Although prayers and meetings with Orthodox leaders dominate the schedule of Pope Francis’ Nov. 28-30 trip to Turkey, he also will meet government leaders and visit Istanbul’s Blue Mosque.
His visit to this secular but Muslim country of nearly 77 million people also offers the opportunity for Pope Francis to join Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople for celebrations in Istanbul of the feast of St. Andrew. READ MORE
After a 20 years excavations are set to restart on the Temple of Artemis at the ancient site of Ephesus. Considered to be on of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, work will focus on two areas in the ancient city, starting with the Temple, and also a Turkish Bath and the Cukurici Tumuli and an area in the southern part of the site near the Virgin Mary Church. The former head of archaeology at the Ephesus Musem said the temple excavations had been sought after a long time and that significant artifacts had been unearthed during earlier excavations. He said the temple was completed in 550BC and was a huge and very impressive structure constructed completely from marble.
The Museum of Innocence, which opened in April 2012, is inspired by Orhan Pamuk’s 2008 novel of the same name. Artworks, videos, photographs and sound installations come together to create a feeling of nostalgia, while the items that readers will recognise from the book lend the display a touch of authenticity. Closed Mondays Open all other days between 10.00 and 18.00 25 TL.
Turkish citizens will elect the countrys next head of state in a popular vote, to be held for the first time today Sunday 10 August. Around 53 million people are eligible to go to the ballot box across Turkey to choose the next President. Turnout is expected to be high to vote for 3 candidates. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has ruled the country for 11 years as Prime Minister is favoured to win with the other candidates being CHP Ekmeleddin Ihsanogly and the youthful Selahattin Demirtas. The new President will service for a 5 year term and has the right for a second term.
