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, […]
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 […]
The only man-made structure on earth visible from space is the Great Wall of China. Yet neither this nor any other defensive walls or castle have kept out enemies for so long as the walls of Istanbul. For no less than 1000 years, these walls succeeded in protecting the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire […]
In the foothills of the Akdag Mountains in southwest Turkey are the ancient ruins of Tlos. In a region dotted with so many ancient cities, Tlos is overshadowed by Patara, Xanthos, and others nearer to the coastal resorts of the region, yet this fascinating city in a splendid state of preservation deserves to be better […]
They began to form as the red-hot ball of the infant planet Earth gradually cooled. Stones were the first permanent substances, preceding every other inanimate and animate entity, and will continue to exist until the end of the world. Deciphering the traces they bear of lives measured in billions of years reveal the story of […]
Four years ago, while digging the foundations of a new building at Yokusbasi in Bodrum, an ancient tomb was discovered. When archaeologists lifted the 700 kilo stone lid of the sarcophagus they saw the perfectly preserved skeleton of a woman. She was wearing a gold diadem in the form of a myrtle branch and flowers […]
The documents which give information about the 13th century Queen Puduhepa, wife of the Great King Hattusili III (1275-1250 BC) are prolific. Her fascinating personality and strength of character are attested in numerous letters, prayers, sacrificial and ritual texts from Bogazkoy and Ugarit. There also exist a number of official documents concerning the duties of […]
