Written history documentaries bring light to extant ethnic origins of the Eastern Black Sea origins. In the archaic age, the cultural structure of the Eastern Black Sea was expressed by the term “kolhi” After about 1,000 years had passed, in the Byzantine period, the “Lazi” terminology took over. In history, these names were represented not only as tribes but also …
For centuries, one of the most feared words a person could hear was the name of a disease that slowly numbed the nerves, scarred the skin, and reshaped the face and hands. In the Turkish-Islamic world that disease was called cüzzam – leprosy. Yet the way the Ottomans dealt with it tells a surprisingly humane story, one preserved today mostly in …
Hıdırellez falls on May 5-6, 2026 – the night when, according to centuries-old Anatolian tradition, the prophets Hızır and İlyas meet on Earth and the world tips from winter into summer. It’s one of Turkey’s oldest and most quietly magical celebrations, and you don’t need to be religious – or even Turkish – to take part. This guide covers what Hıdırellez is, where the …
When one thinks of the high plateaus of Eastern Anatolia, the image of a Baltic village rarely comes to mind. However, the city of Kars holds a hidden chapter of history: a 19th-century migration of Estonians who transformed the region’s landscape, architecture, and world-famous dairy industry. The 93 War and the Great Migration (1877-1886) The story begins with the Russo-Turkish …
Just like the lush nature, vibrant music, and spirited people of the Black Sea region, its cuisine is also one of a kind. The area’s unique geography and climate have shaped a distinct culinary identity. Ingredients like corn, beans, collard greens, regional herbs, and of course, anchovies, form the backbone of Black Sea cooking. Hınkal Resembling oversized dumplings, Hınkal is …
Color plays a pivotal role in Turkish vernacular architecture. The hues chosen for traditional Turkish homes mirror not only aesthetic preferences but also regional materials, climate adaptations, and deep-rooted customs. Widespread across Anatolia, these color palettes enrich our understanding of local identity. Regional Color Stories Aegean & Mediterranean: White & Blue Whitewashed “sugar‑cube” houses, commonly seen in Bodrum and the …
With its elegant long legs and graceful neck, the crane is a bird known across nearly every corner of the world, embodying different meanings in different cultures. In Anatolia, however, the crane has come to symbolize something deeply rooted in the collective heart of the land: abundance, prosperity, and sacredness. The Cranes of Turkey: Rare Yet Revered Although there are …
Every year on July 1st, Turkey observes Cabotage Day: a commemoration that many overlook or misunderstand. While most associate it with simple maritime festivities or boat races, the roots of this national day dig deep into Turkey’s struggle for sovereignty and economic independence. Cabotage Day is far more than a nautical celebration; it is the embodiment of Turkey’s reclaiming of its …
From Ephesus Ruins to the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, and from Zelve-Paşabağları to Galata Tower; many of us have explored these landmarks during the day. But how about seeing these silent witnesses of history under the stars? Thanks to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Night Museum Program, first launched in 2024 and expanded in 2025, select museums now remain open …
In a cuneiform tablet describing the Assyrian campaign of 856 BCE, it is recorded that the Assyrian army halted at Tushpa –the city that would later become the capital of Urartu- and there received tribute. Assyrian sources of the period refer to Lake Van as the “Upper Sea”. On the eastern shore of this great inland lake -1,665 meters above …