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 many …
(Kınalı) Hasan was a young soldier from the village of Kara Yakup, located in the Sarıkaya district of Yozgat (now a township). With barely a trace of a mustache on his face, he joined the Ottoman army and set off on foot from Yozgat with other boys his age, walking for days until they reached Çanakkale. There, he was assigned …
While the debates over the political nickname “Topuklu Efe” continue, here is the proud yet sorrowful story of an unsung hero of the War of Independence: the child heroine Corporal Nezahet Baysel, known among the soldiers as “Topuklu Efe.” One of the child heroes of the War of Independence, Corporal Nezahet (Baysel), nicknamed “Topuklu Efe” (Efe on high heels) by …
The dish that is dearly loved by the people of Menemen (town in İzmir) gradually began to be tasted by newcomers to the town, and their appreciation of it spread to other cities across Anatolia. If you ask what the staple of Anatolian cuisine is, one would say it’s the tomato. Tomato adds flavor to almost every Turkish recipe. Turkey is …
Overlooking the vast Mesopotamian plain from just 4 kilometers east of Mardin, Deyrulzafaran Monastery stands as one of the oldest and most revered Syriac Christian sites in the world. Also known as the Saffron Monastery (from the Turkish “Safran”), this extraordinary spiritual complex is not only a religious pilgrimage site but also a powerful symbol of cultural resilience. Originally constructed …
Balıklıgöl, also known as the Pool of Sacred Fish, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Şanlıurfa, Turkey. Though modest in size—just 150 meters long and 30 meters wide—its religious and historical significance far outweighs its dimensions. Revered by millions, Balıklıgöl is believed to be the very site where the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) was miraculously saved from being burned …
Gevher Nesibe is the daughter of II. Kılıçaslan, one of the Seljuk rulers. This Turkish girl, with black eyebrows, black eyes, black hair, and a fair face, captures the heart of a commander in the Seljuk army. However, Nesibe’s brother, Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev I, is against this love. He looks for ways to keep the commander away from Kayseri and sends …
Emerging from the ancient Phrygian Valley nestled between Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, and Kütahya, the Phrygian cap—also known as the red cap of liberty—has silently wrapped itself around global revolutions and independence movements. But how many know its Anatolian origin? Did you know that the same red cap seen during the French Revolution, the American struggle for independence, the coats of arms …
Ağrı, the exceptional city in Eastern Turkey, is renowned for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. One of its most remarkable attractions is the Ağrı Meteor Pit, the second-largest meteor crater in the world, located in the Doğubayazıt district near the Iranian border. What Is the Ağrı Meteor Pit? The Ağrı Meteor Pit, formed in 1892, is believed to …