Any great journey begins with a dream. It is a dream of distant countries and continents that beckon us with their mysterious horizons. It is a desire to touch ancient peoples, see the traces of mysterious civilizations and feel the spirit of long-vanished cities. Time moves inexorably forward, leaving behind only memories and traces of the past. History, like a thick fog, envelops our reality, hiding from us the greatness of the ancient achievements of mankind. But in the depths of my soul there was an inextinguishable desire to touch this tarnished world, to look through the dense veil of time and at least for a moment feel myself in those distant lands where nature was pristine, philosophy was deep, and society valued knowledge and intelligence.

Many know Ilya as an artist, musician, writer, or athlete, but in this book, he reveals an unexpected side: an ancient historian and traveler, inviting readers on a fascinating journey through the ancient cities of Anatolia and Northern Cyprus. You will learn about the history and culture of ancient cities, their architecture, stories, myths, and legends, as well as the great events of the past, without which our culture and civilization would be unthinkable.