Location: The Baskomutan (Chief Commander) Historical National Park is near the Afyon, Kutahya and Usak provinces of Western Anatolia.
Transportation:It can be reached via the Ankara - Izmir highway, Antalya - Afyon highway and Istanbul - Bursa - Eskisehir highway
Highlights: This park was established as a monument on behalf of war veterans who lost their lives in the War of Independence. The Turkish Liberation Attack, which began on 26 August 1922 and lasted three days, chased enemy troops and fought bloody battles in Kocatepe, before reaching Afyon. It was considered a great victory, under the command of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, which surprised the entire world.
Other interesting features of the park include the valleys, which have water all year round, the wildlife in this region, and the variety of rare plant species.
The main places of interest are the Kocatepe and Dumlupinar battlefields, which are in two separate sites, and martyrs’ tombs and the monuments.
Facilities: Camping is possible in the park.
6.15.2008
Akdag National Park
Location: Akdag Park covers an area of 14,916 hectares, and lies between the borders of the Sandikli district of Afyon Province, and Civril district of Denizli Province, in Central Anatolia.
Highlights: Akdag is best known for its abundance of wildlife, canyons, valleys and landscape, as well as having great opportunities for recreation, and was declared a Natural Park in June 2000. There are plans to develop its facilities, and this will be balanced with the need to protect and preserve the rich diversity of plant life.
Highlights: Akdag is best known for its abundance of wildlife, canyons, valleys and landscape, as well as having great opportunities for recreation, and was declared a Natural Park in June 2000. There are plans to develop its facilities, and this will be balanced with the need to protect and preserve the rich diversity of plant life.
6.09.2008
Nemrut Dagi National Park
Location: Nemrut Dagi National Park lies between Kahta (9km) and Adiyaman (43km).
Transport: The park can be reached by the road connecting the centre of Adiyaman to Kahta.
Highlights: Most famous site of all, and one of the best-known images of Turkey, are the huge sculptures of gods on the mountain. In addition, it is also the site of tumulus of Antioch, Arsameia (Eskikale), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Tepe (Peak), and Cendere Bridge. In the ancient city of Commagene, King Mithridates I established an independent kingdom, which gained importance during the reign of King Antioch (62 – 32 BC), the son of Mithridates. In 72 AD, the Commageneians lost the war against the Roman Empire, after which they also lost their independence.
The ruins on the top of Nemrut Dagi indicate that it was not a residence, but specifically built for the tumulus of Antioch and his sacred space. The tumulus is at an altitude of 2150m and overlooks the River Firat and the neighbouring plains. It is thought that the king’s bones or ashes were put inside the room carved into the main rock, then covered by the tumulus which is 50m high and 150m in diameter. The courtyards are shaped like terraces, and religious ceremonies were held on the western side.
On both terraces, the huge sculptures of the gods, measuring up to 7m high, are positioned between the lion and eagle sculptures. These are surrounded by great stone blocks, arranged perpendicularly with inscriptions and embossed designs. The capital city of Commagene, Arsameia, is in the neighbourhood of the old Kahta village. The holy field of Mithridates is also in that area.
Yenikale is also of great historic interest, and in the area of old Kahta. This castle was built on very steep rocks, and has water depots, baths, mosque, and a hidden water road that leads to river Kahta.
Cendere Bridge, built with one arch on two rocks, crosses the narrowest point of the river Cendere. According to the epitaph written on the columns of the bridge, the Commagene cities had built it in honour of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus (193-211 AD) and his wife and sons. Karakus Peak Tumulus, in which the women of the royal family were buried, is a 21m tall tumulus 10km south-west of Arsameia.
Bears, wolves, jackals, foxes and badgers inhabit the nearby forest.
Facilities: Food and accommodation is available in the national park, with hotels in Nemrut Dagi and pensions in Karadut and Kahta.
Transport: The park can be reached by the road connecting the centre of Adiyaman to Kahta.
Highlights: Most famous site of all, and one of the best-known images of Turkey, are the huge sculptures of gods on the mountain. In addition, it is also the site of tumulus of Antioch, Arsameia (Eskikale), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Tepe (Peak), and Cendere Bridge. In the ancient city of Commagene, King Mithridates I established an independent kingdom, which gained importance during the reign of King Antioch (62 – 32 BC), the son of Mithridates. In 72 AD, the Commageneians lost the war against the Roman Empire, after which they also lost their independence.
The ruins on the top of Nemrut Dagi indicate that it was not a residence, but specifically built for the tumulus of Antioch and his sacred space. The tumulus is at an altitude of 2150m and overlooks the River Firat and the neighbouring plains. It is thought that the king’s bones or ashes were put inside the room carved into the main rock, then covered by the tumulus which is 50m high and 150m in diameter. The courtyards are shaped like terraces, and religious ceremonies were held on the western side.
On both terraces, the huge sculptures of the gods, measuring up to 7m high, are positioned between the lion and eagle sculptures. These are surrounded by great stone blocks, arranged perpendicularly with inscriptions and embossed designs. The capital city of Commagene, Arsameia, is in the neighbourhood of the old Kahta village. The holy field of Mithridates is also in that area.
Yenikale is also of great historic interest, and in the area of old Kahta. This castle was built on very steep rocks, and has water depots, baths, mosque, and a hidden water road that leads to river Kahta.
Cendere Bridge, built with one arch on two rocks, crosses the narrowest point of the river Cendere. According to the epitaph written on the columns of the bridge, the Commagene cities had built it in honour of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus (193-211 AD) and his wife and sons. Karakus Peak Tumulus, in which the women of the royal family were buried, is a 21m tall tumulus 10km south-west of Arsameia.
Bears, wolves, jackals, foxes and badgers inhabit the nearby forest.
Facilities: Food and accommodation is available in the national park, with hotels in Nemrut Dagi and pensions in Karadut and Kahta.
6.08.2008
Turkmenbasi and Polonezkoy National Parks
Polenezkoy National Park
Location: Polenezkoy is in the Beykoz district of Istanbul, in the Marmara Region.
Transportation: There is no public transport to the village of Polonezkoy, but private vehicles can access the area from the centre of İstanbul towards the coast, on the Asian side.
Highlights: Polonezköy, although still within Istanbul, is 25 km away from the centre and not easy to reach by public transport. Translated as “village of the Poles”, it was established in 1848 by the exiled Prince Czartorisky, a Polish leader, who formed a community of Balkans on land sold to him by a local monastery. The Poles have since left the village, but there are sill a few remaining Central European style wooden houses with pretty balconies.
Polonezköy is within a vast green expanse, which was designated Istanbul’s first national park, and many people come to walk though forests with streams and wooden bridges. Its main species of trees include hornbeam, elm, alder, chestnut and lime. Species of wildlife in the park are mainly birds, especially storks and birds of prey that migrate here in the autumn.
Facililities: There are good hotels and many restaurants in the village, most of which specialise in Polish cuisine.
Turkmenbasi National Park
Location: Türkmenbaşı Park is in the Sisli area of İstanbul, north of Taksim. Until 1999 it was known as Haciosman Park.
Transportation: Sisli can easily be accessed by public transport from Taksim, Eminönü and Mecidyekoy.
Highlights: There are many similarities between Türkmenbaşı Park and the nearby Belgrade Forest, both of which are good spots for relaxation and recreation away from city life. It is especially popular for walking and picnicking and its cool shady areas busy during weekends. The road leading to the park is filled with food sellers.
The main species of trees are shore pine, black pine and oak. Animals inhabiting the area include jackals, wild boar, reptiles and a variety of birds. The winters can be very cold and cloudy and the area is often covered with snow, whereas summers are hot and dry with threats of droughts. It was granted the status of Natural Park in order to preserve the ecological balance, and to try and control urban development.
Location: Polenezkoy is in the Beykoz district of Istanbul, in the Marmara Region.Transportation: There is no public transport to the village of Polonezkoy, but private vehicles can access the area from the centre of İstanbul towards the coast, on the Asian side.
Highlights: Polonezköy, although still within Istanbul, is 25 km away from the centre and not easy to reach by public transport. Translated as “village of the Poles”, it was established in 1848 by the exiled Prince Czartorisky, a Polish leader, who formed a community of Balkans on land sold to him by a local monastery. The Poles have since left the village, but there are sill a few remaining Central European style wooden houses with pretty balconies.
Polonezköy is within a vast green expanse, which was designated Istanbul’s first national park, and many people come to walk though forests with streams and wooden bridges. Its main species of trees include hornbeam, elm, alder, chestnut and lime. Species of wildlife in the park are mainly birds, especially storks and birds of prey that migrate here in the autumn.
Facililities: There are good hotels and many restaurants in the village, most of which specialise in Polish cuisine.
Turkmenbasi National Park
Location: Türkmenbaşı Park is in the Sisli area of İstanbul, north of Taksim. Until 1999 it was known as Haciosman Park.
Transportation: Sisli can easily be accessed by public transport from Taksim, Eminönü and Mecidyekoy.
Highlights: There are many similarities between Türkmenbaşı Park and the nearby Belgrade Forest, both of which are good spots for relaxation and recreation away from city life. It is especially popular for walking and picnicking and its cool shady areas busy during weekends. The road leading to the park is filled with food sellers.
The main species of trees are shore pine, black pine and oak. Animals inhabiting the area include jackals, wild boar, reptiles and a variety of birds. The winters can be very cold and cloudy and the area is often covered with snow, whereas summers are hot and dry with threats of droughts. It was granted the status of Natural Park in order to preserve the ecological balance, and to try and control urban development.
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