TURKEY -THE FAITH TOURISM

THE FAITH TOURISM

Throughout its rich history, Turkey has been the site of history and significance to many religious, notably the Christians and Muslim who have contributed significantly to the Turkish landscape and its colourful culture of today.For the tourist seeking to trace the steps of the prophets of old , there is no place with more religious history than Turkey.

DERINKUYU ORTHODOX CHURCH

According to the inscription on the western portal, this church was dedicated to St Theodoras Trion. It was built in 1858 during the reign of Sultan Abdulmejid ( 1839- 1861)by the master architect Kyriaco Papadopoulos of Haldias with the encouragement of Konya Metropolitan Neofitos and the financial contributions of the people of Malakpoi.

ISPARTA-YALVAC

The St Paul Church in ancient Pisidian Antioch is one of the first Christian churches in the world. St Paul arrived here in 46 AD with St Barnabas and delivered his first sermon in the synagogue of this ancient city. Later on, the St Paul Church was built over the foundations of this synagogue.

ANTALYA

Antalya is mentioned in the Bible as another city St Paul had visited.

ANTALYA- DEMRE

St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, is generally known as Santa Claus or Father Christmas in the Christian world. St Nicholas lived and died in Demre where a church was consecrated n his memory in the sixth century. The International Santa Claus Festival in demre and Kas , takes place between 6 December and 8 December every year and has become a traditional event.

BALIKESIR-AYVAHK-TAXIYARHIS AND ST NICHOLAS CHUR-CHES

The Taxi yarhis Church, dec orated with Biblical scenes from the Old and New Tes-taments , is visited as a sacred site by Orthdox Chris –tians.

ICEL –TARSUS

This is the place where St Paul was born. The St Paul Church and the St Paul Well are located in Tarsus, too. In addition, the St Thecis Church, the Olba Temple Church, the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Alahan Monastery are in the province of Icel.

MANISA-THYATIRA (AKHISAR ) CHURCH

Studying the remains and bricks in the city show that there used to be a church located in this pretty little town. This is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation referred to in the Bible. Its name means “holding strongly “or ‘constant sacrifice”.

THE PHILADELPHIA ( ALASEHIR) CHURCH

This is also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation mentioned in the Bible. Its name menas , “that which remains” and “ walk with me”.

KONYA

The tomb of the great Mevlana Cellalledn Rumi, the world famous humanitarian, philosopher and mystic poet, is located in Konya. Esrefoglu mosque in Byesehir is the largest and most original mosque using timber assupports.

EDIRNE

Selimiye Mosque, built by the master architect Sinan when he was 80 years old, is one of the masterpieces f Turkish Ottoman art and the history of architecture. Edirne is a notable religious centre with the Bayezid II Mosque, the old mosque, the three Balconied (Uc Serefeli) Mosque and many other religious monuments

BITLIS-AHLAT TOMBS

The Monumental tombs known as “ kumbet” are considered primary examples of Seljuk architecture which are still intact. Some of the important ones are the Ulu ( Grand) , Hiiseyin timur, Bugatay Ata, Sultan Hasan, Maid Erzan , Emir Baymdir and the Monk tombs.

KARS MENUCHEHR MOSQUE

This Mosque built by the Emir of Ani Menuchehr  in 1072 is very interesting because of its location. It is the first mosque the Seljuk Turks constructed in Anatolia.

BURSA

The Green Mosque and Tomb and the Grand Mosque, the most classical and a monumental example of multi domed mosques as well as a number of other religious works including the Muradiye and Yldirim Beyazit mosque complexes and the Sultan Emir Mosque are located n this former Ottoman capital.

IZNIK

Eight ecumenical councils of early Christianity were held in today’s Turkey, iznik hosted the first and Seventh ecumenical Councils in St Sophia and the Council Palace.

SANLIURFA

Known as the “ City of Prophets” , Sanhurfa is the site of the Fish ( Balikli) Pool , the cave where the prophet Abraham was  born, the tomb of the Prophet Job and other religious sites such as the town of Shuayib.

In addition to the sites already mentioned, the Haci Bayram Mosque and Tomb in Ankara; the Veysel Karani and Ibrahim Hakki Tombs in Siirt, the Grand ( Ulu) Mosque in Sivas; the Yunus  Emre Tomb in Eskisehir  ; the Deyr-ul Zaferan Monastery in Mardin; the Twin Minaret Madrasah in Erurum ; the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon ; the Akdamar Island and church as well as the Carpanak churches in Van; Deyle , Berbe and the Thousand and one churches in Karaman ; Anii ruins in Kars and Mount Ararat are among the myriad of sites which make Turkey an excellent destination for faith tourism.