Search Results for: Christianity

Decoding the Flag of Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha: Symbols of Ottoman Naval Tradition

Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, aka Hızır Reis, was born on Midilli Island at the beginning of the 1470s. The name Hayrettin was given him by Suleyman the Magnificent (Kanuni Sultan Süleyman) for services he had done. It means “good for religion.” After leaving business and commerce professions, Barbaros started sailing; in the 1520s, he organized raids to the Mediterranean shores and …

Göreme Open Air Museum

Göreme, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is well known for its cultural, historical, and natural beauty. If you want to see the fairy chimneys, you can explore this charming town of about 2,000 inhabitants. The Göreme Open Air Museum is one of the most popular places in Turkey. It is located approximately 2 kilometers away from the …

Why Cappadocia’s Underground Cities Amaze Travelers

Cappadocia is one of the most beautiful places in Turkey that manages to integrate history and nature. It offers unique travel possibilities with its cultural, natural, and historical traces. Cappadocia shows the mysterious side to not only visitors from Turkey, but also visitors from all around the world. The Cappadocia region emerged thanks to the erosion of soft layers formed …

Ruins of Ephesus

The Ruins of Ephesus that have survived for hundreds of years will fascinate you with their peaceful, historical atmosphere. Ephesus is located in İzmir, in Turkey’s western region. Legend has it that İzmir was built by female warriors called “Amazons”. In the Hittite texts, it is referred as the capital city “Arpasa” of Arzawa. In the 12th and 11th centuries …

Exploring Ani Ruins: A Journey Through the Medieval Armenian City in Kars

The beginning of the Ani Ruins dates back to 350-300 B.C. It is about 40 kilometers away from Kars province and regarded as sacred, according to Armenian and Christian beliefs. Ani City was first discovered in 1880s. There are 823 buildings and caves within Ani Ruins, which is also called 1001 Church City or the 40-Door City. Ani City is an …

Hatay City Guide: Hatay City Guide

Established by Alexander the Great around 300 B.C, Hatay (Antakya) province belongs to Mediterranean Region. However, the city’s history has carried older elements than establishment period to our day. Hatay is surrounded by Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Kilis, and Syria and features a coast on the Mediterranean Sea. Having acted as a bridge between Mesopotamia and the eastern Mediterranean, Hatay was …

Mardin City Guide: Mardin City Guide

Mardin is one of the most astonishing cities of the Southeastern Anatolia Region with its long history and many natural beauties. The history of Mardin goes back to 3000 BC. Over its long history from past to present day, the city has hosted many different civilizations, sects, and ethnic groups. Marde means “City of the Castles” in Syriac. The name …