Search Results for: Ottoman Empire

Datça Travel Guide

Datça, one of the most beautiful tourist districts of Muğla, Turkey, is built on a peninsula extending into the Aegean Sea. With its mountainous and rugged terrain, Datça is completely surrounded by the Aegean Sea. Archaeological excavations have revealed that Datça dates back to 2000 BC, with the ancient city of Knidos established there. The city later came under Hittite …

Urla Travel Guide

Guide to Urla, İzmir Urla, nestled in the province of İzmir, has emerged over recent years as a premier tourism destination. It is flanked by towns such as Güzelbahçe and Seferihisar to the east, Karaburun to the northwest, and boasts proximity to the stunning Çeşme to the west, overlooking the mesmerizing Aegean sea. Even though Urla is about 35 km …

Boris Johnson’s Ancestral Ties to a Turkish Village

Nestled in the vast Anatolian plateau lies Kalfat in Çankırı, a quaint Turkish village. This unassuming spot, a considerable distance from the bustling streets of Westminster, surprisingly holds a deep connection to the UK’s political scene. Kalfat proudly considers itself as the ancestral origin of Boris Johnson, the notable UK politician. Mr. Johnson’s association with the village, situated approximately 110 …

Marmaris Travel Guide

Marmaris, one of the beautiful districts of Muğla, is recognized as a tourism paradise. It is bordered by the Datça Peninsula and the Gulf of Gökova to the west, Karadağ and Günlük Hills to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The town, with settlements dating back to 1200 BC, has always been a center of attraction. It …

Kuşadası Travel Guide

History of Kuşadası extends back to ancient times. It was once under the control of the Venetians and Genoese and was conquered by the Ionians in the 11th century BC. It encountered the Roman civilization in the 2nd century BC and came under Turkish rule in 1086 with the movement of I. Süleyman Şah. In 1413, Mehmet Çelebi annexed it …

Bâleybelen: Unveiling the World’s First Constructed Language from Turkey

Muhyî-i Gülşenî, born in Edirne in 1528, was a prominent figure and the leader of the Gülşenî community in Cairo. The reason behind Muhyî-i Gülşenî’s creation of Bâleybelen, which was a result of the use of multiple languages in the region, was quite similar to Zamenhof’s creation of Esperanto. Additionally, one of his significant goals was to facilitate the transmission …

A Taste of Anatolia: Tarhana Soup

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 …

Foça Travel Guide

The Aegean’s Hidden Gem on the Coast of İzmir Nestled on the scenic coastline of İzmir, Foça is a stunning blend of ancient heritage, natural beauty, and culinary richness. Known for its crystal-clear waters, charming harbor, and deep historical roots, Foça is one of Turkey’s most captivating coastal destinations. Foça’s history dates back to the ancient Ionian period, when it …

Jewish Culture in Turkey: A Journey Through History, Heritage, and Community

Turkey has a unique multi-cultural structure, and yet it boasts a legitimate unity, which proves to be quite an important element. Jewish culture, adapted to contemporary life while preserving the religion, constitutes one link in this chain. The history of Jewish people in Turkey dates back almost 2,400 years. Turkish Jews are one of the biggest non-Muslim communities in the …

Exploring Turkey’s Islamic Treasures: Historic Mosques & Timeless Artifacts

One of the most fertile geographies for Islamic tourism is Anatolia, especially during the month of Ramadan, where you can make different plans for Islamic sightseeing tours. We have identified different routes related to Islamic artifacts, mosques, and shrines that you can see in Anatolia, both during and not during Ramadan.