Underground Cities of Kaymakli, Cappadocia

This underground city was initially built below a village.

Our tour guide giving a briefing.



In the kitchen.

Some nearby cave homes.

These cities were constructed by the Christians who were escaping Roman persecution. The Christians were safe after the baptism of Emperor Constantine. Within the city were living spaces, stores and kitchen.  The rooms were secured with large solid rock wheels-like doors.  The passage ways were narrow allowing the inhabitants to fight the Roman soldiers one at a time.

The Republic of Turkey

Turkey lost in WWI and was occupied by the Allied forces of Britain, France and Greece. Local resistance developed and several wars followed. The Turks won finally and the Republic was founded to replace the Ottoman Empire. The first president was Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Ankara is the capital city. Nearby is ancient Galatia whose early settlers were from France. Paul the apostle visited Galatia twice and wrote a letter to the Galatians. Galatia is located in Asia Minor in central Turkey. I marvel at his Ministry.

Soldier guarding mausoleum of 1st Turkish President.

There are two exhibition halls.

This hall holds the personal belongings of the 1st President.  No photos allowed.

The Turkish emblem.

A comprehensive history of Turkey behind these walls.  A good museum to visit.

Ottoman Sultan Caravanserai, Turkey

At the Gate.

Equipment used in early trade.

The main gate decor.

The Surau.

This was a fortified merchant stopover built by Sultan Alaeddin of the Ottoman empire in 1299. It was located along the silk road in Asia Minor. They were places for the merchants to stay with separate enclosures for animals. At the centre was a surau for worship. Later these places served as transit points for soldiers and pilgrims to Mecca.