We’re continuing to follow Jeff’s international journey. This week we are exploring Canakkale, Turkey! Let’s dive right in to find out more about this beautiful, and affordable destination.
Ruins of Troy
For years people believed that the city of Troy only existed stories. However, that was proven wrong when Heinrich Schliemann excavated an area in Canakkale, Turkey and discovered the remains of the mythical city. Jeff got to see the remains first-hand as he toured the area.
Ringing Plains
Trust me when I say that seeing the area where the city of Troy once stood brought utter joy to Jeff’s History/English major heart. Alfred Lord Tenneson’s poem, Ulysses, is one of his favorite poems. And the line that references the plains of the once believed mythical city is his favorite line. So to stand on the hill with the wind blowing was a dream come true.
Excavation site Heinrich Schliemann
To walk around the site where the famous archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann worked to uncover the city that was once thought to be fictional, was awe inspiring. Knowing that people thought the city only existed in the minds of writers and storytellers, when in fact, it was simply buried beneath layers of dirt and remains of other buildings made the experience even more special.
Treasure of Priam excavation site
One of the interested places Jeff visited was the site where Heinrich Schliemann excavated and discovered the treasure of King Priam. It has been said that gold and other ancient artifacts were removed from the area during the dig.
Turkish straits Fertile land
Canakkale, Turkey is not only a city filled with a rich history, it boasts beautiful and fertile farmland. Many Americans are under the false impression that Turkey is located in a desert. This is far from the truth. In fact, Turkey is one of the top ten agriculture producers in the world. Hazelnuts, oregano, or cotton anyone?
Trojan horse
While Jeff was in awe of the amount of historical sites in Turkey, he found one specific attraction that brought together, the history, literature, and even American entertainment. He stumbled across a cinematic relic from the early 2000s. The Trojan Horse from the movie Troy, starring Brad Pitt stands proud in Turkey.
Want to know more about Jeff’s adventures in Turkey? Check out our YouTube video We Visited Istanbul, Turkey and it Was Budget Friendly!
If you’re interested in seeing some of the pictures from Jeff’s trip be sure to check out our Photos page.
And, remember, break the monotony, not the bank.
–Marnie and Jeff
