Bazı İllerimizin İngilizce Olarak Tanıtımı

GENERAL INFORMATION

Gaziantep the biggest city in the southeast of Turkey and the sixth biggest one in Turkey is one of the first settlements in Anatolia.
Ruins which belong to the Stone Calcoholitic and Copper Age Hittite Mitani Assyrian Roman and Byzantine Islam and Turkish - Islamic Period can be traced everywhere in the area .
The region was under the Hittite control in the 1700s BC. The ancient city of Duluk which is in the north of the city today was an important religious center of the Hittites. During the period of Caliph Omar as a result of the wars to spread the Islam out of the Arab Peninsula the Moslem troops who defeated the Byzantine Army at Yermuk in 636 under the command of lyaz Bin Ganern captured the area. As a result the people admitted Islam and Omeriye Mosque was built in this period as a symbol of the conquest. After the .Manzikert victory in 1071 Suleiman Shah conquered Antep and surroundings in 1084 and annexed the area to the Seljuk Empire. On August 201516 Yavuz Sultan Selim Khan came to Antep and stayed here for three days. After Mercidabik Victory against Memaluks in 1516 the city came under the reign of the Ottoman Empire.
Gaziantep and the surrounding area which was occupied by the French and English troops after the World Warl received recognition everywhere in the world for its defense and unique heroism which amazed everybody.
Turkish Grand National Assembly granted Antep the "GAZi" title on February 8 1921 because of this achievement.
Gaziantep which was called Ayintap Antep Kala-i Pusus and Hantap got its name from the depth of the history and the title from the Independence War with full of heroism.
Gaziantep which is a leader in trade and industry in the region is an important city with its Independence War Memories the rich historical and cultural surroundings highways international airport train station delicious foods extraordinary handcrafts mosques fortresses caravansaries baths tombs churches castles plateaus excursion and picnic places.


GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION

Gaziantep is situated where the Mediterranean region and South East Anatolia region meet. Gaziantep a city which has common border with Syria has most of its land in the west of South East Anatolia and some part in the east of the Mediterranean region. Gaziantep is surrounded by Birecik and Halfeti towns of Urfa in the east Besni town of Adiyaman in the northeast Pazarcik town of Kahramanmaras in the north Bahce town of Osmaniye in the west Hassa town of Hatay in the southeast and Kilis province in the south. The lands of Gaziantep take place on the 38 28 and 38 01 east longitudes and 36 38 and 37 32' north latitudes. With 6216 square kms of lands Gaziantep occupies 1% of Turkey's lands. The altitude of the city center 850 meters from the sea level but the altitude changes between 250 m. and 1250 m. 27% ottne land is occupied by lowlands.
Mountains in the boundaries of city take place in the north from the west of Araban lowland and lie towards the west of the city. These mountains which are extension of Southeastern Taurus Ridge have very smooth lines. The mountains in the west of the area are natural borders between Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş-Hatay lowlands. Sof Mountains lie as extension of South East Taurus mountains. In the south of Sof Mountains lies Gaziantep highland. Dulukbaba mountains lie in the northwest of the city. The peak of Dulukbaba mountains is 1250 meters high. Gani Baba and Sarikaya mountains which are parts of Sof mountains in the direction of Hatay are about 1100 meters high. In the west of Gani Baba and Sarikaya mountains Islahiye lowland is situated and lslahiye plateau is situated in the east. Sam Mountains which are 1050 in. high are situated between Sof mountains and Dulukbaba mountains. Barak (Doganpinar) Araban Yavuzeli and Oguzeli lowlands are important lowlands. Euphrates Nizip Afrin Merziman and Alleben streams are important rivers.


HISTORICAL PLACES


GAZIANTEP FORTRESS
Gaziantep Fortress is worthy of attention due to its hidden history and its magnificence and is one of the best examples of fortresses in Turkey.
Its exact history is not known but as a result of studies carried out it was found that it was inhabited from the Calcoholitic Age. Its present form dates from the period of Justinian in the 6'h century AD. It is square in shape and has a circumference of 1200 metres.
The walls which were built with large stones were fortified by 12 towers. In addition there is a mosque a cistern and some ruins in the castle and in the basement caves corridors rooms and a water source may be seen.

BELKIS (ZEUGMA)
At Belkis (Zeugma) 10 km south east of Nizip ruins from the Greek Roman and Byzantine Periods can be seen in the village of the same name.

RUMKALE (HROMGLA)
Hromgia is 25 km from Yavuzeli and 62 km from Gaziantep. Although the precise history of Hromgia is unknown it is thought to have been built during the late Hittite Period around 840 B.C.
It is believed that in the Roman Period Chiristians made Hromgla a center of Christianity and tried to spread Chiristianity to Hromgla and its surroundings. It is also said that John one of Jesus' apostles saved manuscripts of the Bible in in Hromgla which were later taken to Beriut. For this reason Hromgla is a sacred place for Christiants. When the crusaders were defeated and driven out of the region the Moslems captured Hromgla and the surrounding area and there are many remains in the castle and the area from the Turkish Islamic Period. In the castle where characteristics of Turkish Islamic Ert can be found there is also a mosque but it is not in use.

TILMEN TUMULUS
Tilmen Tumulus 10km east of Islahiye is 24m. high and one of the biggest tumuli of the region. Excavations have established there was a big city there in the late 3000s BC. The city consisted of inner and outer castles the walls of which were fortified with large cut stones.


TRADITIONAL GAZIANTEP ARCHITECHTURE

When we observe Gaziantep throughout the history we can find out about its very rich architecture which goes back in the history. If we mention the buildings in the city character we should mention first houses mosques shopping centers baths. It is possible to observe the influence of the climate topographic characteristics plantation and social life while building these structures.
It has the architecture suitable to the Northern Mesopotamian tradition as a typical Islamic city. Other buildings take place around the religious ones and are developed as integrated buildings.
Because it has the steppe climate and summers are very hot the concept of having a yard is very important in the architecture. The yards are called "Hayat" as most of life is spent there.
In Gaziantep manufacturing and trading have gained more importance than agriculture.
Many shopping centers were built in the settlements towards to Kozluca and around the castle. Tuz Han İki Kapılı Han Hişva Hanı Yüzükçü Hanı Millet Hanı were very busy shopping centers in the 16'h century.
Streets are very narrow and shady. There are some places called "kabaltı" which are houses with a road beneath. There are only six "kabaltı''s nowadays. There are also blocked streets called "dehliz".

GAZİANTEP HOUSES
Gaziantep houses are made of soft calcareous stones called "havara" or "keyrnik" and have thick walls. Generally they are one or two-storeyed but there are some three-storeyed ones too.
The traditional Gaziantep houses displaying these features are situated mainly in the town center in the Eyüpoğlu Türktepe Tepebaşı Bostancı and Şehreküstü Quarters and also near the Gaziantep Fortress.

BATHS
The baths which were always a symbol of cleanliness constituted an essential element of the social life of early times.The ones which have survived to present times are Seyh Fethullah Hamami Huseyin Pasa Hamami Pasa Hamami Keyvanbey Hamami lki Kapili Hamam Naip Hamami Nakipoglu Hamami Tabak Hamami Eski Hamam and Pazar Hamami.

KASTELS

The city of Gaziantep had poor water resources. In order to prevent the evaporation or loss of water water was brought to the city through underground canals. In some parts of the canals water was saved by the building of large rooms (or underground reservoirs) which could be reached by long stairways. Of these facilities called "Kastels" only lhsan Bey Pişirici lrnarn Gazali and Kozluca kastels remain.
COVERED MARKETS (BEDESTEN)
Bedestens are long bazaars or markets with a covered ceiling. The most important ones are Huseyin Pasa Bedesteni Kemikli Bedesten and Zincirli Bedesten.

GAZIANTEP CUISINE

Gaziantep cuisine for many years has held a privileged place among the cuisines of the world and in our country due to its traditional and regional richness of flavour.
The very special feature of Gaziantep cuisine is in the careful use of the ingredients in the preparation of the meals. All the ingredients are chosen with great care.
Plentiful quantities of spices tomato pastes and different mixtures give different tastes and flavours to the dishes. For the excellence of the flavor and the taste of Gaziantep meals the skills of the person preparing them are just as important as the quality of the materials.
The following are the main Gaziantep dishes:
a) Meatballs (köfteler): içli köfte çig kofte ekşili köfte ufak köfte malhıtalı köfte yoğurtlu ufak köfte.
b) Kebabs : Kuşbaşı (tike) kebap kıyma kebabı patlıcan kebabı sogan kebabı simit kebabı ciğer kebabı etc.
c) Other dishes that should be sampled : Yuvarlama and lahmacun.
d) Desserts : Baklava bülbül yuvası künefe burmalı kadayıf antepfıstığı ezmesi katmer etc.


EXCURSION AND PICNIC PLACES

Excursions in the country which are called "Sahra" are held with the families and close relatives when it is very hot in Gaziantep in the spring and in the summer to get away from the noise and the heat of the city and to be in the nature. Country houses are visited. The follows are some of the picnic and excursion areas; Düllükbaba Karpuzatan Kavaklık Dutluk Nafak Burc Forest Burç Lake Buyükşahinbey Town Körkün Picnic Area Rumkale Nizip Karpuzatan Picnic area and Karapınar.

SOURCES:
1. RESİMLİ BÜYÜK TÜRKİYE ANSİKLOPEDİSİ
2. MEGAPOL ŞEHİR GAZİANTEP
3. MEDENİYETLER MERKEZİ GAZİANTEP​

ADANA

Adana is one of the most prominent cities of Ancient Cilicia in the and has been the cradle of many civilizations that have passed between the Hittites and the Ottomans throughout history. It is fourth large region in the Turkish Republic at present in population. It is rumored that the city is derived from Adanus or Adonis the son of greek god of skies according to Greek Myths.

The city has been built by the Seyhan River that is born in the Taurus mountains travels over the plain meandering in wide circles and flows into the Mediterranean sea. Adana is located at aspot where there is a passage accross the river is easy. The Tepebag tumulus discovered in the Tepebag district that is right in the middle of Adana points to the fact that there were very early settlements in the region and the history of its first inhabitants go back to the Neolithic period in 6000 BC when human beings first began settled life.

When Adana was the Capital city of the Kizzuwatna Kingdom in the years about 1350 BC it was added to the Hittite Federation and it was consequently taken over by the Assyrians in the 9th century BC then by Iran in the 7 th century BC. During the year 333 BC Adana region was occupied by the armies of Alexander the Great coming under the Macedonian rule after the battle of Isas in the east of Adana. After the death of Alexander the Great the region was invaded by Selevekos Kingdom. In the 1st century BC the region was made a province of Roman Empire the famous orator Cicero was the Governor of Adana Province in that first century. In the following years the region became one of the most prominent trade centers of Eastern Roman Empire.

In the centuries that followed the region was invaded and occupied by many different nations such as : Sasanis during 260 AC Byzantium in the 5th century AC Abbasis in the 8th century AC re-conquered by Byzantium in the 10th century AC Seljuk Empire in the 11th century AC Armenians in the 12th century AC Memluks in the 14th century AC after which date it remained under the rules of the Turks.
The Turks that came to the region from the Middle Asia during the reign of Memluks were the pioneers that helped establish a new civilization on these fertile lands with ample water resources. They called Pyramos River Ceyhan and Sarus river as Seyhan.

The Ramazanogullari Kingdom was founded in the Adana region in 1352 and the reign of this dynasty continued till 1517. At this date Yavuz Sultan Selim on his way to war with Egypt took Adana and made it a part of the Ottoman Empire. The region was later visited by the following Ottoman Sultans : Sultan Suleiman the Law-Maker in 1535 on his military expedition to the East Sultan Murad the 4th on his Baghdad campaign in 1638 İbrahim Pasha the son of the Governor of Egypt who had rebelled against Ottoman rule came to Adana region with his armies in 1833.

<b>THE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF THE REGION</b>

Adana with its prominent position as the eighth largest economy of the country the agricultural industrial commercial and cultural center of the Southern Turkey together with its historical monuments warm sunny days and its seacosts has a great deal of attraction for the tourists. Adana has been a suitable place for human settlement ever since the early ages of history. Cukurova is filled with monuments and works of art carrying traces of the civilizations that have lived in the region. Since some of these works of art are far from the beaten track it is rather difficult for tourists to visit them. On the other hand open museums and ruins such as anavarza Yılankale Toprakkale Ayas Karatepe have regular roads connecting them to the mainstream.

The attarctions of the region are not only the ruins castles ancient tumulus sites and the remains of important cities. The Taurus Mountains that surround the Cukurova like a wall have great potential with their natural beauty with their suitibility for winter sports and hunting. The fact that the region is in a location where two contrasting climates meet is another factor that can enhance the attractions of the area. During the summer months people who want to escape the high temperatures can either go up to the cooler plains in the Taurus Mountains or go to the seashore for a swim at the Karatas and Yumurtalik coast.

Adana region has the advantage of being close to the many archeological sites on the Mediterranean coastline. The sea long coastline between Antalya and İskenderun is rich with archeological sites ancient monuments beautiful seashores sandy beaches and sunny climate. Tourists who wish to visit Hatay Nigde Nevsehir Urgup Goreme ( Cappadocia) stay overnight at adana on their way to these cities. There are quite a few hotels in yumurtalik Karatas and Tuzla districts of the region and these facilities will add to the tourism potential of the region.

Adana is situated at the crossroads of airways highways and railway connecting the countries of the Middle East with Turkey and because of this factor the region has dense transit touristic traffic.

<b>NATURAL BEAUTY</b>

Adana is one of the most attaractive cities in Southern Turkey with its natural beauty its avenues lined up with palm eucalyptus and mimosa trees summer tea gardens and parks and has a high potential for domestic and foreign tourism. The Seyhan Dam lake and vicinity and the Saricam woods are two areas of natural beauty that the inhabitants prefer for picnics on holidays. Because that the summers are very hot usually some of the inhabitants move up to the slopes and plains in the Taurus Mountains.

Some of the spots of natural beauty visited by the inhabitants of Adana are :

KAPIZ: It is an area of great natural beauty about 35 km from the city center and at 13 km west of Karaisalı. Surrounded by the pine forests and the wonderful view of summits of the mountains it is incomparable. The Cakit spring that flows down from the Taurus Mountains is an added bonus.

KARSANTI AND ENVIRONMENT :There are many spots of natural beauty on the road between Adana and Karaisalı. Among them Eyner Village attracts the interes of many people. One can see many wild animals while travelling on this road. During the summer months the camping sites in the area attract the families and during the hunting season the hunters. Karsanti with its cool climate and fresh air is the ideal place for vacations in the summer. In the small streams that are the branches of Seyhan extensive trout fishing is done. The famous Post forests are also in this district.

KOZAN-SAİMBEYLİ: The road between Kozan-Feke-Saimbeyli which is in the North-South direction goes through thick forest land. On this road there are many recreational areas and drinkable water fountains where people stop over for a rest and drink. The Dagilcak excursion spot near Kozan is also on this road.

YERKÖPRÜ : This is a very beautiful site about 12 km from Karaisali that has been built beside the exact spot where the Cakit Spring goes underground and then emerges forming a waterfall. It is a unique recreational area.

BURUCEK AND TEKİR PLAINS :These high plains are at 100 km distance from the city center. There are camping areas in these plains that are ssurrounded by forests and they are suitable for camping tourism. Burucek Plain has extraordinary scenery during the winter also. Besides these there are recreational areas and camping facilities within the forests in the Karatas Saricam Kozan-Dagilcak Feke Karacaoglan and Saimbeyli-Obruk districts in the Adana region.

<b>MUSEUMS IN ADANA</b>

REGIONAL MUSEUM OF ARCHEOLOGY : The Archeological Museum has been built in 1924 on the e-5 Auto-Route at central Adana. In this museum all archeological finds from Adana Cukurova and Anthic Cilicia are exhibited. Besides the historical remains from Cukurova excavations at Kahraman Maras Gaziantep Mersin Yumuktepe Tarsus Gozlukule and Misis are also evaluated here and exhibited in this museum that is why it is truly regional museum. The Museum has moved to its present building in the year 1972.

ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM : This museum is located at the Kurukopru district of central Adana in a church that was built in 1845 and later abandoned. Its first location was the Mosque of Cafer Pasha and its Monastery and when these buildings collapsedthe church was restored and turned into a museum. Ethnographic works of art belonging to the turcoman clans that live in the Cukurova district and stone edifices of Islamic origin are exhibited in this museum.

ADANA ATATURK MUSEUM : It is located in the historical Tepebag the old city center of adana in one of the traditional Adana houses built in the 19th century. It is a two-story house made of local stone with typical ornamentalbalconies and slanting roof. Because of its characteristic it has been taken under the “Cultural Unmovable Entity Worthy of Protection” program by the Ministry of Culture. In this house that belonged to Suphi Pasha coming from the Ramazanogullari family mustafa Kemal Atatürk the founder of the Turkish Trepublic and his wife Lady Latife have stayed overnight on March 15th 1923. the building later has been made public property by the Atatürk Science and Culture Museum Club with the invaluable aid of Army Commander of that time Bedrettin Demirel. It was then restored with the assistance of the general public and opened to visitors in the year 1981.

ULU CAMI : This mosque had been built in 1507 by Halil Bey during the reign of Ramazanogullari Kingdom. It has been enlarged in 1541 with the construction of an additional building. The tomb of Halil bey is in the Ulu Cami. The mosque has been built of cut stone; there is a monumental portal ornamented with a series of arabic caligraphy and niches designed as seashells. Its octagon shaped minaret is amvery interesting characteristic of the period.

<b>IMPORTANT HISTORICAL MONUMENTS IN ADANA</b>

TASKOPRU (STONE BRIDGE) : There are various opinions on the date of construction of this stone bridge that is a Roman masterpiece built over the Seyhan river. According to the Gerekce inscriptions in the Adana Museum this bridge has been constructed by the architect named Auxenthus in the 4th century BC. The 1500 year old stone bridge has 21 arches but because 7 of these arches have been buried under the earth during the reclamation of the Seyhan river you can only see the 14 remaining arches. There is a twin of this bridge in Rome.

RAMAZOGULLARI THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL: The Ramazanogullari Medrese built in the year 1540 has the typical architecture plan of Ottoman Theological Schools. There is a large archway in the entrance a courtyard in the middle and the alcoves and cells.

RAMAZANOGULLARI MANSION : this stately mansion has been built by Halil bey in the year 1495. The men’s quarters from where the government affairs were conducted and the harem where family and the women lived are still intact. There is also an ornamnetal pool in the terrace at the top floor.

BUYUKSAAT KULESI : (The big Clock Tower) : The Clock Tower is on the Ali Munif Yegenaga Avenue in adana. The construction of the tower has begun in the times of Governer Ziya Pasha in 1881 but with his death the building has been completed by the new Governor Abidin Pasha in 1882. The tower that is 32 meters high is made of cut stone blocks.

OLD ADANA DISTRICT AND HOUSES : The oldest districts in the city of Adana with their present day names are ; Sariyakup Alidede Tepebag and Turkocagi districts. There are Yag Mosque (1501) Hasanaga Mosque (1558) and Alidede Mosque (1704) on the east side of these districts. On the west side there is the ırmak Public bath (1600) and Alemdar Mosque (1748) on the north there is the Agca Prayer Room (1409) Kemeralti Mosque (1915) Yesil Prayer Room (1753) and Taskopru (Stone Bridge) Old Adana houses have mostly collapsed but about 169 old houses are inhabited at present. These houses have the characteristic of both the old Turkish and Mediterranean house in fact they are a synthesis of both styles. The eaves of the houses are wide with bow windows and small balconies in the front the windows are rectangular with wooden shutters and they have arched doorways.
YAG (OLD) MOSQUE : This was an old Church known as the Saint Jacques left from the times of the Crusades. It was converted into a mosque by Ramazanoglu Halil Bey in 1501 by some additions to its structure. The mosque has a simple structure its portals are monumental like the Crown Doorway with low arches and ornamented with Arabic caligraphy.

HASANAGA MOSQUE : It is situated in the Alidede district behind the Yag mosque. It has been built in the year 1558. The plans for this mosque are said to be made by the famous architect Mimar Sinan. It is built of cut stone and it has a dome. The entrance door is wood ornamneted with beautiful designs and the prayer vault is designed with black and white marble. It is really worth seeing.

BEBEKLI KILISE ( BEBEKLI CHURCH) : ıt has been built during the years 1880-1890 and its real name is Saint Paul. At the top of this church there is a 2.5 meter high bronze statute of Mother Mary. Religious ceremony is held at this church every day between 18.00-19.00 hours and this is another example of the respect shown by the Turkish nation towards Christianity and other beliefs.

MISIS (MOPSUHESTIA) REMAINS : Misis that is on the historical silk road beside the Ceyhan River (Pyramos) is the second passageway built after Adana. The history of Misis begins with the Tumulus on which it is located probably the Neolithic period of 6000 BC. It is rumored that the town of Misis was built by Mopsus one of the heroes of the Trojan Wars. In later periods it has been conquered by Hittitites Assyrians Macedonians and Selevkos and it has been an important center during the Roman and Byzantian rule. After the 8th centurt AC it has been re-constructed and people have settled there. It has been the scene of many battles. After 1517 it was taken over the Ottoman Empire. The remaining monuments and works of art are : Mosaics from 4th century AC Stone Bridge with 9 arches the walls and the remains of a town in the Acropol the Havraniye Caravanserai built in 1542 and the cubic style prayer house with the single dome built in 1648.

MOSAICS MUSEUM: Cukurova is also famous for the mosaics left from the early roman period that have great artistic value. In Misi there is a mosaic scenery depicting Noah and the animals in his Ark in the floor of the Roman Basilica built in the 4th century AC. These mosaics have been converted into an open-air museum. There are other mosaics in Imamoglu-Koyunevi Kozan-Ferhatli and the anavarza mosaics of Thetis that are not yet open to visits.

YILANKALE (SNAKE CASTLE) : This is one of the castles built by the Crusaders in the Middle Ages during the 11th century on the road to Antakya ( Antiochia). This road that goes over the Taurus Mountains was very important during the Ottoman period as well as in the period of antiquity. The Snake Castle has been located in a high viewpoint so that other castles in the plain could be observed. The Castle has 8 round towers and a main entrance door on the South. From the entrance stone steps go up to the terraces the garrison of the castle is at the very top. There is a church and a cistern within the castle grounds. The old name of the castle was Govara but Evliya Celebi (Famous Ottoman Wanderer)who visited the area in 1671 calls it the Sahmeran Castle describing the snakes that lived there as animals with horns and hairy necks. This is where the folk story of Sahmeran (half snake-half human) got its origins.

TOPRAKKALE : It is believed that the castle was built in the 4th century BC by the selefkos Kings. The Castle was repaired and re-built in 786 by Harun Rashid with black stones. It has been used a a garrison for a while during the ottoman rule. The Toprakkale has a rectangular design plan and there are 12 towers in the castle. It is a great pleasure to watch the plains and the sunset from the towers of this castle.

ANAVARZA RUINS : The date when the antique city of anavarza was first built is not known but it is known that it has become the capital city of Cilicia in the year 408 BC. Starting with the 8th century AC it has changed hands many times and for a while it has served as the capital city of armenian Princedom. There is the Anavarza Castle built over a hill rising from one side of the old town is the central castle among others in the plain. Of the remains in the site the walls vault of victory the columns the old road and the pools ornamneted with mosaics are some art works that attract the interest of visitors.

YUMURTALIK7AYAS (Aegeae) RUINS : yumurtalik is one of the two most beautiful seaside towns of Adana. The date when the ayas/Aegeae town was first built is not definitely known. During the Hellenistic Period the seaside town was famous for its Temple of Asclepion like Bergamon boasting of having one of the three such Temples in the world. Ayas that continued to develop during the Roman Period became one of the most important seaports in eastern Mediterranean in the Middle Ages. Merchants from Venice an genoa formed colonies around the Ayas harbor. The famous traveler Marco Polo on his way to China has disembarked at this seaport in 1268 having come so far by boat and on his return trip on land he again reached ayas and got on board his ship from here.

Yumurtalik was taken over by the Turkish Memluk Kingdom in 1337 and later become one of the prominent towns and seaports of the Ramazanogullari Princedom. The works of art that were found in the ancient Aegeae town near Yumurtalik has been assembled in front of the town Public Administration Office and thus an open-air museum has been established. Yumurtalik town is an unexplored treasure of historical monuments and arts with the additional monuments of Ayas and Atlas Castles (11th century AC) the three-storey Observation Tower constructed in the reign of the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Law-Maker in 1536 the city walls the Ottoman and Roman Baths.

KARATAS-MAGARSUS RUINS : Magarsus ruins are situated in the Dortdirekli district of Karatas ehich is a seaside town of Adana. The Temples of Magarsus especially the Temple where Alexander the Great is rumored to have prayed were very famous during the age of Antiquity. Unfortunately nothing much has been left intact in the Magarsus Ruins; there are some city walls lining up the seashore some architectual edifices and remains of the amphitheatre and city stadium that attract the interest of visitors.

TUFANBEYLİ / SAR (KOMANA) RUINS : These ruins are located at Sarkoy a village that is at a distance of 210 km to Adana in the Taurus Mountains. The Sar then known by the name of komana was an important religious center during the times of the Hittitites. In the Sar Ruins that is on the historical road to Kayseri-Malatya the ruins that have survived belong to the Roman Period. The Church door known as the Ala Kapi the Kirik Church and antique remains of architectual works and its theatre are worth visiting.

CEYHAN / SIRKELİ MUVATTALI RELİEF : This relief has been cut onto a piece of massive rock beside the Ceyhan River near the village of Sirkeli on the old road between Misis-Ceyhan. There has been extensive excavation work done in the Sirkeli Tumulus near this rock. The first excavations in the area were conducted by the archeologist Professor dr. Garstrang from USA in the year 1938 and the excavations have been resumed after the year 1992. This area was considered sacred by the Hittitites because the Hittitite Emperor Mutavalli visited rthis place on his way to the famous Kadesh Battle with the Pharoh Ramses of Egypt. The Mutavalli relief created to commentorate this occasion is the oldest Hittitite relief in Anatolia.

ALADAG / AKOREN RUINS : The ruins in the Akoren village of the Aladag town situated on the Taurus Mountains is anewly discovered ruin. In this area that consisted of two seperate districts 4 churches remains of ancient buildings and streets have been found during the recent research in the area. When the inscriptions that were found were examined it was understood that this wa a town used as a cool summer resort since the ancient Roman times.

KOZAN (SIS) CASTLE : This castle is located in the Kozan town center. It had been built by the assyrians. The castle was later repaired and restored and used by the Romans and Armenians. The circumference of the castle is about 6 kilometers and it has four towers. In the lower parts of the castle there are rooms reached by steep steps where food and ammunition was stored. There are inscriptions written on the castle walls in the assyrian Persian Roman and Armenian languages. Sis Castle is one of the most impressive monuments situated in urban centers in Adana.

<b>POSSIBILITIES FOR ALTERNATIVE TOURISM</b>

Cave and Canyon Tourism : The Bigbigi Cave in Aladağ with its many spots of great natural beauty is suitable for cave tourism. The valley formed by Göksu River in Feke is suitable for Canyon Tourism.

Trekking : There is quite a number of trekking routes in the Taurus mountains but the most important route that is ready for trekking is the route that begins from Pozanti/Hamidiye and ends at Egni springs.

Religious Tourism : The areas suitable for religious tourism in the region are: Bebekli Church at Adana city center Kale Church in Saimbeyli ancient church and remains of the town in Sar Akören Church in Aladağ

Hunting Tourism : Good areas for both mountain climbing and hunting sports are the forest and hils of the Taurus Mountains that surround the north and east of Adana region.

Business Congress and Conference Tourism : Adana region and its city center is very convinient for business seminars conferences and Congress meetings with the Baghdad railway TEM international highway its international airport its two harbours pipe line prestigious university.

Lake and Water Sports : Another potential area of tourism in our region is lake and water sports that can be organized in the lakes of its various dams. Lakes such as Seyhan Dam Lake Aslantaş Çatalan Yedigöz dams are already in condition suitable for utilization in the fiealds of recration and water sports. Construction work on creating parks and green areas for public use are well under way on the shores of Seyhan River where it passes through the city of Adana. Besides this work on the construction of the largest artificial lake in Turkey for recretional purposes in continuing.

Winter Sprots Tourism : Kızıldağ plains in Karaisalı and Karafil Mountains in Pozantı are very suitable for camping and winter sports such as skiing.

Sea and Yacht Tourism : The seaside towns of our region such as Yumurtalık and Karataş provide unlimited opportunities for sea and yacht tourism. These two seaside towns have great potential with their high quality beaches and sunny climate. When the existing fisherman’s shelters are converted into marinas for yachts the area will acquire a new function and image. With the conversion of the two buildings near the shelters to centers suitable for services to the yacht men these two towns will become an important meeting point for the yacht owners in Eastern Mediterranean.

Eco Tourism : The ecology of our region is rich and varied. About 40% of the Mediterranean coastline in our region consists of sand dunes marshland and areas covered by reed. The coast between the borders of İçel and Hatay regions that belong to the Adana region is 118 kilometers long; about 47 kilometers of this coastline has the above mentioned natural structure. Some of the most important of these areas that carry great ecological value are; Tuzla and Akyatan lakes formed by the Seyhan River and the Akyayan lake formed by the Ceyhan River and the Yumurtalık natural fishing enclosure in these areas rare species of birds sea and land animals find shelter and reproduce themselves.​

BURSA TURKEY
Known as "Green Bursa" this province stands on the lower slopes of Uludag (Mount Olympos of Mysia 2543 m). The title "Green" of Bursa comes from its gardens and parks and of course from its being in the middle of an important fruit growing region. In Bursa there are things you should not miss. First of all you are in the homeland of the delicious "Iskender Kebap". The candied chestnuts are a specialty and have an unforgettable taste. The peaches of Bursa are unique. As for something to purchase; Bursa is a center of the silk trade and towel manufacturing. It is also the homeland of the very famous Turkish folklore figures Karagoz and Hacivat.
Because of its being the first Ottoman capital Bursa is very rich in religious monuments mosques and tombs (turbes) baths. One of the places to be seen in Bursa is the Yesil Mosque (Green Mosque) with its carved marble doorway which is one of the best in Anatolia. It is an elaborate and significant building in the new Turkish style. Just opposite is the Yesil Tomb "Green Tomb" set in a green garden with an enchanting exterior decorated with turquoise tiles. Near the tomb the Medresse complements the others and makes this the "green" trio now it houses the Ethnographical Museum which certainly deserves visiting. The Yildirim Beyazit Mosque is important as it is the first one built in the new Ottoman style and is accompanied by the Emir Sultan Mosque which lies in a peaceful setting. The province is decorated with these monuments-each of which is a masterpiece. Here are the Ulu Mosque built in the Seljuk style with impressive calligraphic wall decorations; the Orhan Gazi Mosque; the "Hisar" an attractive part of the province and in the park the Mausoleums of Osman the founder of the Ottoman Empire and his son Orhan Gazi. The Muradiye Complex has a delightful view with its mosque and tombs of important characters from the Ottoman era and their tiles and charming decorations appeal to the sightseers. The Ottoman Museum offers a lively exhibit of the traditional life style of Ottomans.
Something you will enjoy in Bursa are the warm mineral-rich springs; indeed most of the hotels in this province have thermal bath facilities. The Turkish baths "hamam" are great places which should be visited in Bursa. The Eski Kaplica (Old Spring) is the oldest in the province. The Karamustafa Pasha Baths are famous and boast the best hot mineral waters.
As for souvenirs you should visit the Covered Bazaar "Bedesten" or the Koza Han-an attractive building and also a center of silk trade. It is certain that Bursa will take some of time for you to see and add some more delightful experiences to your memories.
Environs:
Uludag is the largest and most celebrated winter-sports center in Turkey. It is 36 kms from Bursa and easily accessible by car or cable-car (teleferik). The area is also a national park and is worth a visit at any time of the year. The accommodation is high quality offering the opportunity to enjoy with a variety of entertainment and sports activities.
Mudanya is a seaside resort town from fine fish restaurants and night-clubs there so you can have a pleasant
Zeytinbagi (Trilye) is a town of typical Turkish architecture and lay out. There are sea bus and ferry connections with Istanbul.
Gemlik (27 km north) is another seaside resort with a wide sandy beach.
Iznik (Nicaea) lies 85 kms northeast of Bursa at the eastern tip of Lake knik. The town has witnessed many civilizations which have left their marks all over the land. This town is famous for its unique tiles and has been the center of tile production in the 16th century. Iznik tiles were the basic decorative element of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. The turquoise-tiled Yesil Mosque and Nilufer Hatun imareti are among the Islamic works in the town.​