“Winged birds, geese, cranes,Flocks of long-necked swansRoam in herdsOn the Asian meadows,On both sides of Kaystros…” The train departing from İzmir towards Tire winds its way through the Asian meadows mentioned in Homer’s verse above. Beyond the crescent-and-star symbol stuck on the window, cloud-topped mountains accompany the view of the plain that juts inland like a gulf into Anatolia. It …
Rising 2,150 meters above sea level in the Kahta district of Adıyaman, Turkey, Mount Nemrut may not be the tallest peak in the region—but it stands among the most significant archaeological and cultural landmarks in the world. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987, Mount Nemrut is home to colossal sculptures and stone terraces that date back to …
When you visit Anatolia—especially rural villages—you’re bound to be offered a warm bowl of tarhana soup. Known for its nutritional value, long shelf life, and deep cultural roots, tarhana has been a cornerstone of Anatolian cuisine for centuries. Today, it’s also embraced as part of the organic and natural food movement. In this article, we explore tarhana’s origin story, its …
Birth, marriage, and death, which constitute the three main stages of human life, are marked by different events, rituals, and traditions in all cultures and eras. For the Turks, with a history spanning thousands of years, death has been accompanied by various emotions and traditions. Among these, tombstones serve as crucial documents that also reveal the spiritual identities of Turkish …
Known as the memory of the World, Anatolia enlightens the present day with a history that spans thousands of years. Shaped by the Anatolian people, the art and culture is quite colorful. The Local Handcrafts in Anatolia live in workshops, cultural centers, fine art academies and non-governmental organizations. Some of the arts maintain their life and commercial activities through serial …
Located right in the center of the Central Anatolia Region, in the region where the provinces of Ankara, Aksaray, and Konya intersect, Tuz Lake (salt lake) is Turkey’s second-largest lake after Lake Van. Nearly half of Turkey’s salt needs are met from this lake. Adjacent to the western entrance of Cappadocia, which is right next door, Tuz Lake is not …
Overview of Bursa Ulu Mosque The Bursa Ulu Mosque (Ulu Cami) is one of the most iconic religious structures in Turkey. While many mosques across Anatolia are named “Ulu Mosque,” this one in Bursa, commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Yıldırım Beyazıt, stands out for its historical, architectural, and spiritual significance. Built between 1396 and 1400, the mosque is a landmark of …
One of the prominent figures in archaeological collaboration between Turkey and Japan, Japanese archaeologist Sachihiro Omura, passed away last month in Kırşehir. Living in Turkey since 1972 and serving as the excavation director at Kalehöyük since 1985, Omura passed away at Kaman State Hospital, where he had been admitted due to illness. According to some sources, Omura was born in …
Hatay, a region often described as a cultural mosaic, has been home to many civilizations and diverse cultures over millennia. Known for its tolerance, multicultural fabric, and religious harmony, Hatay continues to captivate history lovers and travelers alike. One of its most impressive historical landmarks is the Titus Tunnel, located in the Samandağ district. This ancient Roman structure is not …
Politics, football, art, cinema, love, passion, anger, wealth, poverty, and history—Istanbul embodies all aspects of life and naturally becomes an indispensable setting in Turkish literature. Since the Tanzimat literary era, countless novels have been set in this culturally rich city. However, in some novels, Istanbul transcends its role as a backdrop and emerges as a central character—almost the protagonist of the story. …