Quiz time! Do you know where Aesop—the Greek fable man, Herodotus—the Greek historian, and Santa Clause—or St. Nicolas were born? Do you know from where tulip bulbs were carried to the Netherlands and made famous there? Do you know from where 75% of the world’s hazelnuts are exported? And who introduced coffee and cherry to Europe?
The answer to all these questions is the Republic of Turkey.
Another unique and fascinating fact about Turkey is that it is a transcontinental country, meaning its located on two different continents—Europe and Asia. Turkey is located majorly in Anatolia, in Western Asia, with a portion in the Balkans in Southeast Europe.
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History of Turkey
This fantastic country holds the credit of being an early permanent settled region across the globe. The Turkey that we know today was once home to significant Neolithic sites like Göbekli Tepe. Ancient civilizations, including the Mycenaean Greeks, Hattians, Anatolian peoples, and others, inhabited this region.
The capital of Turkey is a city named Ankara. However, at the mention of Turkey, the city that immediately comes to mind is the city of Istanbul which holds the fame of being Turkey’s financial centre and its largest city.
Modern Turkey was, however, believed to have been founded in 1923 and is attributed to the Ottoman Sultanate being formally abolished in 1921.
Later, Ataturk served as its first president from 1923 until he died in 1938 and was hailed as the founding father of the Republic of Turkey.
The European side of Turkey—Thrace
Thrace is the part of Turkey that is situated in the European continent. This portion of Turkey comprises 3% of the country and 10% of its population. This region, named Thrace, is divided from Asia Minor, which refers to the Asian portion of Turkey, by the Sea of Marmara, Bosporus, and the Dardanelles.
The Asian side of Turkey—Anatolia
The Asian part of this unique country is Anatolia, Turkish Anadolu, or Asia Minor. This region is known as the Asian portion of Turkey and refers to the peninsula of land.
Surrounded by water bodies on three sides, this peninsular country’s famous city Istanbul is divided between the European and Asian sides. The European side further splits into two by a stretch of water called the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus.
Another fun fact—in 1503, Leonardo da Vinci submitted plans for a bridge across the Golden Horn which never materialized.
Distinctive and Rich Cuisine
The present-day Turkish culinary culture can be credited to the Ottoman empire. They not only left us fancy little cushions to rest our feet on but also some of the best world cuisines ever.
The super yummy Ottoman cuisine contains mixed elements of Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, Byzantine, Balkan, Arab, and Persian cuisines. So it is a fusion of Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean cuisines enriching the Turkish platter.
Some of the common Turkish dishes are yoghurt salads and stuffed fish in olive oil, sherbet, and wrapped vegetables.
And oh, did you know? Though Turkey isn’t often considered a pioneer in wine-producing, they are. We’re just ignorant.
Tourist Destination
With its turbulent and primaeval history, gloriously fused cultures, and distinctive cuisine, Turkey is dotted with many places of interest that draw tourists from around the world. So read on as we walk you through some of Turkey’s best marvels.
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque
One of the most renowned tourist places in the entire world, Hagia Sophia is a magnificent piece of architecture that deserves all the praise it receives and some more.
Originally, the site started out as a pagan temple and later was built as a Christian cathedral by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 CE; and is often regarded as the Byzantine Empire’s most outstanding architectural achievement. This building displays the brilliant design by the Greek geometers Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. In 1453, after the conquest of Constantinople by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, Hagia Sophia was converted to a Muslim mosque with minarets added to it. Now, in 1935 the building was turned into a museum.
This place is situated in Istanbul and is a glorious way to get acquainted with the beauty of Turkey.
Cappadocia
Love hot-air balloons? The sheer simpleness and ingenuity of heating up the air inside a gigantic balloon and making it fly! Does it sound like something outta a fairy tale? Maybe it is!
Cappadocia has its photographs taken more than you can imagine, with its spellbinding landscape filled with colourful hot air balloons amidst strategically placed rocks that create magic all around.
This location is a fantastic place to hike, the cliff ridges and hill crests have been etched for thousands of years by natural elements such as the wind and water.
This region in central Turkey is a semi-arid region known for its distinctive ‘fairy chimneys’. These are tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley, Göreme, and elsewhere. There exist multiple cave churches in Göreme Open-Air Museum and Ihlara Valley.
Pamukkale
This glacier haven is one of Turkey’s well-known natural wonders. These travertines are pure white in colour and are called Pamukkalem, which means a cotton castle. Talk about fluffy & cute!
Consisting of the Greco-Roman Hierapolis ruins, Pamukkale is also an ancient spa town. If you happen to be a history buff who loves a great ruin and a cold climate, look no further.
This place has all the ancient settings starting from the theatre, necropolis, agora, gymnasium, and grand gates. The pool built in Pamukkale was filled with mineral-rich waters by the people back then. These waters were the highlight of this place.
Ölüdeniz
Ölüdeniz is a town in Turkey near Fethiye, famous for its ‘Blue Lagoon’, which is in the centre and is surrounded by coves and mountains. It is an achingly beautiful place with a cerulean blue sea. If the beachsides are your cup of tea, Ölüdeniz is your place. Turkey’s treasured beach Ölüdeniz is a white-sand beach and is picture-perfect. It is a place for both introverts and extroverts, making Ölüdeniz a destination that no one would not like.
The summit here is famous for paragliding. So if you’re the adventurous sort, don’t forget to check out the awe-inspiring aerial views that these places offer, especially the view of the summit of the Babadağ (Mount Baba).
Ephesus
Ruins of any kind are tourist favourites. They are fine examples of mighty empires being reduced to rubble. The unwavering tide of time left no stone unturned. Ephesus is the mighty ruin of marble-columned roads and colossal monuments.
A Mediterranean treasure, the Ephesus is the remains of the golden era of the Roman empire. Ephesus can be dated back to the tenth century BCE with a still-standing famed city of antiquities.
The Library of Celsus is known for its frescoed terraced houses. Moreover, the Great Theater was considered a symbol of wealth, status, and significance during the rule of the Romans in Ephesus.
A must-include on every Turkey trip, do not forget to add Ephesus to your list.
Topkapı Palace
If all the fantastic palaces of mighty empires make our times seem comparatively lacklustre, one look at the Topkapı Palace will add to it.
This magnificent Palace holds the record of being the very heart of the Ottoman era from the start of the fifteenth and sixteenth century. The Ottoman Empire was known for its sheer size and power that extended into Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Laid out over a sprawling area, the Palace is a wonder to behold, especially the Imperial Council Building, which looks every inch as grand as it sounds. The public gardens are also out for viewing.
Antalya
With boats, water, and pretty little houses, Antalya has charm oozing out of every corner.
A picturesque location that satisfies every cottage love fantasy you could have conjured up, Antalya is the place to be if you visit Turkey.
The major beaches in Antalya are known for their serious appeal that attracts tourists and visitors from not just in Europe but from the world over.
It is a bustling Mediterranean hubbub as beautiful as the picture you may have seen of it on a postcard. Antalya is an artistic haven that needs to be visited with its superabundant collection of Hellenistic and Roman marble sculptures.
Mount Nemrut
Need to feel the marvels of the world, and feel the witch weather whip through your layers? Mount Nemrut is a unique experience.
Preferred by the solo-travellers and the dreamers, this ancient piece of marvel, Mount Nemrut, is located on the eastern side of Turkey.
With broken but beautiful statues spread all over the space, Mount Nemrut contains the Antiochus I grand funerary mound statue dedicated to showcasing his importance, raising it on a 50-meter-high artificial peak on Mount Nemrut’s summit and then decorating it with figures of himself and various gods.
Aspendos
Aspendos is an architectural wonder. We owe so much to the Romans for building some of the grandest and boldest constructions across the world. Aspendos is located south of the resort city of Antalya and hosts one of the most significant Roman theatres.
A classical-age theatre capable of seating over fifteen thousand, Aspendos leaves little doubt about just how grand life must have been all those centuries ago.
Pergamum
Pergamum is a thoroughly romantic location of the Greco-Roman ruins, the ancient Pergamum in modern-day Bergama.
Boasting one of the world’s oldest libraries, Pergamum was also home to the famed medical school run by Galen.
Beautiful ruins that tug at your heartstrings, this is a place that needs to be visited at least once to resonate with the nostalgic longing associated with this place.
The Acropolis area of this region in Turkey is home to the remains of the once-magnificent structure, now left to the ruins of time. A relic of age, this place with panoramic views is one not to be missed.
Flora and Fauna
With a great ecosystem and habitat diversity, Turkey is known for its abundant species of flora and fauna.
The Anatolian region is often referred to as the origin place of several plants that are majorly food crops ever since the advent of agriculture.
Blessed with a wide range of Animalia, Turkey is home to around 80,000 species (over 100,000 countings the subspecies)
Turkey is a holiday destination for all. Aertrip offers curated holiday packages that take care of everything needed for an enjoyable trip! We have a variety of domestic and international holiday packages that would suit couples, friends, families, solo travellers, and adventurists.
Aertrip has got it all, from air travel booking to arranging hotel stays; we take care of all the traveller’s needs including visas & travel insurance. Talk to us if you want your holiday packages to be customised.
So why wait when you can zoom off to this beautiful country and have a grand Turkish experience for a lifetime with Aertrip!
FAQ’s
1. Who are some of the most important historical figures born in Turkey?
Turkey is the known birthplace of some of the most significant figures who have reigned over the lines of history, such as Herodotus, Aesop, and St. Paul the Apostle.
2. What did Leonardo design?
In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci, the famed artist, innovator, and philosopher, had submitted the plans he had for a bridge. It was to be built across the Golden Horn – the inlet of the Bosphorus that divides the city of Istanbul. However, it is to be noted that the bridge was never built.
