in honor of the Cappadocian king Ariathes V (163–130 BC). The name was changed again to Caesarea by the last Cappadocian King Archelaus or perhaps by Tiberius.
Caesarea stood on a low spur on the north side of Mount Erciyes (Mons Argaeus in ancient times). The site, now called the old town, diplays only a few traces from the old town. It was destroyed by the Sassanid king Shapur I of Persia after his victory over the Emperor Valerian I in AD 260. At the time it was recorded to have around 400,000 inhabitants. In the 4th century, bishop Basil established an ecclesiastical centre on the plain, about one mile to the northeast, which gradually supplanted the old town. A portion of Basil's new city was surrounded with strong walls and turned into a fortress by Justinian.
The Arab general Muawija invaded Cappadocia and took Caesarea from the Byzantines temporarily in AD 647. The city was called Kaisariyah by the Arabs and later Kayseri when it was captured shortly by the Seljuk sultan Alp Arslan in 1064. It became one of the most prominent center of at first the Danishmendids (1074-1178) , after Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate (1178-1243), until it fell to the Mongols in 1243. Within the walls lies the greater part of Kayseri rebuilt between the 13th and 16th centuries. The city became Ottoman in the 15th century.
Thus, there were three golden-age periods for Kayseri. The first, dating back to 2000BC, was when the city was a trade post between the Assyrians and the Hittites. The second golden age came during the Roman rule (200 - 300 AD). The third golden age was during the reign of Seljuks(1178-1243), when the city was the second capital of the state.
The 1500-year-old castle, built initially by the Romans, is still standing in good shape at the central square of the city. The short-lived Seljuk rule left large number of historical landmarks; historical buildings such as the Hunad Hatun complex, Kilij Arslan Mosque, The Grand Mosque and Gevher Nesibe asylum. The Grand Bazaar dates from the latter part of the 1800s, but the adjacent Caravanserai (where merchant traders gathered before forming a caravan) dates from around 1500. An Armenian church from the 19th century still operates as a church, another from the same period is used as a gymnasium. However, apart from these few, large, religious and secular constructions, most of Kayseri is modern. The town's older districts (which were filled with ornate mansion-houses mostly dating from the 18th and 19th centuries) were subjected to wholesale demolitions starting in the 1970s. The city is famous for its carpet sellers, and a range of carpets and rugs can be purchased reasonably ranging from new to 50 or more years old.
In the 4th century the city becomes central in early Christianity when St. Basil the Great establishes an ecclesiastical centre here. It is a Roman Catholic titular see and was the seat of an Armenian diocese.
The building that hosts Kayseri Lisesi was arranged to host the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the Turkish War of Independence when the Greek army had advanced very close to Ankara, the capital.
source: wikipedia.org
History of Gaziantep
Location has had great importance in the history of the settlement of Gaziantep. Our region is located between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, where the first civilisations were born and it is at the intersection of the roads coming from the South and from the Mediterranean going to the East, the North and the West. Therefore Gaziantep gives direction to history and to the present Gaziantep has been the living area and meeting place beginning from pre-historic eras. The historical Silk Road passed through Gaziantep, which helped prolong our cities importance and ensure its livelihood.
The historical periods of Gaziantep are chalcolthic Paleolithic Iron, Hittite, Mede, Assyrian, Persian, Alexandrian, Selencid Roman, Byzantine, Islam-Arabic, Islam-Turk periods. It is possible to see the signs of all these periods even today.
The old town known as Ayintap, is located 12 km to the southwest between Duluk Village and Karahoyuk Village. According to the archeological diggins, remains of Stone, and Copper Ages, show that this region is one of the oldest settlement areas in Anatolia.
Gaziantep was under the reign of the Babylonian Empire for some time, then in the 1700's B. C. became a Hittite town. "Duluk Town" was important as a religious center for the Hittities. Islam spread throgh to Anatolia from here. Hz. Okkesiye, who saw Hz. Mohammed's seal and kissed it and was one of his inspiration clerks, was found on a hill which is near the Nurdagi town of Durmuslar.
Gaziantep and its surroundings was governed by Asur, Med, Persian Empires between B. C. 700 and B. C. 546. After Alexander The Great conquered Persia it was then governed by the Romans, until A. D. 636, when it was taken by the Byzantines.
During the conflict of imposing Islam from the Arabic peninsula in the time of Hz. Omer, the Muslim Army captured the Gaziantep region and Hatay from the Byzantines. So the people iving in this area accepted the Islamic Religion in 639. Soon after this Syria and Antakya were governed by Islamic forces and they were taxed. So the famous Omeriye Mosque Of Gaziantep was constracted to symbolize the victory.
After the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071 a Turkish government was set up which was under the Seljuk Empir. The town, which was demaged by Mongols in 1270, was latter conquered by the Dulkadirogullari (1389), and the Memluklular (1471). After the Mercidabik (near Kilis) war against The Memluks by Yavuz Sutan Selim in 1516, Gaziantep and its surroundings were conquered by Ottoman Empire. During the Ottoman period lots of mosques, religious schools, small mosques, khans, and baths were constructed. The town made improvements on production, trade and handicrafts. Evliya Celebi, who visited this region in 1641 and 1671, says that there were 22 streets, 8 thousand houses, about 100 mosques, religious schools, khans, baths and covered bazaars.
After the end of the First World War, Gaziantep was occupied first by the English then by the French. The GAziantep Defence in our National Independence War history showed braveness, hero and devotion. The Gaziantep Defence with its unique braveness aroused the people and saved itself and southeast Anatolia from the occupation forces. It has taken its place in history with the national unity and individuals braveness.
source: belkishan.com
The historical periods of Gaziantep are chalcolthic Paleolithic Iron, Hittite, Mede, Assyrian, Persian, Alexandrian, Selencid Roman, Byzantine, Islam-Arabic, Islam-Turk periods. It is possible to see the signs of all these periods even today.
The old town known as Ayintap, is located 12 km to the southwest between Duluk Village and Karahoyuk Village. According to the archeological diggins, remains of Stone, and Copper Ages, show that this region is one of the oldest settlement areas in Anatolia.
Gaziantep was under the reign of the Babylonian Empire for some time, then in the 1700's B. C. became a Hittite town. "Duluk Town" was important as a religious center for the Hittities. Islam spread throgh to Anatolia from here. Hz. Okkesiye, who saw Hz. Mohammed's seal and kissed it and was one of his inspiration clerks, was found on a hill which is near the Nurdagi town of Durmuslar.
Gaziantep and its surroundings was governed by Asur, Med, Persian Empires between B. C. 700 and B. C. 546. After Alexander The Great conquered Persia it was then governed by the Romans, until A. D. 636, when it was taken by the Byzantines.
During the conflict of imposing Islam from the Arabic peninsula in the time of Hz. Omer, the Muslim Army captured the Gaziantep region and Hatay from the Byzantines. So the people iving in this area accepted the Islamic Religion in 639. Soon after this Syria and Antakya were governed by Islamic forces and they were taxed. So the famous Omeriye Mosque Of Gaziantep was constracted to symbolize the victory.
After the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071 a Turkish government was set up which was under the Seljuk Empir. The town, which was demaged by Mongols in 1270, was latter conquered by the Dulkadirogullari (1389), and the Memluklular (1471). After the Mercidabik (near Kilis) war against The Memluks by Yavuz Sutan Selim in 1516, Gaziantep and its surroundings were conquered by Ottoman Empire. During the Ottoman period lots of mosques, religious schools, small mosques, khans, and baths were constructed. The town made improvements on production, trade and handicrafts. Evliya Celebi, who visited this region in 1641 and 1671, says that there were 22 streets, 8 thousand houses, about 100 mosques, religious schools, khans, baths and covered bazaars.
After the end of the First World War, Gaziantep was occupied first by the English then by the French. The GAziantep Defence in our National Independence War history showed braveness, hero and devotion. The Gaziantep Defence with its unique braveness aroused the people and saved itself and southeast Anatolia from the occupation forces. It has taken its place in history with the national unity and individuals braveness.
source: belkishan.com
History of Denizli
The history of Denizli is founded in the fertile lands of Anatolia and is as old and interesting as the history of Anatolia itself. The city has been continuously inhabited since the Chalcolithic Era.
The strategic location of Denizli on the main routes from the Aegean cost to Syria via Central Anatolian has made it attractive to several city states in the course of its history. It came under the rule of the Hittites with the establishment of the first Hittite city state in Anatolia (2000-1200 B.C.). Then it experienced the rule of Phrygians (750-700 B.C.), Lydians (700-546 B.C.), Persians (546-333 B.C.), Hellenics (333-30 B.C.), Romans (27 B.C.-395 A.D.), Byzantines (395-1200 A.D.), Seljuks (1200-1400 A.D.) and Ottomans.
According to ancient sources, when the Hittie Empire collapsed, The Phrygians lived the near the source of the Great Meander the Carians to the south, hte Lydians to the North.
In circa 600 B.C., the province was overtaken by nomadic fighters, the so-called Cimmerians and Sycthians, who defeated the Phrygians. At this point the Lydians seized their opportunity and took control of the region. In about 546 B.C., Kroisos, the Lydian King was defeated by the Persians and Persian rule started in the region. During this period tyrants, who were under the Persian satrapies, but independent in internal affairs, ruled the province. Hellenistic occupation began in 333 B.C. when Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and took over control of Anatolia. During this period many important cities (metropolis) were established. On the death of Alexander the Great, they quarrelled amongst themselves until the Treaty of Apemia. After the treaty, Denizli came under the aegis of the Seleucids and the Pergemum Kingdom. When Roman rule came to Anatolia in 133 B.C. Denizli automatically entered theirrule, and when the Roman Empire divided into two in 395 A.D., it was left under the control of the East Roman Empire. Several sources mention the presence of advanced cities during the Phrygian and Hellenistic Periods but, the surviving ruins unfortunately date only to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The Turks first appear in the Denizli region after 1070. For a long while after this date, the region witnessed the struggles between the Turks and the Byzantines. Then at the beginning of the 13th century, the Turks took possession of most of Anatolia and formed the first Turkish settlers came to the region. The very first of their settlements was established in the vicinity of modern Kaleiçi where there was an abundant water supply.
Denizli has taken various names in the cource of its history. It is mentioned as Ladik in the Seljuk sources and in the judicial records of the contemporary court of Denizli.
In his travel book, İbni Batuda calls it Tonguzlu. It is also referred to as Tonguzlu and Tenguzlu by Şerafettin Yezdi, the author of an article on the victory of Timurleng. In old Turkish, Tengiz means Sea (Deniz in modern Turkish) and Tengüzlü means Denizli Katip Çelebi states that the settlement is called Denizli owing to its abundant water springs and sources (in his description he definesit as “Kesret Ul Ensar”). During the 13th century, with the arrival of the new Turkish clans, the region became even more densely occupied by the Turks. It was ruled by İlhans and the Germiyan Sons in 1257 respectively. When the Germiyan Sons captured Tripolis, the whole area was Turkized and in 1391, during the region of Yıldırım Beyazıt, it became a part of the Ottoman Empire.
source: pamukkale.gov.tr
The strategic location of Denizli on the main routes from the Aegean cost to Syria via Central Anatolian has made it attractive to several city states in the course of its history. It came under the rule of the Hittites with the establishment of the first Hittite city state in Anatolia (2000-1200 B.C.). Then it experienced the rule of Phrygians (750-700 B.C.), Lydians (700-546 B.C.), Persians (546-333 B.C.), Hellenics (333-30 B.C.), Romans (27 B.C.-395 A.D.), Byzantines (395-1200 A.D.), Seljuks (1200-1400 A.D.) and Ottomans.
According to ancient sources, when the Hittie Empire collapsed, The Phrygians lived the near the source of the Great Meander the Carians to the south, hte Lydians to the North.
In circa 600 B.C., the province was overtaken by nomadic fighters, the so-called Cimmerians and Sycthians, who defeated the Phrygians. At this point the Lydians seized their opportunity and took control of the region. In about 546 B.C., Kroisos, the Lydian King was defeated by the Persians and Persian rule started in the region. During this period tyrants, who were under the Persian satrapies, but independent in internal affairs, ruled the province. Hellenistic occupation began in 333 B.C. when Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and took over control of Anatolia. During this period many important cities (metropolis) were established. On the death of Alexander the Great, they quarrelled amongst themselves until the Treaty of Apemia. After the treaty, Denizli came under the aegis of the Seleucids and the Pergemum Kingdom. When Roman rule came to Anatolia in 133 B.C. Denizli automatically entered theirrule, and when the Roman Empire divided into two in 395 A.D., it was left under the control of the East Roman Empire. Several sources mention the presence of advanced cities during the Phrygian and Hellenistic Periods but, the surviving ruins unfortunately date only to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The Turks first appear in the Denizli region after 1070. For a long while after this date, the region witnessed the struggles between the Turks and the Byzantines. Then at the beginning of the 13th century, the Turks took possession of most of Anatolia and formed the first Turkish settlers came to the region. The very first of their settlements was established in the vicinity of modern Kaleiçi where there was an abundant water supply.
Denizli has taken various names in the cource of its history. It is mentioned as Ladik in the Seljuk sources and in the judicial records of the contemporary court of Denizli.
In his travel book, İbni Batuda calls it Tonguzlu. It is also referred to as Tonguzlu and Tenguzlu by Şerafettin Yezdi, the author of an article on the victory of Timurleng. In old Turkish, Tengiz means Sea (Deniz in modern Turkish) and Tengüzlü means Denizli Katip Çelebi states that the settlement is called Denizli owing to its abundant water springs and sources (in his description he definesit as “Kesret Ul Ensar”). During the 13th century, with the arrival of the new Turkish clans, the region became even more densely occupied by the Turks. It was ruled by İlhans and the Germiyan Sons in 1257 respectively. When the Germiyan Sons captured Tripolis, the whole area was Turkized and in 1391, during the region of Yıldırım Beyazıt, it became a part of the Ottoman Empire.
source: pamukkale.gov.tr
History of Çanakkale
The city which hosted many civilizations; had been inhabitad by the natives who had lived on Biga Peninsula in the Last Calcolithic Age believed to have started 6000 years ago. However, those natives are unknown.According to some excavations and researchs, the earliest settlements in the region were set up at Kumtepe. It is supposed that Kumkale was set up in 4000 B.C and Troy was set up between 3500 – 3000 B.C. The real history of Çanakkale started with Troy. It was the brightest cultural center of its time during 3000 – 2000 B.C.
Later the Aiolions had settled on that important land in the 8 th century B.C. they founded many trade colonies in the region called Eolia. The region went under the control of the Lydians in the 7th century B.C and under the control of the Persians in the 6 th century B.C. Eolia went under the control of the Macedonians as Alexander the Great have defeated the Persians by the Kocabaş River of the region in the Granicos War on his way to Asia. The region went under the reing of the Pergamon kingdom in the 2nd century B.C.
The western part of the Biga Peninsula where Troy was stiuated was called as Troas. Alexandreas Troas that was one of the important settlements of the region, was a free trade port and a rich trade center, in the Roman area.
Later in the 2nd cenury A.D., the region beared the attacks of Goths coming from Thrace. The Strait gained more strategic importance. The Gallipoli Peninsula beared the Thins attacks in 5th century and the Uighurs’ attacks in the mid-6th century. During the 7th and 8th centuries, in order to attack Coustantinopolis (İstanbul) the Arabs passed the Strait a few times and came up to Sestos. In the beginning of the 14 th century the Cathons became dominant in the Gallipoli part and Karesioğulları dominated the Anatolien part. During the first half of that ceutury Demirhan Bey from Aydınoğulları attampted to dominate the region. The Ottomans got hold of Galipoli in 1367.
source: canakkale.bel.tr
Later the Aiolions had settled on that important land in the 8 th century B.C. they founded many trade colonies in the region called Eolia. The region went under the control of the Lydians in the 7th century B.C and under the control of the Persians in the 6 th century B.C. Eolia went under the control of the Macedonians as Alexander the Great have defeated the Persians by the Kocabaş River of the region in the Granicos War on his way to Asia. The region went under the reing of the Pergamon kingdom in the 2nd century B.C.
The western part of the Biga Peninsula where Troy was stiuated was called as Troas. Alexandreas Troas that was one of the important settlements of the region, was a free trade port and a rich trade center, in the Roman area.
Later in the 2nd cenury A.D., the region beared the attacks of Goths coming from Thrace. The Strait gained more strategic importance. The Gallipoli Peninsula beared the Thins attacks in 5th century and the Uighurs’ attacks in the mid-6th century. During the 7th and 8th centuries, in order to attack Coustantinopolis (İstanbul) the Arabs passed the Strait a few times and came up to Sestos. In the beginning of the 14 th century the Cathons became dominant in the Gallipoli part and Karesioğulları dominated the Anatolien part. During the first half of that ceutury Demirhan Bey from Aydınoğulları attampted to dominate the region. The Ottomans got hold of Galipoli in 1367.
source: canakkale.bel.tr
History of Balıkesir
It is estimated that Balıkesir and surroundings are settlement place since Prehistoric Age BC. 3200. Pelasg's nation that coming from the Balkans are formed colonies at the years of BC. 2000. Balıkesir lived at the periods of Frig, Lydia, Persian, Macedonian, Bergama Kingdom, Rome and Byzantine.
After the Malazgirt battle (1071) Karesi Bey who was son of a Seljuklian governor Kalem Şah Bey, conquered and formed Karesi Governmental and make Balıkesir capitol but he accepted Ottoman Dominance. Balıkesir proclaimed the status of province in 1923. Province old name Karesi changed to Balıkesir in 1926.
source: kultur.gov.tr
After the Malazgirt battle (1071) Karesi Bey who was son of a Seljuklian governor Kalem Şah Bey, conquered and formed Karesi Governmental and make Balıkesir capitol but he accepted Ottoman Dominance. Balıkesir proclaimed the status of province in 1923. Province old name Karesi changed to Balıkesir in 1926.
source: kultur.gov.tr
History of Adana
Adana is the fourth largest city in Turkey, with about 1.5 million people. Due to the richness of its natural resources, strategic location, mild weather and fertile lands for farming, Adana is one of the oldest cities founded in this region. The city is situated about 30 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea.
The Cukurova plains around Adana are irrigated by water from the Seyhan River; which follows through the city from north to south. Irrigation canals are spread throughout the plains. Three dams, two of them within city limits, were built on the Seyhan River. The old dam was built in 1935 and is mainly used to regulate the flow of the river to the irrigation canals. The new dam was built in 1953 and is used to stop floods and for power production. There is a hydroelectric power plant at the new dam. The reservoir behind the new dam, Adana Lake, changed the face of the city. The has moved toward and around the lake within the last 20 years.
The Cukurova University campus occupies almost all of the eastern side of the lake. Cukurova University, which has 30,000 students, is among the top 10 universities in Turkey.
Adana is an industrial and agricultural city. Most of its industry relies on agricultural products. Adana farmers mainly produce cotton. That is why Adana is the center of Turkey’s textile industry, one of Turkey’s leading industries. Farmers also grow various other products like grain, corn, fruit and vegetables. Turkey’s main highway, E-5, now renamed E-90, goes through Adana. This highway has been in the same location for at least 2,500 years. As well as the crusaders, Alexander the Great also used this road on his way to India.
The oldest documents mentioning Adana are Hittite texts, dating back to 1,600 B.C. Thus, we can easily say the roots of Adana go back at least 3,500 years. Adana and its surroundings were occupied by the Hittites in the 15th century B.C.
There are several theories about how Adana got its name. The most common is that Adana was originally founded by Seyhanus and Adanus, the sons of the god Uranus. Thus, Adana derived its name from Adanus, and the river running through it, Seyhan, got its name from Seyhanus.
Located on a main trade route, Adana was subject to constant invasions. Archaeological excavations show the city housed at least ten civilizations and eighteen states. In the 6th century B.C., Adana became part of the Persian empire only to be conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C., before passing into the hands of the Selucids after Alexander’s death. Later, it was conquered by Pompei and became part of the Roman Empire. The armies of Islam captured the region in the 7th century. In the 11th century, the crusaders invaded the area. In the 12th century, the Seljuk Turks captured the region. In 1517, Sultan Selim captured the area and made it part of the Ottoman Empire. Following the First World War, Adana was occupied by French armies. On January 5th, 1922, Adana was liberated from French occupation.
Despite its long history, there aren’t many artifacts to be found. The oldest monument in the city is the Roman Bridge. It was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd Century A.D. It is 319 meters long and has 21 arches, 14 of which are still standing. The old mosque (Yag Cami) was built in 1501. The old Market in the same area is about 500 years old.
New Adana, north of the E-5 highway, has many things to offer. New and modern shopping malls can compete with any shopping mall in Europe. Movie theaters show films in English during certain showings. Numerous restaurants serve typical local and western dishes. Those restaurants are mostly located on Ziyapasa Boulevard, parallel to Ataturk Boulevard. You will find many fish restaurants along the Adana Lake drive as well.
Driving by the lake and seeing the beautiful view is one of the things you can do to while in Adana. Most of the locals spend their evenings drinking tea by the lake. One place you should not miss while in Adana is the Sabanci Mosque. The mosque was built in 1999 and is the largest mosque in Turkey, and also one of the largest mosques in the Middle East.
source: turkeycentral.com
The Cukurova plains around Adana are irrigated by water from the Seyhan River; which follows through the city from north to south. Irrigation canals are spread throughout the plains. Three dams, two of them within city limits, were built on the Seyhan River. The old dam was built in 1935 and is mainly used to regulate the flow of the river to the irrigation canals. The new dam was built in 1953 and is used to stop floods and for power production. There is a hydroelectric power plant at the new dam. The reservoir behind the new dam, Adana Lake, changed the face of the city. The has moved toward and around the lake within the last 20 years.
The Cukurova University campus occupies almost all of the eastern side of the lake. Cukurova University, which has 30,000 students, is among the top 10 universities in Turkey.
Adana is an industrial and agricultural city. Most of its industry relies on agricultural products. Adana farmers mainly produce cotton. That is why Adana is the center of Turkey’s textile industry, one of Turkey’s leading industries. Farmers also grow various other products like grain, corn, fruit and vegetables. Turkey’s main highway, E-5, now renamed E-90, goes through Adana. This highway has been in the same location for at least 2,500 years. As well as the crusaders, Alexander the Great also used this road on his way to India.
The oldest documents mentioning Adana are Hittite texts, dating back to 1,600 B.C. Thus, we can easily say the roots of Adana go back at least 3,500 years. Adana and its surroundings were occupied by the Hittites in the 15th century B.C.
There are several theories about how Adana got its name. The most common is that Adana was originally founded by Seyhanus and Adanus, the sons of the god Uranus. Thus, Adana derived its name from Adanus, and the river running through it, Seyhan, got its name from Seyhanus.
Located on a main trade route, Adana was subject to constant invasions. Archaeological excavations show the city housed at least ten civilizations and eighteen states. In the 6th century B.C., Adana became part of the Persian empire only to be conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C., before passing into the hands of the Selucids after Alexander’s death. Later, it was conquered by Pompei and became part of the Roman Empire. The armies of Islam captured the region in the 7th century. In the 11th century, the crusaders invaded the area. In the 12th century, the Seljuk Turks captured the region. In 1517, Sultan Selim captured the area and made it part of the Ottoman Empire. Following the First World War, Adana was occupied by French armies. On January 5th, 1922, Adana was liberated from French occupation.
Despite its long history, there aren’t many artifacts to be found. The oldest monument in the city is the Roman Bridge. It was built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd Century A.D. It is 319 meters long and has 21 arches, 14 of which are still standing. The old mosque (Yag Cami) was built in 1501. The old Market in the same area is about 500 years old.
New Adana, north of the E-5 highway, has many things to offer. New and modern shopping malls can compete with any shopping mall in Europe. Movie theaters show films in English during certain showings. Numerous restaurants serve typical local and western dishes. Those restaurants are mostly located on Ziyapasa Boulevard, parallel to Ataturk Boulevard. You will find many fish restaurants along the Adana Lake drive as well.
Driving by the lake and seeing the beautiful view is one of the things you can do to while in Adana. Most of the locals spend their evenings drinking tea by the lake. One place you should not miss while in Adana is the Sabanci Mosque. The mosque was built in 1999 and is the largest mosque in Turkey, and also one of the largest mosques in the Middle East.
source: turkeycentral.com
History of Erzincan
Erzincan is one of the oldest cultural hubs of Anatolia which has made a venerable name for itself with its copper and bronze artworks and a flavorful variety of cheese called "Tulum Peyniri". Located on the ancient silk route, Erzincan`s history has been shaped by influences from various other cultures and races.
The antiquity of Erzincan dates back to the Bronze Age. The city has seen many races at its helm and has been ruled over by the Hittites, Urartus, Meds, Persians, Hellens and the Romans. After the war of Malazgirt in 1071, Turks conquered the city. Subsequently, the Mengücek, Seljuk and Eretna branches of the Turks ruled the city until the Ottomans stormed the city after the battle of Oltukbeli in 1473. The prosperity of the city is attributed to the Turkish rule.
source: turkeyforyou.com
The antiquity of Erzincan dates back to the Bronze Age. The city has seen many races at its helm and has been ruled over by the Hittites, Urartus, Meds, Persians, Hellens and the Romans. After the war of Malazgirt in 1071, Turks conquered the city. Subsequently, the Mengücek, Seljuk and Eretna branches of the Turks ruled the city until the Ottomans stormed the city after the battle of Oltukbeli in 1473. The prosperity of the city is attributed to the Turkish rule.
source: turkeyforyou.com
History of Hatay / Antakya
The foundation of the city goes back to the general Alexander der Grosse Antigonos in the year 307 B.C. In comparison to today the city probably lay a little bit further to the north and the development ran badly in the first years. A successor of Alexander, Seleukos Nikator (305-280 B.C.) founded the city exactly at the today's place and called them after his father Antiocheia. Here the position was exactly favorable, because the caravans of the Silk Road moved through the city, before they reached the harbour of Seleukeia at the Mediterranean Sea. In the first century B.C. the city should have over a half million inhabitants and was only a little bit smaller than Rome. The city must have been bigger around a multiple one, than today.
An antique big-city life, with several kilometres long column routes, road lightings and several long water pipes made life here pleasant.
The city was also known as a venue of the competitions to honour Apollo.
The Romans conquered the city in 64 B.C.
Especially for the Christianity this place is a significant place, because apostle Paulus visited this place regularly on his missionary journeys (apostle: 11.26; 14, 26; 15, 30, 35; 18, 22).
In this antique city the word “Christian” (Christianos) was used first time. This is mentioned in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles 18 and 22. Indeed, the Christians couldn't exercise her religion freely. They were pursued under Diokletian and their churches were destroyed. Under Konstantin the Christianity state religion and the churches were rebuilt. Even the seat of the patriarch was laid to Antakya. More than ten councils took place in the city between 252 and 380 A.D.
The worst hour experienced the city with an earthquake, which destroyed the city over and over again completely. Especially bad was earthquake 525 which left no house probably. The conquest by the Persians in 538 signified a deportation of the inhabitants to Mesopotamia. After the back conquest of the city by Justinian, the city was called “God's city”. In 638 the Arabs conquered the city at the first time. Only short before the year 1000 the Byzantines could recapture the city again.
Till then the city was an important commercial metropolis and lived from the processing of the goods transported over the Silk Road. Silk, glass, soap and copper devices were products of the city.
In 1084 the Seljuqs came and in 1098 the crusaders.
For 170 years they determined the destiny of the city, but in the middle of 13-th century the Mamluks conquered the city.
The destruction in mediaeval times and a lot of sand in the harbour of Antakya are the reasons which make the city insignificantly. In 1516 the city was integrated in the Ottoman empire by Selim I. In 1872 there was an earthquake again which destroyed the city completely.
In the 20-th century there were different events of world-political meaning. On the Musa Dag, in sight from Antakya, a group of the Armenians could avoid the pursuit and deportation of the Turks by a spectacular defensive action. This event is become world-famous by a Roman of Franz Welfel called “The forty days of the Musa Dag”.
In 1918, after the first world war, the city was integrated into the Syrian protectorate. In 1939 there was a controversial plebiscite about the future of this region which was phoney / influenced by the Turkish military. After the plebiscite Antakya was integrated into the Turkish republic.
source: antakya.tv
An antique big-city life, with several kilometres long column routes, road lightings and several long water pipes made life here pleasant.
The city was also known as a venue of the competitions to honour Apollo.
The Romans conquered the city in 64 B.C.
Especially for the Christianity this place is a significant place, because apostle Paulus visited this place regularly on his missionary journeys (apostle: 11.26; 14, 26; 15, 30, 35; 18, 22).
In this antique city the word “Christian” (Christianos) was used first time. This is mentioned in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles 18 and 22. Indeed, the Christians couldn't exercise her religion freely. They were pursued under Diokletian and their churches were destroyed. Under Konstantin the Christianity state religion and the churches were rebuilt. Even the seat of the patriarch was laid to Antakya. More than ten councils took place in the city between 252 and 380 A.D.
The worst hour experienced the city with an earthquake, which destroyed the city over and over again completely. Especially bad was earthquake 525 which left no house probably. The conquest by the Persians in 538 signified a deportation of the inhabitants to Mesopotamia. After the back conquest of the city by Justinian, the city was called “God's city”. In 638 the Arabs conquered the city at the first time. Only short before the year 1000 the Byzantines could recapture the city again.
Till then the city was an important commercial metropolis and lived from the processing of the goods transported over the Silk Road. Silk, glass, soap and copper devices were products of the city.
In 1084 the Seljuqs came and in 1098 the crusaders.
For 170 years they determined the destiny of the city, but in the middle of 13-th century the Mamluks conquered the city.
The destruction in mediaeval times and a lot of sand in the harbour of Antakya are the reasons which make the city insignificantly. In 1516 the city was integrated in the Ottoman empire by Selim I. In 1872 there was an earthquake again which destroyed the city completely.
In the 20-th century there were different events of world-political meaning. On the Musa Dag, in sight from Antakya, a group of the Armenians could avoid the pursuit and deportation of the Turks by a spectacular defensive action. This event is become world-famous by a Roman of Franz Welfel called “The forty days of the Musa Dag”.
In 1918, after the first world war, the city was integrated into the Syrian protectorate. In 1939 there was a controversial plebiscite about the future of this region which was phoney / influenced by the Turkish military. After the plebiscite Antakya was integrated into the Turkish republic.
source: antakya.tv
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