On the crossroads of the ancient civilization, the land that is Turkey today was not just the homeland of the Turks. From the Paleolithic to the pre-Socratic age it has seen many civilizations rise and fall. It was controlled by the Achaemenid Empire and taken over by Alexander the Great. It became part of the Roman Empire and then the heart of the Byzantine Empire at Constantinople. After the Arab conquests, it became the center of the Ottoman Empire. The history of empires clashing for control of this land has left numerous gems of historic and cultural discovery. Whether it is from the Greek or the Islamic Period, each landmark has a story to tell. Today's Turkey is not only a window into its ancient past but an opportunity to soak up its natural beauty, mystical music and to enjoy its world famous cuisine.
