This is Magnificent! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Topkapi Palace

The construction of the Topkapi Palace was ordered by Sultan Mehmed II who conquered Istanbul, then known as Constantinople and ended the Byzantine empire. The location of the palace provides a good view of the Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara. The palace complex has four courtyards and several halls and other rooms including a separate section for the harem. For over 400 years, the palace served as the main royal residence and the centre of administration. Towards the mid-19th century, the then Sultan moved the royal residence to the Dolmabahce Palace that was built in the European style along the Bosphorus Strait.

After Turkey became a republic following the end of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace was converted into a museum.

Answer: No

The Hagia Sophia was built within a relatively short time of six years. It was constructed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I with work beginning in 532 and the building being completed in 537. Contrary to popular understanding, the church is not named after any Saint Sophia.

It was dedicated to the Holy Wisdom of God with Sophia being the Latin word for wisdom. Thankfully, when the Ottomans converted the church into a mosque, the religious imagery on the walls of the church was not destroyed but merely covered up. Those visiting Hagia Sophia after it was turned into a museum are able to witness the unique juxtaposition of Catholic images of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus alongside Islamic inscriptions in Arabic.

Answer: Genoese

The Galata Tower was originally called Christea Turris (Tower of Christ). It is now known as the Galata Tower after the area where it is located. In the mid-14th century, the Genoese controlled the northern part of the city of Istanbul for a brief period. The tower was built by them during this period. Evliya Çelebi, an Ottoman traveller and historian, had recorded that an early attempt at flying was made by Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi in the early 1630s from this tower. Celebi used artificial wings to cross the Bosphorus after jumping from this tower and made a successful landing near Uskudar on the Asian side of the city.

While the tower still affords a beautiful view of the sea and the Bosphorus, there are long lines of tourists waiting to climb the narrow tower. The same view can be enjoyed from some of the rooftop cafes in the surrounding buildings at a much more leisurely pace.

Answer: Medusa

The Basilica Cistern was named after a basilica under which it was built. The cisterns helped provide water to the various parts of the city in earlier times. However, they fell into disuse towards the end of the Ottoman Empire. The Basilica Cistern was cleaned up and opened to the public in the late 1980s.

At one end of the cistern there are two columns, the bases of which have heads of Medusa carved into them. The Basilica and the Medusa heads shot to fame when popular author Dan Brown weaved them into the climax of his novel "Inferno".

Answer: Churches

The soft rocks of the region were formed by the consolidation and compaction of ash and lava after the eruption of Mount Erciyes over 2000 years ago. Over a period of time, erosion by wind and water resulted in the soft rock weathering away, leaving only the hard rock cap and giving us the fairy chimneys which have made the region a popular tourist site.

The pliable rock made it easy to carve hiding places and early Christians began making their homes in this area. The frescos used to decorate the early places of worship are still visible in some places. Cappadocia continued to have a large Christian population until the population exchange between Turkey and Greece in 1923 resulted in their shift to Greece, leaving these churches abandoned.

Having majored in Geology, Cappadocia was right on the top of my list of places to visit in Turkey. A stay in one of the many cave hotels in the region and a balloon ride for a closer viewing of the landscape are definitely recommended.

Answer: Tombs

Necropolis translates to 'city of the dead'. The one found at this location contains tombs and sarcophagi. Other points of interest include the ruins of the gates, a theatre and the site where St. Phillip, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, is believed to have been martyred.

Answer: Limestone

Travertines are a type of limestone that is formed by the minerals deposited by hot springs. Pamukkale literally means 'cotton castle' or 'cotton fortress' in the Turkish language and the area was thus named due to the appearance of the white travertine terraces. The water from the springs is nice and warm and a quick dip is refreshing after a long walk among the ruins of Hierapolis.

Answer: Taurus

The Taurus Mountains are divided into three mountain chains - Western Taurus, Central Taurus and Southeastern Taurus. They are a popular location for activities like hiking and mountain climbing and also contain two ski resorts. The ruins of the ancient city of Termessos are also found within the mountains at a height of over 1000 meters.

The picture shows Mount Hasan an inactive stratovolcano in Anatolia which is not part of the Taurus mountains.

Answer: Antalya

Antalya is the capital of the province of the same name and its history can be traced to 200 BC. The area was also under Roman rule for some time, a fact which is attested to by the presence of Roman monuments like Hadrian's Gate. The arch was built in honour of the Roman Emperor Hadrian who visited the city in 130. Local myth also states that the Queen of Sheba passed through the city on her way to visit the Biblical King Solomon.

The historic old part of the city is called Kaleici which means Inner Fortress since the walls once enclosed the entire city. The narrow cobblestone streets and historic houses help to transport visitors back in time.

Answer: Düden

The Düden Waterfalls are found around 12 kilometers outside the city of Antalya. The Düden River originates in the Taurus mountains and empties into the Mediterranean sea. Given the karst topography of the region, the water keeps disappearing within sinkholes and reappearing later along the journey.

The Upper Düden falls are located within a park. Walkways also enable visitors to walk behind the falls and view the cascade from behind. The Lower Düden falls flow over the cliff directly into the Mediterranean sea.

They can be viewed by taking a boat ride from the Antalya harbour.