Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
Since the announcement of Turkey’s visa exemption, a wave of enthusiasm for traveling to Turkey has emerged, making people eager to explore this mysterious and ancient city-state. (Image provided by Monochrome Editing Department)
Turkey’s famous attraction—Pamukkale, a natural wonder that looks like white cotton, features terraced formations resembling rice paddies, with natural hot springs bubbling up from underground. When sunlight shines on this “cotton field,” the water reflects blue-green hues against the white landscape, creating a stunning view. This unique masterpiece is actually formed by limestone terrain where calcium-rich hot springs seep out. The emerging water gathers and circulates along the terrain, gradually depositing calcium carbonate to form travertine crystals. Over thousands of years, these deposits accumulate into the iconic terraced landscape.
Listed as a World Heritage Site, the snow-white limestone terrain of Pamukkale is a must-visit destination for travelers. (Image provided by Monochrome Editing Department)
Ephesus, located by the Aegean Sea, has always been one of the most beloved destinations for visitors to Turkey. The vast ancient city ruins, preserved for over two thousand years, offer a glimpse into history. Records show that Ephesus existed as early as the 9th century BC. After being invaded by the Persians in the 6th century BC, the city was reclaimed by Alexander the Great of Greece, who initiated its foundational development. Following Alexander's death, his successors relocated the city to the valley between Mount Pion and Mount Coressus, which is its present site. After being influenced by Greek civilization, several Roman emperors favored Ephesus and contributed to its urban expansion, bringing the city to its peak of prosperity. The ruins of Ephesus were gradually excavated in the early 20th century, with remnants and broken walls scattered throughout, though some sites remain in their original state. Historical records indicate that a major earthquake in 17 AD severely damaged the city, prompting repairs by the Romans. However, with the rise of Christian civilization, Ephesus, once a polytheistic Greek city, was gradually abandoned and turned into ruins, with many of its materials repurposed for other constructions. Nonetheless, it remains the most well-preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean and attracts visitors year-round.
Located by the Aegean Sea, Ephesus is the most well-preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean and one of Turkey’s most popular destinations. (Image provided by Monochrome Editing Department)
Turkey’s renowned Hagia Sophia is widely recognized for its distinctive dome and minaret exterior, yet few are familiar with the captivating story behind it. According to popular accounts, Emperor Constantine the Great was able to capture Constantinople and establish the Eastern Roman Empire because one day, he saw a cross of light appearing in the darkening sky. That night, Christ appeared to him and commanded Constantine to create a similar cross to lead his army, assuring him that it would guarantee victory in the siege. Constantine followed the divine instruction and indeed won the battle. Not only did Constantine establish Christianity as the state religion, but his son later ordered the construction of Hagia Sophia. Until the Ottoman Turks converted it into a mosque, Hagia Sophia, despite suffering damage from earthquakes and fires, continued to serve as the principal church of the Eastern Roman Empire. It stands as a testament to the glory of Greek Orthodoxy and the power of the Eastern Roman Empire, and is also considered the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture. However, when Sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople, then the most important stronghold of Christianity, he “deliberately” targeted Hagia Sophia. He removed the altar, Christian icons, relics, and plastered over the mosaics, replacing them with crescent moons, Qur’an reading platforms, prayer niches facing Mecca, and additional Islamic minarets. The only thing that remained unchanged was its name—the “Wisdom of God.”
From a church to a mosque, and now to a structure where symbols of both religions coexist peacefully, those who built and renovated Hagia Sophia were among the finest architects of both the Christian and Islamic worlds, especially Sinan, who was tasked with transforming its religious character, and the Swiss Fossati brothers in the late 19th century. Sinan, the greatest architect of the Islamic world, restored Hagia Sophia after it had suffered damage during the Fourth Crusade in the early 13th century and remained unrestored. He incorporated Byzantine square layouts and dome-cross structures, adding new Ottoman elements to the existing framework. What we see today is largely the result of extensive renovations by the Fossati brothers, who reportedly spent the equivalent of two million US dollars on the project. The marble columns glow with cool, dazzling emerald hues under sunlight, and the golden mosaics shine brilliantly, clearly reflecting the scenes of Ottoman worship.
Hagia Sophia has endured multiple wars and renovations, resulting in the harmonious coexistence of Christian and Islamic symbols seen today. (Image provided by Monochrome Editing Department)
Cave hotels with unique charm are the signature “local specialty” of Cappadocia. Since the development of tourism in Cappadocia, more and more locals and external businesses have transformed the caves once inhabited by ancient Cappadocians into hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and teahouses, becoming a major highlight of visiting the region.
Visiting Cappadocia without staying in a cave hotel means missing out on experiencing the cave-dwelling lifestyle of its people. (Image provided by Monochrome Editing Department)
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