From the 13th century onward in Europe, being Turkish often meant being Muslim, and vice versa. This association became so prominent that Turks were recognized as Muslims not just in their own lands but throughout Europe and beyond. However, the Turkish identity spans thousands of years, encompassing diverse religious traditions. While Islam is the predominant faith among Turks, there are …
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 …
Straddling the continents of Asia and Europe and serving as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul has been a major hub of trade and culture for centuries, with its islands, architecture, and natural beauty. The city’s impact on artists can be seen in countless works of art. In this article, you can explore Old Istanbul paintings …
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 …
Valley of the Wolves (Kurtlar Vadisi) is one of the most influential and controversial Turkish television series of the 2000s. Created by Osman Sınav and Raci Şaşmaz, it first aired in 2003 and ran (in its original format) until 2005. But its impact was far broader, spawning spin-offs, films, and a lasting presence in popular culture in Turkey and across …
The Middle East, a region known for rarely reaching consensus on anything, couldn’t agree on one more thing: Who owns hummus as their “national dish”? Is it Egypt’s? Lebanon’s? Israel’s? Syria’s? Iran’s? Ask any of them, and the answer will be: “It’s ours.” Hummus, which means chickpea in Arabic, is one of Antakya’s beloved staples; served sometimes at breakfast, sometimes …
“Meat in a dessert?” Yes, tavukgöğsü! The answer to this question comes from the famous gourmet of ancient Rome, Marcus Gavius Apicius. In his cookbook, known in short as De re Coquinaria and in full as De Opsoniis et Condimentis sive de re Culinaria Libri Decem, attributed to Apicius who is believed to have lived in the 1st century BC, …
Istanbul and the Kebab Culture In the 1980s, tourists visiting Istanbul often associated the city with three essential experiences: rakı, shish kebabs, and the city’s vibrant atmosphere. From an Orientalist perspective, kebabs were considered the quintessential dish of Istanbul and Anatolia, representing the culinary soul of the East. Today, kebab culture is stronger than ever. With the rise of fast …
History of Beer in the Ottoman Empire The history of beer in the Ottoman Empire can be traced back to the 19th century. Sultan Abdulhamid II ruled the empire from 1876 to 1909, a period marked by both modernization and increased centralization of power in the hands of the sultan. During his reign, Western cultural influences permeated various aspects of …
The beautiful adornments of our red flag, the crescent and the star, are explained in many different ways. As famous poet Mehmet Akif addresses the Turkish red flag with the crescent and the star during the Turkish National Anthem, which is sung by the children with a lot of enthusiasm at ceremonies, many works today emphasize that the crescent and …