We at Audley are delighted to announce that, at the end of the month, we’ll once again offer trips to Turkey. You might already know about its Greco-Roman history, its delectable cuisine and Mediterranean coastline. But, it’s also full of surprises. Here are just some of the findings from our recent research trips.
Turkey is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture Here are 5 interesting facts about Turkey that you probably didn’t know before
1. The Turks Introduced Tulips to the Netherlands
The tulip is often associated with the Netherlands, but it was actually the Turks who first introduced tulips to Europe in the 16th century. Turkish merchants brought tulip bulbs with them and started growing them. Tulips became very popular, especially in the Netherlands. Today, tulips remain one of the main symbols of Holland.
2. Turkish Women Could Divorce Their Husbands if They Didn’t Provide Coffee
Coffee became a part of everyday Turkish culture back in the Ottoman era. It was considered a sign of hospitality and social status. In the 16th century a law was passed allowing women to divorce their husbands if they failed to provide enough coffee for them. This just shows how much Turks valued their coffee even centuries ago!
3. Tea is the National Drink of Turkey
While Turks love their coffee, tea is actually the national drink of Turkey. The country consumes more tea per capita than any other nation in the world. On average, each Turk drinks around 3-4 cups of black tea per day. Offering tea to guests is an important Turkish custom. No visit to Turkey is complete without trying some authentic Turkish tea.
4. Santa Claus Was Born in Turkey
The legend of Santa Claus is believed to have originated from Saint Nicholas who was born in Patara, Turkey in 270 CE. Saint Nicholas was known for his generosity and gift giving. After his death, legends of his kindness spread across the world and his story evolved into the Santa Claus we know today. So in a way, you can say Santa is Turkish!
5. Turkey Has Over 80,000 Mosques
With over 80,000 mosques, Turkey has more mosques than any other country in the world. The famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul is one of the top tourist attractions. But thousands of smaller historic mosques can be found all over Turkey. The call to prayer resonates from minarets five times a day. Religion is an integral part of Turkish culture and mosques play a big role in the daily life of Turks.
Turkey is a country that will fascinate you with its deep history, unique culture, and natural beauty. These were just five of the many interesting facts about this amazing country. Let yourself be amazed as you explore the layers of civilization that have left their mark on Turkey through the centuries.
The Whirling Dervishes, whose ancient order originates in Konya, whirl as an act of devotion to God.
Konya itself has an ancient history, dating back to around 4,000 BC, although it’s primarily known as the home of the Order of the Whirling Dervishes. It was here that the poet, scholar and Sufi mystic Rumi lived for much of his life, teaching tolerance, spiritual evolution and connection with the divine through music and dance. Konya Konya
Upon his death, Rumi’s followers founded the Mevlevi Sufi Order, more commonly known as the Whirling Dervishes because of their mesmeric, twirling ceremonial dance that depicts the progress of spiritual evolution. The Mevlana Museum in Konya examines the lives and philosophy of the dervishes. It’s a busy destination throughout the year, a testament to how important the dervishes remain even today.
Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was born in Patara and became the bishop of nearby Demre, on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast.
Saint Nicholas’ Church in Demre is small, but has some well-preserved frescoes and is known for being the burial place of Saint Nicholas himself. He served as bishop in an older church.
It’s a significant piece of Byzantine architecture. Today, most visitors are Eastern Orthodox Christians for whom Saint Nicholas is an important religious figure in his position as patron saint of children. It’s not uncommon to come across Russians weeping with the emotion of visiting his tomb.
Nearby are the Lycian rock tombs of Myra, carved into a rock face that now overlooks agricultural fields, as well as an ancient theatre. Both Myra and Saint Nicholas’ Church can be visited from Antalya, Çirali, Kaş or Kalkan, all located on the south coast either side of Demre. Myra Church of St.Nicholas in Demre
Facts about Turkey you want to know!
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