Çanakkale, known as HELLESPONTOS and DARDANEL in ancient times, was founded in B.C. It has maintained its status as a residential area since 3000. Çanakkale, which has been an important settlement center since the Early Bronze Period; It is one of the two gateway regions that provide the connection between Anatolia and Europe, and the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, thanks to the Dardanelles. Due to this feature, it has a very rich history.
They provided economic and military superiority to the communities living in the region, and they surpassed their contemporaries in the field of civilization. However, this situation made the region the target of various migration and invasion movements. There were people who came to the region at different dates to settle or plunder, and in both cases, certain cultural exchanges intensified. This cultural blending continued with interruptions for centuries, resulting in a very colorful cultural mosaic.
The name of today’s Çanakkale Province comes from Çanak Castle on the Anatolian side.
THE LEGEND OF TROY
According to the legend that has survived to this day in many different forms; Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, Athena, the son of Zeus, and Hera, the wife of Zeus, want to receive an apple with the words “to the most beautiful” written on it, thrown on their table during a wedding. However, they cannot share the apple and a dispute arises. Zeus intervenes in the situation and orders Paris, the Prince of Troy, who is a shepherd on Mount Ida, to make this choice. Paris, on the other hand, was exiled to the mountains by his father Priam, the king of Troy. Because the king saw a prophecy that the city would be destroyed. Hearing that Paris will make the choice, Aphrodite, Athena and Hera; They offer a bribe to Paris. Paris accepts Aphrodite’s offer and chooses her.
Paris goes to Helen, the wife of Spartan King Menelaos, who is said to be the most beautiful woman in the world, even though she is married, and they fall in love with each other. Then, Helen and Paris escape to Troy. The Achaean army follows them and struggles for years to take Troy and Helen. Finally, Odysseus comes up with a bright idea. The Achaeans built a giant wooden horse and put their soldiers in it. They take this wooden horse to the door of Troy, leave it and hide. Thinking that the Achaean army had retreated and left the horse behind, the Trojans took the horse inside the walls. The soldiers come out of the horse and attack, bringing the end of Troy and Paris. Thus, the prophecy about Paris comes true and the city of Troy is destroyed.
MIRRORED BAZAAR
I guess there is no one who hasn’t heard the folk song “Mirror Bazaar in Çanakkale”.
Çanakkale’s famous Mirrored Bazaar has even become the subject of songs. The bazaar, which was built in 1890, was bombed during the Gallipoli War and literally became a ruin. Although it could not be used for a long time, it was renewed in 1967 and reached its current state. There are many rumors about why it is called Mirrored Bazaar! We couldn’t decide which one to believe, so we’d better write what we hear the most, and you decide.
Some say that it was given this name because blinders called “mirror” were sold in the past, and some say that it was given this name because of the mirrors on both sides of the entrance. Let us warn those who are thinking of going, do not expect a big place like the Grand Bazaar, on the contrary, Mirrored Bazaar is like its miniature version. Souvenirs are sold inside and it is a place that smells of history. It is worth seeing when you are in Çanakkale. The shops in Aynalı Çarşı open at 8 in the morning every day and normally close around 5 in the evening, but it can be later in the summer months.
You can find the best gifts for your loved ones at Aynalı Çarşı.
ÇANAKKALE MARTYRS CEMETERY AND MARTYRS MONUMENT
Where is this? Of course, the first place to visit in Çanakkale is the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial. Çanakkale Martyrdom and Martyrs’ Monument, opened in 1960, was built in memory of the Mehmetçik who lost their lives in the Battle of Çanakkale in 1915. The monument, located in the Gallipoli Peninsula National Park, is one of the most important visiting points of the region.
Why Should I Go? Çanakkale Martyrdom and Martyrs’ Memorial should be visited by every citizen to understand the sacred history of the Turkish nation and to remember each of our martyrs. The Martyrs’ Monument, located on Morto Bay-Hisarlık Hill at the end of the Dardanelles, was designed by Feridun Kip, İsmail Utkular and Doğan Erginbaş, and its foundation was laid on April 17, 1954. The 41.7 meter high monument, consisting of four legs and a dome, was opened to visitors on August 21, 1960. Besides the Martyrs’ Monument, which is a huge structure; There are Mustafa Kemal Monument, Turkish Garden, Mehmetçik Monument, Unknown Soldier Tomb, Wounded Soldier Monument and Turkish Martyrdom in Çanakkale.
It is known that there were more than 213,882 martyrs in Çanakkale, which was the scene of one of the bloodiest wars in history. Naval battles on the sea-facing legs of the monument; On the legs facing the land, the struggle on land is described in writing.