History

People, places and events from the long history of Anatolia, from the ancient world to the Ottomans and the Republic.

The Dance of Taskale & Manazan Caves

A local dance that used to be performed in Taskale is described by Cenk Gencdis in his book about the town. Two…
Visiting the Neighborhoods of Fatih, Fener, and Balat, Istanbul

While the neighborhood of Balat Istanbul has a rich history and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, less than 1% of…
Don’t Look Away: Discover the Meaning and History of the Evil Eye

You’ve probably seen the iconic evil eye symbol a hundred different times and paid no mind to it. Or, you’ve pondered its…
Clothes Fit for a Sultan Kaftans

Topkapi Palace was the splendid home of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years, built by Mehmed II the Conqueror (1451-1481), and from…
Tragic Heroes of the Arena: Gladiators

Musicians announce their approach. The roar of the crowd and the noise of music can be heard outside the arena and even…
Top Places to Celebrate the New Year’s Eve in Istanbul

According to Sumerologist Dr. Muazzez Ilmiye Cig, celebrating the New Year’s Eve is not something new for Turkish people. It has rather…
Towers of Istanbul

Most of Istanbul’s children do not realize that Hans Andersen, whose stories have opened the doors to a world of fantasy, visited…
Mysterious Stelae of Hakkari

Turkey is a land which has been home to many civilizations, and even in its remotest mountains and valleys are found traces…
Turkish Monuments in Mongolia

For thousands of years, Turkic people spread far and wide across Eurasia, but Mongolia is of particular importance in the study of…
Cappadocia Under Snow

Under a white carpet of snow, Cappadocia is, if possible, even more beautiful. Wandering through Guvercinlik Valley with its stone spires or…
Home of Sappho and Homer: Hesiod of Kyme

Theirs was a tranquil land. They engaged in no great battles that changed the course of history, boasted of no marvelous achievements,…
The Ghost Town of Kayakoy

The former Greek village of Kayakoy makes a striking impression on visitors, with its stone houses and churches, narrow streets, and spectacular…
Lycia’s Rock Tombs

The earliest known burials were carried out by Neanderthal man who lived between 150,000 and 60,000 years ago. These early human beings…
Boats and Boatmen in Old Istanbul

Before the arrival of paddle steamers in Istanbul, ferry services on the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus were provided by the long…
Ekrem Akurgal

Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal is Turkey’s most prominent archaeologist, whose research is closely followed in the world of historical and archeological studies.…
The Gift of Yildirim Bayezid: Bursa Ulu Mosque

The city of Bursa, which lies at the foot of a great mountain in northwest Turkey, was once capital of the Ottoman…
5 Interesting Facts About the Royal Road and the Herodotus

When you want to communicate with someone that lives across the country, you get on your laptop or cell-phone. Connections happen instantly…
Amber Colored Flavour: Turkish Halva

In every language, the word sweet implies not just flavor but pleasant, agreeable and happy things. In Turkey, not just the word…
Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival

“Allah Allah illalahMay we prosperOur patron is Hamza the wrestlerOur ancestors were wrestlersTwo valiant men take the fieldOne blond one darkBoth seek…
Your Ultimate Travel Guide: 15 Things to Do in Istanbul

Istanbul has been called “the city of the future.” Turkey’s biggest city is known for its culture, beauty and complex history. It’s…
What You Need to Know About the Zulfaris Synagogue

Istanbul is a city that connects Eastern and Western cultures. It’s the only city in the world where people have worshipped in…
5 Things to Know About the Ancient Aizanoi

The next time you visit Turkey, you should get out of Istanbul for a little while and visit Cavdarhisar in the Kutahya…
The City Walls of Istanbul

The only man-made structure on earth visible from space is the Great Wall of China. Yet neither this nor any other defensive…
Children of a Nymph: Tlos

In the foothills of the Akdag Mountains in southwest Turkey are the ancient ruins of Tlos. In a region dotted with so…