TURKEY CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF TROY 2018Posted on March 22, 2018
Çanakkale, city in the northwest of Turkey, was established on both sides of the Strait that bears its name and separating from each other at the European and Asian continents. The history of Çanakkale, known as Hellespont and Dardanelle in ancient times, dates back to around 8500 BC and many civilizations have left their marks on these lands. Plenteous finds and antiques dating to the Copper Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age were discovered in various parts of Çanakkale during excavations. As an important settlement since the Early Bronze Age; it is one of the two parishes that provides the connection between Anatolia and Europe and Mediterranean and Black Sea thanks to the Strait. This area gained importance with its ports during the Roman and Byzantine periods. The Strait once again played very important role in the Gallipoli Wars during World War I, and the navy of the Confederate States was defeated on March 18, 1915. Gallipoli Historical Peninsula is home to the Turkish, British, French, Australian and New Zealand martyrs’ memorials, monuments, fortresses, bastions and Çanakkale Promotion Center, where local and international visitors to have first-hand information about the full picture of Gallipoli Wars. Every year on April 25, Anzac Day Commemorating events are held with the participation of the Turks and those from around the world in Gallipoli Peninsula where is one of the most important places for war history of the world. Besides these Neandrian Ancient City, Alexandria Troas, Kestanbol Thermal Spa, Apollon Smintheus Temple, Troy Historical National Park, Assos (Behramkale) Antique Harbor City, Parion, Priapos, Kaz Month (Ida) National Park and Külcüler Spa are other important places in the region. Two thousand years old Kemerdere Roman Aqueduct, about 20 km east of Troy; Çanakkale Archaeological Museum exhibiting finds from antique cities mostly in Troy, Assos and Parion and Polyksena Tomb; Assos-Behramkale where was home to Aristotle from 384 to 387 BC; mythological Zeus Altar are only few traces of the glorious history of the region from ancient times to the present day. The oldest people settled in Beşiktepe and Kumtepe is known as the Chalcolithic Period natives whom followed by Troy people lived from 3000 to 1200 BC. Troy I, founded in 3000 BC, was destroyed in 2500 BC by an earthquake. Before this, it is known that there are also old settlements in the area. It is, therefore, thought that the city of Dardanos was founded before the Troy I. Troy region where was subject to Homer's "Iliad and Odessa" epic and today known as "Hisarlık Tepesi" (Hisarlık Hill) was excavated in 1871, under the presidency of German archaeologist Heinrich SCHLIEMANN. In terms of indicating more than 3000 years with its 9 layers and bringing the civilizations where settled down in Anatolia, Aegean and Balkans together, the ancient city of Troy, became one of the world's favorite ancient cities and described in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List in 1998. As of the 20th anniversary of Troy on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, the year of 2018 was declared as "Troy Year" by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of The Republic of Turkey. Accordingly, throughout 2018 both in Turkey and abroad, cultural, promotional and sport activities, such as theatre, exhibition, festivals, are being performed. Every year, about 500,000 visitors experience the city, where mythological heroes lived and died, by walking through Troy ruins, where declared as National Park and described in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List in 1998, and looking for marks of legends those they hear about. In addition to all above, Troy Museum which will be opened soon in June 2018 will deliver to visitors more qualified time and information from past to present day. Exhibitions at the Museum will revive the 4000 years old of Troy history; its geography, cities, mythology, and culture. |
