Today, Tatvan, a district of Bitlis, has surpassed Bitlis both in terms of population and social life and culture. It’s easy to say this today, but back in 1946, Tatvan was not even considered a district; it was a vast area with no roads or schools, much less the status of a village. Fethi Algon, sent to Tatvan from Istanbul, …
Emerging from the ancient Phrygian Valley nestled between Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, and Kütahya, the Phrygian cap—also known as the red cap of liberty—has silently wrapped itself around global revolutions and independence movements. But how many know its Anatolian origin? Did you know that the same red cap seen during the French Revolution, the American struggle for independence, the coats of arms …
Ağrı, the exceptional city in Eastern Turkey, is renowned for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. One of its most remarkable attractions is the Ağrı Meteor Pit, the second-largest meteor crater in the world, located in the Doğubayazıt district near the Iranian border. What Is the Ağrı Meteor Pit? The Ağrı Meteor Pit, formed in 1892, is believed to …
From the 13th century onward in Europe, being Turkish often meant being Muslim, and vice versa. This association became so prominent that Turks were recognized as Muslims not just in their own lands but throughout Europe and beyond. However, the Turkish identity spans thousands of years, encompassing diverse religious traditions. While Islam is the predominant faith among Turks, there are …
Located 79 kilometers from Yozgat city center, the Sarıkaya Hot Springs are among Turkey’s most important health tourism destinations. With a history stretching back to the Hittite era, the region has witnessed civilizations from the Assyrians to the Romans, all drawn to its therapeutic thermal waters. During the Roman period, Sarıkaya became a well-known spa town, and to this day, …
Afife Jale, born in 1902 in Kadıköy, Istanbul, holds a pioneering place in Turkish theater history as the first Muslim woman to perform on stage. Her father was Hidayet Bey and her mother Methiye Hanım; she had two siblings, Behiye Hanım and Salâh Bey. She studied at Istanbul Girls’ Industrial School and later passed an exam at Darülbedayi (Istanbul City …
Karabük, located in the heart of Anatolia, is home to some of the most stunning natural and historical landscapes in Turkey. Positioned along the historic Silk Road, this city draws travelers for both its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. Among its most iconic attractions is Safranbolu, a district renowned for its well-preserved Ottoman-era architecture and UNESCO World Heritage status. …
If you ever visited Turkey, you know that bread is a key component of in Turkish cuisine. Bread has always held a central place in Anatolian and Ottoman societies—cutting across all social layers, from the humble peasant to the imperial sultan. Beyond sustenance, it symbolizes loyalty, gratitude, sacred bond, and self‑reliance. The Turkish language reflects this depth with idioms like: …
The origin of famous Turkish foods is an indispensable topic at international “food nights” where there is at least one Turk present… For example, if there is döner on the table, a Turk, a Greek, and an Arab will each claim that this dish originally belongs to their own culture (not even citing Germans who recently joined the race!). The …
“Meat in a dessert?” Yes, tavukgöğsü! The answer to this question comes from the famous gourmet of ancient Rome, Marcus Gavius Apicius. In his cookbook, known in short as De re Coquinaria and in full as De Opsoniis et Condimentis sive de re Culinaria Libri Decem, attributed to Apicius who is believed to have lived in the 1st century BC, …