Search Results for: bolu

Cinci Inn & Cinci Hoca: Hidden Treasures of Safranbolu

Karabük, located in the heart of Anatolia, is home to some of the most stunning natural and historical landscapes in Turkey. Positioned along the historic Silk Road, this city draws travelers for both its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. Among its most iconic attractions is Safranbolu, a district renowned for its well-preserved Ottoman-era architecture and UNESCO World Heritage status. …

Safranbolu: A Living Museum of Ottoman Architecture and Culture

Safranbolu is a typical and preserved Ottoman town in the northwestern part of Turkey. With its cobbled streets, narrow passes and centuries-old houses, the town is a popular destination for tourists in Karabük. It had been on the trade route between Black Sea and big cities like Constantinople in 17th. Century. Accumulating enough wealth, local traders built beautiful mansions, not …

Safranbolu: A Living Museum of Ottoman Architecture and Culture: Safranbolu: A Living Museum of Ottoman Architecture and Culture

Safranbolu is a typical and preserved Ottoman town in the northwestern part of Turkey. With its cobbled streets, narrow passes and centuries-old houses, the town is a popular destination for tourists in Karabük. It had been on the trade route between Black Sea and big cities like Constantinople in 17th. Century. Accumulating enough wealth, local traders built beautiful mansions, not …

Bolu City Guide: Bolu City Guide

Having a history dating back to 1200s BC, Bolu has long been the center of attraction due to its nature and climate. The Phrygians dominated Bolu until the 6th century BC, then by the Persians. In 336 BC, Alexander the Great captured Bolu, and later, the Kingdom of Bitinia was established in and around Bolu. In 1324, the Ottoman captured …

Divânu Lügati’t-Türk and the Codex Cumanicus: Cornerstones of Medieval Turkic Language

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 …

Turkish Cheese: From the Heart of Anatolia to the World

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, …

Origins of Turkish Foods – Etymology Atlas

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 …

Turkey’s Fairy Chimneys Are Not Limited to Cappadocia

We’re sure many people reading this title are thinking, “No way!” right now. But there are probably just as many saying, “I knew that.” Of course, we have nothing to say to those who already know, but for those who want to remember that our country has such a unique geography, let’s dive into this trip plan and discover fairy …

The Origin of “Porn” in Constantinople

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 very concept …

Ulu Mosque: History, Architecture, and Hidden Stories

Overview of Bursa Ulu Mosque The Bursa Ulu Mosque (Ulu Cami) is one of the most iconic religious structures in Turkey. While many mosques across Anatolia are named “Ulu Mosque,” this one in Bursa, commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Yıldırım Beyazıt, stands out for its historical, architectural, and spiritual significance. Built between 1396 and 1400, the mosque is a landmark of …