The house of Virgin Mary is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km of Ephesus. The house of Virgin Mary is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built. The original two-stored house, which consisted of an anteroom bedroom and praying room and a room with fireplace. A front kitchen fell into ruins and has been restored in 1940's. Today, only the central part and a room on the right of the altar are open to visitors. It is the place where Virgin Mary may have spent her last days.

Gypsy Girl Gaia ( GODDESS OF EARTH )

This mosaic which was found during the zeugma excavations in 1992, long before Zeugma became a current issue, became the symbol of Zeugma because of the mysterious look she had in her eyes. When it could not be identified it got named “Gypsy” because of the women’s resemblance with gypsies. But some sources draw attention to the wide in the mosaic and claim that it is GAIA the Goddess of the Earth.

In Mythology it is considered that GAIA is the first element all god’s ancestors have derived from. Although GAIA has a major role in Hesiodos’s Theogonia,it is never seen in Homeros’s poems. According to Heiodos GAIA without a male element gave birth to the sky (Ouranos) and the mountains and also Pantos the personalized element of the sea. After the birth of the sky GAIA coupled with him and therefore all her children became real Gods and were not just simple elements of power first six titans Okeanos, Koios Krios. Hyperion, Iapetus and Kronos and six titans: Theia, Reia, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoibe, Tehys were born. All of these are feminine Godlike creatures. The youngest one of this generation is Kronos. It was followed by Kyklops. These were godlike creatures that ruled the thunder, lightning, thunderbolt. Their names were: Arges, Steropes and Brontes. And at last from Ouranos’s loves gigantic Hekatogkheirs were born. They were much for violence and had hundred arms.

The Anatolian peninsula, comprising most of modern Turkey, is one of the oldest permanently settled regions in the world.

Home to numerous communities and civilizations from the beginning of history, Anatolia is also the harbor of the magnificent Turkish culture.

Home to the world’s earliest settlements and numerous civilizations ranging from the tiniest of communities to the greatest of empires, Anatolia invites you to discover its ancient cities

Throughout centuries Anatolia has been home to numerous civilizations and their cultures. The cradle of diverse civilizations from early settlements to great empires with different faiths, Anatolia has also been the crossroads of religions. The Anatolian lands which have harbored many religious beliefs ranging from ancient cults to established religions of the present are at the same time the site of religious monuments that are still preserved with great care.

The unequaled works of art and remains belonging to the many civilizations and societies that left their mark in Turkey are preserved across the centuries to welcome today’s visitors. Shedding light into history, far and recent, this legacy is well-preserved under the most suitable conditions. Museum Card provides even easier access into these interesting museums and historic sites across the country. If you are curious about the story of man during thousands of years, be prepared for a fascinating journey in time in a grand-scale open air museum.

              

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TURKEY

Turkey is located in western Asia and eastern Europe, and is close to Africa... Continue reading

              

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ANKARA

Ankara, Turkey’s capital, sits in the country’s central Anatolia region.The country's second largest city after İstanbul. ... Continue reading