Canakkale Turkey Travel Guide

Canakkale is not only name of a city but also the province including the battelefileds and memorials of GALLIPOLI, the legendary ancient city TROY, the mystical and fascinating ancient city ASSOS, the popular historical resort island BOZACAADA, the impressive nature of MOUNT IDA and lovely GOKCEADA. According to the reports of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, there are about 175 archaeological, 34 natural and 5 historical sites in the province of Canakkale.

General Characteristics of Canakkale

History of Canakkale:
The first inhabitants of the city, which hosted many civilizations, lived on the Biga Peninsula in the Last Chalcolithic Age c. 6000 years ago. However, very little is known about the identity and lifestyle of these early settlers. According to some excavations and research, the earliest settlements in the region were established at Kumtepe. It is supposed that Kumkale was established in 4000 BC and Troy between 3500–3000 BC. The real history of Çanakkale started with Troy.

History of Canakkale (Ancient History):
The Aeolian Greeks settled on that important land in the 8th century BC and established many trade colonies in the region called Aeolis. The region came under the control of the Lydians in the 7th century BC and under the control of the Persians in the 6th century BC. Aeolis went under the control of the Macedonians as Alexander the Great defeated the Persians by the Granicus River of the region in the Battle of the Granicus on his way to Asia. The region went under the reign of the Kingdom of Pergamon in the 2nd century BC.

Canakkale Population:
Canakkale province due to the 568 villages, 21 district, 12 district municipalities and 22 town council has. Total population of Canakkale with its district is over 486.445.

Name of Canakkale:
The city of Canakkale lends its name to the strait, whose shores touch both Europe and Asia, while connecting the sea of Marmara to the Aegean. The Byzantine name for Canakkale was Dardanellia, from which the English name Dardanelles is derived. Canakkale was an Ottoman fortress called Kale-i Sultaniye or Sultaniye kalesi (Fortress of the Sultan). It later became known for its pottery, hence the later name Canak kalesi 'pot fortress' or 'Canakkale. Canakkale hosts the 60 km (38 miles) long strait, which is well-known as Dardanelles.

Climate of Canakkale:
Canakkale has a mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and cool and rainy winters. The land is arid, and snow falls ordinarily every winter. Although the avarage temprature in the last 2 years is rising may be due to gobal warming, In Canakkale, a transition climate of Mediterranean and Black Sea can be seen as dominant. Rain generally fall during winter months. Air and sea temperature reach to its maximum during July and August.

Location of Canakkale:
Canakkale is located between two continents Asia and Europe, it is divided into two parts by a 60km long strait. City of Canakkale called Hellespontos and Dardanelles in ancient times, the strait has always had a vital geopolitical position. Canakkale has been hosting a great deal of civilizations for about 5000 years.

Canakkale Geographical Location:

Çanakkale is the second city (like İstanbul) whick has lands in both Asia and Europe on Gallipoli Peninsula on the northwest coast of Turkey and on Biga Gallipoli, the prologtion of Anatolia.
It has a 9,737 km2 area and it was located between 26-45 East longitutes and 36-42 North latitues. The city code is 17, the automatic phone code is 286 and the city zipcode is 17100. The altitude is 2m.

Canakkale Physical Location:
Çanakkale province has a total area of 9933 km2,of which 928 km2 limits of the center.

Please click here to Canakkale Transportation Alternatives.

Some of the places to be seen in the center of Canakkale are as follows;
The hotels, restaurants and cafes along the promenade also offer views of the Kilitbahir Fortress in the distance, which is illuminated at night. In 1451 Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, who later went on to conquer Istanbul, built a fortress on the European side at Kilitbahir and one at Cimenlik on the Asian side, to control the passageof ships through the narrow (1200 metres) Strait.
Nusret Mine Layer played a crucial role in 18 th March 1915 Naval Victory by lying mines parallel to the coast in Erenköy Bay on 8 th March 1915. Serving for 42 years, she was decommisioned from the Turkish Navy in 1955. A replica Nusret has been built by the Gölcük Naval Shipyard to be displayed in Çanakkale by the shore of the Narrows of the Dardanelles along with the types of mines that it laid in World War I. In March 2011 this Nusret was commissioned into the Turkish Navy as the museum ship N-16.
Canakkale Naval Museum began to provide service with the name “Canakkale Strait Military Museum” on 18th March 1982.
The Historical Clock Tower is located at the hearth of Canakkale which is adjust to the Anzac Hotel. It was built in 1897 by an Italian, Emili Vitali - tradesman and honorary consul of the time.
Opposite of Anzac Hotel there is Onsekiz Mart University's " Culture Center".
The historical Mirrored Bazaar is one of the most inviting places in Canakkale. You can buy souvenirs and see many kinds of hand-made pieces there. We shall tell a little also about the historical Yalı Hamamı (Turkish Bath).
Bozcaada which was called Leukophrys in the Archaic age and Tenedos in Greek mythology and gave 3000-year-old graveyards found in the excavations to the Archaelogical Museum of Canakkale.
On the other hand the other important centers in the province of Çanakkale, which is as follows.
When you reach Gallipoli Penisula you can feel the spirit of the heroes from several countries. Today Gallipoli Penisula is a national park, which acts as an open air museum and is open to all visitors who come to pay respect in many memorials.
This is, the famous Greek historian, Herodot's quote, which you will certainly agree at the end of your unforgettable visit to Bozcaada (Tenedos).
Assos is situated 87 km south of Canakkale on a volcanic headland with magnificent views over the Aegean and island of Lesbos. Six columns from the partially-restored Temple of Athena now stand on the hilltop.
Gokceada (Imbros) is a much larger island than Bozcaada. It is hilly, wtih villages around its coast and interior.
Mount Ida (AYAZMA) where the mythology tells us that the first beauty contest among Aphrodite, Hera and Athena was held.
Alexandria Troas was founded by a commander of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC named Antigonus Monoftalmos (One-eyed Antigonus). In Roman times it became one of the largest and richest ports of Anatolia.
It was visited by Julius Cesar who considered making it the capital of the Roman Empire. After an earthquake and the fall of Rome, the city was abandoned and never again resettled.

What to eat in Canakkale:
Canakkale cuisine is rich in seafood. Both modern and traditional restaurants offer a wide range of fresh fish dishes including sea bass, gilthead sea bream, coral, blue fish, turbot, swordfish and lobster specialties. "Asma yapraginda sardalya" (pilchardin vine leaves), "yogurtlu kavurma" (roasted meat with yoghurt) and "peynirli helva" (cheese halva) are among the local delicacies on offer. The city is also famous for its wines produced with
the grapes of Gokceada and Bozcaada.

Tour Facilities in Canakkale:
There is regularly daily tour in Canakkale about Gallipoli and Troy tours in different languages by various agencies are possibilities. They are listed on the major travel agencies Fez Travel, RSL Tavel, Lutars Travel, Ets Tour, Wilusa.

Canakkale Rent a Car:
There is available many companies about car rental service in Canakkale. Many of these companies serve Canakkale City Center. Major car rental companies are listed "Troy rent car", "17 rent a car", "Abide rent a car", "Abidos rent a car", "Agino rent a car", "As rent a car", "Garden rent a car", "Kale rent a car".