Gallipoli, Turkey Where A WWI Battle Took Place

Gallipoli, Turkey - Where A WWI Battle Took Place

At this date and time this beach appears to be a tranquil. But on February 19, 1915, during WWI, the British and French invaded Turkey at The Dardanelles, in hopes of taking possession of the narrow strait connecting Europe and Asia.

Between the loses at The Dardenelles and the Gallipoli campaign, 400,000 were Australians, 100,000 were British and 60,000 were Turks. We arrived at The Dardanelles the day after a commemorative speech that was given by Prince Charles honoring the allied forces lost during this campaign. We were there the next day. The day the Turks mourned their losses.

We were very moved. So many lost!

There was a movie that came out near the time that I was there starring Russell Crowe, called The Water Diviner. It was about an Australian farmer who lost three sons in this battle. Four years after the war, he goes to Gallipoli to bring his, now deceased, sons, home.

We were told a story, by our Turkish tour guide, that the soldiers were camped out in trenches on both sides of the roadway. During the day they were enemies. At night they would come out, exchange cigarettes and play cards.

We were told a story, by our local guide, that during the battle, a Turkish soldier found a wounded allied soldier
and carried him over to his own troops.

This monument is to that soldier.

Ephesus - The City of The Greeks and Romans (In Turkey!)
Ephesus - I can't say enough! This is why I wanted to go to Turkey! It was absolutely incredible!

 

The building to the left is "The Library of Celsus". It is an ancient Roman building built around 114-117 CE. It was built, facing East, for the benefit of early risers. It housed statues similar to that in ancient Greek Theatres. According to Wikipedia, "it was one of the most impressive buildings in the Roman Empire" and housed 12,000 scrolls and served as the mausoleum for Celsus who was buried beneath the library.

Here is the coliseum we viewed upon entrance to the Ephesus site.

Upon leaving the coliseum, you walk through a "gateway" and

down towards the library of Celsus.

This is where the Romans did their shopping, along this walkway. Can you imagine jewelry, food, fabrics, probably music and live entertainment going on all at the same time. Probably similar to our shopping malls.

This was an early "billboard". Our tour guide was pointing out that this was a "woman of the night" advertising her services carved into the sidewalk. You could identify her by the fact that her 2nd toe was longer than her big toe.

Look at the beautiful carvings. An image of

one of the gods at that time.

 

 

 

 

 

This was the men's toilettes. The slaves would go in first and warm the toilet seats before the men entered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the architecture. Such beautiful buildings!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a dream come true!