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 […]
As I ran, I felt a shiver of anticipation inside. This was going to be my first flight by paraglider, and over one of Turkey’s most famous sights, the white travertine cliff at Pamukkale. I was excited rather than alarmed at the thought that in a few moments I would be experiencing the sensation of […]
Ayvalik is a town on the Aegean coast known for its winds, above all the ozone-scented westerly off the sea and the dry north wind known as the meltem which blows down from the Kaz Mountains. Among the diverse fish and seafood on sale in this picturesque town, I was surprised to see sea urchin, […]
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 […]
Archery was for centuries Turkey’s traditional sport, and also played a central role in Islamic culture. The use of the bow and arrow as a weapon by the Turkish horsemen of Central Asia goes back far into the mists of time. Only after the invention of firearms did the bow and arrow gradually lose its […]
Known as the most common street food of Turkey; Simit; the Turkish Bagel is definitely one of the best matches with a thin belly glass Turkish Tea. This favorite crispy bread ring snack of people from any time of the day has been in the life of Turkish people that even different cities have their own […]
My father, an Anatolian village boy, came to Istanbul at the age of thirteen. My mother, from another Anatolian village, also came to Istanbul as a very small child. They had to make this long journey, meet in Istanbul and get married so that I could come into the world. The choice was not left […]
If Nasreddin Hodja was a real person, he lived in 13th century Turkey in and around Aksehir in the Konya area. In his time he was an imam (a religious leader), a judge and a professor in a medrese (Islamic college). But whether he was real or not Nasreddin Hodja embodied the folk wisdom of […]
