Most visitors to Turkey stay in the West, visiting Istanbul, Ismir, the South-West on the Mediterranean coast around Antalya or sometimes exploring Cappadocia. Very few people explore further East.
But with amazing palaces, bustling bazaars, archaeological sites that have rewritten the book on human settlement and stunning views of Mount Ararat or from the top of Nemrut Dagi there’s lots to see.
Ancient Code
A closer look at the ancient writing.
Antiochos & Hercules
Another relief at Arsameia shows Antiochosshaking hands with a naked Hercules. Below it the well preserved inscriptions tell the story of how the city was founded and the building of the holy burial area as well as detailed instructions about how to carry out the rites that needed to be performed.
Arsameia Inscription
Ataturk Dam
Atatürk Dam, one of the world's largest dams, is one of five on the Euphrates river. Its associated hydroelectric plant supplies about a third of Turkey's power.
Balancing Act
I'd seen these guys delivering the round Turkish bread snack - simit - a few times but missed the opportunity to get a photo. This time, although not ideal conditions, I managed to get him to pose for me.
Beehive Houses
Harran is famous for its traditional 'beehive' adobe houses, constructed entirely without wood. The design of these makes them cool inside (essential in this part of the world) and is thought to have been unchanged for at least 3,000 years. Some were still in use as dwellings until the 1980s. However, those remaining today are strictly for tourists.
Bridge and Mountains
The Cobandede Arc-Bridge was built at the end of the 13th Century. In the distance a storm brews over the Kargapazari mountains.
Bridge Inscription
A roman inscription built into the Cendere Bridge
Carpet Weaving
A local woman in Doğubeyazıt works at her loom weaving a carpet. It can take a year or more to produce a single large carpet.
Carved Pillars 1
Gobleki Tepe is comprised of several upright stones set in circles and carved with images of animals and other creatures. Because the stones were buried the carving have not deteriorated and look almost new.
Carved Pillars 2
The site is still an on-going dig and the archeologist who discovered it - Klaus Schmidt - was actually on site when we visited.
Cendere Bridge
There were originally four Corinthian columns on the bridge, two columns on the Kâhta side dedicated to Septimius Severus and his wife, and two columns on the Sincik side dedicated to Caracalla and Geta. But the column of Geta was removed following his assassination by Caracalla, who damned his memory and ordered his name to be removed from all inscriptions.
Church, Lake and Mountain
The church sits on Akdamar Island in the middle of Lake Van which in turn is ringed by some impressive mountains.
Church Carvings
The entire church is ringed by a series of intricate reliefs showing a mixture of scenes from the bible, animals, and other iconography.
Church of St Gregory
Once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom that covered much of present day Armenia and eastern Turkey, Ani now lies in ruins. Finished in 1215, the church is one of the best-preserved monument at Ani.
Church of the Cross
The 10th century Armenian Church of the Cross on Akdamar Island in the middle of Lake Van
Cliff-top Hideaway
The cave homes and buildings at Hasenkeyf. The zigzag cut in the cliff used to be an escape route for those living at the top to get down to the river.
Cliff Edge Monastery
Nestled in a steep cliff at an altitude of about 1,200 metres sits the Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery. Founded in 386 AD, legend has it that two priests undertook its creation after discovering a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain.
Damaged Frescoes
Unbelievably people used to scratch graffiti into these amazing frescoes. Now guards monitor to make sure they are not damaged further.
Decorated Door
Detail on the huge metal castle door