Gallipoli And Troy Overview

Both Gallipoli and Troy are famous sites of war. The way Homer tells it, the Trojan War was actually pretty fun: Paris chooses the wrong goddess to receive his golden apple, Achilles is sensitive about his heel, and Odysseus outsmarts everyone in Troy with a H wooden horse, only to get lost for ten years on his way home. These legends have little to do with what you'll see in the actual remains of Troy, but they do give it a mysterious spirit that draws crowds. Gallipoli, on the other hand, is the site of unambiguous tragedy—the military campaign that took place here in 1915 had over 400,000 casualties. The events became a defining event for some of the participating nations. It was the first independent military action for Australia and New Zealand and the moment of metaphorical birth for Turkey's national hero, Kemal Atatürk. Deceptively peaceful, the Gallipoli battlefields are among the most touching places you can find in Turkey. If you want to go to see Gallipoli and Troy, the easiest way to do it is by going to Çanakkale, a cheerful little seaside town on the Dardanelles. Çanakkale is no Istanbul, but maybe taking a short break from this metropolis is exactly what you need to appreciate it more fully.

• Orientation

It's difficult to get lost in Çanakkale's center. In the middle of town is the Cumhuriyet Meydanı Square. Just a few steps south you can find the Clock Tower (1897), a good point of orientation. Restaurants ...more

• Accommodations

Yellow Rose Pension, (Kemalpaşa Mah. Aslan Abla Sok. 5☎ 286 217 3343 www.yellowrose.4mg.com), There's an Australian flag at the front door and jovial “G'day mate!” sign pointing you this ...more

• Essentials

Tourist Offices: The throbbing heart of all things practical is Cumhuriyet Meydanı. The Tourism Information Office has current schedules for ferries going to Eceabat and for dolmuşes going to Troy. (☎286 ...more