Alanya/Gaziantep/Şanlıurfa 2021

Incredible Journey Through Time and Space: Göbekli Tepe and Turkey in November 2021

November in Poland is usually the time when grayness and coldness begin to dominate our days. However, in 2021, I decided to escape a bit from this typical autumn grayness and embarked on a journey to Turkey. It was an incredible experience that left unforgettable impressions on me.

My journey began in Poznań, from where I flew to the sunny city of Antalya. After that I headed to the charming town of Alanya, and from there, I continued my journey through Turkey, visiting places like Adana, Gaziantep, and Şanlıurfa. Gaziantep is a city located in the southeastern part of Turkey, close to the border with Syria. From this region, especially from the surrounding hills, you could see the neighboring country, which is Syria.

The most impressive place for me was located about 15 km from the city of Şanlıurfa – Göbekli Tepe. It is the ruins from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period consisting of oval stone structures. Inside these circles are standing megalithic stones. This place was discovered by archaeologists in 1994-1995, although it had been known since the 1960s. However, the most fascinating mystery is the dating of this complex, which dates back to 12,000 years ago, around 10,000 BCE. This makes Göbekli Tepe the oldest known religious structure in the world. The question of who the builders of this place were remains unanswered and is shocking to scientists, as the area at that time was inhabited by primitive hunter-gatherer cultures that did not have experience in constructing such impressive megaliths.

During my journey, I had the opportunity to observe the people of Turkey in their natural environment. In Gaziantep, I hardly encountered any European tourists, which further enhanced the authenticity of the place. The Turks were incredibly helpful, assisting me in purchasing a bus ticket in Adana despite the lack of a common language.

My flight to Alanya was organized by a travel agency, but for Gaziantep, I took a local SunExpress flight. On-site, I used a private transfer from Metin Tour, a Polish travel agency that ensured my comfort and safety. The transfer took me from Alanya to Antalya airport and was also waiting for me on the way back. It was a convenient option, especially in a foreign country.

In summary, my trip to Turkey in November 2021 was not only an escape from Polish grayness but also a fascinating exploration of the mysterious history of Göbekli Tepe and an observation of the lives of the people of Turkey. This place truly leaves a lasting impression and makes us ponder over the remarkable heritage of humanity. Turkey turned out to be not only a place of beautiful views and sunny weather but also a cultural treasure worth exploring.