Canakkale, in northwestern Turkey, has been the crossing point from Asia to Europe over the Dardanelles for centuries. King Xerxes of Persia crossed in 481 B.C., and Alexander the Great a century and a half later. In the Ottoman days it was used by the Ottoman armies to march into Europe. The strait has also been of great strategic and economic importance as the gateway to Istanbul and the Black Sea from the Mediterranean.

Hellespont (the ancient name for Dardanelle) was also the location of several mythological stories. Possibly the most famous one is the love story between Hero and Leander.

In the 19th century, the area witnessed one of the bloodiest wars in World War I. Visitors often come to Canakkale to visit the nearby the battlefields of Gallipoli (Gelibolu), which can be reached by ferry. There are many war memorials, erected to honor the soldiers who died there. Once such memorial bears a message from Ataturk:

There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us,
Where they lie side by side here in this country of ours,
You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears;
Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace after having lost their lives on this land,
They have become our sons as well .

Another popular site near Canakkale is the ancient Troy . Excavations have identified a sequence of nine principal stratas representing nine periods, in which houses were built, occupied and ultimately destroyed. Troy VIIa, which was destroyed by fire sometime about the 13th century BC, is probably the city of King Priam described in Homer's Iliad. Homer immortalized Troy in the stories of King Priam, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. A symbolic wooden Trojan horse commemorates the legendary war.

The Canakkale Archaeology Museum exhibits finds from Troy and also artifacts dating as early as the Bronze Age.

The city of Canakkale lies at the narrow, 1,200 meter entrance to the Canakkale Strait (the Dardanelles) that connects the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. Passenger and car ferries run daily between Canakkale on the Asian side and Eceabat and Kilitbahir on the European side. Yachts navigating the straits stop at the well-equipped Canakkale Marina to allow tourists more time in the area. Hotels, restaurants and cafes along the promenade offer a place to enjoy the traffic in the harbor, as well as a view of the Kilitbahir Fortress and the Canakkale Archeological Museum. In 1451, Sultan Mehmet II, later the conqueror of Istanbul, built one fortress on the European side of the Canakkale Strait at Kilitbahir and one on the opposite shore at Cimenlik to control the passage of ships through the strait. Today the Cimenlik fortress serves as a military museum dedicated to the World War I Battle of Canakkale.

Gelibolu Peninsula Historical National Park was established to honor the 500, 000 soldiers who gave their lives on Gelibolu, also known as Gallipoli. In 1915, Mustafa Kemal, commander of the Turkish army, led a successful campaign to drive out allied powers from the area. The park includes memorials, monuments, cemeteries, the natural beauty of the Ariburnu Cliffs and Tuz Golu (Salt Lake). The beauty of the green hills, sandy beaches and blue waters provides an honorable resting place for the soldiers who bravely faught and died in this historic You cannot help but sense the heart of the Turkish nation in the patriotic spirit of the place.

Homer immortalized Truva (Troy) in his stories of King Priam, Hector, Pans and the beautiful Helen. Archeological excavations have revealed nine separate periods of settlement including ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a theatre. A symbolic wooden Trojan horse commemorates the legendary war.

The ancient harbor of Alexandria-Troas was built in the 3rd century B.C. St. Paul passed through twice, and then on his third missionary journey, he continued on to Assos. As you approach Bozcaada Island, the Venetian castle commands your attention. Then your eyes are drawn to the glistening white houses and the restaurants and cafes which line the promenade. Wine seems as plentiful as water on this island; a tour reveals many vineyards and wine cellars. There are good, sandy beaches at Ayazma, Poyraz and Igdelik. The largest of the Turkish islands, Gokceada is ringed with pristine bays. Its hills, covered with the greens of pine and olive trees, are dotted with sacred springs and monasteries. Regularly scheduled ferry boats make the trip from Canakkale and Kabatepe. In August, islanders and tourists gather for colorful local fairs

Veterans' Memorial
Gelibolu National Park


Canakkale Harbor

Legendary Trojan Horse

A BRIEF PRESENTATION OF ASSOS

Assos, the ancient Aeolian city clinging to a rocky hillside above the charming and fairly sensitively developed fishing village of Behramkale, is a splendid retreat from the hustle and bustle of many nearby 'must-see' sites and resorts.

Only really finding it's place on the tourist map at the end of the 1980's the village has a relaxed air to it and although you may be offered olive oil (which is actually very good), soap and, of course, carpets there is still very little in the way of pressure selling here. In the summer you will find a phalanx of tourist buses dropping off day trippers to visit the ruins and have lunch but the majority of them will fade early to get to their hotels for the night and leave you to enjoy a rare tranquility and outrageously unspoiled vistas across the bay of Edrimit to Lesbos.

The acropolis dates from the bronze age with the city dated to the 7th century BC. The sight of the defense walls, of which 3 km's are still standing inspires a respect for the masons who erected them 2500 years ago. Sufficient ruins remain to give the traveller an idea of the layout of the citadel although the only intact monument is a mosque with rather a checkered past.

The harbour is pleasant enough although you'll have to travel 3 or 4 kms to find a beach. A walk down from the upper village will take you 20 minutes or so, depending how many corners you cut on the hairpin road, bringing you to a cluster of hotels, pansiyons and restaurants perched on the edge of sea. Busy in the summer and popular with Turks who are seeking a romantic weekend away or just change of pace you're advised to book ahead during June, July and August.

The best accessible beach is at near-by Kadirga, half an hours walk if you follow the coast from the harbour or descend from the back of the citadel above. Reasonable sand and not too busy as a result of the location. If you don't fancy the walk you can probably hitch from Assos or try and jump a fishing boat(although their working day may not align with your schedule).

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