Çanakkale, Troy and Assos Tour

About the tour

Tour programme

Times follow the programme in the catalogue; there may be small changes depending on traffic, weather and the group's pace.

Places to see

• Acropolis of Assos

  Rising above the village of Behramkale in Ayvacık, Assos was founded between 1000 and 900 BC by Aeolian colonists from Lesbos. The philosopher Aristotle came here in 348 BC and founded a school. The acropolis offers a wide sea view towards the island of Lesbos.

• Temple of Athena

  A Doric temple built around 530 BC on the acropolis of Assos. Six of its original 38 columns have been re-erected and can be seen today.

• Ancient city of Troy

  An archaeological site made up of layers built one on top of another, with about 4,000 years of settlement history. Heinrich Schliemann began the first excavations in 1870 at the city associated with the siege described in Homer's Iliad. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.

• Çimenlik Castle

  Also known as Kale-i Sultaniye, the castle was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1463, together with Kilitbahir Castle, to guard the narrowest point of the Dardanelles. The city of Çanakkale takes its name from this castle.

• Nusret minelayer

  The Ottoman minelayer that laid 26 mines at an unexpected point in the strait during the Gallipoli Campaign. These mines played a part in sinking HMS Irresistible, HMS Ocean and the French battleship Bouvet in the operation of 18 March 1915. A replica built at the Gölcük Shipyard has been on display in Çanakkale as a museum ship since 2011.

• Çanakkale Martyrs' Memorial

  A 41.70 m memorial on Hisarlık Hill above Morto Bay, at the southern tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula. Its foundations were laid in 1954 and it opened on 21 August 1960. It was built in memory of the Turkish soldiers who fell in the Gallipoli Campaign.

• 57th Regiment Memorial

  A memorial site opened in 1992 in memory of the 57th Infantry Regiment, which took part in the counter-attack of 25 April 1915 known for Mustafa Kemal's words, "I do not order you to attack, I order you to die." It lies within the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical Site.

• Chunuk Bair (Conkbayırı)

  One of the summits of the Sarıbayır ridge; in the battle fought here from 7 to 19 August 1915, Mustafa Kemal personally led the counter-attack on 10 August and the hill remained in Ottoman hands. The New Zealand memorial, opened in 1925, also stands on the site.

• Anzac Cove

  The cove where Australian and New Zealand troops landed on 25 April 1915. The name "Anzac Cove" was officially recognised by the Turkish government in 1985. A dawn service is held every year on 25 April at the nearby commemorative site.

Photos

What's covered and notes

Who is it for?

• School and student groupsA pace suited to the age group, planned together with the teacher and group leader.
• History and culture enthusiastsDiscover historic and cultural heritage on site, with a guide's commentary.
• Corporate groupsSuitable for team trips, incentive programmes and company events.

Practical information

Frequently asked questions