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 …
The geography of Anatolia spans thousands of years and is one of the most fortunate regions of the world in terms of nature. Many beautiful mountains, rivers, and lakes are located in Anatolia. We have compiled a list of Turkey’s most beautiful lakes, which provide the perfect setting for camping or spending a weekend break at the water’s edge.
Located in the region of Eastern Anatolia, Van is one of the biggest provinces in the region.
The Bağlama is a popular stringed musical instrument in Turkic countries such as Turkey and Azerbaijan. In Anatolia, it is considered a folk instrument. It has strings, a long neck, and a rounded body. Depending on its size and number of strings, it takes on different names, ranging from meydan sazı to ırızva. It is played with a type of …
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 wraps), and …
Phaselis Ancient City, believed to have been founded in the 7th century BC on a small peninsula extending into the Mediterranean, was discovered in 1811. It takes every visitor on a journey back in time, right into the heart of nature. Some sources identify Phaselis as a Lycian city, while others consider it part of Pamphylia. Founded by Rhodian traders, …
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, …
Nail Çakırhan was born in 1910 in the Ula district of Muğla, Turkey. His father traced their lineage back twelve generations through gravestones and discovered that their roots extended to Arabia. Çakırhan believed that his ancestors may have descended from Janissaries who passed through Ula during Suleiman the Magnificent’s 1522 Rhodes campaign and decided to settle in the area. When …
One of the most brilliant figures in Ottoman maritime history, Piri Reis was not only a captain but also an explorer, scholar, and cartographer who helped shape the world. His works are timeless legacies that carry the nautical knowledge of the 16th century into the present, reflecting the spirit of the Age of Discovery. Even today, maritime historians, cartographers, and …
“…There are many notable citizens and cavalrymen… The city has 17 neighborhoods. Its houses are connected, with gardens, and prosperous… Surrounded by roses, flower gardens, orchards, and fields, it is a city with abundant grains…” This observation comes from the famous traveler Evliya Çelebi in the 16th century. While Odunpazarı today looks very different from the thriving settlement described back …