“Without a doubt, Antalya is the most beautiful city in the world,” said Atatürk. With these words, he wasn’t only praising the region’s natural beauty but also its deep-rooted historical heritage. Among the most striking remnants of this heritage is Perge Ancient City, once one of the grandest cities of antiquity. And the Antalya Museum stands as a guardian of …
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 …
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 …
In 1958, the famous photojournalist Ara Güler, while lost on the roads of Geyre village in Aydın, stumbled upon a mesmerizing ancient city from the Roman era. This is the intriguing discovery story that introduced Aphrodisias Ancient City to the world, along with a practical visitor guide. Ara Güler and the Accidental Discovery Ara Güler had gone to the region …
While a visit to the hammam; where one bathes with the help of a tellak (male attendant) or natır (female attendant); is no longer a regular part of daily life for most modern Turks, these steamy bathhouses remain deeply symbolic in Turkish culture. With their kurna (marble basins), heated göbek taşı (central massage stone), wooden clogs, copper bowls, peştemals (bath …
Chingiz Garasharly (Professor, Doctor of Philological Sciences) was a prominent Azerbaijani linguist and historian. In his 2011 work “The Turkic Civilization Lost in the Mediterranean Basin”, Garasharly offers a radical rethinking of Mediterranean prehistory: one where Turkic roots of peoples were not only present, but foundational. The Thesis: Turks as Early Mediterranean Civilizers Garasharly challenges the mainstream idea that Turkic …