Atatürk Arboretum is a lush green world in Istanbul… How about stepping into this world, where firs, lindens, magnolias, bamboos, weeping willows, black pines, and countless other trees provide a serene refuge? What is an Arboretum? First, let’s look at the meaning of a word we don’t encounter often in daily life: “arboretum.” Derived from Latin, it refers to a …
Every year, 23rd of April marks the feast day of Saint George ,known by various names such as Sankt Jordi in Catalonia and Aya Yorgi in Turkey, who is revered as a holy figure in both Eastern and Western Christianity. Originating from Cappadocia, this saint is globally recognized and honored, especially for the legendary tale of his battle with a …
Siyez wheat is considered one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history. Regarded as the ancestor of modern wheat, this precious grain has been grown on Anatolian soil for 10,000 years. With its unaltered genetic structure, high nutritional value, and distinctive flavor, it illuminates not only our kitchens but also our cultural heritage. Origins and Name Story The Latin …
In 1958, the famous photojournalist Ara Güler, while lost on the roads of Geyre village in Aydın, stumbled upon a mesmerizing ancient city from the Roman era. This is the intriguing discovery story that introduced Aphrodisias Ancient City to the world, along with a practical visitor guide. Ara Güler and the Accidental Discovery Ara Güler had gone to the region …
Phaselis Ancient City, believed to have been founded in the 7th century BC on a small peninsula extending into the Mediterranean, was discovered in 1811. It takes every visitor on a journey back in time, right into the heart of nature. Some sources identify Phaselis as a Lycian city, while others consider it part of Pamphylia. Founded by Rhodian traders, …
The word “Dalyan” traditionally refers to a large fishing weir built near coastal areas, lakes, and rivers. This tranquil town in the Ortaca district of Muğla takes its name from such traditional fishing structures found along the Dalyan River. In fact, the river itself likely inherited the name from these local practices. While fishing was once the region’s primary livelihood, …
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 …
Despite the fast pace of modern life and the rise of apartment living, Diyarbakır has preserved a unique and deeply rooted pigeon-keeping culture. Thousands in the city continue to care for pigeons they lovingly call their “silent confidants.” Diyarbakır Pigeon Hotels: A Shelter in the City As apartment life restricts keeping birds at home, pigeon enthusiasts rent space in “pigeon …
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 …
In Turkey, discussions around films like Nymphomaniac often stir controversy. While some can view such films as art or narrative exploration, others fear they might incite uncontrolled desires. Although the film was permitted at festivals, it was banned from public cinema screenings -even with age restrictions- on the grounds that it belonged to the “pornographic” category. But what if the …