Roses, which have become symbols of love, passion, separation, longing, and even hatred, come in various colors like yellow, red, and pink and are admired all around the world. However, black roses, which grow only in Halfeti, a town in Turkey’s Şanlıurfa, and lose their color and texture when taken away from this region, might be a variety of roses …
Written history documentaries bring light to extant ethnic origins of the Eastern Black Sea origins. In the archaic age, the cultural structure of the Eastern Black Sea was expressed by the term “kolhi” After about 1,000 years had passed, in the Byzantine period, the “Lazi” terminology took over. In history, these names were represented not only as tribes but also …
The First World War revealed a huge devastation that caused both the winner and the loser to face a great economic storm. Before the end of the First World War, Russia, in 1917, gave up and found itself in the middle of internal conflicts. On the one side were the Tsar and the defenders, on the other side, the communists. …
Olive is an indispensable food for our tables, both as fruit and oil. It appeals to the taste buds of many people, thanks to both its benefits and its flavor; many people keep olives and olive oil in stock. In addition, its oil is used in many beauty and personal care products, not just in the kitchen. Olive in Turkey …
The Divânu Lügati’t-Türk is one of the most important works in the history of the Turkish language. Compiled by Kaşgarlı Mahmud between 1072 and 1074, it is far more than a dictionary—it offers a detailed cultural, literary, and geographical portrait of the 11th-century Turkic world. Written in Arabic to introduce Turkic languages to the Arab world, it contains over 9,000 …
While people across the country are turning to rain prayers in response to drought, in the highlands of Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea region, locals perform an old ritual called “Kuçkucura” to chase away fog and call for sunshine. One of the still-practiced traditions of the Eastern Black Sea is the fog-dispelling prayer; Kuçkucura. In his 1945 book Collections from the …
Turkey’s rich culinary heritage is filled with distinctive flavors, and cheese holds a special place among them. Whether it’s served on breakfast tables or used as a core ingredient in traditional dishes, cheese is woven into the fabric of Turkish food culture. Thanks to the country’s deep-rooted livestock traditions and regional diversity, a wide array of cheeses—each with unique textures, …
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 …
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 …
Melceü’t-Tabbâhîn, one of the earliest written sources reflecting the richness and elegance of Ottoman culinary culture, is among the most valuable works in the history of Turkish cuisine. Written by Mehmed Kâmil in the mid-19th century, this work is not merely a cookbook; it is also an important source that describes the social life and culinary habits of the period. …