Before the arrival of paddle steamers in Istanbul, ferry services on the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus were provided by the long narrow rowing boats of various types known as kayik. These graceful swift boats and their boatmen were a characteristic part of life in Istanbul. The largest and most magnificent of all these vessels […]
Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal is Turkey’s most prominent archaeologist, whose research is closely followed in the world of historical and archeological studies. During his long university career, he trained hundreds of young archaeologists desperately needed by a country overflowing with ancient sites left by scores of civilizations over the past twelve thousand years. As well […]
The city of Bursa, which lies at the foot of a great mountain in northwest Turkey, was once capital of the Ottoman Empire, and its historic buildings bear witness to an illustrious past. Here you can wander through the courtyards of hans where merchants exchanged their wares, and the covered bazaar whose shadowy passages smell […]
When you want to communicate with someone that lives across the country, you get on your laptop or cell-phone. Connections happen instantly without much effort. Imagine if you were alive 2,500 years ago. If you wanted to communicate then, it was difficult. The leaders of the time had to figure out how to spread messages […]
In every language, the word sweet implies not just flavor but pleasant, agreeable and happy things. In Turkey, not just the word sweet but the word halva “Turkish: helva” has a similar metaphorical significance. Helva is foremost among the many sweets and puddings which form such a considerable branch of Turkish culinary culture, and also […]
“Allah Allah illalah May we prosper Our patron is Hamza the wrestler Our ancestors were wrestlers Two valiant men take the field One blond one dark Both seek the prize Do not despair when down Do not boast when uppermost When above do not let go Meet leg trip with leg trip Send a prayer […]
Istanbul has been called “the city of the future.” Turkey’s biggest city is known for its culture, beauty and complex history. It’s not a mystery why millions of people visit every year. Traveling anywhere, especially to a place filled with sights, can be overwhelming. There are some experiences that you won’t want to miss. The […]
Istanbul is a city that connects Eastern and Western cultures. It’s the only city in the world where people have worshipped in peace in mosques, synagogues, and churches peacefully. The cities multi-cultural history and respect for an individual’s right to worship freely is a model for the rest of the world. On November 25th, 2001, […]
48 hours might seem like a very short time to visit any destination, but in truth, you can get a lot done in 48 hours. Take in the historical sights, do some shopping, there are so many possibilities. Here are 7 things that you can do on the Asian side of Istanbul when you only […]
The next time you visit Turkey, you should get out of Istanbul for a little while and visit Cavdarhisar in the Kutahya Province. It might seem that there’s nothing remarkable about this location, but here you’ll get a glimpse into history few ever see. On top of a high plateau stands an ancient temple that […]
