Cappadocia to Constantinople

At the crossroads of the western world, Turkey, and particularly the region of Cappadocia, is steeped in history and inextricably linked with its dramatic volcanic landscape. Over millions of years this land has been shaped into fantastic forms and shapes, with deep canyons, valleys and the intriguing ‘fairy chimneys’ for which the region is renowned. As empires waxed and waned, from the Assyrians and Hittites through to the Roman and the Byzantine empires, they left evidence of their passing. Almost 2000 years ago, Christians carved their first churches into these rocks and ‘chimneys’ and earlier civilisations excavated huge underground cities, with ventilation systems, kitchens and housing for livestock as places of sanctuary against troubled times.

Explore Turkey’s Roman heritage at Perge, one of the great Pamphylian cities, with its theatre, stadium, Roman baths and agora, and the well-preserved theatre at Aspendos. At Istanbul, formerly the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, the romantic setting of domes and minarets dominate the skyline of the Golden Horn. Its rich historical legacy and the imagination of many have fashioned the image of the Sublime Porte at this evocative meeting point of Asia and Europe.Bursa was the Ottoman capital (1326) before the capture of Christian Constantinople, which was then renamed as Istanbul. Ottoman architectural style was first developed at Bursa by the court architect, Sinan, who served three sultans and designed monuments of great dignity and grandeur.