Land of the Turks: Journeying through a Land of History and Hospitality

by Dennis Jones

Overview

With a history spanning millennia—from the earliest glimmers of civilization to the modern country of today—Turkey offers travelers an enormous range of experiences. Within its lands, great empires rose and fell. Their ruins litter the landscape with an unparalleled archaeological heritage. From the historic mosques of Istanbul to the ancient cave churches of Cappadocia, the Anatolian peninsula is the cradle of the world’s three, great monotheist religions. Turkey is also a land of diverse natural contrasts. Fertile valleys are nestled beneath the gaze of spectacular, snow-capped mountain ranges. An extensive, sun-drenched coastline holds hidden azure coves and pristine beaches, attracting year-round tourists from all over the world. But it is Turkey’s people that will win your heart. Turks are an exceedingly polite, warm-hearted, family-oriented people. Just as their country spans both Europe and Asia, they too bridge the divide between modern and traditional, looking westward from their Central Asian roots. Land of the Turks captures the essence of the people, the land, and their history as viewed through the eyes and heart of a well-traveled, professional photographer and writer. Through these pages, the reader will experience not only the beauty and complexity of this ancient land, but modern Turkey as well with its rich culture and the warm hospitality of its people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781935295471
Publisher:	Blue Dome Press
Publication date:	10/07/2015
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Dennis Jones has been a professional photographer since 1982 and a professional writer since the late 1990’s. He received the degree of Master Photographer from the Professional Photographers of America in 1988 and was later named Colorado Photographer of the Year. Many of his images have been shown in national and international exhibitions. Prior to becoming a photographer, Dennis spent fifteen years as a musician performing with symphony orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and in recording studios. His travel articles and essays are published in regional, national, and international publications. With his company, Dreamcatcher Imaging (www.dreamcatcherimaging.com), he travels internationally, creating architectural and corporate event photography for his clients, many of whom are Fortune 500 companies.

Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................................6 Chapter 1 Hagia Sophia and the Historic Peninsula.....................................9 Hagia Sophia.......................................................................................10 Chapter 2 The Elusive Seljuks.............................................................................21 Alaeddin Mosque Complex ............................................................23 Divrigi Grand Mosque and Hospital..............................................27 Karatay Madrasa...............................................................................31 Sahip Ata Mosque Complex............................................................33 Ince Minareli Madrasa......................................................................37 Gok (Blue) Madrasa...........................................................................40 Çifte Minareli Madrasa.....................................................................45 Rumi Tomb and Sufi Lodge.............................................................48 Chapter 3 The Building of an Empire the Early Ottomans.......................53 İznik Yesil (Green) Mosque..............................................................55 Ulu (Grand) Mosque..........................................................................57 Eski (Old) Mosque..............................................................................63 Bursa Yesil (Green) Mosque...........................................................66 Yesil (Green) Tomb............................................................................71 Muradiye Mosque..............................................................................74 Uç Serefeli Mosque...........................................................................79 Eyup Sultan Mosque Complex.......................................................82 Chapter 4 The Masterpieces of the Ottoman Empire.................................87 Topkapi Palace...................................................................................88 Şehzade Mosque Complex..............................................................96 Mihrimah Sultan mosques (Uskudar and Edirnekapi).........101 Suleymaniye Mosque Complex...................................................108 Rustem Pasha Mosque.................................................................115 Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Mosque Complex...............................118 Selimiye Mosque Complex...........................................................123 Kiliç Ali Pasha Mosque Complex................................................129 Yeni (New) Mosque.........................................................................133 Sultanahmet Mosque Complex..................................................136 Saliha Sultan Water Fountain....................................................143 Nuru 'smaniye Mosque Complex..............................................145