The more I'm here, the more I'm in love with this place. They call America the Great Melting Pot, but if you take the time to comb through Turkish history (modern and ancient) you'll be amazed by all the civilizations that passed through here.
For example, even though it is currently an Islamic country, it has historically been very important for Christianity. Some of the key tourist attractions in Turkey are remnants of a Christian past (after all, the Byzantine Empire was also a Christian empire). Here are some facts that I found fascinating:
1) Half of the places mentioned in the New Testment is located in Turkey
2) The first Christian church is located in Antioch, Turkey. Extra fun fact, it is carved into the mountain and was founded by St. Peter.
2a) Antioch is also the first place where followers of Jesus were called "Christians"
3) Hagia Sophia, built by Constantine, was the largest church in the world for thousands of years (we have to keep in mind that Western Europe was in shambles for a very long time during which Eastern Europe--exemplified by Constantinople--was prosperous and thriving
3) St. Nicolas is from Turkey! Imagine! without Turkey we wouldn't have Santa Claus!
4) Virgin Mary died in Ephesus, Turkey (which also has the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World).
For 2) --funny that Saint Peter founded a church carved into stone. Peter means stone, I think.
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