Pivotal country at the close of the silk roads itinerary, Turkey fosters an exceptional heritage gained from a blending of civilizations throughout history. Today friendliness and bargaining remain an integral part of modern Turkey.
Turkey: the "Silk highway". Photos and text ŠMarc Dozier/Lightmediation Contact -Thierry Tinacci Lightmediation Photo Agency +33 (0)6 61 80 57 21 thierry@lightmediation.com
1297-48:The Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul
1297-01: Tuff hills and troglodyte dwellings in the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia.
1297-02: Balloon above the fairy chimneys in the village of Goreme in Cappadocia.
1297-03: The village of Goreme in Cappadocia.
1297-04: The Dark Church (Karanlik Kilise) great central dome, Goreme open-air museum in Cappadocia.
1297-09: Peasant working in the ÂŤ valley of love Âť in Cappadocia
1297-07: The village of Goreme in Cappadocia.
1297-08: Peasant working in the ÂŤ valley of love Âť in Cappadocia
1297-10: Caravaneer in front of a tuff hill, near the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia.
1297-11: Caravaneer, near the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia.
1297-58: Chess players, Gührükçuler Hani square in Sanli Urfa in eastern Anatolia.
1297-15: The village of Harran known for its hive shaped houses from the 3rd century in eastern Anatolia.
1297-16:The Ishak Pacha palace in the village of Dogubayazit in eastern Anatolia
1297-18: The Ishak Pacha palace in the village of Dogubayazit in eastern Anatolia
1297-19: The Ishak Pacha palace in the village of Dogubayazit in eastern Anatolia
1297-50: Antiochos sanctuary (west terrace) at the Nemrut Dagi peak in eastern Anatolia.
1297-20: The Egyptian bazaar, Metin Palanci in his century old stand.
1297-21: The Bosphorus strait in Istanbul seen from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii).
1297-22: Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297-23: The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) and the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul.
1297-39: The village of Mardin, overlooked by the Ulu Camii mosque's minaret in eastern Anatolia.
1297-24: Water merchant in front of Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in Istanbul.
1297-25: The Leander tower (Kiz Kulesi) in Uskudar and the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul.
1297-26: The Leander tower (Kiz Kulesi) in Uskudar and the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul.
1297-27: Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297-80: Masseur et client au Hamman Cemberlitas d'Istanbul
1297-31: The Bosphorus strait in Istanbul seen from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
1297-32: Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297-33: In front of Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahme neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297-37: "Nargile ve Cay Bahecesi" cafe, grand bazaar neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297-20: The Egyptian bazaar, Metin Palanci in his century old stand.
1297-39: The village of Mardin, overlooked by the Ulu Camii mosque's minaret in eastern Anatolia.
1297-41: The village of Mardin, overlooked by the Ulu Camii mosque's minaret in eastern Anatolia.
1297-43: The young gipsy, Gaziantep museum, Belkis Zeugma site mosaic.
1297-48: The Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul
1297-28:The Bosphorus strait in Istanbul seen from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
1297-50: Antiochos sanctuary (west terrace) at the Nemrut Dagi peak in eastern Anatolia.
1297-53: Traditional women at Golbasi neighborhood, city of Sanli Urfa in eastern Anatolia.
1297-77: Kurd peasant near the Nemrut Dagi, eastern Anatolia.
1297-57: ÂŤ Galip's Âť, potter in Urgup, Cappadocia.
1297-55: Whirling derviches at the Mevlevi Galata convent in Istanbul.
1297-75: Kurd peasant near the Nemrut Dagi, eastern Anatolia.
1297-61: Sanat gallery in Urgup, Cappadocia
1297-63:Carpet dealer Urartu Hali's patio in Van, eastern Anatolia.
1297-65: Carpet dealer Hadosan Hali's patio in Urgup, Cappadocia
1297-67: Tuff hills and troglodyte dwellings in the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia.
1297-66: Seldjoukids graves of the Meydancik cemetery in Ahlat, near the lake Van in eastern Anatolia.
1297-69: Antiochos sanctuary (west terrace) at the Nemrut Dagi peak in eastern Anatolia.
1297-71: Ancient troglodyte dwelling in Cappadocia.
1297-73: The Kayseri suburb in Cappadocia, with its mosque in front of high residential towers.
1297-79: The Dark Church (Karanlik Kilise) great central dome, Goreme open-air museum in Cappadocia.
Turkey : the "Silk highway". Pivotal country at the close of the silk roads itinerary, Turkey fosters an exceptional heritage gained from a blending of civilizations throughout history. Today friendliness and bargaining remain an integral part of modern Turkey. At the crossroad between eastern and western cultures, Turkey is a junction resting on almost 2000 kilometers, akin to a large bridge between the Mediterranean and the black sea, linking the Middle East to Europe. Throughout the centuries, this vast geographic and strategic corridor, favorable to trade and to the circulation of goods, people and ideas, mixed a variety of populations and cultures from all and any horizons. Arabs, Byzantines, Turks, Seldjoukides, Armenians, Kurds, Ottomans... indeed succeeded each other, trading as much as fighting alongside the last stages of the legendary itinerary of the silk roads. A lively history left the country with a unique heritage, a testimony of its vibrancy and the dialogue between cultures: the palace of Isak Pacha overlooking the plains of Eastern Anatolia, the mysterious sanctuary of Antioch atop the Nemrut Dagi, the troglodyte churches of the Cappadoce, Sainte Sophie in Istanbul... But what remains today of the legendary silk roads itinerary which allowed for this astonishing blend of civilizations? A handful of imposing caravanserais, a
collection of lively bazaars and a few camels reserved for tourists... images appear like mirages in urban Turkey, busy and turned towards the future. Has the spirit of the trade highway long gone? No. Isn't the highway linking Van to Dogubayazit nicknamed ÂŤ Ipek Yolu Âť, Silk Road in Turkish? Far from being merely a wink, although the great trade highway has died in the 16th century after over 15 centuries of trade and travel, life remains. Welcoming and friendly, trade runs in Turkish blood as if the passion for the antique Silk Road ran in their veins. Here, selling is like breathing. Of course, camels are no longer, replaced by vans, but there is no town without its bazaar and no bazaar without its bustle. Fabrics, carpets, DVDs and cell phones... everything is there, whether to be sold or looked at. It is by wandering about the mazy bazaars that the atmosphere of the adventurous traders that made the silk roads so famous is reborn.
Captions. 1297-01 : Tuff hills and troglodyte dwellings in the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia. 1297-02: Balloon above the fairy chimneys in the village of Goreme in Cappadocia. 1297-03 : The village of Goreme in Cappadocia. 1297-04: The Dark Church (Karanlik Kilise) great central dome, Goreme open-air museum in Cappadocia. 1297-05: The Dark Church (Karanlik Kilise) painting, Goreme open-air museum in Cappadocia. 1297- 06 : The village of Goreme in Cappadocia. 1297- 07: The village of Goreme in Cappadocia. 1297-08: Peasant working in the « valley of love » in Cappadocia 1297-09: Peasant working in the « valley of love » in Cappadocia 1297-10: Caravaneer in front of a tuff hill, near the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia. 1297-11: Caravaneer, near the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia. 1297-12: Caravaneer, near the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia. 1297-13: The village of Harran known for its hive shaped houses from the 3rd
century in eastern Anatolia. 1297-14: The village of Harran known for its hive shaped houses from the 3rd century in eastern Anatolia. 1297- 15: The village of Harran known for its hive shaped houses from the 3rd century in eastern Anatolia. 1297- 16: The Ishak Pacha palace in the village of Dogubayazit in eastern Anatolia 1297- 17: The Ishak Pacha palace in the village of Dogubayazit in eastern Anatolia
1297- 27 : Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Istanbul. 1297-28 : The Bosphorus strait in Istanbul seen from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) 1297-29: In front of Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahme neighborhood in Istanbul. 1297-30: Young Turks in the park in front of Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya)
1297-40: The village of Mardin cemetary in Eastern Anatolia 1297- 41: The village of Mardin, overlooked by the Ulu Camii mosque's minaret in eastern Anatolia. 1297-42: The young gipsy, Gaziantep museum, Belkis Zeugma site mosaic. 1297- 43: The young gipsy, Gaziantep museum, Belkis Zeugma site mosaic.
1297- 18: The Ishak Pacha palace in the village of Dogubayazit in eastern Anatolia
1297- 31 : The Bosphorus strait in Istanbul seen from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
1297-44: Belkis Zeugma site mosaic at the Gaziantep museum.
1297-19: The Ishak Pacha palace in the village of Dogubayazit in eastern Anatolia
1297- 32: Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297-45: The Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul
1297-20: The Egyptian bazaar, Metin Palanci in his century old stand.
1297- 33: In front of Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahme neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297- 46 : The Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul
1297-21: The Bosphorus strait in Istanbul seen from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii). 1297-22 : Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Istanbul. 1297-23: The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) and the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul. 1297-24: Water merchant in front of Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in Istanbul.
1297- 34: The Bosphorus strait in Istanbul seen from the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) 1297-35: Golden bottom mosaic, « The Christ" , Saint-Sauver-in-Chora Church (Kariye museum) in Istanbul. 1297- 36: Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya) in the Sultanahmet neighborhood in Istanbul. 1297-37 : "Nargile ve Cay Bahecesi" cafe, grand bazaar neighborhood in Istanbul.
1297-25: The Leander tower (Kiz Kulesi) in Uskudar and the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul.
1297-38: Backgammon players on the banks of the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul.
1297- 26: The Leander tower (Kiz Kulesi) in Uskudar and the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul.
1297-39 : The village of Mardin, overlooked by the Ulu Camii mosque's minaret in eastern Anatolia.
1297- 47: The Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul 1297-48: The Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul 1297-49: The Blue mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul 1297-50 : Antiochos sanctuary (west terrace) at the Nemrut Dagi peak in eastern Anatolia. 1297-51 : Antiochos sanctuary (east terrace) at the Nemrut Dagi peak in eastern Anatolia. 1297-52: Mevlid-i Halil Camii mosque, city of Sanli Urfa, Golbasi neighborhood, in eastern Anatolia.
patio in Urgup, Cappadocia
1297-53: Traditional women at Golbasi neighborhood, city of Sanli Urfa in eastern Anatolia. 1297-54: Columns framing the Baliklu and Ayn-i Zeliha ponds, Golbasi neighborhood, in eastern Anatolia. 1297-55: Whirling derviches at the Mevlevi Galata convent in Istanbul. 1297-56: Brass and copper plates, carafs, bowls and trays sold at the Sari Ahmet shop in Gaziantep in eastern Anatolia. 1297-57: « Galip's », potter in Urgup, Cappadocia. 1297-58: Chess players, Gührükçuler Hani square in Sanli Urfa in eastern Anatolia. 1297-59: Carpet dealers at the Sanli Urfa bazaar in eastern Anatolia. 1297-60: Brass and copper plates makers at the Sanli Urfa bazaar in eastern Anatolia. 1297-61 Sanat Cappadocia
gallery
in
Urgup,
1297-62: Ottoman drawings reproductions, Sanat gallery in Urgup, Cappadocia 1297-63: Carpet dealer Urartu Hali's patio in Van, eastern Anatolia. 1297-64: Kurd carpet weaver in Van, eastern Anatolia. 1297-65: Carpet dealer Hadosan Hali's
1297-66: Seldjoukids graves of the Meydancik cemetery in Ahlat, near the lake Van in eastern Anatolia. 1297- 67: Tuff hills and troglodyte dwellings in the village of Uchisar in Cappadocia. 1297- 68: Antiochos sanctuary (west terrace) at the Nemrut Dagi peak in eastern Anatolia. 1297-69: Antiochos sanctuary (west terrace) at the Nemrut Dagi peak in eastern Anatolia. 1297-70: Anatolia.
Village
of
Mardin,
eastern
1297-71: Ancient troglodyte dwelling in Cappadocia. 1297-72: Kurd peasant near the Nemrut Dagi, eastern Anatolia. 1297-73: The Kayseri suburb in Cappadocia, with its mosque in front of high residential towers. 1297-74: Kurd peasant near the Nemrut Dagi, eastern Anatolia. 1297-75: Kurd peasant near the Nemrut Dagi, eastern Anatolia. 1297-76: Kurd peasant near the Nemrut Dagi, eastern Anatolia. 1297-77: Kurd peasant near the Nemrut Dagi, eastern Anatolia.