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In 330 AD, Constantine I allowed Christianity to be practiced publicly, dedicated Constantinople as the capital of the Empire, and rebuilt the city splendidly. Constantinople itself was not only the new capital of the Empire but was also the symbol of Christian triumph.

http://www.turkeycentral.com/gallery/album/609-turkey/ Last summer,2012, my husband and I, were trekking in Turkey. We followed the turquoise coast, which is totally stunning, and walked the Lycian Way over a well marked mountain path, through small hamlets, untouched by time. Although many people have walked these paths you cannot help feel you are on a great exploration. One day, while on a provision stop in a small town called Kinik, which also is of great interest. Xanthos is situated above the town and dates back to 1,200 B. C. with history around every corner. We stopped to drink cay (tea to you and me) in a small lokanta, and got talking to the owner, who spoke good English. He saw we were walkers and told us of an English couple who had a fruit farm in the Xanthos valley. He had their contact details, because he had helped them buy some turkey chicks (birds, not women!). At this point in our fantastic journey we were looking for a place to stay for a few nights rest. After a brief phone call, Simon & Michelle came to collect us from the lokanta and took us to their farm. It takes your breath away! It looks over Saklikent Gorge and the white mountains. They had their own tents and we camped amongst apple and peach orchards, which we were free to pick and eat. It was quiet solitude. Paradise! Our alarm clock in the morning was 'Gengis' the cockerel. Fresh eggs from the chickens and turkeys for breakfast were absolutely delicious! We had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer. Simon & Michelle couldn't do enough to help. We intend to go back this year and I'd recommend it to anyone. either to use as a base, or for a longer stay! The farm is aptly named 'Eden Lodge'. They don't advertise, but keep busy by word of mouth! If anybody else is interested, then they can be contacted on [email protected] , but don't tell too many people, as I wouldn't want the tranquility spoiled.

History of Alanya There are magnificent monuments in the citadel of Alanya, which is the nominee for Unesco Cultural Heritage of the world. Along with the monuments such as the walls, Kızılkule, the dockyard and the gun house, old houses of Alanya inhabited after having been restored are also protected and they are worth visiting. In some of the houses weaving is continued with old looms and meal is served in their gardens. If you look carefully at the citadel, a heritage from the medieval times, while visiting, you will notice some stone carvings dating back to the antiquity. Visiting the citadel of Alanya in details may take you a whole day. There are many fortresses to protect them, since Alanya was a city on the route of the historical Silk Road. The Citadel of Alanya The Citadel of Alanya, the walls of which are nearly 6.5 kilometres long, is on a peninsula whose height is up to 250 metres from the sea level. Although the settlement on Alanya peninsula, also known as Kandeleri, dates back to the Hellenistic Era, its cultural characteristics that can be seen today are thanks to Selcuks of the 13th century. The citadel was constructed on the demand of the Sultan of Selcuks, Alaaddin Keykubat, who conquered and had the city rebuilt in 1221. The citadel has 83 towers and 140 bastions. Nearly 400 cisterns were built to supply the city surrounded by walks in the medieval times with water. Some of the cisterns are still used today. The walls were built in a well-planned manner; downwards to Ehmedek.