The eclectic home of a leading Turkish architect is a gorgeous piece of eye candy.

Quite possibly the oldest love poem known to humankind.

At this ancient settlement at the foot of Mount Babadağ, honeycomb tombs are carved into a round cliff.

Over the centuries, this island paradise has done it all, from providing monks with ecclesiastical respite to sheltering an exiled Leon Trotsky.

The legendary luxury train passage is commemorated with a charming museum inside its former eastern terminus.

This column celebrates Rome's victory over the Goths, and may be the oldest Roman monument in Istanbul.

No one is sure if the world's fourth-largest diamond had been found in a rubbish heap or was pawned by Napoleon's mom.

Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.

Ottoman-era houses lovingly preserved.

The most metal church of all time was built in record time because of an international, pious pissing contest.

Step back in time and witness the fall of Constantinople.

An Art Nouveau gem hides beneath the layers of city grime obscuring this once-magnificent building.

This Turkish cave boasts some rather bizarre associations with the King of Mount Olympus.

Flames have been burning within this mountain for more than 2,500 years.

Live a night as a Byzantine King, with a minibar and private jacuzzi.

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in the city of Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family.

In this historic region, homes and churches are carved into ancient volcanic rock formations.

A deadly ancient portal to the underworld.

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.

A meow-velous tribute to a beloved street cat, made famous on the internet.

The ornate miniature mansions were built for Istanbul's feathered residents.

These tombs were built into the side of a mountain so that ancient angels could reach the dead.

Roman ruins top white travertine terraces formed by ancient hot springs.

This memorial to a murdered empress took 20 years to design, then spent 30 years hidden away in storage.