Every district in Istanbul is like a living history book, containing unique stories and authentic textures. Walking through this cosmopolitan metropolis, you can touch traces of many cultures that have lived here for centuries. Especially the shores of the Golden Horn stand out as a significant route that reveals the city’s most enchanting and colorful history. The jewel of this …
In his famous poem “Üsküdar, Witness to the Conquest of Istanbul,” Yahya Kemal gives Üsküdar a mystical importance, writing: “It saw a hundred thousand angels flying toward Istanbul And kept this vision, secretly, in its memory for centuries.” Indeed, as you walk the streets, avenues, and coastline of this historic district, it’s impossible not to feel the spiritual aura that …
An Entire City Within a City: Welcome to Fatih Fatih is not just a district: it’s practically synonymous with Istanbul itself. Creating a travel guide for Fatih can easily turn into compiling a small book, given its deep historical roots and cultural layers. Even the select spots listed below are enough to show how much history and heritage this district …
Located in the Bakırçay Basin in the northern part of İzmir, the ancient city of Bergama, historically known as Pergamon, is a unique site where multiple layers of civilization intersect. With roots in the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, Bergama stands today as a rich cultural and historical destination. In 2014, it was officially recognized as a UNESCO World …
Beypazarı, one of Turkey’s most prominent cultural tourism centers, owes its reputation to its strategic location that has supported a vibrant economy throughout history, and to the diverse civilizations that have settled in this commercial hub. From its unique architecture to its rich cuisine and traditional crafts, the district offers an authentic Anatolian experience. Located 98 kilometers west of Ankara, …
Nestled in the southwestern region of Turkey, in the district of Ağlasun in Burdur province, lies Sagalassos Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient cities from the Roman era. Although most of the standing remains date back to Roman times, the origins of settlement in the area stretch as far back as the 3rd century BCE, during the Hellenistic period. …
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 Dede Korkut Stories are among the oldest and most important works of the Turkish language and Turkish literature. Covering the vast region inhabited by the Oghuz Turks, these stories were inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2018. Submitted jointly by Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey under the title “Dede Qorqud / Korkyt …
Pope Francis’s recent pilgrimage to Iznik, modern-day Turkey, has cast a brilliant spotlight on one of Christianity’s most foundational texts: the Nicene Creed. Once known as Nicaea, this historic city was the crucible where the early Church wrestled with profound theological questions, culminating in the formulation of the Creed that defines Christian doctrine to this day. This papal visit is …