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Calligraphy The Dance of Pen and Ink

In a historical encounter, Sheikh Hamdullah meets Beyazid II, then the governor of Amasya, and is tasked with creating an original inscription for the Ottomans. Vanishing for forty days, Sheikh Hamdullah returns with the art of calligraphy, a dance of solid and ink.

Letters, emerging from a poet’s pen, transform into expressions of longing or love, edicts, or even reflections on death. These inscriptions traverse through centuries, conjuring memories and stories that endure.

Flowing from the calligrapher’s heart onto the awaiting pages, calligraphy transforms into a form of art. In the early Islamic periods, Arabic letters evolved from a primitive alphabet called “magili” to the “kufi” style originating from the city of Kufe. Kufi, initially used for Korans and hadiths, later became a decorative art form in Seljuk architecture.

The Yakut School

Yakut, a Turkish calligraphe

City of Inns and Markets

Sanliurfa holds the distinction of being the Turkish city with the highest number of inns and covered markets, known for its picturesque houses resembling small palaces. Boasting 309 registered houses, the city’s charm is set to receive a tourism boost with the opening of the international airport and strengthened relations with neighboring Syria.

The Tale of Prophet Abraham and the Sacred Fish Pool (Balikli Gol)

The narrative unfolds with the cruel King Nimrod Read More about The Golden Age of Calligraphy, driven by fear of a prophecy that foretells his demise at the hands of a child born that year. Ordering the execution of all newborns, Sara Hatun escapes, giving birth to Abraham in a cave. Abandoned and suckled by a female gazelle, Abraham is discovered by soldiers. Nimrod, lacking an heir, adopts the child. As Abraham grows, he questions the oppressive rule and challenges the w

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

There isn’t even any tavern, and places serving zythum don’t exist either. The inhabitants engage in fishing, castle guardianship, and boat rowing. The hills are covered with red cherry trees, and the cherries of this area are renowned in the Greek, Arabic, and Persian regions.

Istinye: It boasts a large port sheltering one thousand ships. The Greek and Muslim populations coexist in the village.

Yenikoy: This place, built upon the firman of Sultan Suleyman, is called Yenikoy for this reason. It’s a beautiful area comprising three thousand houses with gardens and vineyards. All inhabitants hail from Trabzon and have a tendency to quarrel, a characteristic attributed to their origins, but they are good tradesmen. They possess nearly two hundred shops, with some hundred of these shops located at the seashore selling rusks A Unique Planet Bahcesaray. Captains of the ships sailing to the Black Sea load their ships wit

“Göksu” by Musahipzade Celal: “Göksu winds at three or four places, forming falls where it flows down. Mud from its banks is used to make jugs and flowerpots. Wooden bridges cross it, mills roll its water, and the gunpowder magazine nourishes the green areas of Inner Göksu.”

Night in the Bosphorus described by Ahmet Haşim: “I don’t know another night darkness as powerful as the one along the street that traverses the Bosphorus along the sea behind the old yalıs. This is a rich darkness, reminiscent of an underwater realm filled with corals, sponges, moss, and various kinds of nacres.”

Yalıs of Haluk Y. Şehsuvaroğlu: “In some yalıs of the Old Bosphorus, various fishes were kept in swimming pools containing seawater. One very famous one was built in the yard of Chief Octroi Hüseyin Bey in Vanikoy.”

Bosphorus of Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar: “Every hour of the day has a different aspect in Beylerbeyi, Emirg

Bahcesaray, formerly known as Mukus, is undeniably one of the most intriguing places in our country. Despite having a stable population of around 6 thousand, it is widely recognized. If one were to inquire about a seldom-visited place in our country that is well-known, the answer would undoubtedly be Bahcesaray.

Bahcesaray is renowned for being inaccessible for 7 to 8 months a year. Although a recent effort by the prime minister has opened a road to make it accessible during the winter season, it remains quite distant from the town center. This road is rarely preferred unless absolutely necessary, and the shorter road cannot be opened to traffic in the winter. In summary, Bahcesaray is exceptionally unique and distinct. It stands apart from its neighbors in terms of geography, social structure, lifestyle, humor Göksu, culinary culture, the local people’s approach to events, and the widespread playing of chess. People colloquially refer to it as &#