Termessos

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Termessos, Archaeological site in Taurus Mountains, Turkey

This ancient settlement sits at an elevation of 3,280 feet (1,000 meters), surrounded by steep rock faces and mountain peaks of the Taurus range above the coastal plain.

Alexander the Great attempted to capture this stronghold in 333 BCE but failed because of its mountain location and the strong defensive position maintained by the Pisidian inhabitants.

The theater was carved into the mountainside to accommodate 5,000 spectators and features ornate stone reliefs depicting mythological stories from Pisidian culture.

Reaching the main ruins requires a 20-minute uphill walk from the parking area through rocky terrain. Wear sturdy footwear and bring sufficient water during hot summer months when temperatures rise considerably.

The necropolis extends across the mountainside with more than 1,200 rock-cut tombs featuring inscriptions in ancient Greek and Latin from different historical periods spanning several centuries of occupation.

Location: Antalya Province

Location: Döşemealtı

Website: http://muze.gov.tr/termessos-en

GPS coordinates: 36.98250,30.46444

Latest update: November 27, 2025 20:53

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This collection leads to places that remain outside standard tourist circuits. The selection includes natural landscapes and cultural sites that receive limited attention from international visitors. From the salt flats of Bolivia to ancient ruins in Turkish mountain terrain and the ice formations of Lake Baikal, the collection provides access to less frequented regions. Natural phenomena include the Benagil Cave along Portugal's Algarve coast, the Great Blue Hole off Belize, and the sandstone formations of The Wave in Arizona. Cultural sites such as Quinta da Regaleira near Lisbon, the abandoned nitrate town of Humberstone in Chile, and the fortified Berber village of Ait Benhaddou in Morocco show historical building methods and past ways of life. The Meteora monasteries in Greece and the Waitomo glowworm caves in New Zealand demonstrate the connection between human settlement and natural environment. The locations span all continents and climate zones. They range from tropical regions like the turquoise river at Hinatuan in the Philippines, through temperate zones like the Cinchado rock formation on Tenerife, to remote areas such as Pangong Lake in Indian Ladakh and the limestone pinnacles of Tsingy de Bemaraha in Madagascar. The collection allows travelers to experience regional characteristics without commercial tourism infrastructure.

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