Türkiye has rich historical heritage. Several empires including the Persian Empire, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire have influenced the heritage of Türkiye. It is a must visit country anybody interested in historical heritage.
1. TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS | EPHESUS | 550 BC
The Temple of Artemis was a Greek Temple located in Ephesus. It was dedicated to goddess Artemis. It is considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a grand temple but unfortunately scarce remains exist today.
2. MAUSOLEUM AT HALICARNASSUS | BODRUM | 353-350 BC
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus was a monumental tomb built between 353 -350 BC for Mausolus, ruler of Caria under Persian Empire. Mausoleum name has been derived from this only.
3. ASPENDOS THEATRE | SERIK | 161–180 CE
Aspendos Theatre is a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater. It was built in the 2nd century AD under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It is still used for for cultural performances.
4. LIBRARY OF CELSUS | EPHESUS | 110–135 AD
The Library of Celsus is an ancient Roman library and monumental tomb in Ephesus. It was built in the early 2nd century AD.
5. HAGIA SOPHIA | ISTANBUL | 537 AD
Hagia Sophia is a historic architectural masterpiece in Istanbul. Originally built as a Byzantine basilica, it later became an imperial mosque, a museum, and once again functions as a mosque today. It remains one of the most iconic monuments of both Christian and Islamic heritage.
6. BASILICA CISTERN | ISTANBUL | 532 AD
The Basilica Cistern is a vast subterranean water reservoir beneath Istanbul. It was constructed during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century AD.
7. DIVRIGI GREAT MOSQUE | DIVRIGI | 1228–1229 AD
The Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital is an Islamic monument. It was built in 13th Century. It is renowned for its intricate stone carvings and represents a pinnacle of medieval Anatolian art and engineering.
8. TOPKAPI PALACE | INSTANBUL | 15TH CENTURY
Topkapı Palace is a historic royal residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans. It was built in the 15th century. It served as the heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years and is now a major tourist attraction.
9. RUMELI FORTRESS |INSTANBUL | 1452
Rumeli Fortress is a 15th-century Ottoman fortress on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built by Sultan Mehmed II . It played a strategic role in the conquest of Constantinople.
10. SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE | INSTANBUL | 1557
The Suleymaniye Mosque is a 16th-century imperial mosque in Istanbul. It was commissioned by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and designed by the celebrated Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. It is one of Istanbul’s most prominent landmarks, symbolizing the classical period of Ottoman architecture and imperial power.
11. BLUE MOSQUE | INSTANBUL | 1609–1616
The Blue Mosque, officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a 17th-century Ottoman imperial mosque in Istanbul. It remains both a functioning place of worship and one of Turkey’s most visited architectural landmarks.
12. DOLMABAHCE PALACE | INSTANBUL | 1843-56
Dolmabahce Palace is a 19th-century Ottoman imperial residence. It represents the Ottoman Empire’s transition from traditional to European architectural influences and served as its main administrative center from 1856 to 1887 and again from 1909 to 1922.
