Allowing the Anatolian people to express the elegance, imagination, intelligence, and perspective of the world with its own unique structure, the traditional Turkish handicrafts shed light on the past with its heritage and products. Many handcrafts are transformed into a work of art as a result of our approach to everything with a fine point of view, while emerging from …
Known as the memory of the World, Anatolia enlightens the present day with a history that spans thousands of years. Shaped by the Anatolian people, the art and culture is quite colorful. The Local Handcrafts in Anatolia live in workshops, cultural centers, fine art academies and non-governmental organizations. Some of the arts maintain their life and commercial activities through serial …
Gülhane Park is one of the oldest and most historic parks in Istanbul. If you’re looking to escape the city’s noise and crowds, relax beneath century-old trees, read a book, or stroll along paths lined with vibrant flowers, Gülhane Park is the perfect destination. We’ve put together a 9-point guide to help you explore this timeless gem. A Royal Garden …
Börek, a savory pastry shaped with thin layers of dough filled with cheese, minced meat, spinach, or potatoes, has not only delighted palates for centuries but also served as a cultural bridge connecting civilizations. As ordinary as a street simit and as regal as a palace dish, börek has a far deeper and richer past than commonly assumed. From the …
In a cuneiform tablet describing the Assyrian campaign of 856 BCE, it is recorded that the Assyrian army halted at Tushpa –the city that would later become the capital of Urartu- and there received tribute. Assyrian sources of the period refer to Lake Van as the “Upper Sea”. On the eastern shore of this great inland lake -1,665 meters above …
Situated in the heart of the Lycus Plain, on the southwestern border of the Phrygia region, the ancient city of Laodicea was once one of Anatolia’s largest and most prosperous metropolises. Located just 6 km north of modern-day Denizli, within the boundaries of the villages of Eskihisar, Goncalı, Korucuk, and Bozburun, Laodicea lies on the road to Pamukkale (ancient Hierapolis), …
Osman Hamdi Bey, an archaeologist, museum curator, painter, and the first mayor (Şehremini) of Kadıköy, was the first person to take official steps to protect Turkey’s cultural heritage. Born on December 30, 1842, in Istanbul, he holds a distinguished place in Ottoman history for his contributions to culture, art, and science. He was the son of Ibrahim Edhem Pasha; one …
When the Turks established their rule over Anatolian lands, they demonstrated examples of civilization that would still be considered significant today in many fields. The matter of standardization is among these achievements. Nearly five centuries ago, standardized regulations were established and strictly enforced according to the local characteristics and production varieties of cities such as Bursa, Edirne, Sivas, Erzurum, Diyarbakır, …
Located in Niğde province, Gümüşler Monastery is one of the most important historical structures in the Cappadocia region. Carved directly into the rock, this monastery dates back to the Byzantine Empire period and is believed to have been built between the 8th and 12th centuries. With its architecture, frescoes, and underground structures, Gümüşler Monastery provides significant insights into the religious …
Although he lived only 49 years, Sultan Mehmet II left an indelible mark on history. As the seventh sultan of the Ottoman Empire, he ascended the throne at the age of 19 and earned the title “The Conqueror of Istanbul” with his extraordinary vision and achievements. Known in the West as “Grand Turco”, Mehmet II was a military genius, a …