Pilgrimage Sites of Turkey

Geographically ideal, Turkey has a lot of European, African and Asian influences peppered throughout in its architecture. Grecian, Christian and Muslim designs are spread all over Turkey in the form of temples, churches and mosques.

Below is the list of some pilgrimage sites of Turkey,

The House of the Virgin: Scared to both Muslims and Christians, this site is believed to have healing powers. Run by Lazarist Fathers, it is located in a nature park between Ephesus and Seljuk. The house is furnished very simply with an altar, images of Mary and candles. If you are visiting in August you can participate in the famous Assumption of Mary into Heaven mass on the 15th.

Saint Polycarp Church: One of the oldest churches in Izmir, it was reconstructed in 1620. Legend has it that when the Romans tied to burn Bishop Polycarp at the stake, he remained unscathed. They finally had to stab him to death. This is also hailed as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

Church of the Holy Cross: What is left of this church in East Anatolia is a ruined Armenian cathedral, built in red tufa stone and encircled by impressive Biblical friezes at its edges as well as the interior. It was founded between 915 and 921, by King Gagik who built a complex consisting of a monastery, palace, gardens and streets. The church, which is the only remaining building left, was restored by the Turkish Government in 2005.

Altar of Zeus: Although only the foundations of this altar exist at Bergama, it is sufficient to give an idea of this great homage to the Leader of the Greek Gods. The Turkish Government is in talks to get the prized altar back from the Museum of Pergamum in Berlin to complete the structure.

Blue Mosque: Built by Sultan Ahmet I from 1609 to 1616, the most striking feature of this mosque is its six minarets which are the most distinguished in the skyline of Istanbul. Other notable features are its stepped domes which fall one after the other from the central dome. Its high ceiling is embellished with 20,000 blue tiles which have given the mosque's it's name.

Eyup Sultan Mosque: One of the most sacred sites in the Islamic World and Istanbul's holiest mosques, it was built by Mehmut the Conqueror in memory of Halid bin Zeyd Ebu Eyup known as Eyup Sultan. This is where the Girding of the Sword ceremony was held by the Ottomans to maintain continuity within the kingdom.

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