This fortress, on the Silk Road, in northeast Turkey in the border city of Doğubeyazıt, also has a very distinct and Armenian looking structure that likely predates the later fortress, seen to the left of the structure (taken in 2001). Other and more historic ruins are on the hillside, not seen, include an old Urartu complex that predates the Byzantine Empire.

The Payas Madrassa, one of several historic structures in the coast town of Payas, in Turkey’s Hatay Province (taken 2001).

I travelled throughout all of Turkey in 2001 (see some more of my photographs on my Turkey gallery). It was an unforgettable trip. These are some black and white shots I took. I quickly converted these prints to digital images, and I probably could have been smarter about by using a tripod. But I actually like the look of these now. My actual work prints, and final prints, are a lot sharper. The palace is located in Doğubeyazıt, reportedly near the spot where the Bible’s fabled Noah’s Ark landed after the great flood. This is in far east Turkey, a mostly Kurdish region, near the Iran border. A major military base is here, obviously, and stocked with American made heavy armor, from what I remember seeing. I remember seeing goats walking down the main street, outside the Internet cafe where I passed the time.The shot from Payas, of a somewhat infamous madrassa, is along the coastal area, near Iskenderun. It sits next to a famous caravansary and kalesi (castle). This building dates from the Middle Ages. (Click on each photograph to see a larger picture on a separate picture page.)