4 Reasons to Visit Historic Turkey

If you’re a bit of a history buff and love to learn about ancient civilization, you should really consider Turkey. Booking a holiday villa from a company like Villa Plus can provide a holiday that offers sun, sea, and sites of historic interest!

Turkey is home to one of the largest and oldest underground cities in the world, recently discovered in Cappadocia, Central Anatolia. And you can find a wide range of sites to satisfy your hunger for history if you stay on the coastline to enjoy the many beautiful beaches on offer. Take a look at our top 4 reasons to visit southwestern Turkey.

Patara – Turkey – photo by harald.Brendel on Flickr CC

1. Tlos

Situated on the east side of the Xanthos valley are the ruins of Tlos, on a rocky outcrop that slopes up from a plateau. One of the oldest and largest settlements of Lycia, Tlos has had many inhabitants including the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottoman Turks.

The ruins are dominated by an acropolis and a fortress. Visitors can see tombs and sarcophagi cut into the face of the hill, and there are also remnants of a stadium, baths, gyms and more. Tlos will give you an insightful look at Turkish culture over the centuries.

2. Patara

Situated at the mouth of the Xanthos river, Patara was a major naval and trading port of Lycia until silt and pirate raids reduced its stature. Not only does it boast on of the top beaches in the world, as voted by the Times Online in 2005, it also has many examples of ancient architecture.

As well as Roman baths, a necropolis and one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, you can also visit an amphitheater and a triumphal arch. Plus, Petara is also the home of Saint Nicholas, better known to most as Santa Claus!

Letoon Temple – Turkey – photo by QuartierLatin1968 on Flickr CC

3. Xanthos-Letoon

You can enjoy two for the price of one with this “double-site”. Xanthos-Letoon is actually two neighboring settlements that provide an excellent insight into ancient Lycian civilization. The smaller Letoon features several temples, as it was a cult center where religious and political decisions were announced.

Xanthos, meanwhile, was the capital city of Lycia. It features remarkable rock-cut tombs and pillar-mounted sarcophagi that are recognized as prime examples of Hellenic and Lycian architecture. The city is also infamous for its gruesome history – the people of Xanthos twice committed mass suicide rather than submit to invasions, first by the Persians and then the Romans.

4. Lycian Way

While not actually a historic path – it was founded in the 1990s by an English conservationist! – the Lycian Way ties together many stunning coastal sights. As well as Patara, you can also enjoy the sunken town opposite Ucagiz and the hidden ruins of various Lycian cities. The route has been voted one of the top ten beautiful walks according to the British Sunday Times.

So, why not take a look at some holiday villas near the Turkish coast and see if you can’t blend a little beach time with some history hunting? It’s a getaway idea that gives something to both your body and your mind.

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