If you ever feel overwhelmed by Istanbul’s endless traffic and crowds, just know that peace is only a ferry ride away. Welcome to the Princes’ Islands;a charming archipelago in the Sea of Marmara where cars are banned, time slows down, and every street feels like a postcard. Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend getaway or a traveler hoping …
Located on Serdar-ı Ekrem Street near Şişhane, the Crimean Memorial English Church stands on land that was once a Greek Orthodox cemetery. Sultan Abdülmecit granted the land to the British to commemorate the Crimean War. The foundation was laid on October 19, 1858, and the church was inaugurated on October 22, 1868, with the British ambassador Lord Stratford de Redcliffe …
Chingiz Garasharly (Professor, Doctor of Philological Sciences) was a prominent Azerbaijani linguist and historian. In his 2011 work “The Turkic Civilization Lost in the Mediterranean Basin”, Garasharly offers a radical rethinking of Mediterranean prehistory: one where Turkic roots of peoples were not only present, but foundational. The Thesis: Turks as Early Mediterranean Civilizers Garasharly challenges the mainstream idea that Turkic …
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, …
From the Aegean coast to the Black Sea mountains, Turkey is home to picturesque villages rich in history, nature, and authentic local cuisine. Below is a curated list of 11 must-visit beautiful Turkish villages, with details on why they attract tourists, how to get there, what to eat, and where to explore. Şirince, İzmir Why Visit: Known for its stone …
With its thousands of legends, Istanbul is one of the most talked-about cities among world travelers. And the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is among the first places that come to mind when Istanbul is mentioned. This elegant tower, located 200 meters off the Asian shores of the city, directly opposite Üsküdar, remains a mystery in many ways; why and when …
Evliya Çelebi, the greatest traveler in Turkish and world history and the author of the greatest travel book, was born in Istanbul on March 25, 1611. His ancestors were from Kütahya, and his father was Derviş Mehmed Zıllî Efendi, the head jeweler of the Imperial Palace (Saray-ı Âmire). His mother was of Abkhaz origin and related to Grand Vizier Melek …
The “rooftop churches,” built on the inns constructed at the end of the 1800s in Istanbul to accommodate Russians traveling to Jerusalem for pilgrimage, still open their doors today to those who wish to worship. Throughout the ages, Istanbul has been known by many names. After becoming a settlement during the Roman Empire, it turned into one of the most …
The dish that is dearly loved by the people of Menemen (town in İzmir) gradually began to be tasted by newcomers to the town, and their appreciation of it spread to other cities across Anatolia. If you ask what the staple of Anatolian cuisine is, one would say it’s the tomato. Tomato adds flavor to almost every Turkish recipe. Turkey is …
One of the most fascinating and unique parts of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula is undoubtedly the Golden Horn. Once polluted by industrial and domestic waste, it lost much of its charm for decades. However, with major cleanup efforts beginning in the mid-1990s, the Golden Horn has gradually reclaimed its former glory. Today, it ranks among the top destinations preferred by international …