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.
The Church of Saint Sophia
Although now officially a museum, the church was built between 1238 and 1263 and is an important example of late Byzantine architecture.
Rays of Heaven
Decoration on the roof of one of the porches on the Church of Saint Sophia in Tabzon
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.
Rock Church
Inside the Rock Church at Sumela Monastery. There are several layers of decoration that have taken place over the years which can be seen on the far wall.
Damaged Frescoes
Unbelievably people used to scratch graffiti into these amazing frescoes. Now guards monitor to make sure they are not damaged further.
Watching Their Friends
A group of locally dressed women watch their friends down in the main counrtyard of the monastery.
Seljuk Carving
A representation of the tree of life carved next to the entrance to the Yakutiye Medresesi in Erzurum.
View Across Erzurum
A view over part of Erzurum from the citadel out towards the mountains beyond.
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.
The Cathedral of Ani
Once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom that covered much of present day Armenia and eastern Turkey, Ani now lies in ruins. Started in the year 989, work on the cathedral was halted after King Smbat II died. It was only finished in 1001AD.
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.
Duck Wrangler
A local farm-women chases her ducks just next to the ruins of Ani.
Ishak Pasha Palace
Started in 1685 it took 3 generations - father, son, grandson - to complete with construction finishing in 1784. Sitting on a hill above Doğubeyazıt, it is a magnificent example of the 18th century Ottoman architecture.
Dining Hall
One of the many rooms, this one a dining room, inside the Ishak Pasha palace.
Mosque and Mountains
View from the Ishak Pasha palace
Mount Ararat
The famous mountain from the book of Genesis where Noah's ark supposedly came to rest, towers over the houses on the outskirts of Doğubeyazıt
Palace in the Mist
The Ishak Pasha palace emerges from the early morning mists.
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.
Çavuştepe Hut
A view from the ruins of the Çavuştepe castle near Van. The building the foreground is a hut used by the old guide.
Self Taught
The writing on the wall in the background can only be read by a small handful of people. He set himself the task of learning it and is now one of the youngest left that can still read it. He gets invited all over the world to discuss the script.
