Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ancient
Anatolia's earliest architectural remains are those of mud-brick constructions at history's
first city, 8500-year-old Çatalhöyük. By the time Troy was established, classical temple
design was beginning to develop. The Hittite remains at Hattuşa include hefty gates, stone
walls and earthen ramparts.
Greek & Roman
Ancient Greek architects displayed increasing sophistication in city planning, design and
construction, incorporating vaults and arches. The later-arriving Romans established a
comprehensive road network. Common classical buildings seen at Greco-Roman sites in-
clude amphitheatres, agoras, forums and temples. In addition to Ephesus, good places to
see classical architectural remains include Bergama (Pergamum), Hierapolis, Afrodisias,
Sagalassos and Behramkale.
Byzantine
The Byzantines developed church and basilica design, particularly dome construction (ex-
emplified by İstanbul's Aya Sofya), and tackled new media including brick and plaster.
Antakya's Hatay Archaeology Museum and Church of St Peter have fine examples of the
Byzantines' famous mosaics. İstanbul's Basilica Cistern and Kariye Museum (Chora
Church) respectively highlight Byzantine engineering skills and frescoes.
Meanwhile, Armenian stonemasons developed a distinctive style, seen at the ruins of
Ani, and at the 10th-century church, Akdamar Kilisesi.
Seljuk
Seljuk architecture reveals Persian influences,
with decorative flourishes such as Kufic letter-
ing and intricate stonework. Cosmopolitan
Seljuk art and architecture mixed nomadic
Turkic design traditions, Persian know-how and
Mediterranean-influenced Anatolian Greek ele-
ments.
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