Konya City Guide: Konya City Guide
Concerning the size, Konya is the biggest province of our country. Contributing much to our country with its economy and cultural richness, Konya also has quite an important history.
An Architect Who Was Not an Architect: Nail Çakırhan
Nail Çakırhan was born in 1910 in the Ula district of Muğla, Turkey. His father traced their lineage back twelve generations through gravestones and discovered that their roots extended to Arabia. Çakırhan believed that his ancestors may have descended from Janissaries who passed through Ula during Suleiman the Magnificent’s 1522 Rhodes campaign and decided to settle in the area. When …
Rare Endemic Plants of Turkey
Endemic plants are species that grow naturally in a specific region and nowhere else in the world. Thanks to its geographical diversity and climate variety, Turkey is one of the countries with the highest number of endemic plants in the world. The country hosts approximately 12,000 plant species, around 3,000 of which are endemic. In this article, you will discover …
Ibn Battuta Journeys Through Anatolia
One of the greatest travelers in the world, Ibn Battuta, traveled to various parts of the world for 28 years. Surpassing even Marco Polo in both the scope of his travels and his detailed accounts, one of the regions he visited was Anatolia. He praised Anatolia with the words: “This land known as the Land of the Romans (Rum) is …
Origins of Beer in Anatolia
Until recently, it was believed that beer was discovered in Egypt around 5,000 years ago and spread to other regions from there. However, increasing research over the past decade suggests that origins of beer was an innovation of pre-agricultural hunter-gatherer societies, dating back 12,000 to 13,000 years. Advances in archaeology show that beer is humanity’s oldest beverage, and Anatolia played …
The Story of Nezahet Onbaşı, Known as “Topuklu Efe,”
While the debates over the political nickname “Topuklu Efe” continue, here is the proud yet sorrowful story of an unsung hero of the War of Independence: the child heroine Corporal Nezahet Baysel, known among the soldiers as “Topuklu Efe.” One of the child heroes of the War of Independence, Corporal Nezahet (Baysel), nicknamed “Topuklu Efe” (Efe on high heels) by …
Turkey’s Monumental Trees Inventory
Monumental trees across different regions of Turkey have been officially registered for protection and recognized as natural heritage, standing as witnesses to history. From Hatay to Zonguldak, Şanlıurfa to Antalya, these natural treasures towering towards the sky are being preserved for future generations. Locals often rest in their shade, gather underneath them, and cherish them as part of their memories. …
Aksaray Salt Lake: Discover Turkey’s Hidden Saline Wonder in Central Anatolia
Located right in the center of the Central Anatolia Region, in the region where the provinces of Ankara, Aksaray, and Konya intersect, Tuz Lake (salt lake) is Turkey’s second-largest lake after Lake Van. Nearly half of Turkey’s salt needs are met from this lake. Adjacent to the western entrance of Cappadocia, which is right next door, Tuz Lake is not …
Çatalhöyük: Insights into Early Human Society and Urbanization
As a residential area from approximately 9,000 years ago, Çatalhöyük consists of two mounds located in the east and west sides. It was a settlement area during Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods and carries with it great mysteries and secrets to this today. Çatalhöyük is in Konya city, 52 kilometers away from the city center. In particular, traces which belong to …
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.