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Зanakkale
The city of Зanakkale lies at the narrow, 1,200-meter entrance
to the Зanakkale Strait that connects the Sea of Marmara
and the Aegean. Passenger and car ferries run daily between
Зanakkale, on the Asian side, and Eceabat and Kilitbahir;
on the European side. Yachts navigating the straits stop
at the well-equipped Зanakkale Marina to allow tourists
more time in the area. Hotels, restaurants and cafes along
the promenade offer a place to enjoy the comings and goings
of the harbour, and views of the Kilitbahir Fortress and
the Зanakkale Archaeology Museum.
 In
1451, Sultan Mehmet II, later the conqueror of Istanbul,
built one fortress on the European side of the Зanakkale
Strait, at Kilitbahir, and one on the opposite shore at
Зimenlik, to control the passage of ships through the strait.
Today the Зimenlik fortress serves as a military museum
dedicated to the Зanakkale Battle of 1915, one of the most
celebrated of World War I.
To honour the 500,000 soldiers who lost their lives at
Gelibolu (Gallipoli), the peninsula was made into the Gelibolu
Historical National Park. It includes memorial monuments,
the Ariburnu Cliffs and Tuz Lake. The beauty of the green
hills, sandy beaches and blue waters provides an honoured
resting place for the soldiers who bravely fought and died
in this historic battle. You cannot help but sense the heart
of the Turkish nation, in the special spirit of this place.
Homer immortalised Truva (Troy) in the stories of King Priam,
Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. Archaeological excavations
have revealed nine separate periods of settlement and the
ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a theatre.
A symbolic wooden Trojan horse commemorates the legendary
war.
 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 circuit reveals many vineyards and wine cellars. There
are good, sandy beaches at Ayazma, Poyraz and Igdelik.
The largest of the Turkish islands, Gцkзeada,
is ringed with pristine bays. Its hills, covered in the
contrasting greens of pines and olive trees, are dotted
with sacred springs and monasteries. Regularly scheduled
ferryboats make the trip from Зanakkale and Kabatepe.
In August, islanders and tourists gather for colorful local
fairs. The town of Biga has lent its name to its whole peninsula
in Bayramiз, 60 km from Зanakkale, is the
18th century Hadimogullari Mansion, (Ottoman House).
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