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. …
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 …
(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 …
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 …