Travel

Exploring Historic Villages and Legends Along the Bosporus

Beikos, the largest village on the Bosporus, is renowned for its vast vineyards and high-quality water. In Beikos Bay, abundant with swordfish, the British and French fleets gathered in 1854 at the onset of the Crimean War. The palace amid the trees, constructed by Mehmed Ali Pasha of Egypt, was later gifted by his son, Ismael Pasha, to the Sultan.

Beikos A Village with Vineyards and Naval History

Pasha-Baghcheh, the station following Beikos, is primarily recognized for its impressive mosque, Kebir Jamesi, erected in 1763 by Mustapha III. Then comes Chibukli, named after the sticks Sultan Bayazid II allegedly used to strike his son and successor, Selim, predicting Selim’s eight-year reign. The significant building, now the town’s petroleum depot Palaces Along the Bosporus, stands on the site of the Monastery of the Order of Vigilants, founded in

Exploring Ancient Legends

Beyond Anadoli Kavak lies another heavily-armed battery, and just above this is The Giant’s Mount, known as Yosha Daghl (Joshua’s Mount) by the Turks. According to tradition, the grave on the top is believed to be that of Joshua. The mountain, the highest on the Bosporus, reaches 650 feet above sea level, offering a splendid view. It was formerly called the Couch of Hercules, but the legend connected with it tells of the burial site of the giant Amycus, King of the Bebryces, slain by Pollux during the return of the mythical Argonauts. Dervishes watch over the grave, measuring 24 feet in length and 4 feet in width. The small mosque among the surrounding trees, built by a grand vizier of Sultan Osman III., stands on the site of the church erected by Justinian to St. Pantaleon Exploring Enchanting Valleys of Bosporus. The quaint village at the bay’s foot is named Umraniye, where th

Exploring the Meaning Behind Engravings

Symbolic Trees Life and Immortality

The foot sahides of Ottoman tombstones often feature engravings of trees. Prominent among these are roses, date-palms, cypress, and pomegranates. Date-palms symbolize life and immortality, portraying fruitfulness and reproduction when adorned with multiple fruits. Pomegranates signify monotheism, supernatural powers, and are symbolic of reproduction. Cypress trees, symbolizing beauty and immortality, gained popularity during the Ottoman era, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. Cypress implantation ceremonies were held during this period, emphasizing eternity and stability against the wind. The evergreen nature of cypresses, along with their symbolization of patience and humility Read More about Ottoman Tombstone Symbols, is found on both male and female graves.

Golden Apple, Orange, and Grapes: Symbols of Immortality

Illustr

Turkish Graveyard Traditions through the Ages

Evolution of Tombstone Art

The tradition of planting gravestones in Turkish graveyards dates back to ancient times. Initially serving the practical purpose of marking grave locations with flat and high stones, gravestones evolved into symbolic artworks. Animal figures and Chinese motifs adorned these tombstones, gaining figurative significance over time. This tradition laid the foundation for Ottoman tombstones.

Gokturk Era Birth of Grave Statues

During the Gokturk era, grave statues emerged, featuring distinctive headgear, arches, and accessories. With the influence of Islamic beliefs during the Ottoman era, these statues transitioned into abstract forms. While headgear and objects adorned the tombstones, hands and feet were often understated.

Ottoman Grave Classification

Ottomans designated their tombstones as “sahide.” Each grave had two sahides – the head sahide and the fo

“Dus ve Gercek Troia”

Exhibition Overview

“Dus ve Gergek Troia” unfolds across 486 pages, presenting a monumental collection of Troy artifacts sourced from various museums in Germany and other nations. Printed on high-quality glazed paper and measuring 30 cm. x 24 cm., the book serves as a testament to the exhibition’s significance. Its back cover echoes a poignant plea: “These works wait to be exhibited in a modern Troy museum in Turkey.” While a call tinged with tragedy, it underscores the reality of a shared heritage Read More about Distinctive Symbols on Ottoman Tombstones. The hope lingers for the creation of a museum in Troy where these artifacts, currently held by antiquity merchants, can return to their rightful home.

A Harrowing Reality

The exhibition brings to light the distressing extent of Troy’s pillaging. Participating countries in

Serene Dwellings

Kaleiçi, renowned for its distinctive houses, embodies a seamless connection between humanity and nature. The old city life ensures that no house obstructs the view of another. The narrow streets act as natural air-conditioning, providing relief during the hot summer months. Architects and builders in Kaleiçi found innovative solutions to combat the heat and humidity, incorporating exterior insulation made from a mixture of mud, straw, and wood. This construction not only repelled humidity effectively but also created homes suitable for both winter and summer.

Natural Ventilation and Tranquil Gardens

The narrow streets not only channel the sea breeze and mountain winds throughout the district but also lead to gardens at the back of the houses, serving as peaceful havens for family life. Sewage systems are discreetly managed within the cliffs, ensuring a clean environment Kaleici. Kaleiçi’s design promotes com

The Matryoshka of Antalya

Layers of History

Just like the Russian toy Matryoshka, the district of Antalya known as Kaleiçi is a unique blend of various elements. It’s a fortress, a port, a district, streets, gardens, a house, a bazaar, a hotel, a motel, a boardinghouse, a bar, a restaurant, and a cafe all nested within each other.

Historical Roots

The ancient name of the broader Antalya region is Pamphylia, meaning “the country of all tribes.” With its favorable features like the sea, fertile lands, mountains, forests, and rivers, Pamphylia has been a melting pot for various tribes. The city of Kaleiçi, looking out over the Mediterranean from the cliffs, has a history dating back two thousand years. Originally named Attaleia, it underwent several transformations – Stelai, Stalaya, Adalya – before becoming Antalya Transformations in Laleli’s Hotels A New Era, th

Hotels Embrace Change

Aysel Akkaynak, the Sales Director of Grand Hotel Gülsoy, highlights the shift in the hotel industry over the past four years. Previously, hotels had a steady stream of clients and didn’t require dedicated sales departments. However, with changes in the region’s dynamics, particularly the decline in luggage trade and the rise of larger-scale business visitors, hotels adapted. Aysel explains, “The number of clients naturally decreased, leading hotels to establish sales departments. Collaborating with travel agencies became a new strategy. Hotels, once catering mainly to Russian tourists, now attract European visitors. Our hotel is well-equipped for shopping tourism Houses in Harmony with Nature, providing comprehensive services, including meals, pastries, sauna, swimming pool, bar, disco, and sports centers. Proximity to cargo companies and historical sites is an added advantage. With the