Friday, November 22, 2013

S2L77: Izmir, Troy, Canakkale, Gallipoli

Izmir
April 17, 1977
Quick tour of Izmir, walking through the bazaar and the Roman agora, which was closed for restoration.
Source: Personal travel notes.

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Izmir, Turkey

We stopped for lunch in Izmir, just enough time to find a restaurant and do a little sightseeing. And by sightseeing in this region of the world, I mean track down the ancient Greeks and Romans. Izmir being at least 3,500 years old, the Roman ruins mark but a stage in its long history, but when you only have a couple of hours, it's a good stage to hunt down.

In Troy, you go back even before the Romans to the Homeric legends of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Today, the site is an active archaeological dig. In 1977, about the only thing for the casual sightseer was a large wooden horse, so that's what I took a photo of.

Canakkale is the modern city nearest the ancient site of Troy. It's also where we said goodbye to Asia. It was there that we crossed the Dardanelles Strait, which separates Asia from Europe, on a ferry.

On the European side of the Dardanelles is the Gallipoli peninsula, the site of a major military campaign in World War I. The British and French sought to secure a sea route to Russia through the Dardanelles. Gallipoli was where the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) saw their first action in the war, with great loss of life. Today, ANZAC Day (April 25) is the day of remembrance for all Australians and New Zealanders who fought and died in all wars. It marks the dawn of national consciousness for those nations.

More photos after the jump.



From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Izmir, Turkey

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Troy

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
The Dardanelles

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Canakkale, Turkey

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Canakkale, Turkey

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Canakkale, Turkey

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Gallipoli, Turkey

From 1977 04 08 Turkey
Gallipoli, Turkey

One of a continuing series.
Start: Around the World in 800 Days
Previous: Ephesus
Next: Istanbul

1 comment:

  1. anzac tours turkey is a great moment and it is a matter of simple understanding that this famous moment of 100th ANZAC day will never again be witnessed in the world history after 2015. You can also be a part of this great day and enjoy its greatness.
    Travel to Turkey

    ReplyDelete