Also called Mimar Koca Sinan (“Great Architect Sinan”) (b. April 15, 1489, Agirnaz, Kayseri – d. July 17, 1588, Istanbul), most celebrated of all Ottoman architects, whose ideas, perfected in the construction of mosques and other buildings, served as the basic themes for virtually all later Turkish religious and civic architecture. The son of Greek […]
As most of us know; the name of King Midas is linked to Gordion; the capital city of ancient Phrygia. While mostly he is known as a mythical character; several Phrygian kings bore this name and naturally, different legends and stories had grown up. Among these, the most common one is Midas and the golden […]
Back in Neolithic Era, when the adventure began for hunter-gatherers and made its way for better civil life, the inhabitants of Anatolia started to bring gifts for their loved ones buried in graves, mostly underneath the sofas in their homes. Those gifts were consisting of bracelets, rings, necklaces and similar jewelry made out of unique […]
Alcohol has been drunk in Turkey for thousands of years, which perhaps explains why the Turks have a more relaxed attitude to its consumption than people in some other Moslem countries. By the 17th century, there were 100 distilleries in Istanbul alone. Raki is the national drink of Turkey -where today more than 61 million […]
The most famous of all the emperors of the Byzantine, or Eastern Roman, Empire was Justinian the Great. Born a barbarian, he became a powerful ruler and law reformer. He is known today chiefly for his codification of law. He was born probably of Slavic parents in a place called Tauresium, in Illyria (an ancient […]
The road leading east from Tokat towards Almus runs through the valley of the Yesilirmak River, and at a small crossroads, 13 km from the city takes a turnoff into the mountains. Winding through deep valleys, over dry river beds and up steep slopes, it takes you to a medium-sized village set on a bare […]
I Georgios am the captain of this ship belonging to the Church and priest in that same Church. We set sail from the island of Samos for the Eastern Mediterranean hearing provisions needed by the imperial army warring against the Persians… There are six of us on this journey: I the captain Georgios, Demetrios the […]
When I walked into Hadji Bekir’s shop on Hamidiye Street near Istanbul’s Golden Horn, it was like entering a child’s dream. Wherever I looked, there were containers brimming with enticing confectionery… a dozen jars with polished brass lids stood on only counter packed with a kaleidoscope of bonbon, red, yellow, cinnamon and stripy ones. Nowhere […]
Enjoy a wonderful long weekend in Cappadocia with an extension of Erciyes Ski Center exploring this dramatic Anatolian ancient volcano, once active back by millions of years ago where all slopes allow you to capture beautiful views at its surroundings once enjoyed by the mammoths. Upon getting far from the lift lines and crowds, you […]
Siirt is a city and province in Southeast Turkey where legend and fact are mingled in the colorful story of its past. According to a legend told about the founding of the city, a local lord had a beautiful daughter whom he had decided to give in marriage to someone from another clan. The girl […]
