Search Results for: Ottoman Empire

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.

2025 Cittaslow Towns of Turkey

Cittaslow, which first appeared in the Italian capital of Rome in 1986, means “slow city” with a broader meaning that includes untouched nature, away from the noise, distant from the metropolitan life, and reminiscent of a resort. Thus, there is no traffic problem, and the crowds and the noise is far away. Cittaslow towns for our country are almost heaven. …

Where Does the Crescent and the Star Icon Come From?

The beautiful adornments of our red flag, the crescent and the star, are explained in many different ways. As famous poet Mehmet Akif addresses the Turkish red flag with the crescent and the star during the Turkish National Anthem, which is sung by the children with a lot of enthusiasm at ceremonies, many works today emphasize that the crescent and …