Category: Marmara Region

ISTANBUL Istanbul embraces two continents, one arm reaching out to Asia, the other to Europe. Through the city’s heart, the Bosphorus strait, course the waters of the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. The former capital of three successive empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – today Istanbul honors and preserves […]

KIRKLARELI   The Yildiz (Istranca) Mountains divide the province of Kirklareli. Lush mountainous landscape dotted with quaint houses transports you to an idyllic and trainquil frame of mind. The city of Kirklareli’s oldest mosque, the Hizirbey Mosque, was built in 1383. The mosque complex includes a bazaar. Nearby stands a hamam also built under Hizir […]

EDIRNE North of Tekirdag on the border between Greece and Turkey, Edirne was for some years the Ottoman capital, and in the 18th century one of the seven largest cities in Europe. On a verdant plain of poplar trees near the junction of the Tunca and Meric Rivers, this graceful historical city welcomes visitors as […]

TEKIRDAG On the opposite, northern shore of the Sea of Marmara, Tekirdag is an important commercial harbor. From both sides of this modern city of lovely promenades stretch beautiful sandy beaches. A happy mixture of sunflower fields and vineyards cover the surrounding area. The most important architectural monument is the Sinan-designed Rustem Pasa Mosque, built […]

CANAKKALE Turkeli (Avsa) is another holiday island that boasts of spectacular beaches and clear water as well as famous vineyards and wine cellars. In the Manastir district stands the Byzantine Meryem Ana Monastery. Fifty-five kilometers southwest of Bandirma, Gonen is Turkey’s most important, thermal resort. The springs were used even in Roman times and a […]

BANDIRMA Bandirma, is today an important commercial and industrial harbor second only to Istanbul. You can spend a pleasant afternoon in the town’s restaurants and cafes. Belkis (Kyzikos) lies ten kilometers west of Bandirma. In this ancient city on the Kapidag Peninsula’s isthmus, the Temple of Hadrian, a theater and aqueducts still stand, captivating visitors. […]

BURSA       The city of Bursa, southeast of the Sea of Marmara, lies on the lower slopes of Uludag (Mt. Olympos of Mysia, 2,443 meters). The city derives its name from its founder Prusias, King of Bithynia. It subsequently came under Roman, then Byzantine rule before falling to Orhan Gazi in 1326, becoming […]

IZNIK (NICEA)   Formerly known as Nicaea, Iznik lies at the eastern tip of Lake Iznik, south of Izmit. Originally an important Roman and Byzantine town, it fell to the Seljuks in 1078 and subsequently to the Ottomans in 1331. Still a small town, it does not seem to have exceeded its original Roman walls. […]

YALOVA Today, Yalova is an important port city, famous for its thermal baths. Termal, in the southwestern part of the city is the thermal district center and the best place in Turkey to enjoy the curative thermal bath waters. In Termal, there’s a wonderful panoramic view of the entire Termal district center from the top […]

SAKARYA East of lzmit, Sakarya (Adapazari) is the provincial capital of an important agricultural and industrial region. The Sakarya (Sangarius) River irrigates this fertile land which abounds with fruit trees and fields of vegetables. in the city of Adapazari itself, the Atatürk and Ethnography Museum displays personal effects of the founder of the Turkish Republic […]