Two of seven wonders in Turkey

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As Turkey country landed on an area of long history which was host to big empires. Therefore, it is not wondering that Turkey hosts two of seven ancient wonders. Both of these fantastic historical sites backed to Greek religion. And belong to Roman empire and are located in Aegean part of Turkey. You learn about these two as follows:

Mausoleum of Halicarnassus

Two of seven wonders in Turkey

Among the most impressive structures to house the deceased was the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The mausoleum was designed between 353 and 350 B.C.E. by the Greek architects Satyrus and Pythis. It was created for Maussollos, a governor in the Persian Empire. And his wife and sister Artemisia II of Caria, who initiated its construction upon her husband’s death.

The mausoleum stood approximately 41 meters (135 feet) high. Its beauty is from intricate exterior carvings and precious works of art. Despite standing for centuries and even surviving a raid by Alexander of Macedonia, a series of earthquakes finally rocked it to its core. All that remains are a few scattered pieces of its foundation.

Temple of Artemis

Two of seven wonders in Turkey

This temple located in Ephesus (an ancient city in what is now western Turkey). And that was reportedly so magnificent, so Philo of Byzantium to say:

“I have seen the walls and Hanging Gardens of ancient Babylon, the statue of Olympian Zeus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the mighty work of the high Pyramids and the tomb of Mausolus. But when I saw the temple at Ephesus rising to the clouds, all these other wonders put in the shade.”

The temple, which is one of two of seven wonders, originally constructed to celebrate Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, became a revered place of worship. It went through several phases of destruction and rebuilding. The most famous iteration, completed in 550 B.C.E., was about 115 meters (377 feet) long, 55 meters (200 feet) wide, included 127 Ionic-styled columns, and was decorated with fine sculptures and paintings.

Herostratus finally initiated destruction, who sought fame by destroying the beautiful creation. Its ruin by Herostratus and the ravages of time have obliterated all but a few remains of the grand temple.

 

You can also check our post about Thermal Tourism in Izmir

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