The town of Canakkale, being located between the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara, is a seaport that is of great importance to Turkey. Two things that make Canakkale of historical relevance are its early civilization (3000BC to 400AD) and the two most remarkable battles in history – the mythical Trojan War and the Battle of Canakkale during World War I. Because of its colorful past, a visit to the museums, monuments and ancient cities are a must.
Another place you should visit in Canakkale is the Temple of Athena in Behramkale. Aside from the magnificence of the 6th century BC temple, the sweeping view of the Gulf as seen from the temple is truly astounding. See our wide range of tours to Gallipoli and Cannakale
Other Places To Visit
Gallipoli Battlefields
The Gallipoli Peninsula suffered a great deal during the World War I, having a casualty record of 100,000 deaths and 400,000 wounded over a span of nine months. The Gallipoli Battlefields extend 35 kilometers from the tip of the peninsula, 35 kilometers of blood, sweat and toil.
The battlefields now serve as a national park with bronze and marble monuments that serve as a reminder of one of Turkey’s darkest ages. If you’re on the adventurous side, you may want to hike up to the tip; the hike is exhilarating and the view is amazing, but if you’d rather save on time, you may have a van take you to the top.
Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach was named after the exclusive, prominent suburb in Melbourne named Brighton, but everything about Brighton Beach in Turkey is nothing like the Melbourne suburb. Rather, Brighton Beach is a mile long stretch of flat area that served as a warzone during World War I.
A trip to the Brighton Beach will let you in on the sufferings that the Australian forces endured during the war. As with most war sites in Canakkale, Brighton Beach is a memorial to the bravery of the young Australian soldiers that went up against the Commonwealth and French forces. A tour to the Brighton Beach will help you better appreciate Canakkale.
Chunuk Bair New Zealander Memorial
The Chunuk Bair New Zealander Memorial stands on the summit of Chunuk Bair in honor of the 5-day Battle of Chunuk Bair during the World War I. It was during the fateful month of August in 1915 that Ottoman soldiers battled it out with New Zealander and British Forces on Gallipoli Peninsula.
All the soldiers who went down in this battle were paid tribute through this memorial, soldiers who came from the “Uttermost Ends of the Earth”. If not for the sordid history behind the memorial, the Chunuk Bair is a wonderful place for meditation, with an amazing view to accompany you during your visit.
Kabatepe War Museum
Turkey played an important role in World War I and relics of the warfare can be viewed at the Kabatepe War Museum, also known as Gallipoli Museum, which is located in Kabatepe. As with most war museums, you’ll find soldier’s uniforms and ammunition, photographs and personal effects such as shaving tools, drinking flasks and cocoa cases.
However, what will pique your interest are the letters that the soldiers wrote to their families about their experiences and unique artifacts such as three bullets that crashed into each other midair, the skull of a soldier with a bullet still lodged in it and a soldier’s boot with a bone still stuck to it.
Lone Pine Australian Memorial
A historical tour around Turkey is a must because of the country’s rich past. One site you should see is the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, a reminder of one of Turkey’s 20th century highlights. The Lone Pine Australian Memorial serves as a tribute to all identified and unidentified heroes of the Battle of Lone Pine, most of which came from the Australian battalion.
Ancient City of Troy
Many people had the perception that the Ancient City of Troy was no more than a fictional place, the setting of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, until it was unearthed in the 19th century. Troy played a vital role in the early Western civilization, having existed for more than 4,000 years, being cradled between the continents of Europe and Asia.
Heinrich Schlieman was a treasure hunter to which the discovery of Troy can be credited. If not for him, people wouldn’t have known that the mythical city of Troy actually existed. Having been declared a World Heritage Site is enough reason for you to visit the Ancient City of Troy, much more the thrill of standing on the same spot where the Trojan War was described to have happened. You’ll surely enjoy Troy if you are a fan of ancient literature and history with all its ruins and archaeological sites.
