Sacred Sites and Pilgrimages in Turkey
A spiritual travel guide to Turkey, covering 7 holy places and pilgrimage destinations.
This guide lists 7 sacred sites in Turkey , connected to 5 spiritual traditions: Islam, Christianity, Ancient Greek Religion, Prehistoric Religion, Hittite Religion. 6 of them belong to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 3 are archaeological sanctuaries of ancient faiths. Each guide covers history, what to see, dress code, opening hours and the best time to visit.
Sacred sites in Turkey
Ephesus
Visit Ephesus, home of the Temple of Artemis and an early Christian center linked to Paul and John. Walk marble streets and the House of the Virgin Mary.
Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli Tepe near Şanlıurfa holds megalithic enclosures 11,000 years old, among the oldest known monumental sacred sites. Plan your visit here.
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was for centuries the greatest church of Christendom, later a mosque and museum. Today it is a mosque open to visitors.
Hattusa and Yazılıkaya
Explore Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire, with its Great Temple, Lion Gate and the rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya carved with a procession of gods.
Mevlana Museum (Rumi Mausoleum), Konya
Visit the Mevlana Museum in Konya, the turquoise domed tomb of the Sufi poet Rumi. A pilgrimage site and home of the whirling dervish ceremony.
Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque on Istanbul's European side, Mimar Sinan's Ottoman masterpiece and the tomb of Suleiman the Magnificent.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul
Visit the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque, with six minarets and Iznik tiles. A working mosque open to respectful visitors.