This picturesque coastal town, once ruled by Romans, Byzantines, and later the Seljuks, holds a rich legacy as a strategic port city. The Seljuk-era shipyards and its enduring Ottoman significance highlight deep historical roots of Alanya. Climate & Cuisine This town boasts a Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild winters, making it an ideal destination for year-round travel. …
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 …
A Brief History of Bozcaada With roots stretching back to the Trojan Wars, Bozcaada has seen Ionian, Persian, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. It was ruled by the Venetians and Genoese before being conquered by the Ottomans under Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1455. Famous Ottoman navigator Piri Reis mapped the island, naming it Bozcaada. Historically, Greeks and Turks coexisted on the …
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 …
The Meaning and Origin of Ezan The word “Ezan” comes from the Arabic root “adhana“, meaning “to announce” or “to proclaim.” It is stated in the Quran, particularly in the Surah Al-Ma’idah and Surah Al-Jumu’ah, not just as a call to prayer but also as a declaration of divine truth. Ezan proclaims the three core beliefs of Islam: The Oneness …
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 …
The Scandinavians (or Vikings) are not at all distant for Turks, especially for the people in Constantinople with tattooed, large bodies and fighter identities. Scandinavia, home of the Vikings, is the common name of countries in the cold north, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Faroe Islands and Greenland. Scandinavia nurtures the film industry today with its stories and legends, …
Hagia Sophia has experienced many construction processes from past to present. The first construction was started by Emperor Constantius in the Byzantine period. After this was finished, Hagia Sophia was opened for worshiping. The building was built on the Temple of Artemis with the name Hagia Sophia; it was designed with a wooden roof and had traditional Latin architecture. When …
Countries gain distinction with people who can make contributions that can lead the history of civilization. In Turkish history, there are many commanders, padishahs and sultans who redrew the world map, started a new era with unique ideas, etc.. However, the number of people who universally broke new grounds in science, art and culture is not high. Although there are …
The Turkish bath culture holds an important place Turkish culture in general. As the most globally known Turkish practice, the heritage of the Turkish bath phenomenon has survived since the Ottoman Period. Dating back to the Roman Period, Turkish bath culture settled into Turkish culture after the acceptance of Islam due to the importance Islam gives to hygiene. Turkish bath …