Monday, January 28, 2008
Didim
It became a town in 1991. It is a peninsula surrounded by Mugla and Akbuk in the east, the Aegean Sea in the south, the Bafa Lake and the Meander River in the north. There are a lot of historical places to visit such as ancient cities Didyma, Miletos and Priene. It is also a holiday resort close to Kusadasi with its clean sea and hotels of good quality.The natural beauties Dilek Peninsula, the Meander delta, the Bafa Lake and the 60km long coastal line with hundred of coves make the town worth visiting.It is a relaxing holiday resort who enjoy fishing, trekking, hunting, history, sea, sun and nature. Altinkum which means golden sand in Turkish is in Didyma which is superb for summer holidays.How to Go?... It is located 73km away from Kusadasi. It can be visited by busses from Soke or a private tour.
Diyarbakir
Situated on the banks of Tigris (Dicle), Diyarbakir still carries a medieval air with its walls encircling the city. These black basalt walls are perfect examples of the military architecture of the Middle Ages. They are also very well known since they are the second largest (5.5 kms) and bestpreserved walls in the world after the famous Great Wall of China. Although there were Roman, and probably earlier walls here, the present walls date back to early Byzantine times. There are sixteen keeps and five gates, each of which deserves seeing along with their inscriptions and relief. There are four main gates along the wall called as Dag Kapi, Urfa Kapi, Mardin Kapi and Yeni Kapi.You will have the chance to go back to bygone days at the Deliler Han by the Mardin Kapi of the City Walls. Now it is restored as a hotel preserving the original air of the old days when caravan travelers used to stop and rest.Another fascinating sight in the city center, is the Ulu Mosque, notable for its original architecture and the ancient materials used in the restoration of the building at various times. Nearby the Ulu Mosque is the Mesudiye Medresse and Hasan Pasha Ham, a caravanserai now being used by carpet and souvenir shops. The Nebii Mosque is a typical example of the Ottoman style. The Church of the Virgin Mary is interesting and it is still in use.The Kasim Padisah Mosque is also interesting, especially due to the engineering which built a large tower upon four tiny pillars about two meters high, called the Dort Ayakil Minare.The location of noted mythological cave Eshab-ul Keyf, and Dacianus ruins are in the town of Lice. The holy Mount Zulkufil and Hilar Caves are in the town of Ergani. Within the environs of Diyarbakir are the Birkleyn and Hasun Caves, the Antak City ruins and the Cayonu Archaeological Site.The city holds many mosques and buildings of long historical and archaeological importance. There are four museums in the city center. When you add to those the renowned watermelons of about 40 kilograms approximately, and its silver and copper artifacts Diyarbakir certainly stands as a destination to be visited. Gazi Kosku is a nice place for picnicking.The town of Cermik is a spa center.
Anıtkabir
General Directorate Of Monuments and Museums
ANITKABİR
His life full of wars for independence of Turkish country and revolutions to raise the Turkish nation to level of modern civilization, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader in the Turkish War of Independence and Turkish Revolutions, and founder of Turkish Republic, died on November 10th 1938. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a great leader, who turned Turkey into member of modern civilization, with all institutions. To build a mausoleum that would represent his eminence, and thoughts about principles, revolutions and modernization, emerged as a common idea of the Turkish nation, during the great sadness following the death of Atatürk.
RASATTEPE (ANITTEPE)
As there was an observation station on the site before building Anıtkabir, the name of Anıttepe was formerly Rasattepe. There were barrows related to the Frig civilization, which lived in Anatolia in the 12th century B.C. on this hill. After the decision to build Anıtkabir to this hill, archeological studies were carried out and the barrows removed. The findings the from barrows are exhibited in Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
BUILDING ANITKABİR
In the first stage on starting construction, the nationalization procedure was initiated. The construction of Anıtkabir was started in 9th November 1944, with a magnificent ceremony. Construction was completed in 9 years, in 4 stages.
Construction of First Stage: 1944 - 1945
The first stage, including the construction of the supporting wall of the lion road and the ground level, was started on November 9th 1944 and completed in 1945.
Construction of Second Stage: 1945 - 1950
The second stage, including the construction of the mausoleum and buildings that surround ceremony area, was started in 29th September 1945, and completed on August 8th 1950. At this stage, the “foundation project” of the monument body was decided to be prepared, in order to reduce the foundation pressure, according to the building's construction system. By the end of 1947, foundation excavation and isolation were completed, and an iron assembly 11 meters high reinforced the concrete foundation system, which would prevents any kind of subsidence, were just about to completed.The entrance turrets and most of the road arrangement, nursery facility, forestration work and watering system of the area were mostly completed.
Construction of Third Stage: 1950
The third stage of construction included the roads to the monument, the lion road, the ceremony area, stone plating of the upper part of the mausoleum, steps, placing the sarcophagus and installation work.
Construction of Fourth Stage: 1950 – 1953
Preparation of the honor hall, lower parts of vaults, stone profiles of the honor hall, and ornamentation of eaves were completed in the fourth stage of construction. This stage was started on November 20th 1950, and completed on September 1st 1953. In the “Anıtkabir Project”, there was the vault section that rises over colonade. On December 4th 1951, the government asked architects if it was possible to finish the building earlier, in the case of lowering the height of 28 meter honour hall.After the studies of architects, it was found possible to cover hall of honour with a reinforced concrete ceiling, instead of stone vaults. This would also prevent the technical problems arising from the weight of the vault. In the construction of Anıtkabir, different colors of travertine were used as exterior plating material over concrete and marble for plating inside of the mausoleum. The white travertine that is used in statues, lion statues and mausoleum columns were from Kayseri / Pınarbaşı, and white travertine used in inside walls of turrets were from Polatlı and Malıköy. Black and red travertines from Kayseri / Boğazköprü were used in plating of floors of ceremony area and turrets, and yellow travertines from Çankırı / Eskipazar were used for the victory reliefs and columns that surround the hall of honour and the ceremony area. Cream, red and black coloured marbles used in floor of honour hall were from Çanakkale, Hatay and Adana, the tiger skin used in the hall of honour's inside interior walls was from Afyon, and green coloured marble was from Bilecik. The sarcophagus stone in one piece, which weighed 40 tons, was taken from Adana / Osmaniye, and white marbles that plates the side walls of the sarcophagus were taken from Afyon.
ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES OF ANITKABİR
The period between the years 1940 and 1950 is called “2nd National Architecture Period” in Turkish architecture. In this period, more monumental, symmetrical buildings were erected, with cube shaped stones. Anıtkabir bears the signs of this period. With the properties of this period, Anıtkabir also bears features of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture and ornamental details.As an example, in the outer surfaces, where ceiling and walls unite, there is a border which is called saw tooth pattern in Seljuk. Also some ornaments such as passionflower and rosette, found in some places in Anıtkabir (Mehmetçik Turret, Museum Management), are from Seljuk and Ottoman art. With all these properties, Anıtkabir is one of the best examples for that period, which covers approximately 750.000 m2. Anıtkabir can be separated into two parts: Peace Park and the Monument Block
A - PEACE PARK
Anıtkabir is placed in the Peace Park, which is created with saplings from several foreign countries and from several regions of Turkey, that is inspired from the epigram of Atatürk; “Peace at home, peace in the world”. Several trees and saplings were taken from Afghanistan, United States, Germany, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Iraq, England, Spain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, Norway, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Greece. Today, the Peace Park contains approximately 48.500 trees and plants, from 104 different species.
B - MONUMENT BLOCK
The Monument Block contains three parts. 1. Lion Road 2. Ceremony Area 3. MausoleumWhen entered from Tandoğan gate, the road in Peace Park leads to 26 stepped wide stairs to the Lion Road. At the top of the stairs, independence and liberty turrets can be seen facing one another. In the Anıtkabir building complex, there are ten turrets, which are placed symmetrically. These turrets are named with eminent concepts, according to their effects to the foundation of our nation and government. The turrets are similar to each other with their plan and structure. The Turrets are based on a square-shaped 12x14x7.20 meter rectangle, and covered with pyramid-shaped roofs. On the top of the roofs, bronze spear tips from old Turkish tents are visible. Geometrical ornaments from old Turkish kilim (woven carpet) motifs are applied in fresco technique. Also, Atatürk’s aphorisms related with that turret can be found on the inside of the walls.
INDEPENDENCE TURRET
The Independence Turret is placed on the right, at the beginning of Lion Road. On the reliefs on the interior walls of Independence Turret, a young man holding a sword with both hands, standing and a eagle figure on a rock beside youth, can be seen. The Eagle is the symbol for power and independence in mythology and Seljuk art. The young man with sword represents Turkish nation as defending independence. Relief are work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.Also there are aprohisms of Atatürk, related with independence: “When our nation seemed come to an end, her ancestor's voice called her to revolt, and to our War of Independence.” (1921) “Life means battle, combat. Succes in life will be possible only through succes in battle.” (1927) “We are a nation that wants life and independence, and we will pay with our life.” (1921) “There is no choice such as begging for justice and mercy. The Turkish nation, future Turkish children, should bear this in mind forever.” (1927) “This nation never lived without independence, can’t live, and won’t live without it. Independence or death.” (1919) There is an Anıtkabir scale model, and there are illuminated boards in the turret.
LIBERTY TURRET
In the relief inside the Liberty Turret, on the left side of the beginning of the Lion Road, there is an angel figure holding a paper and a rearing horse. The angel figure symbolizes the sacredness of independence, with the paper “Independence Declaration”. The horse is the symbol of liberty and independence. The reliefs are the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu. In the walls of the turret, some words of Atatürk about liberty read as follows: “The issue is the life of the Turkish nation as a respected nation. This is only possible with independence. Despite all riches, without independence, they are nothing more than a manservant before mankind.” “According to me, maintaining a nation’s honor and humanity is possible with that nation’s liberty and independence. “Freedom, equality, and justice, all depends on national preeminence.” In the turret, a photograph exhibition on the construction of Anıtkabir and stone samples from construction can be seen.
WOMAN STATUE GROUP
In front of the liberty turret, there is a group of women in national garments. Women on the edge are carrying a wreath. The Wreath with ears represents our productive country. The woman on the left is imploring God’s mercy, and the woman in the middle is crying with her hands on her face. This group of women represents the proud, sedate, determined Turkish woman, even in great sorrow such as on Atatürk’s death. The statue group is a work of Hüseyin Özkan.
MEN STATUE GROUP
In front of the independence turret, there is a group of men. The man at the right with his helmet and coat represents the Turkish soldier, the man next to him with a book in his hand represents the Turkish youth and intellectual, and the other one with local clothes represents the Turkish farmer. All three statues show the deep sorrow, and longing. The statue group is the work of Hüseyin Özkan.
LION ROAD
There are 24 lion statues in sitting position which are placed on both ends of the road, which prepares visitors for the eminent presence of Atatürk. The road is 262 meters long. The lion statues represent power and tranquility. The lion statues are done in Hittite style, because of Atatürk’s attention to Turk and Anatolian history. The Statues are the work of Hüseyin Özkan.
CEREMONY AREA
The ceremony area, at the end of lion road, is in the dimensions of 129x84.25 meters. The area, with a capacity of 15.000 persons, is decorated with 373 carpet and kilim patterns, using black, red and white colored travertine stones.
MEHMETÇİK TURRET
The Metmetçik (a nickname for the Turkish soldier) Turret is placed at the end of the Lion Road, at the right. On the relief outside the turret, the figure represents Mehmetçik leaving his home. In this figure, the sad but proud mother, who sends her son to war, is portrayed. The Relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu. On the walls of the turret, Atatürk’s aphorism’s about Mehmetçik and the Turkish woman can be seen. In the turret, several books about Anıtkabir and Atatürk are sold.
ATATÜRK AND TURKISH REVOLUTION LIBRARY
Atatrük and the Turkish Revolution Library is placed between the Mehmetçik and Liberty Turrets. This “specialty library” about Atatürk, the national war and the revolutions, is available for research on weekdays between 09.00-12.30 and 13.30-17.00. VICTORY TURRET
On the walls of the turret, dates and notes about Atatürk’s most important three victories are on display. In the turret, the gun carriage that bore Atatürk’s body from İstanbul Dolmabahçe Palace on November 19th, 1938 to the fleet at Sarayburnu, can also be seen.
SARCOPHAGUS OF İSMET İNÖNÜ
Between the Peace and Victory Turrets, in the middle of the gallery, there is symbolical sarcophagus of İsmet İnönü, who died on December 25th 1973, a very close friend of Atatürk, West Front commander of the Independence War, and second president of the Republic of Turkey. The Tomb room is downstairs. İsmet İnönü was buried at Anıtkabir at December 28th 1973, on the decision of the Council of Ministers.
PEACE TOWER
There is a composition on the inside walls of the turret, which describes the principle of Atatürk “Peace at home, peace in the world”. In this relief, there are farmers and a soldier protecting them with his sword is shown. This soldier symbolizes the Turkish military as a basis for peace. Thus, people can continue their daily life. The Relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the turret, some of Atatürk’s words are as follows: “Peace at home, peace in the world”. “Unless the nation’s life is under attack, war is murder”. (1923) In the turret, Atatürk’s ceremonious and official automobiles between the years 1935- 1938, are presented.
23RD APRIL TURRET
There is a relief on the inside walls of the turret, that represents the opening of the Turkish National Assembly. A woman holding a paper is standing in this relief. The date April 23rd 1920 is written on this paper. The woman holds a key in her other hand, representing the opening of our National Assembly. The relief is the work of Hakkı Atamulu. One of the aphorisms on the walls of the turret: “There was only one choice: Founding a new independent Turkish Government, depending on national preeminence.” (1919) Atatürk’s private automobile between the years 1936-1938 is exhibited in the turret.
FLAGPOLE
In the middle of the stairs leading to the ceremony area, there is a Turkish flag on the high flagpole. This 33.53 meter long flagpole is specially manufactured in USA, and is the longest single piece steel flagpole. 4 meters of flagpole are under the base. It was presented as a gift to Anıtkabir in 1946 from Nazmi Cemal, an American citizen of Turkish origin. This flagpole was manufactured at his own flagpole factory. The relief on the base of the flagpole torch represents Turkish civilization, the sword represents the power to attack, the helmet represents power of defense, the oak branch repserents victory, and the olive branch repsesents peace. The Relief is the work of Kenan Yontuç.
THE TOWER OF THE NATIONAL CONTRACT
The relief in the tower which is situated at the entrance of the museum represents our gathering in unity. The relief consists of four hands grasping each other on the butt of a sword. This composition expresses the promise of the nation to save the Turkish fatherland. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the tower are Atatürk’s words on the National Contract: “What writes the national oath, which is our general rule of liberation, is the iron hand of the nation.” (1923) “We want to live free and independent within our national boundaries.” (1921) “Nations who can’t find their national identity are prey to other nations.” (1923) In the midst of the tower is a tribute to the signing, which is signed by special committees attending ceremonies carried out in Anıtkabir. In the tower which is also the entrance of the museum are reality panels on which are presented photographs of important ceremonies in Anıtkabir.
ANITKABİR ATATÜRK MUSEUM
In line with the conditions of the Anıtkabir Project Competition, the section between the National Contract and the Reform Towers is specified as a museum. For this purpose, the Anıtkabir Atatürk Museum was opened on June 21st, 1960. Here, Atatürks personal belongings, gifts presented to him and his clothes are on exhibition.Besides, Atatürk’s medals and insignia, and some of Atatürk’s belongings which were granted by his adopted children. A. Afet İnan, Rukiye Erkin, Sabiha Gökçen are also included in the exhibition.
TOWER OF REFORM
In this tower, which is the continuation of the museum clothes Atatürk wore are exhibited. On the inner wall of the tower, the relief of a weak, powerless hand holding a torch about to go out, symbolizes the collapsing Ottoman Empire. The other bright torch held in the skies by a mighty hand symbolizes the new Turkish Republic and the Reforms Atatürk carried out to enable the Turkish nation to catch up with modern civilization. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the tower walls are these words of Atatürk on his reforms:“If a society does not proceed with all its men and women towards the same purpose, there’s no technical possibility and scientific probability of its becoming civilized.” “We are not inspired by heavens and the unknown sphere but directly by life itself.” In this tower which is used as the garments section of the museum is a life-size wax statue of Atatürk by Anadolu University’s former president Prof.Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen.
TOWER OF THE REPUBLIC
This tower is the entry to the art gallery and on its wall these aphorisms of Atatürk about the republic are written: “The fact that we gained our national sovereignty through action and handed over to the people, and undoubtedly proved that we can keep it in their hands, are our biggest strength and most trusted foundation.” In the tower, the models of Monastir Military Senior High School building, where Atatürk graduated from, Sivas and Erzurum congress buildings and I. Turkish Grand National Assembly building and some photographs of that period are exhibited.
THE ART GALLERY
In this section which is in between the Tower of Republic and the Towers of Legal Defence is demonstrated Atatürk’s personal library.
On the walls are oil paintings depicting Atatürk and foreign statesmen together. The paintings are works of the artist Rahmi Pehlivanlı.
There is also a cinema section in the gallery wwhere documentary films are shown about Atatürk, National Struggle and the Anıtkabir.
DEFENCE OF RIGHTS TOWER
On the relief on the outer face of the tower Legal Defence (Müdafaa-i Hukuk), which is the essence of our national unity in the War of Liberation,is represented. On the relief a male figure is depicted, saying“Hold!” to the enemy passing the border, with a sword in one hand while the other is held to the front. The huge tree beneath the hand reaching out represents our country, while the male figure protecting it symbolizes the nation united in the aim of liberation. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the tower are words of Atatürk on Legal Defence: “To yield national power effective and national will sovereign is the essence.” (1919) “Hereafter the nation will own her life, independence and entire existence in person.” (1923) “History can never reject a nation’s blood, right, and existence.”(1919) “The innermost and most obvious wish and faith rising from the heart and conscience of the Turkish naiton, came to light: Liberation.” (1927) In the tower periodically exhibitions on “Atatürk and the National Struggle” are organized. Besides, there is also the model of the Military Academy Atatürk attended.
THE RELIEF ABOUT THE PITCH BATTLE OF SAKARYA
There are a youth, two horses, a woman and a man on the right side of the composition. These have left their homes and are on their way to defend the country against foe's first assault. The youth to the right has turned his back and shakes his left fist to the foe, saying, “One day we shall come back and avenge.” Before this trio is a cart in the mud, horses struggling, a man trying to turn the wheel, two women, a standing warrior, and a kneeling woman is presenting him a sword. This group of figures represents the period before the Sakarya Battle. To the left of this group are two women and a child sitting on the ground, symbolizing our people under enemy’s rule awaiting the Turkish army. Over the people flies the angel of victory presenting a wreath to Commander-in-chief Mustafa Kemal. The woman sitting at the end of the composition symbolizes the motherland, while the oak symbolizes victory. Motherland shows the oak which is the victory symbol of the Turkish army. The relief is a work of İlhan Koman.
THE RELIEF ABOUT THE BATTLE OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
The group comprising of a rural women, a boy and some horses represents the national preparation for war. In the next part Atatürk stretches out his finger, saying, “Army, your first target is the Mediterranean, ahead!” and pointing our army where to go. The angel in front conveys Father’s order to distant horizons. The part after this one, which summarizes the heroism and sacrifices of the Turkish army carrying out Atatürk’s orders, depicts a warrior taking the flag from the hands of a falling private and a soldier in a trench with shield and sword in his hands - symbolizing the Turkish attack. In the front is the victory angel with the Turkish flag, calling for the Turkish army. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.
THE MAUSOLEUM
There is 42-step stairway leading to the most important part of Anıtkabir, the mausoleum. In the middle of the stairs is the “address pulpit”. The side of the marble pulpit facing the ceremonial square is decorated with circular geometrical motifs, in the midst of it is Atatürk’s remark, “Sovereignty is without doubt, the Nation’s.” The pulpit is Kenan Yontuç’s work. The mausoleum has a long rectangular layout of 72x52x17m. The structure is surrounded by columns 14.40m high; 8 on the front and back, 14 on the long sides. On the front of the mausoleum to the left is Atatürk’s address to the Turkish youth, to the right is his oration of the Republic’s 10th anniversary. Letters are in guilded relief.
THE HALL OF HONOUR
The hall is entered through bronze gates. To the right after the entrance is Atatürk’s last message to the Turkis army, dated 29 October 1938; to the left is 2nd President İsmet İnönü’s condolence message upon Atatürk’s death, dated 21 November 1938. Both scripts were written in 1981, the 100th anniversary of Atatürk's birth. Just opposite the entrance in the niche of the huge window, is Atatürk’s symbolic sarcophagus. The material of the 40 tons monolithic sarcophagus is red marble. The section on which the stone stands is covered with white Afyon marble. The ground of the hall of honour is covered with red, black, green and tiger’s fur marbles from Adana and Hatay, while the side walls are of marbles from Afyon and Bilecik of the same kind. The ceiling of the hall of honour consisting of 27 rafters and that of the side galleries are decorated with mosaics. The height of the hall of honour is 17 m. and there are 6 bronze torches on each of the side walls, which make a total of 12. The top of the mausoleum is covered with a flat lead roof.
THE TOMB
The beloved corpse of Atatürk is in a grave dug directly in the soil below the ground floor of the musoleum. The tomb which is situated right beneath symbolic sarcophagus in the hall of honour on the first floor of the mausoleum is an octagon in the Seldjuk and Ottoman architectural style, topped with a pyramidal roof and its ceiling decorated with mosaics bearing geometrical motifs. The ground and the walls are covered with black, white and red marbles. İn the middle of the tomb, the smaller sarcophagus made of red marble is directed towards the Kaaba. This marble sarcophagus is surrounded by vases filled with soil from every province and from the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus.
THE ALAGÖZ HEADQUARTERS MUSEUM
Upon the approach of the enemy to Polatlı during the Sakaya Battle, the West Front Commandersihp chose the Village of Alagöz, located between Ankara and Polatlı, as Front Headquarters. The farm house of Türkoğlu Ali Ağa of the village was used as headquarters. After the end of the Sakarya Battle, the building was re-used as a home by its owners Ali Türkoğlu and his sons until 1965. In 1965 it was turned over by the inheritors to the Ministry of Education. The structure, which was transferred to the Anıtkabir Museum Directorate under the General Directorate of Ancient Monuments and Museums in 1967, was restored and turned into a museum thereafter. On November 10th, 1968, only the upper floor was arranged and opened to the public; the lower parts were opened in 1983 after a reorganizaton.The structure is a two-storey one and has a Garments Room, Library and Memorabilia Room, Officer’s Lunch Room, Kitchen, Communications Room, Room of the Commander- in-chief, Staff Officers’ Room, Refreshing Room, Aide-de-camps’ Room, Atatürk’s Bedroom, Atatürk’s dining room with his servant’s room, a total of 12 rooms.
ATATÜRK’S REMARKS TO THE TURKISH YOUTH
Turkish Youth! Your first duty is to forever preserve and defend the Turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic. This is the very foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future, too, there may be malevolent people at home and abroad, wishing to deprive you of this treasure. If some day, you are compelled to defend your independence and your republic, you will not hesitate before you take upon yourself the duty thinking about the possibilities and circumstances of the situation in which you will find yourself. These possibilities and circumstances may prove to be extremely unfavourable. The enemies conspiring against your independence and your republic may have behind them a victory unprecedented in the whole world. By means of violence and deceit, all the fortresses of your beloved fatherland may have been captured, and all its shipyards occupied, armies dispersed and every corner of the country invaded. And even more distressing and graver than all these circumstances; within the country, those who have the authority to rule may have fallen into negligence, error and even treachery. Furthermore, they may identify their own interests with the political desires of the invaders. The country may be in extreme poverty, in ruins and in exhaustion.Youth of Turkey's future, Even in such circumstances, it is your duty to save the Turkish Independence and Republic. The strength you need is the noble blood that runs in your veins! (1927) Address: Anıt Caddesi Tandoğan/Ankara Tel: (312) 231 79 75
ANITKABİR
His life full of wars for independence of Turkish country and revolutions to raise the Turkish nation to level of modern civilization, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader in the Turkish War of Independence and Turkish Revolutions, and founder of Turkish Republic, died on November 10th 1938. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a great leader, who turned Turkey into member of modern civilization, with all institutions. To build a mausoleum that would represent his eminence, and thoughts about principles, revolutions and modernization, emerged as a common idea of the Turkish nation, during the great sadness following the death of Atatürk.
RASATTEPE (ANITTEPE)
As there was an observation station on the site before building Anıtkabir, the name of Anıttepe was formerly Rasattepe. There were barrows related to the Frig civilization, which lived in Anatolia in the 12th century B.C. on this hill. After the decision to build Anıtkabir to this hill, archeological studies were carried out and the barrows removed. The findings the from barrows are exhibited in Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
BUILDING ANITKABİR
In the first stage on starting construction, the nationalization procedure was initiated. The construction of Anıtkabir was started in 9th November 1944, with a magnificent ceremony. Construction was completed in 9 years, in 4 stages.
Construction of First Stage: 1944 - 1945
The first stage, including the construction of the supporting wall of the lion road and the ground level, was started on November 9th 1944 and completed in 1945.
Construction of Second Stage: 1945 - 1950
The second stage, including the construction of the mausoleum and buildings that surround ceremony area, was started in 29th September 1945, and completed on August 8th 1950. At this stage, the “foundation project” of the monument body was decided to be prepared, in order to reduce the foundation pressure, according to the building's construction system. By the end of 1947, foundation excavation and isolation were completed, and an iron assembly 11 meters high reinforced the concrete foundation system, which would prevents any kind of subsidence, were just about to completed.The entrance turrets and most of the road arrangement, nursery facility, forestration work and watering system of the area were mostly completed.
Construction of Third Stage: 1950
The third stage of construction included the roads to the monument, the lion road, the ceremony area, stone plating of the upper part of the mausoleum, steps, placing the sarcophagus and installation work.
Construction of Fourth Stage: 1950 – 1953
Preparation of the honor hall, lower parts of vaults, stone profiles of the honor hall, and ornamentation of eaves were completed in the fourth stage of construction. This stage was started on November 20th 1950, and completed on September 1st 1953. In the “Anıtkabir Project”, there was the vault section that rises over colonade. On December 4th 1951, the government asked architects if it was possible to finish the building earlier, in the case of lowering the height of 28 meter honour hall.After the studies of architects, it was found possible to cover hall of honour with a reinforced concrete ceiling, instead of stone vaults. This would also prevent the technical problems arising from the weight of the vault. In the construction of Anıtkabir, different colors of travertine were used as exterior plating material over concrete and marble for plating inside of the mausoleum. The white travertine that is used in statues, lion statues and mausoleum columns were from Kayseri / Pınarbaşı, and white travertine used in inside walls of turrets were from Polatlı and Malıköy. Black and red travertines from Kayseri / Boğazköprü were used in plating of floors of ceremony area and turrets, and yellow travertines from Çankırı / Eskipazar were used for the victory reliefs and columns that surround the hall of honour and the ceremony area. Cream, red and black coloured marbles used in floor of honour hall were from Çanakkale, Hatay and Adana, the tiger skin used in the hall of honour's inside interior walls was from Afyon, and green coloured marble was from Bilecik. The sarcophagus stone in one piece, which weighed 40 tons, was taken from Adana / Osmaniye, and white marbles that plates the side walls of the sarcophagus were taken from Afyon.
ARCHITECTURAL PROPERTIES OF ANITKABİR
The period between the years 1940 and 1950 is called “2nd National Architecture Period” in Turkish architecture. In this period, more monumental, symmetrical buildings were erected, with cube shaped stones. Anıtkabir bears the signs of this period. With the properties of this period, Anıtkabir also bears features of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture and ornamental details.As an example, in the outer surfaces, where ceiling and walls unite, there is a border which is called saw tooth pattern in Seljuk. Also some ornaments such as passionflower and rosette, found in some places in Anıtkabir (Mehmetçik Turret, Museum Management), are from Seljuk and Ottoman art. With all these properties, Anıtkabir is one of the best examples for that period, which covers approximately 750.000 m2. Anıtkabir can be separated into two parts: Peace Park and the Monument Block
A - PEACE PARK
Anıtkabir is placed in the Peace Park, which is created with saplings from several foreign countries and from several regions of Turkey, that is inspired from the epigram of Atatürk; “Peace at home, peace in the world”. Several trees and saplings were taken from Afghanistan, United States, Germany, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, India, Iraq, England, Spain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, Norway, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Greece. Today, the Peace Park contains approximately 48.500 trees and plants, from 104 different species.
B - MONUMENT BLOCK
The Monument Block contains three parts. 1. Lion Road 2. Ceremony Area 3. MausoleumWhen entered from Tandoğan gate, the road in Peace Park leads to 26 stepped wide stairs to the Lion Road. At the top of the stairs, independence and liberty turrets can be seen facing one another. In the Anıtkabir building complex, there are ten turrets, which are placed symmetrically. These turrets are named with eminent concepts, according to their effects to the foundation of our nation and government. The turrets are similar to each other with their plan and structure. The Turrets are based on a square-shaped 12x14x7.20 meter rectangle, and covered with pyramid-shaped roofs. On the top of the roofs, bronze spear tips from old Turkish tents are visible. Geometrical ornaments from old Turkish kilim (woven carpet) motifs are applied in fresco technique. Also, Atatürk’s aphorisms related with that turret can be found on the inside of the walls.
INDEPENDENCE TURRET
The Independence Turret is placed on the right, at the beginning of Lion Road. On the reliefs on the interior walls of Independence Turret, a young man holding a sword with both hands, standing and a eagle figure on a rock beside youth, can be seen. The Eagle is the symbol for power and independence in mythology and Seljuk art. The young man with sword represents Turkish nation as defending independence. Relief are work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.Also there are aprohisms of Atatürk, related with independence: “When our nation seemed come to an end, her ancestor's voice called her to revolt, and to our War of Independence.” (1921) “Life means battle, combat. Succes in life will be possible only through succes in battle.” (1927) “We are a nation that wants life and independence, and we will pay with our life.” (1921) “There is no choice such as begging for justice and mercy. The Turkish nation, future Turkish children, should bear this in mind forever.” (1927) “This nation never lived without independence, can’t live, and won’t live without it. Independence or death.” (1919) There is an Anıtkabir scale model, and there are illuminated boards in the turret.
LIBERTY TURRET
In the relief inside the Liberty Turret, on the left side of the beginning of the Lion Road, there is an angel figure holding a paper and a rearing horse. The angel figure symbolizes the sacredness of independence, with the paper “Independence Declaration”. The horse is the symbol of liberty and independence. The reliefs are the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu. In the walls of the turret, some words of Atatürk about liberty read as follows: “The issue is the life of the Turkish nation as a respected nation. This is only possible with independence. Despite all riches, without independence, they are nothing more than a manservant before mankind.” “According to me, maintaining a nation’s honor and humanity is possible with that nation’s liberty and independence. “Freedom, equality, and justice, all depends on national preeminence.” In the turret, a photograph exhibition on the construction of Anıtkabir and stone samples from construction can be seen.
WOMAN STATUE GROUP
In front of the liberty turret, there is a group of women in national garments. Women on the edge are carrying a wreath. The Wreath with ears represents our productive country. The woman on the left is imploring God’s mercy, and the woman in the middle is crying with her hands on her face. This group of women represents the proud, sedate, determined Turkish woman, even in great sorrow such as on Atatürk’s death. The statue group is a work of Hüseyin Özkan.
MEN STATUE GROUP
In front of the independence turret, there is a group of men. The man at the right with his helmet and coat represents the Turkish soldier, the man next to him with a book in his hand represents the Turkish youth and intellectual, and the other one with local clothes represents the Turkish farmer. All three statues show the deep sorrow, and longing. The statue group is the work of Hüseyin Özkan.
LION ROAD
There are 24 lion statues in sitting position which are placed on both ends of the road, which prepares visitors for the eminent presence of Atatürk. The road is 262 meters long. The lion statues represent power and tranquility. The lion statues are done in Hittite style, because of Atatürk’s attention to Turk and Anatolian history. The Statues are the work of Hüseyin Özkan.
CEREMONY AREA
The ceremony area, at the end of lion road, is in the dimensions of 129x84.25 meters. The area, with a capacity of 15.000 persons, is decorated with 373 carpet and kilim patterns, using black, red and white colored travertine stones.
MEHMETÇİK TURRET
The Metmetçik (a nickname for the Turkish soldier) Turret is placed at the end of the Lion Road, at the right. On the relief outside the turret, the figure represents Mehmetçik leaving his home. In this figure, the sad but proud mother, who sends her son to war, is portrayed. The Relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu. On the walls of the turret, Atatürk’s aphorism’s about Mehmetçik and the Turkish woman can be seen. In the turret, several books about Anıtkabir and Atatürk are sold.
ATATÜRK AND TURKISH REVOLUTION LIBRARY
Atatrük and the Turkish Revolution Library is placed between the Mehmetçik and Liberty Turrets. This “specialty library” about Atatürk, the national war and the revolutions, is available for research on weekdays between 09.00-12.30 and 13.30-17.00. VICTORY TURRET
On the walls of the turret, dates and notes about Atatürk’s most important three victories are on display. In the turret, the gun carriage that bore Atatürk’s body from İstanbul Dolmabahçe Palace on November 19th, 1938 to the fleet at Sarayburnu, can also be seen.
SARCOPHAGUS OF İSMET İNÖNÜ
Between the Peace and Victory Turrets, in the middle of the gallery, there is symbolical sarcophagus of İsmet İnönü, who died on December 25th 1973, a very close friend of Atatürk, West Front commander of the Independence War, and second president of the Republic of Turkey. The Tomb room is downstairs. İsmet İnönü was buried at Anıtkabir at December 28th 1973, on the decision of the Council of Ministers.
PEACE TOWER
There is a composition on the inside walls of the turret, which describes the principle of Atatürk “Peace at home, peace in the world”. In this relief, there are farmers and a soldier protecting them with his sword is shown. This soldier symbolizes the Turkish military as a basis for peace. Thus, people can continue their daily life. The Relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the turret, some of Atatürk’s words are as follows: “Peace at home, peace in the world”. “Unless the nation’s life is under attack, war is murder”. (1923) In the turret, Atatürk’s ceremonious and official automobiles between the years 1935- 1938, are presented.
23RD APRIL TURRET
There is a relief on the inside walls of the turret, that represents the opening of the Turkish National Assembly. A woman holding a paper is standing in this relief. The date April 23rd 1920 is written on this paper. The woman holds a key in her other hand, representing the opening of our National Assembly. The relief is the work of Hakkı Atamulu. One of the aphorisms on the walls of the turret: “There was only one choice: Founding a new independent Turkish Government, depending on national preeminence.” (1919) Atatürk’s private automobile between the years 1936-1938 is exhibited in the turret.
FLAGPOLE
In the middle of the stairs leading to the ceremony area, there is a Turkish flag on the high flagpole. This 33.53 meter long flagpole is specially manufactured in USA, and is the longest single piece steel flagpole. 4 meters of flagpole are under the base. It was presented as a gift to Anıtkabir in 1946 from Nazmi Cemal, an American citizen of Turkish origin. This flagpole was manufactured at his own flagpole factory. The relief on the base of the flagpole torch represents Turkish civilization, the sword represents the power to attack, the helmet represents power of defense, the oak branch repserents victory, and the olive branch repsesents peace. The Relief is the work of Kenan Yontuç.
THE TOWER OF THE NATIONAL CONTRACT
The relief in the tower which is situated at the entrance of the museum represents our gathering in unity. The relief consists of four hands grasping each other on the butt of a sword. This composition expresses the promise of the nation to save the Turkish fatherland. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the tower are Atatürk’s words on the National Contract: “What writes the national oath, which is our general rule of liberation, is the iron hand of the nation.” (1923) “We want to live free and independent within our national boundaries.” (1921) “Nations who can’t find their national identity are prey to other nations.” (1923) In the midst of the tower is a tribute to the signing, which is signed by special committees attending ceremonies carried out in Anıtkabir. In the tower which is also the entrance of the museum are reality panels on which are presented photographs of important ceremonies in Anıtkabir.
ANITKABİR ATATÜRK MUSEUM
In line with the conditions of the Anıtkabir Project Competition, the section between the National Contract and the Reform Towers is specified as a museum. For this purpose, the Anıtkabir Atatürk Museum was opened on June 21st, 1960. Here, Atatürks personal belongings, gifts presented to him and his clothes are on exhibition.Besides, Atatürk’s medals and insignia, and some of Atatürk’s belongings which were granted by his adopted children. A. Afet İnan, Rukiye Erkin, Sabiha Gökçen are also included in the exhibition.
TOWER OF REFORM
In this tower, which is the continuation of the museum clothes Atatürk wore are exhibited. On the inner wall of the tower, the relief of a weak, powerless hand holding a torch about to go out, symbolizes the collapsing Ottoman Empire. The other bright torch held in the skies by a mighty hand symbolizes the new Turkish Republic and the Reforms Atatürk carried out to enable the Turkish nation to catch up with modern civilization. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the tower walls are these words of Atatürk on his reforms:“If a society does not proceed with all its men and women towards the same purpose, there’s no technical possibility and scientific probability of its becoming civilized.” “We are not inspired by heavens and the unknown sphere but directly by life itself.” In this tower which is used as the garments section of the museum is a life-size wax statue of Atatürk by Anadolu University’s former president Prof.Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen.
TOWER OF THE REPUBLIC
This tower is the entry to the art gallery and on its wall these aphorisms of Atatürk about the republic are written: “The fact that we gained our national sovereignty through action and handed over to the people, and undoubtedly proved that we can keep it in their hands, are our biggest strength and most trusted foundation.” In the tower, the models of Monastir Military Senior High School building, where Atatürk graduated from, Sivas and Erzurum congress buildings and I. Turkish Grand National Assembly building and some photographs of that period are exhibited.
THE ART GALLERY
In this section which is in between the Tower of Republic and the Towers of Legal Defence is demonstrated Atatürk’s personal library.
On the walls are oil paintings depicting Atatürk and foreign statesmen together. The paintings are works of the artist Rahmi Pehlivanlı.
There is also a cinema section in the gallery wwhere documentary films are shown about Atatürk, National Struggle and the Anıtkabir.
DEFENCE OF RIGHTS TOWER
On the relief on the outer face of the tower Legal Defence (Müdafaa-i Hukuk), which is the essence of our national unity in the War of Liberation,is represented. On the relief a male figure is depicted, saying“Hold!” to the enemy passing the border, with a sword in one hand while the other is held to the front. The huge tree beneath the hand reaching out represents our country, while the male figure protecting it symbolizes the nation united in the aim of liberation. The relief is the work of Nusret Suman. On the walls of the tower are words of Atatürk on Legal Defence: “To yield national power effective and national will sovereign is the essence.” (1919) “Hereafter the nation will own her life, independence and entire existence in person.” (1923) “History can never reject a nation’s blood, right, and existence.”(1919) “The innermost and most obvious wish and faith rising from the heart and conscience of the Turkish naiton, came to light: Liberation.” (1927) In the tower periodically exhibitions on “Atatürk and the National Struggle” are organized. Besides, there is also the model of the Military Academy Atatürk attended.
THE RELIEF ABOUT THE PITCH BATTLE OF SAKARYA
There are a youth, two horses, a woman and a man on the right side of the composition. These have left their homes and are on their way to defend the country against foe's first assault. The youth to the right has turned his back and shakes his left fist to the foe, saying, “One day we shall come back and avenge.” Before this trio is a cart in the mud, horses struggling, a man trying to turn the wheel, two women, a standing warrior, and a kneeling woman is presenting him a sword. This group of figures represents the period before the Sakarya Battle. To the left of this group are two women and a child sitting on the ground, symbolizing our people under enemy’s rule awaiting the Turkish army. Over the people flies the angel of victory presenting a wreath to Commander-in-chief Mustafa Kemal. The woman sitting at the end of the composition symbolizes the motherland, while the oak symbolizes victory. Motherland shows the oak which is the victory symbol of the Turkish army. The relief is a work of İlhan Koman.
THE RELIEF ABOUT THE BATTLE OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
The group comprising of a rural women, a boy and some horses represents the national preparation for war. In the next part Atatürk stretches out his finger, saying, “Army, your first target is the Mediterranean, ahead!” and pointing our army where to go. The angel in front conveys Father’s order to distant horizons. The part after this one, which summarizes the heroism and sacrifices of the Turkish army carrying out Atatürk’s orders, depicts a warrior taking the flag from the hands of a falling private and a soldier in a trench with shield and sword in his hands - symbolizing the Turkish attack. In the front is the victory angel with the Turkish flag, calling for the Turkish army. The relief is the work of Zühtü Müridoğlu.
THE MAUSOLEUM
There is 42-step stairway leading to the most important part of Anıtkabir, the mausoleum. In the middle of the stairs is the “address pulpit”. The side of the marble pulpit facing the ceremonial square is decorated with circular geometrical motifs, in the midst of it is Atatürk’s remark, “Sovereignty is without doubt, the Nation’s.” The pulpit is Kenan Yontuç’s work. The mausoleum has a long rectangular layout of 72x52x17m. The structure is surrounded by columns 14.40m high; 8 on the front and back, 14 on the long sides. On the front of the mausoleum to the left is Atatürk’s address to the Turkish youth, to the right is his oration of the Republic’s 10th anniversary. Letters are in guilded relief.
THE HALL OF HONOUR
The hall is entered through bronze gates. To the right after the entrance is Atatürk’s last message to the Turkis army, dated 29 October 1938; to the left is 2nd President İsmet İnönü’s condolence message upon Atatürk’s death, dated 21 November 1938. Both scripts were written in 1981, the 100th anniversary of Atatürk's birth. Just opposite the entrance in the niche of the huge window, is Atatürk’s symbolic sarcophagus. The material of the 40 tons monolithic sarcophagus is red marble. The section on which the stone stands is covered with white Afyon marble. The ground of the hall of honour is covered with red, black, green and tiger’s fur marbles from Adana and Hatay, while the side walls are of marbles from Afyon and Bilecik of the same kind. The ceiling of the hall of honour consisting of 27 rafters and that of the side galleries are decorated with mosaics. The height of the hall of honour is 17 m. and there are 6 bronze torches on each of the side walls, which make a total of 12. The top of the mausoleum is covered with a flat lead roof.
THE TOMB
The beloved corpse of Atatürk is in a grave dug directly in the soil below the ground floor of the musoleum. The tomb which is situated right beneath symbolic sarcophagus in the hall of honour on the first floor of the mausoleum is an octagon in the Seldjuk and Ottoman architectural style, topped with a pyramidal roof and its ceiling decorated with mosaics bearing geometrical motifs. The ground and the walls are covered with black, white and red marbles. İn the middle of the tomb, the smaller sarcophagus made of red marble is directed towards the Kaaba. This marble sarcophagus is surrounded by vases filled with soil from every province and from the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus.
THE ALAGÖZ HEADQUARTERS MUSEUM
Upon the approach of the enemy to Polatlı during the Sakaya Battle, the West Front Commandersihp chose the Village of Alagöz, located between Ankara and Polatlı, as Front Headquarters. The farm house of Türkoğlu Ali Ağa of the village was used as headquarters. After the end of the Sakarya Battle, the building was re-used as a home by its owners Ali Türkoğlu and his sons until 1965. In 1965 it was turned over by the inheritors to the Ministry of Education. The structure, which was transferred to the Anıtkabir Museum Directorate under the General Directorate of Ancient Monuments and Museums in 1967, was restored and turned into a museum thereafter. On November 10th, 1968, only the upper floor was arranged and opened to the public; the lower parts were opened in 1983 after a reorganizaton.The structure is a two-storey one and has a Garments Room, Library and Memorabilia Room, Officer’s Lunch Room, Kitchen, Communications Room, Room of the Commander- in-chief, Staff Officers’ Room, Refreshing Room, Aide-de-camps’ Room, Atatürk’s Bedroom, Atatürk’s dining room with his servant’s room, a total of 12 rooms.
ATATÜRK’S REMARKS TO THE TURKISH YOUTH
Turkish Youth! Your first duty is to forever preserve and defend the Turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic. This is the very foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future, too, there may be malevolent people at home and abroad, wishing to deprive you of this treasure. If some day, you are compelled to defend your independence and your republic, you will not hesitate before you take upon yourself the duty thinking about the possibilities and circumstances of the situation in which you will find yourself. These possibilities and circumstances may prove to be extremely unfavourable. The enemies conspiring against your independence and your republic may have behind them a victory unprecedented in the whole world. By means of violence and deceit, all the fortresses of your beloved fatherland may have been captured, and all its shipyards occupied, armies dispersed and every corner of the country invaded. And even more distressing and graver than all these circumstances; within the country, those who have the authority to rule may have fallen into negligence, error and even treachery. Furthermore, they may identify their own interests with the political desires of the invaders. The country may be in extreme poverty, in ruins and in exhaustion.Youth of Turkey's future, Even in such circumstances, it is your duty to save the Turkish Independence and Republic. The strength you need is the noble blood that runs in your veins! (1927) Address: Anıt Caddesi Tandoğan/Ankara Tel: (312) 231 79 75
Biography of Atatürk
ATATURK, FOUNDER OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC AND THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born in a three-storey pink house at Islahhane Street, Kocakasim District, Salonika in 1881. His father was Ali Riza Efendi and mother was Zübeyde Hanim. His paternal grand father Hafiz Efendi is a member of Kocacik Nomads from Konya and Aydin region, which was settled in Macedonia during 14th-15th centuries. His mother Zübeyde Hanim, also a daughter of an old Turkish family, settled in the town of Langasa near Salonika. Ali Riza Efendi who worked in various areas such as; a military officer, a pious foundation clerk and for some time a timber merchant and got married with Zübeyde Hanim in 1871. Four of Atatürk's five siblings died at an early age, only his sister Makbule Atadan survived and lived until 1956. Atatürk's Address to the Youth of Turkey (1.71 MB)
Little Mustafa commenced his education in Hafiz Mehmet Efendi's neighbourhood school, later he was transferred to Semsi Efendi School, because his father wished so (Comparatively modern education at the time.) During his primary education, he lost his father in 1888. For a while he stayed on his uncle's farm in Rapla, returned to Salonika and completed his primary education. He enrolled to Salonika Junior High School for Civil Servants. After a short time in 1893, he transferred to Military Junior High School. It is at this school his math teacher Mustafa Bey, added Kemal to his name in between 1896-1899, Mustafa Kemal finished Monastir Military Senior High School and commenced Military College in Istanbul. In 1902 he graduated with the rank of lieutenant and continued his education in Military Academy. In January 1905 he completed the Academy and graduated with the rank of a captain. His first appointment was in 5 Army in Damascus in between 1905-1907. He was promoted to adjutant major in 1907 and appointed to 3 Army in Monastery. He was the Chief of Staff of the Army Corps which entered Istanbul on 19 April 1909. He was sent to France in 1910 and took part in Picardie Manoeuvres. In 1911 he was back in Istanbul and started to work under the Command of General Staff. Mustafa Kemal and a group of friends took part in Tobruk and Derna Fronts during the war which started in 1911 against the Italians who were attacking Tripoli (Libya). He won the Battle of Tobruk against the Italian forces on 22 December 1911. He was then appointed to Derna Front as the Commander-in-Chief on 6 March 1912. When the Balkan War started in October 1912, Mustafa Kemal joined the battle with units in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) and Bolayir. He greatly contributed to the retrieval of Edirne and Dimetoka (Dhidhimotikhon). In 1913 he was appointed to Sofia as the military attache. During his assignment in Sofia he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. His duty as the military attache ended in January 1915. During his stay in Sofia, the First World War had started and the Ottoman Empire had become obliged to enter in this war. Mustafa Kemal was appointed to Tekirdag to organize the 19 Division. It is in the First World War, which started in 1914, that Mustafa Kemal wrote an heroic epic and made the legend of Dardanelles are Impassable against Entente troops in Gallipoli. On 18 March 1915, when British and French navies failed to break in through the Straits of Dardanelles with heavy losses, the decision to land troops on the Gallipoli peninsula had been given. Under the command of Mustafa Kemal, 19 Division halted the enemy forces, which landed in Ariburnu -now called Anzak Koyu (Anzac Cove)- on 25 April 1915 at Conkbayir. Mustafa Kemal was promoted to full colonel after this great success. British forces started attacking again from Ariburnu on 6-7 August 1915. Anafartalar Group Commander Mustafa Kemal won the victory of Battle of Anafartalar on 9-10 August. Following this, he also won the victories of Battle of Kirectepe on 17 August and Second Battle of Anafartalar on 21 August. The Turkish nation defended her honour in Gallipoli (Battle of Canakkale) against Entente States by losing approximately 253,000 of her sons to martyrdom. Mustafa Kemal's famous order to his soldiers "I do not order you to attack, I order you to die", had changed the destiny of this Front. In 1916 after Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal took duties in Edirne and in Diyarbakir. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1 April 1916. He took part in the battles against Russian forces by which Mus and Bitlis were liberated. After short duties in Damascus and Aleppo, he returned to Istanbul in 1917. He went to Germany with Heir Apparent Prince Vahdeddin Efendi for observations in the European Western Front. He became sick after this trip and received treatment in Vienna and Carlsbad. He returned to the Front on 15 August 1918 as the Commander-in-Chief of the 7 Army in Aleppo. At this front he achieved the most successful defensive battles in history against the British forces. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Lightning Army Group on 31 October 1918, just one day after the signing of the truce in Moudros. After the abolishment of this Army Group he was appointed for a duty in the Ministry of War in Istanbul on 13 November 1918. After the beginning of the occupation of the country and demobilization of the Ottoman armies according to the Moudros Truce, Mustafa Kemal arrived in Samsun on 19 May 1919 as the Inspector General of the 9 Army. On 22 June 1919, he issued the Amasya Circular, declaring that the nation's determination and decision will restore the nation's independence and called for the gathering of Congress in Erzurum and Sivas. Between 23 July and 7 August 1919 delegates from all over the country gathered in Erzurum and then between 4 September and 11 September 1919 in Sivas, determining the path to follow in order to gain nation’s independence. On 27 December 1919 he was welcomed in Ankara with great enthusiasm. 23 April 1920, the first day of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, was one of the very important steps on the way to the founding of the Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal was elected as the first Speaker of the House and the Head of the Government. The Turkish Grand National Assembly started preparing and passing the new laws necessary for implementing the Independence War successfully. The Turkish Independence War was started when the first bullet was fired against the enemy during the occupation of Izmir by the Greek forces on 15 May 1919. Victors of the First World War, by signing of the Sevres Agreement, started the occupation of their shares of the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning, resistance against occupation forces started with militia forces, namely Kuva-i Milliye (National Forces). The Turkish Grand National Assembly established the regular army and successfully led the Independence War to victory by integrating the militia forces into the regular army. The important stages of the Independence War under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal were, • Liberation of Sarikamis (20 September 1920), Kars (30 October 1920) and Gümrü (7 November 1920). • Defences of Cukurova, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Kahraman Maras (1919-1920). • Victory at the First Battle of Inönü (6-10 January 1920)• Victory at the Second Battle of Inönü (23 March-1 April 1920). • Victory at the Battle of Sakarya (23 August-13 September 1921). • Great Offensive, Battle of Dumlupinar (Battle of Commander-in-Chief) and the Great (Final) Victory (26 August-9 September 1922). After the victory at the Battle of Sakarya, the Turkish Grand National Assembly promoted Mustafa Kemal to the rank of Field Marshal and granted him the title of Gazi-the Victorious Fighter. The Independence War was ended by the Lausanne Peace Treaty on 24 July 1923. Thus, all the impediments of the Sevres Agreement had been removed and integrity of the Turkish land had been accomplished by the signing of the Lausanne Agreement. There were no obstructions left on the way to establish the new Turkish State based on national solidarity. Founding of the Turkish Republic had been heralded by the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 23 April 1920. National Assembly's successful administration during the Independence War had secured the founding of the new Turkish State. Caliphate and Sultanate (monarchy) separated and Sultanate was abolished on 1 November 1922. Therefore, the administrative ties with the Ottoman Empire were broken. The declaration of Republic was made on 29 October 1923 and Mustafa Kemal was unanimously elected as the first President of the Republic. Ismet Inönü formed the first government of the Republic on 30 October 1923. Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to Nation and Peace at home, peace in the world are the raising fundamentals of the Turkish Republic. Atatürk made many reforms in order to bring Turkey to the level of contemporary civilizations. Those reforms can be put under five main topics: 1. Political Reforms - Abolishment of the Sultanate (1 November 1922) - Declaration of the Republic (29 October 1923) - Abolishment of Caliphate (3 March 1924) 2. Social Reforms - Women were given equal rights with men (1926-1934) - The Revolution of Headgear and Outfit (25 November 1925) - Closing of dervish lodges and shrines (30 November 1925) - The surname law (21 June 1934) - Abolishment of nicknames, pious and royal titles (26 November 1934) - Adoption of the International calendar, time and measurements (1925-1931) 3. Juridical Reforms - Abolishment of the Canon Law (1924-1937) - Instating the new Turkish Civil Code and other legislation to suit secular order (1924 - 1937) 4. Educational and Cultural Reforms - Integration of education (3 March 1924) - Adoption of the new Turkish alphabet (1 November 1928) - Establishment of the Turkish Language and Historical Societies (1931-1932) - Organization of the university education (31 May 1933). - Innovations in fine arts 5. Economical Reforms - Abolishment of old taxation laws. - Encouragement of the farmers. - Establishment of model farms. - Legislation of the Encouragement of the Industry Law and establishment of Industrial Corporations. - Implementing First and Second Development Plans (1933-1937), construction of new highways to reach every corner of the country. In accordance with the new surname law, Turkish Grand National Assembly granted Mustafa Kemal with the surname Atatürk on 24 November 1934. Atatürk had been elected twice as the Speaker of the House (National Assembly), on 24 April 1920 and 13 Augustus 1923. His chairmanship at that time, was equal to the Head of State and the Government combined. On 29 October 1923 Republic was declared and Atatürk was elected as the first President of the Republic. According to the Constitution Presidential elections held for every four years. Atatürk had been re-elected as the President of the Republic in 1927, 1931 and 1935 by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Atatürk very frequently used to go for fact-finding trips in the country. He kept in contact with local authorities and directed them personally in every occasion. In the capacity of the President of the Republic, he received the visiting foreign presidents, premiers, ministers and commanders with great respect and authority. Atatürk gave his Great Speech on 15-20 October 1927 in which he described the Independence War and Founding of Republic, he then made his 10th Year Speech on 29 October 1933.Atatürk was very modest in his private life. He married with Latife Hanim on 29 January 1923. Together they had many trips around the country. Their marriage lasted until 5 August 1925. As a great lover of children, Atatürk adopted his daughters Afet (Inan), Sabiha (Gökcen), Fikriye, Ülkü, Nebile, Rukiye, Zehra and his son Mustafa, a young shepherd boy. He also had two children under his protection, Abdurrahim and Ihsan. He secured a good life and future for these children who survived. In 1937, he donated his farms to the State Treasury and some of his real estate to Ankara and Bursa Municipality Councils. He divided his inheritance among his sister, his adopted children and the Turkish Language and Historical Societies. He enjoyed reading, listening music, dancing, horse riding and swimming. He was very much interested in the Western Anatolian folk dance Zeybek, wrestling and listening to Rumelia songs. He had great pleasure in playing black-gammon and billiards. He valued very much his horse Sakarya and his dog Fox. He had made up a very rich library of his own. He used to invite statesmen, scholars and scientists to dinners and discuss state affairs with them. He was very particular about his appearance and was smartly dressed all the times. He was also a nature lover. He very often used to visit his farm Atatürk Orman Ciftligi-Atatürk Forest Farm and took part at works in person. Atatürk was proficient in French and German. On 10 November 1938 at 9.05 in the morning, in Istanbul, Dolmabahce Palace, he died of the liver ailment he was suffering from. He was buried with a ceremonial funeral in a temporary place of rest at the Ethnographical Museum in Ankara on 21 November 1938. After the building of Anitkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum) he was taken to his permanent place of rest with a grand ceremony on 10 November 1953.
Culture is the foundation of Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, 1936 Atatürk's 10th Year Speech
Little Mustafa commenced his education in Hafiz Mehmet Efendi's neighbourhood school, later he was transferred to Semsi Efendi School, because his father wished so (Comparatively modern education at the time.) During his primary education, he lost his father in 1888. For a while he stayed on his uncle's farm in Rapla, returned to Salonika and completed his primary education. He enrolled to Salonika Junior High School for Civil Servants. After a short time in 1893, he transferred to Military Junior High School. It is at this school his math teacher Mustafa Bey, added Kemal to his name in between 1896-1899, Mustafa Kemal finished Monastir Military Senior High School and commenced Military College in Istanbul. In 1902 he graduated with the rank of lieutenant and continued his education in Military Academy. In January 1905 he completed the Academy and graduated with the rank of a captain. His first appointment was in 5 Army in Damascus in between 1905-1907. He was promoted to adjutant major in 1907 and appointed to 3 Army in Monastery. He was the Chief of Staff of the Army Corps which entered Istanbul on 19 April 1909. He was sent to France in 1910 and took part in Picardie Manoeuvres. In 1911 he was back in Istanbul and started to work under the Command of General Staff. Mustafa Kemal and a group of friends took part in Tobruk and Derna Fronts during the war which started in 1911 against the Italians who were attacking Tripoli (Libya). He won the Battle of Tobruk against the Italian forces on 22 December 1911. He was then appointed to Derna Front as the Commander-in-Chief on 6 March 1912. When the Balkan War started in October 1912, Mustafa Kemal joined the battle with units in Gelibolu (Gallipoli) and Bolayir. He greatly contributed to the retrieval of Edirne and Dimetoka (Dhidhimotikhon). In 1913 he was appointed to Sofia as the military attache. During his assignment in Sofia he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. His duty as the military attache ended in January 1915. During his stay in Sofia, the First World War had started and the Ottoman Empire had become obliged to enter in this war. Mustafa Kemal was appointed to Tekirdag to organize the 19 Division. It is in the First World War, which started in 1914, that Mustafa Kemal wrote an heroic epic and made the legend of Dardanelles are Impassable against Entente troops in Gallipoli. On 18 March 1915, when British and French navies failed to break in through the Straits of Dardanelles with heavy losses, the decision to land troops on the Gallipoli peninsula had been given. Under the command of Mustafa Kemal, 19 Division halted the enemy forces, which landed in Ariburnu -now called Anzak Koyu (Anzac Cove)- on 25 April 1915 at Conkbayir. Mustafa Kemal was promoted to full colonel after this great success. British forces started attacking again from Ariburnu on 6-7 August 1915. Anafartalar Group Commander Mustafa Kemal won the victory of Battle of Anafartalar on 9-10 August. Following this, he also won the victories of Battle of Kirectepe on 17 August and Second Battle of Anafartalar on 21 August. The Turkish nation defended her honour in Gallipoli (Battle of Canakkale) against Entente States by losing approximately 253,000 of her sons to martyrdom. Mustafa Kemal's famous order to his soldiers "I do not order you to attack, I order you to die", had changed the destiny of this Front. In 1916 after Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal took duties in Edirne and in Diyarbakir. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1 April 1916. He took part in the battles against Russian forces by which Mus and Bitlis were liberated. After short duties in Damascus and Aleppo, he returned to Istanbul in 1917. He went to Germany with Heir Apparent Prince Vahdeddin Efendi for observations in the European Western Front. He became sick after this trip and received treatment in Vienna and Carlsbad. He returned to the Front on 15 August 1918 as the Commander-in-Chief of the 7 Army in Aleppo. At this front he achieved the most successful defensive battles in history against the British forces. He was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Lightning Army Group on 31 October 1918, just one day after the signing of the truce in Moudros. After the abolishment of this Army Group he was appointed for a duty in the Ministry of War in Istanbul on 13 November 1918. After the beginning of the occupation of the country and demobilization of the Ottoman armies according to the Moudros Truce, Mustafa Kemal arrived in Samsun on 19 May 1919 as the Inspector General of the 9 Army. On 22 June 1919, he issued the Amasya Circular, declaring that the nation's determination and decision will restore the nation's independence and called for the gathering of Congress in Erzurum and Sivas. Between 23 July and 7 August 1919 delegates from all over the country gathered in Erzurum and then between 4 September and 11 September 1919 in Sivas, determining the path to follow in order to gain nation’s independence. On 27 December 1919 he was welcomed in Ankara with great enthusiasm. 23 April 1920, the first day of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, was one of the very important steps on the way to the founding of the Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal was elected as the first Speaker of the House and the Head of the Government. The Turkish Grand National Assembly started preparing and passing the new laws necessary for implementing the Independence War successfully. The Turkish Independence War was started when the first bullet was fired against the enemy during the occupation of Izmir by the Greek forces on 15 May 1919. Victors of the First World War, by signing of the Sevres Agreement, started the occupation of their shares of the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning, resistance against occupation forces started with militia forces, namely Kuva-i Milliye (National Forces). The Turkish Grand National Assembly established the regular army and successfully led the Independence War to victory by integrating the militia forces into the regular army. The important stages of the Independence War under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal were, • Liberation of Sarikamis (20 September 1920), Kars (30 October 1920) and Gümrü (7 November 1920). • Defences of Cukurova, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Kahraman Maras (1919-1920). • Victory at the First Battle of Inönü (6-10 January 1920)• Victory at the Second Battle of Inönü (23 March-1 April 1920). • Victory at the Battle of Sakarya (23 August-13 September 1921). • Great Offensive, Battle of Dumlupinar (Battle of Commander-in-Chief) and the Great (Final) Victory (26 August-9 September 1922). After the victory at the Battle of Sakarya, the Turkish Grand National Assembly promoted Mustafa Kemal to the rank of Field Marshal and granted him the title of Gazi-the Victorious Fighter. The Independence War was ended by the Lausanne Peace Treaty on 24 July 1923. Thus, all the impediments of the Sevres Agreement had been removed and integrity of the Turkish land had been accomplished by the signing of the Lausanne Agreement. There were no obstructions left on the way to establish the new Turkish State based on national solidarity. Founding of the Turkish Republic had been heralded by the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 23 April 1920. National Assembly's successful administration during the Independence War had secured the founding of the new Turkish State. Caliphate and Sultanate (monarchy) separated and Sultanate was abolished on 1 November 1922. Therefore, the administrative ties with the Ottoman Empire were broken. The declaration of Republic was made on 29 October 1923 and Mustafa Kemal was unanimously elected as the first President of the Republic. Ismet Inönü formed the first government of the Republic on 30 October 1923. Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to Nation and Peace at home, peace in the world are the raising fundamentals of the Turkish Republic. Atatürk made many reforms in order to bring Turkey to the level of contemporary civilizations. Those reforms can be put under five main topics: 1. Political Reforms - Abolishment of the Sultanate (1 November 1922) - Declaration of the Republic (29 October 1923) - Abolishment of Caliphate (3 March 1924) 2. Social Reforms - Women were given equal rights with men (1926-1934) - The Revolution of Headgear and Outfit (25 November 1925) - Closing of dervish lodges and shrines (30 November 1925) - The surname law (21 June 1934) - Abolishment of nicknames, pious and royal titles (26 November 1934) - Adoption of the International calendar, time and measurements (1925-1931) 3. Juridical Reforms - Abolishment of the Canon Law (1924-1937) - Instating the new Turkish Civil Code and other legislation to suit secular order (1924 - 1937) 4. Educational and Cultural Reforms - Integration of education (3 March 1924) - Adoption of the new Turkish alphabet (1 November 1928) - Establishment of the Turkish Language and Historical Societies (1931-1932) - Organization of the university education (31 May 1933). - Innovations in fine arts 5. Economical Reforms - Abolishment of old taxation laws. - Encouragement of the farmers. - Establishment of model farms. - Legislation of the Encouragement of the Industry Law and establishment of Industrial Corporations. - Implementing First and Second Development Plans (1933-1937), construction of new highways to reach every corner of the country. In accordance with the new surname law, Turkish Grand National Assembly granted Mustafa Kemal with the surname Atatürk on 24 November 1934. Atatürk had been elected twice as the Speaker of the House (National Assembly), on 24 April 1920 and 13 Augustus 1923. His chairmanship at that time, was equal to the Head of State and the Government combined. On 29 October 1923 Republic was declared and Atatürk was elected as the first President of the Republic. According to the Constitution Presidential elections held for every four years. Atatürk had been re-elected as the President of the Republic in 1927, 1931 and 1935 by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Atatürk very frequently used to go for fact-finding trips in the country. He kept in contact with local authorities and directed them personally in every occasion. In the capacity of the President of the Republic, he received the visiting foreign presidents, premiers, ministers and commanders with great respect and authority. Atatürk gave his Great Speech on 15-20 October 1927 in which he described the Independence War and Founding of Republic, he then made his 10th Year Speech on 29 October 1933.Atatürk was very modest in his private life. He married with Latife Hanim on 29 January 1923. Together they had many trips around the country. Their marriage lasted until 5 August 1925. As a great lover of children, Atatürk adopted his daughters Afet (Inan), Sabiha (Gökcen), Fikriye, Ülkü, Nebile, Rukiye, Zehra and his son Mustafa, a young shepherd boy. He also had two children under his protection, Abdurrahim and Ihsan. He secured a good life and future for these children who survived. In 1937, he donated his farms to the State Treasury and some of his real estate to Ankara and Bursa Municipality Councils. He divided his inheritance among his sister, his adopted children and the Turkish Language and Historical Societies. He enjoyed reading, listening music, dancing, horse riding and swimming. He was very much interested in the Western Anatolian folk dance Zeybek, wrestling and listening to Rumelia songs. He had great pleasure in playing black-gammon and billiards. He valued very much his horse Sakarya and his dog Fox. He had made up a very rich library of his own. He used to invite statesmen, scholars and scientists to dinners and discuss state affairs with them. He was very particular about his appearance and was smartly dressed all the times. He was also a nature lover. He very often used to visit his farm Atatürk Orman Ciftligi-Atatürk Forest Farm and took part at works in person. Atatürk was proficient in French and German. On 10 November 1938 at 9.05 in the morning, in Istanbul, Dolmabahce Palace, he died of the liver ailment he was suffering from. He was buried with a ceremonial funeral in a temporary place of rest at the Ethnographical Museum in Ankara on 21 November 1938. After the building of Anitkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum) he was taken to his permanent place of rest with a grand ceremony on 10 November 1953.
Culture is the foundation of Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, 1936 Atatürk's 10th Year Speech
Monday, January 21, 2008
WHY VISIT TURKEY
There are a lot off reason for visiting in Turkey ;
Turkey is a country located at a point where the 3 continents of the old world (Asia, Africa and Europe) are closest to each other and where Asia and Europe meet. Because of its geographical location, Anatolia has always been important throughout history and is the birthplace of many great civilizations.
Surrounded by seas on three sides, it is covered by mountains, forests, steppes and all sorts of land varitations.Thegenuine friendliness and traditional hospitality of the Turkish people towards visitors is justly renowned world wide.
Our country includes the famous holiday cities,beautiful resorts, museums, comfortable hotels and motels, sincere people, magnificent landscapes and etc..
There are many fantastic regions in Turkey
The Hittits, Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans as well as a great number of other civilisations rose and fell here through thousands of years, leaving behind a multitude of historical and archeological sites. It is in fact called the cradle of civilisations, harbouring in its bosom an incredible blend of cultures, history, archaeological sites.
To seethis geografhicalsituation and for living this athmoshpere you must be visit in Turkey.
When you come in Turkey you will enjoy..
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In Turkey, as a country teeming with heritages of Mouslim,Christian and Jewish religions,much more than any other place in the world,we have started to organize tours of faith as atravelling agency specialized extensively in this particular field of tourism when the second millenium is two years ahead of us.
Each year thousands of people discover that Turkey is the home of legends and history taught in classrooms the world over.Visit the legendary Troy of Homer's ' Iliad', exotic Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.Travel to the reputed landing place of Noah's Ark or Garden of Eden.Or the place where Mark Antony and Cleopatra met and married, Saint Clause lived, Home of Virgin Mary, Seven Churches mentioned in the testament are located.
Travel along the Old Silk Road of Marco Polo,Sail the in comparable turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and sample food fit for a sultan.And do it all in style and comfort. Modern,sophisticated resorts and casinos are plentiful.
These things are here to be shared in a way that only the Turkish people can.The people of Turkey are as varied as their landscape,from black hair to red.from brown eyes to blue;all combine to make Turkey unique.The one thing that is uniform throughoutthis fascinating country is the hospitality of its people.
We hereby assure you that as devouted visitors of any of the aforesaid religions,you will be guided to so many sites of faith abounding within the borders of Turkey at a scale unparalled in any other parts of the world.During such cultivating and exiting tours,you will enjoy the opportunity of visiting following sites,each of which manifests unique features of heritages of different faiths;
Ankara - Modern capital of Turkish Republic as declared by Ataturk in 1923.Dates back to the Hittites,4000-3000 B.C.
Antalya - A seaport founded by Attalus,King of Pergamum,in 160 B.C.Now a lovely resort city,South Aegean Coast.
Aphrodisias - Named for the Goddness of Love, Aphrodite,in the 6TH century B.C.Also the site of one of the three sculpture schools in the ancient world.South Aegean Coast.
Aspendos - Roman city of the second century B.C.Site of the best-preserved theater in Asia Minor.
Cappodocia - An area of bizarre volcanic land formations.Although never formally a nation,was regocnized as a kingdom in 600 B.C. Became a Roman province in 17 A.D.Also recognized as a refuge for the early Christians.
Demre - Ancient Myra.Site of St.Nicholas Church.St.Nicholas lived here and was ordained Bishop in the 4th century A.D.South Coast.
Ephesus - By the 11th century B.C.Ephesuswas already a thriving seaport.Second-largest city of the ancient world,with a population of approximately 300.000.
Hiearapolis - Site of an early therapeutic center with Roman baths.Reached the height of its prosperity in the second / third centuries B.C.
Istanbul -The only city to bridge two continents,Europe and Asia.Istanbul , or Constantinople, as it was called in the past,is approximately 2600 years old Muslim capital.
Izmir - Ancient Smyrna, a vital trading port dating back approximately to the tenth century B.C. Homer was born here.Alexander the Great a citadel here.
Konya - Home of the whirling Dervishes, a mystical sect founded by the poet Calaleddin Rumi,Mevlana.This area has a history dating to the times of the Hittites.
Kusadasi - Resort town close to ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the "Cotton Castle."
Pamukkale - Discovered by the ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the ' Cotton Castle'.
Perge - Pre-Hellenic city dating to 333 B.C.Site of St.Paul's first sermon.
Phaselis - Founded in the 7th century B.C. by settlers from the Island of Rhodes.Trading port and ancient pirate haunt situated on three natural harbors.
Trabzon - Founded in the eighth century B.C.Later became the furthest outpost of the Greek Empire.Major trading city in the Byzatine era.It is on black Sea Coast...
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WHY TURKEY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE CHRISTIANS ?
During the early days of christianity,this new religion found the territory of Anatolia,where a significant portion of it was materialized,to be very suitable medium facilitating its expansion and therefore it settled in there. Some of noteworthy events of this particular period of time are as described below:
Istanbul : In Istanbul which is one of 4 largest patriarchal center of the Orthodox, the 5th meeting Consuls was held. Istanbul has become quite important because of the Church High Sophia situated there as one of the most well known church which has managed to remain intact until the present time.Furthermore, the Patriarchate of Fener situated presently in Istanbul is of great interest from the angle of the World of Orthodox.
Içel -Tarsus : The place of birth of St. Paul who was one of the 12 Apostles of Christ and who exerted great efforts in order to spread out christianity and to make it an internationally recognized religion is Tarsus. The Church of St.Paul and the Water Well of St. Paul are located in Tarsus. Besides,in Içel there are many works of arts such as the church of Mary (High Techia),the church of Olba Temple and the churches of Holy Mother and Alahan Monestry.
Seven Churches : The Seven Churches where the christians,during those period of time when The Chistianity was banned, gatherd together in order to perform religious services and which were mentioned in the Juanna's Revelations (Apocolyps ) are all situated in Anatolia (The churhes Ephesus, Symirna ,Bergamus ,Thyatira ,Saint Philedelphia,Laodecea)
Bursa-Iznik : Out of the meeting of the Consuls which were held 19 times ,8 of them took place in Turkey. In particular,the 1st and the 7th meeting which led to the adoption of the traditon for the Consuls Meetings were held in the High Sophia Church and the Palace of Consuls located at Iznik
FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIANTITY
Antakya : In the first century of the Chistianity, Antakya occupies a special position. According to the traditional belief, " The Bible of Malta " was written here. Those who believed in Jesus Christ was first named as the christians in Antakya.
(The Deeds of the Apostles 11-22-26) Saint Paulus, setting out from Antakya , made three trips in order to proclaim the Bible to the idolaters.All those facts that Saint Juanna , nicknamed as "The Golden Mouthed "was originally from Antakya ,the school of the Holy Book was located here and the churh of St. Pierre,one of the first churches of the world being situated here contribute to the fame of Antakya from religious aspects.
Saint Pierre Church : This is one the oldest churches in the world. Those who believed in Jesus Christ were named as " The Christians" in this church . This place was proclaimed as a site for pilgrimage in 1963 by the Pope 6th Paul . Every year on 29th day of June , ritual ceremonies are organised by the Catholic Church to be performed here. Furthermore,works of arts such as the stilist Monastry of St.Simon and the ruins of Seleucia Port from where Saint Pavlus has set sails in order to proclaim the Bible....
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VIRGINMARY
Izmir- Ephesus House of Virgin Mary : Located at 9 kilometers away from Selcuk town on the top of Bullbul Mountain with a height of 420 meters, the holy place called " Panaia Capulu" by the Christians is thought to have been built in IV. Century A.D.
Following crucifixation of Jesus Christ, his close friend and apostle St. Jean brought the Holy Mother to Ephesus by arranging her flight from Jerusalem and concealed her in a hut that he constructed in a corner at the outskirts of Bulbul Mountain under the cover thick woods. It is known that the Holy Mother lived until she was 101 years of age and died at this place on Bulbul Mountain. After the christianity has spred out, a church in the shape of cross was built at this location by the Christians.
In the house of Holy Mother which was proclaimed as a sacred site in 1967 by the popedom, on first Sunday following 15th day of August every year a special ritual ceremony is performed and the visitors then become pilgrims.
Besides, situated in the vicinity of Izmir, are ancient works of arts such as the Basilica of St.Jean (The tomb of St. Jean who was one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ ) , the Seven Sleepers, three of the Seven Churches (Church of Symirna, Church of Ephesus ).
FEATURES OF CAPODOCIA
Capodocia :Capodocia as an interesting valley which combines the natural beauty with the abundance of historical background and an influential region is one of the most interesting locations of Turkey as one of the sites where St.Paul stopped during his 30 years trip of missionary and selected as a site to set up the first church, being the most attractive stop in Turkey with the biggest number of churches and murals decorating these churches.The number of churches carved into stones as situated at Nevsehir, particularly around Goreme valley, at Zelve Chavushin, Ortahisar, Acikhisar, Mustafapasha, Yesiloz and Aciksaray is over 200.
Isparta : The church of St. Paul situated in the ancient city of Antiochelia in Yalvac is one of the first churches of the Christianity. Saint Paul, after he was awarded with the right of citizenship of Rome, he was baptized by Soul and Hanania. St Paul came to visit this city accompanied by St. Barnabas in the year 46 A.D. and gave his first formal sermon in the sinagogue located in here. Later on, over this sinagogue was built the church of Saint Paul.
SANTACLAUS
St. Nicholas who is known as Santa Claus in the world of the christianity lived at Demre and died here. Every year international festivals of Santa Clause are held at Demre and at Kas on 6th and 7th days of December . Additionally, there exist many more interesting religous sites for the Christians such as the Monastry of Der - Ul-Zaferan at Malatya, Surmeli monastry at Trabzon, Akdamar Island and Chapanak Churches at Van , Deyne and Derbe and Binbir Churches at Karaman , Ani ruins and Mount Ararat at Kars.
Anatolia with Interesting Sites for the Jews
When Ottoman sultan Orhan Gazi conquered Bursa in year 1324, permission was granted to the community of Jews to build the sinagogue of Et- Ahaim (The three of life). The Jews who were expelled from France by Charles VI in 1324 took asylum in Edirne.
In 1492, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isebellan of Castilia banished the Jews out of Spain. The Jews who were expelled from Spain because of their faiths and traditons and thus were turned out to be people belonging to no country , were embraced by Bayazid , the sultan of Ottoman Empire, being accepted for settlement in Anatolia.
In the meantime, the jews have since been maintaining their way of worshiping until present times in their own sinagoguers situated in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and Bursa...
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" GREAT LOVES START ON JOURNEYS "
The God called Abraham and asked him to leave his father's house,his relatives,his country and start his journey Why ? Couldn't God called on him before he departed his country. The answer to this question is in the 11th verse written in the Letter to the Hebrews.
'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance:he went out,not knowing where he was to go.By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country...They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,for he has prepared a city for them.'
So, Abraham left the place he used to live,he was now looking for a new homeland.But as described in the Bible this homeland was a heavenly one ruled by God.However,in order to reach this mentioned land they were asked to leave behind everthing they owned and Abraham listening to the voice of God, for love of God and faith, Abraham left behind everthing without hesitation.In fact,doesn't Jesus Christ wants you to fallow him leaving everthing behind that carrying only the cross. Because it is written,where ever your treasure is,your heart will be there.Why did God invited Abraham to this journey and Why Abraham left everthing behind and took up the road ? Because great loves start on journeys!
'It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abraham,saying'
To your descendants I give this land,from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hitites, the Perrizites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Gigashites, and Jebusites' Genesis,15/18-21 It is here the New Testament mentions about the land of Hitites for the first time Holly Book at least said a few things about the Hitites while the Greeks and Roman world stood complete strange.In fact,excavations in Anatolia. So,in the verses of Genesis we meet the shadow of God's spirit on this land.This spirit will later surrender this land and would freely travel from one end to another and glorify this country.After all,the God had promised this land to its own people. During the expansion period of the Bible and even before that we have information about the colonies of the Jewish societies in Anatolia,St.Paul is one of them.
When the holly spirit has coasted its spell on the Apostles it guided them towards Anatolia, the spirit of Jesus Christ showed them the way which was like a wind whose voice was heard from everywhere which did not know where it come from and where it headed to.But this wind has blown on his land.People travelling on this land say that they still hear the sound.The Apocalypse and certain letters were written directly to communities in Anatolia.In other letters and in the acts of Apostles Anatolia is again frequently mentioned.And the followers of Jesus Christ were named as ' Christians' for the first time in Anatolia. (The Acts of the Apostles )
A lot has changed in Anatolia since the day of Apostles,but the spirit here has never changed.Today the warm and sensitive Muslim people the Anatolia still breath the air that the Apostles have left on his land.The same mystical winds blows on the mountains and plains of Anatolia,it is true that the sipirit here has not changed.Because Jesus Christ is very much the same in yesterday, today, tomorrow and the infinitive.
God called Abraham then,hundreds year later Apostles are called and today Gods call you; ' I,Jesus,sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.I am the root and offspring of David,the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say,'Come.'Let the hearer say,'Come'. Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. Revelation, 22/16-17.
Today,those living in Anatolia like the very first believers call on you to join and embraces in the Christian Love,they are your Christian Brethren in Anatolia that has listened to the echoing call on this land since the last 2000 years.You can share the joy and happiness with these brethren that still bare the excitement that
resembles to the one that was witnessed in the period when the God's massage was first heard.Because we drank from the same sipirit.Do not forget that this is
not a commercial ar touristic but is a spiritual organization.Moreover,the revenues to be gained from this journey will be used for the realization of the similar spiritual services.
Abraham,and Apostles 100 years later..what was the reason that blow them from one corner to another and today,the believers.Perhaps a song gives us the reply that is frequently sang in Anatolia today'They do not have addresses,they do not have any sanctuaries except love,yet they still live in four corners of the world.During this journey you will fallow the footsteps of Apostles and you will
be able to listen the message with a new understanding in places where the Bible was first announced.You will have around you brothers and sisters that enjoy the same spirit. the same in yesterday,today,tomorrow and the infinitive...
Turkey is a country located at a point where the 3 continents of the old world (Asia, Africa and Europe) are closest to each other and where Asia and Europe meet. Because of its geographical location, Anatolia has always been important throughout history and is the birthplace of many great civilizations.
Surrounded by seas on three sides, it is covered by mountains, forests, steppes and all sorts of land varitations.Thegenuine friendliness and traditional hospitality of the Turkish people towards visitors is justly renowned world wide.
Our country includes the famous holiday cities,beautiful resorts, museums, comfortable hotels and motels, sincere people, magnificent landscapes and etc..
There are many fantastic regions in Turkey
The Hittits, Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans as well as a great number of other civilisations rose and fell here through thousands of years, leaving behind a multitude of historical and archeological sites. It is in fact called the cradle of civilisations, harbouring in its bosom an incredible blend of cultures, history, archaeological sites.
To seethis geografhicalsituation and for living this athmoshpere you must be visit in Turkey.
When you come in Turkey you will enjoy..
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In Turkey, as a country teeming with heritages of Mouslim,Christian and Jewish religions,much more than any other place in the world,we have started to organize tours of faith as atravelling agency specialized extensively in this particular field of tourism when the second millenium is two years ahead of us.
Each year thousands of people discover that Turkey is the home of legends and history taught in classrooms the world over.Visit the legendary Troy of Homer's ' Iliad', exotic Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.Travel to the reputed landing place of Noah's Ark or Garden of Eden.Or the place where Mark Antony and Cleopatra met and married, Saint Clause lived, Home of Virgin Mary, Seven Churches mentioned in the testament are located.
Travel along the Old Silk Road of Marco Polo,Sail the in comparable turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and sample food fit for a sultan.And do it all in style and comfort. Modern,sophisticated resorts and casinos are plentiful.
These things are here to be shared in a way that only the Turkish people can.The people of Turkey are as varied as their landscape,from black hair to red.from brown eyes to blue;all combine to make Turkey unique.The one thing that is uniform throughoutthis fascinating country is the hospitality of its people.
We hereby assure you that as devouted visitors of any of the aforesaid religions,you will be guided to so many sites of faith abounding within the borders of Turkey at a scale unparalled in any other parts of the world.During such cultivating and exiting tours,you will enjoy the opportunity of visiting following sites,each of which manifests unique features of heritages of different faiths;
Ankara - Modern capital of Turkish Republic as declared by Ataturk in 1923.Dates back to the Hittites,4000-3000 B.C.
Antalya - A seaport founded by Attalus,King of Pergamum,in 160 B.C.Now a lovely resort city,South Aegean Coast.
Aphrodisias - Named for the Goddness of Love, Aphrodite,in the 6TH century B.C.Also the site of one of the three sculpture schools in the ancient world.South Aegean Coast.
Aspendos - Roman city of the second century B.C.Site of the best-preserved theater in Asia Minor.
Cappodocia - An area of bizarre volcanic land formations.Although never formally a nation,was regocnized as a kingdom in 600 B.C. Became a Roman province in 17 A.D.Also recognized as a refuge for the early Christians.
Demre - Ancient Myra.Site of St.Nicholas Church.St.Nicholas lived here and was ordained Bishop in the 4th century A.D.South Coast.
Ephesus - By the 11th century B.C.Ephesuswas already a thriving seaport.Second-largest city of the ancient world,with a population of approximately 300.000.
Hiearapolis - Site of an early therapeutic center with Roman baths.Reached the height of its prosperity in the second / third centuries B.C.
Istanbul -The only city to bridge two continents,Europe and Asia.Istanbul , or Constantinople, as it was called in the past,is approximately 2600 years old Muslim capital.
Izmir - Ancient Smyrna, a vital trading port dating back approximately to the tenth century B.C. Homer was born here.Alexander the Great a citadel here.
Konya - Home of the whirling Dervishes, a mystical sect founded by the poet Calaleddin Rumi,Mevlana.This area has a history dating to the times of the Hittites.
Kusadasi - Resort town close to ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the "Cotton Castle."
Pamukkale - Discovered by the ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the ' Cotton Castle'.
Perge - Pre-Hellenic city dating to 333 B.C.Site of St.Paul's first sermon.
Phaselis - Founded in the 7th century B.C. by settlers from the Island of Rhodes.Trading port and ancient pirate haunt situated on three natural harbors.
Trabzon - Founded in the eighth century B.C.Later became the furthest outpost of the Greek Empire.Major trading city in the Byzatine era.It is on black Sea Coast...
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WHY TURKEY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE CHRISTIANS ?
During the early days of christianity,this new religion found the territory of Anatolia,where a significant portion of it was materialized,to be very suitable medium facilitating its expansion and therefore it settled in there. Some of noteworthy events of this particular period of time are as described below:
Istanbul : In Istanbul which is one of 4 largest patriarchal center of the Orthodox, the 5th meeting Consuls was held. Istanbul has become quite important because of the Church High Sophia situated there as one of the most well known church which has managed to remain intact until the present time.Furthermore, the Patriarchate of Fener situated presently in Istanbul is of great interest from the angle of the World of Orthodox.
Içel -Tarsus : The place of birth of St. Paul who was one of the 12 Apostles of Christ and who exerted great efforts in order to spread out christianity and to make it an internationally recognized religion is Tarsus. The Church of St.Paul and the Water Well of St. Paul are located in Tarsus. Besides,in Içel there are many works of arts such as the church of Mary (High Techia),the church of Olba Temple and the churches of Holy Mother and Alahan Monestry.
Seven Churches : The Seven Churches where the christians,during those period of time when The Chistianity was banned, gatherd together in order to perform religious services and which were mentioned in the Juanna's Revelations (Apocolyps ) are all situated in Anatolia (The churhes Ephesus, Symirna ,Bergamus ,Thyatira ,Saint Philedelphia,Laodecea)
Bursa-Iznik : Out of the meeting of the Consuls which were held 19 times ,8 of them took place in Turkey. In particular,the 1st and the 7th meeting which led to the adoption of the traditon for the Consuls Meetings were held in the High Sophia Church and the Palace of Consuls located at Iznik
FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIANTITY
Antakya : In the first century of the Chistianity, Antakya occupies a special position. According to the traditional belief, " The Bible of Malta " was written here. Those who believed in Jesus Christ was first named as the christians in Antakya.
(The Deeds of the Apostles 11-22-26) Saint Paulus, setting out from Antakya , made three trips in order to proclaim the Bible to the idolaters.All those facts that Saint Juanna , nicknamed as "The Golden Mouthed "was originally from Antakya ,the school of the Holy Book was located here and the churh of St. Pierre,one of the first churches of the world being situated here contribute to the fame of Antakya from religious aspects.
Saint Pierre Church : This is one the oldest churches in the world. Those who believed in Jesus Christ were named as " The Christians" in this church . This place was proclaimed as a site for pilgrimage in 1963 by the Pope 6th Paul . Every year on 29th day of June , ritual ceremonies are organised by the Catholic Church to be performed here. Furthermore,works of arts such as the stilist Monastry of St.Simon and the ruins of Seleucia Port from where Saint Pavlus has set sails in order to proclaim the Bible....
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VIRGINMARY
Izmir- Ephesus House of Virgin Mary : Located at 9 kilometers away from Selcuk town on the top of Bullbul Mountain with a height of 420 meters, the holy place called " Panaia Capulu" by the Christians is thought to have been built in IV. Century A.D.
Following crucifixation of Jesus Christ, his close friend and apostle St. Jean brought the Holy Mother to Ephesus by arranging her flight from Jerusalem and concealed her in a hut that he constructed in a corner at the outskirts of Bulbul Mountain under the cover thick woods. It is known that the Holy Mother lived until she was 101 years of age and died at this place on Bulbul Mountain. After the christianity has spred out, a church in the shape of cross was built at this location by the Christians.
In the house of Holy Mother which was proclaimed as a sacred site in 1967 by the popedom, on first Sunday following 15th day of August every year a special ritual ceremony is performed and the visitors then become pilgrims.
Besides, situated in the vicinity of Izmir, are ancient works of arts such as the Basilica of St.Jean (The tomb of St. Jean who was one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ ) , the Seven Sleepers, three of the Seven Churches (Church of Symirna, Church of Ephesus ).
FEATURES OF CAPODOCIA
Capodocia :Capodocia as an interesting valley which combines the natural beauty with the abundance of historical background and an influential region is one of the most interesting locations of Turkey as one of the sites where St.Paul stopped during his 30 years trip of missionary and selected as a site to set up the first church, being the most attractive stop in Turkey with the biggest number of churches and murals decorating these churches.The number of churches carved into stones as situated at Nevsehir, particularly around Goreme valley, at Zelve Chavushin, Ortahisar, Acikhisar, Mustafapasha, Yesiloz and Aciksaray is over 200.
Isparta : The church of St. Paul situated in the ancient city of Antiochelia in Yalvac is one of the first churches of the Christianity. Saint Paul, after he was awarded with the right of citizenship of Rome, he was baptized by Soul and Hanania. St Paul came to visit this city accompanied by St. Barnabas in the year 46 A.D. and gave his first formal sermon in the sinagogue located in here. Later on, over this sinagogue was built the church of Saint Paul.
SANTACLAUS
St. Nicholas who is known as Santa Claus in the world of the christianity lived at Demre and died here. Every year international festivals of Santa Clause are held at Demre and at Kas on 6th and 7th days of December . Additionally, there exist many more interesting religous sites for the Christians such as the Monastry of Der - Ul-Zaferan at Malatya, Surmeli monastry at Trabzon, Akdamar Island and Chapanak Churches at Van , Deyne and Derbe and Binbir Churches at Karaman , Ani ruins and Mount Ararat at Kars.
Anatolia with Interesting Sites for the Jews
When Ottoman sultan Orhan Gazi conquered Bursa in year 1324, permission was granted to the community of Jews to build the sinagogue of Et- Ahaim (The three of life). The Jews who were expelled from France by Charles VI in 1324 took asylum in Edirne.
In 1492, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isebellan of Castilia banished the Jews out of Spain. The Jews who were expelled from Spain because of their faiths and traditons and thus were turned out to be people belonging to no country , were embraced by Bayazid , the sultan of Ottoman Empire, being accepted for settlement in Anatolia.
In the meantime, the jews have since been maintaining their way of worshiping until present times in their own sinagoguers situated in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and Bursa...
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" GREAT LOVES START ON JOURNEYS "
The God called Abraham and asked him to leave his father's house,his relatives,his country and start his journey Why ? Couldn't God called on him before he departed his country. The answer to this question is in the 11th verse written in the Letter to the Hebrews.
'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance:he went out,not knowing where he was to go.By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country...They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,for he has prepared a city for them.'
So, Abraham left the place he used to live,he was now looking for a new homeland.But as described in the Bible this homeland was a heavenly one ruled by God.However,in order to reach this mentioned land they were asked to leave behind everthing they owned and Abraham listening to the voice of God, for love of God and faith, Abraham left behind everthing without hesitation.In fact,doesn't Jesus Christ wants you to fallow him leaving everthing behind that carrying only the cross. Because it is written,where ever your treasure is,your heart will be there.Why did God invited Abraham to this journey and Why Abraham left everthing behind and took up the road ? Because great loves start on journeys!
'It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abraham,saying'
To your descendants I give this land,from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hitites, the Perrizites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Gigashites, and Jebusites' Genesis,15/18-21 It is here the New Testament mentions about the land of Hitites for the first time Holly Book at least said a few things about the Hitites while the Greeks and Roman world stood complete strange.In fact,excavations in Anatolia. So,in the verses of Genesis we meet the shadow of God's spirit on this land.This spirit will later surrender this land and would freely travel from one end to another and glorify this country.After all,the God had promised this land to its own people. During the expansion period of the Bible and even before that we have information about the colonies of the Jewish societies in Anatolia,St.Paul is one of them.
When the holly spirit has coasted its spell on the Apostles it guided them towards Anatolia, the spirit of Jesus Christ showed them the way which was like a wind whose voice was heard from everywhere which did not know where it come from and where it headed to.But this wind has blown on his land.People travelling on this land say that they still hear the sound.The Apocalypse and certain letters were written directly to communities in Anatolia.In other letters and in the acts of Apostles Anatolia is again frequently mentioned.And the followers of Jesus Christ were named as ' Christians' for the first time in Anatolia. (The Acts of the Apostles )
A lot has changed in Anatolia since the day of Apostles,but the spirit here has never changed.Today the warm and sensitive Muslim people the Anatolia still breath the air that the Apostles have left on his land.The same mystical winds blows on the mountains and plains of Anatolia,it is true that the sipirit here has not changed.Because Jesus Christ is very much the same in yesterday, today, tomorrow and the infinitive.
God called Abraham then,hundreds year later Apostles are called and today Gods call you; ' I,Jesus,sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.I am the root and offspring of David,the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say,'Come.'Let the hearer say,'Come'. Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. Revelation, 22/16-17.
Today,those living in Anatolia like the very first believers call on you to join and embraces in the Christian Love,they are your Christian Brethren in Anatolia that has listened to the echoing call on this land since the last 2000 years.You can share the joy and happiness with these brethren that still bare the excitement that
resembles to the one that was witnessed in the period when the God's massage was first heard.Because we drank from the same sipirit.Do not forget that this is
not a commercial ar touristic but is a spiritual organization.Moreover,the revenues to be gained from this journey will be used for the realization of the similar spiritual services.
Abraham,and Apostles 100 years later..what was the reason that blow them from one corner to another and today,the believers.Perhaps a song gives us the reply that is frequently sang in Anatolia today'They do not have addresses,they do not have any sanctuaries except love,yet they still live in four corners of the world.During this journey you will fallow the footsteps of Apostles and you will
be able to listen the message with a new understanding in places where the Bible was first announced.You will have around you brothers and sisters that enjoy the same spirit. the same in yesterday,today,tomorrow and the infinitive...
HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR ANIMALS
For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required: A 'Certificate of Origin' giving the health record of the animal. A 'Certificate of Health', issued not more than 15 days before the animal's entry into the country, stating that the animal is in good health and that it has been vaccinated against rabies. Note: If you have an official certificate, you may bring one cat, one bird, one dog and 10 aquarium fish into the country.
ENTERING TURKEY
If you wish to enter Turkey, after you have sailed through international ports and waters, then you are required to obtain a Yacht Registration Form, which contains information about yachts and yachtsmen. You will need to complete this form in accordance with the explanations given there and you will need to go through the Customs, Health and Port procedures as per the international regulations stated within those explanations and in accordance with your declaration. The cost of the Yacht Registration Form is $30.00 and it is valid for one year. However, if the owner of the yacht or the legal keeper of the yacht changes within that year and if the yacht leaves Turkish Customs Area or the Form is lost, then the term of validity of the Form comes to an end. It is possible to obtain a new Yacht Registration Form in such occurrences.
LEAVING TURKEY
When leaving Turkish ports for international ports with your yacht, you need to complete the relevant section of the Yacht Registration Form, have it confirmed by the Director of Port and complete the required procedures at the Customs Directorate.
CLIMATE AND CLOTHING WHEN TO COME
Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: These coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and wild winters. The swimming season becomes shorter the further north one goes: Marmara and North Aegean - June to September, South Aegean and Mediterranean - April to October. Black Sea Coast: warm summers, mild winters, and relatively high rainfall.
Central Anatolia: Steppe climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters.
Eastern Anatolia: Long snowy, cold winters with mild summers.
Southeast Anatolia: Hot summer with mild, rainy winters.
Central Anatolia: Steppe climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters.
Eastern Anatolia: Long snowy, cold winters with mild summers.
Southeast Anatolia: Hot summer with mild, rainy winters.
WHAT TO WEAR
Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: Light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for evening.Black Sea Coast, Central and Eastern Anatolia: Summer wear, warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings at high altitudes. Comfortable shoes are necessary for visiting archaeological and historical sites.Visiting a mosque: Five times a day, the "muezzin" calls the faithful to prayer in the mosque. Before entering a mosque, Muslims wash themselves and remove their shoes. Foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time. Women should cover their heads and arms, and not wear miniskirts. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques, overalls are provided for those not suitably dressed.)
WORKING HOURS
Government offices: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm; 1:30 pm-5:30 pm (Closed Saturday and Sundays, open daily in tourist areas)Banks: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; 1:30 pm-5:00 pm (Closed Saturday and Sundays, open daily in tourist areas) Shops: 9:30 am - 7:00 pm (In tourist areas, closing times vary, some close around midnight) Covered Bazaar- Istanbul: 8:am - 7:pm (Closed Sundays) Summer hours: In the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions of Turkey, government offices and many other establishments are closed in the afternoon during the summer months. These summer hours are fixed each year by the provincial governors. OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN 2004 New Year’s Day January 1 Sacrifice Festival January 31 (1/2 day) to February 4 National Sovereignty and Childrens' Day April 23 Ataturk Commemoration & Youths and Sports Festival May 19 Victory Day August 30 Republic Day October 28 (½ day) to October 29 Ramadan Festival November 13 (½ day) to November 16
IMPORTANT SERVICE TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Traffic Police: 154Police: 155Gendarmerie: 156Fire: 110Emergency: 112International Operator: 118Municipal Police: 153
POSTAL SYSTEMS AND TELEPHONE CALLS
Turkish post and telephone offices are easily recognizable by their "PTT" and "Turk Telekom" signs. Major post offices are open from 8:00am to 12 am Monday to Saturday and 9:00am to 7:00 pm on Sunday. Small post offices have the same hours as Government offices (see below). Poste restantePoste restante letters should be addressed "postrestant" to the central post office ("Merkez Postanesi") in the town of your choice. It is only necessary to produce and identification card when collecting your letter. This service is for sending and receiving documents from other countries. Fax OfficeFax service is available for sending and receiving documents from other countries. Valuable DispatchThis service is for sending valuable belongings or important documents. Other PTT servicesIt is possible to exchange money at some PTT branches at the current international exchange rate. International post orders and travellers cheques can also be exchanged. An express postal service (Acele Posta Servisi -APS) operates from Turkey to 72 other countries for letters, documents and small packages. Stamp collectors will be delighted with the wide range of special stamps available from the philatelic section. International subscriptions are also available. Phone callsThe most economic way to telephone in Turkey is from a PTT telephone booth (Found in all towns). Telephone cards are available.
MONEY
Turkey's currency is the New Turkish Lira (YTL). Many shops and restaurants in the coastal resorts and big cities accept payment in foreign currency. But if you are planning to travel to other parts of the country, it is advisible to take some Turkish Lira.With a credit or debit card you can withdraw local currency from cash machines which are found in convenient locations in cities, towns and resorts. There are also cash machines in the arrivals halls at most airports.Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops.Travellers cheques and cash can be exchanged for TL at banks and private exchange offices in Turkey.
ART & CULTURE
Among the prominent statesmen of the 20th century, few articulated the supreme importance of culture as did Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, who stated: "Culture is the foundation of the Turkish Republic." His view of culture encompassed the nation's creative legacy as well as the best values of world civilization. It stressed personal and universal humanism. "Culture," he said, " is a basic element in being a person worthy of humanity," and described Turkey's ideological thrust as "a creation of patriotism blended with a lofty humanist ideal."
To create the best synthesis, Ataturk underlined the need for the utilization of all viable elements in the national heritage, including the ancient indigenous cultures, and the arts and techniques of the entire world civilization, past and present. He gave impetus to the study of earlier civilizations of Anatolia -- including Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian and others. Pre-Islamic culture of theTurks became the subject of extensive research which proved that, long before the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires, the Turks had already created a civilization of their own. Ataturk also stressed the folk arts and folklore of the countryside as a wellspring of Turkish creativity.
The development of painting, sculpture and the decorative arts had been arrested by Ottoman officials, who claimed the depiction of the human form was idolatry, but these arts flourished during Ataturk's presidency. Many museums were opened and architecture gained new vigor. Classical Western music, opera and ballet, as well as theater took impressive strides.Several hundred "People's Houses" and "People's Rooms" all over Turkey gave local people and youngsters a wide variety of artistic activities, sports and cultural affairs. Book and magazine publication enjoyed a boom. The Film industry started to grow. In all walks of cultural life, Ataturk's inspiration created an upsurge.
Ataturk's Turkey is living proof of this ideal -- a country rich in its own national culture, open to the heritage of world civilization and at home in the endowments of the modern technological age.
To create the best synthesis, Ataturk underlined the need for the utilization of all viable elements in the national heritage, including the ancient indigenous cultures, and the arts and techniques of the entire world civilization, past and present. He gave impetus to the study of earlier civilizations of Anatolia -- including Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian and others. Pre-Islamic culture of theTurks became the subject of extensive research which proved that, long before the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires, the Turks had already created a civilization of their own. Ataturk also stressed the folk arts and folklore of the countryside as a wellspring of Turkish creativity.
The development of painting, sculpture and the decorative arts had been arrested by Ottoman officials, who claimed the depiction of the human form was idolatry, but these arts flourished during Ataturk's presidency. Many museums were opened and architecture gained new vigor. Classical Western music, opera and ballet, as well as theater took impressive strides.Several hundred "People's Houses" and "People's Rooms" all over Turkey gave local people and youngsters a wide variety of artistic activities, sports and cultural affairs. Book and magazine publication enjoyed a boom. The Film industry started to grow. In all walks of cultural life, Ataturk's inspiration created an upsurge.
Ataturk's Turkey is living proof of this ideal -- a country rich in its own national culture, open to the heritage of world civilization and at home in the endowments of the modern technological age.
General Information
The First Geography Congress, which was convened in Ankara in 1941, at the conclusion of the research that had continued for a long time, separated Turkey into seven geographical regions. During the congress activities, the fact that Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides, the presence of mountain ranges lying parallel to the length of the long coastline, the fact that these mountains separate the high, but slightly steep and uneven central section from the influence of the sea and because of this, factors such as the climate, natural plant cover and the distribution of types of agriculture, and the influences of these on the transportation systems and the types of housing between the coastal strip and the central sections, had been taken into consideration and it was possible to divide Turkey into four border and three inner regions. The first four of the seven regions determined were given the names of the seas which are adjacent to them (the Black Sea, the Marmara, the Aegean and the Mediterranean Regions). The other three regions were named in accordance with their location in the whole of Anatolia (Central, Eastern and South-eastern Anatolia Regions).
Stretching out on two continents, Turkey is a paradise where one can experience the four seasons simultaneously... Whether you are fond of art, history, archeology or nature, you will feel the happiness beyond desires and hopes during your stay in Turkey.
Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a shinning sea at four directions, Turkey generously offers her 8000km long shores before your eyes. Turkey is also rich in flora and fauna.
Twenty fascinating civilizations render Turkey the heir of 10.000 years old history which has still been examined for further ancient secrets to be brought up into daylight. These lands inhale at any moment the mystery of the past through the existenece of the statues of gods and goddesses, temples, theathers, agoras, churches, mosques, medresseh, palaces and caravanseraies. Becoming a united whole of daily life and all other values, Turkey forms the ideal circumstances.
Stretching out on two continents, Turkey is a paradise where one can experience the four seasons simultaneously... Whether you are fond of art, history, archeology or nature, you will feel the happiness beyond desires and hopes during your stay in Turkey.
Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a shinning sea at four directions, Turkey generously offers her 8000km long shores before your eyes. Turkey is also rich in flora and fauna.
Twenty fascinating civilizations render Turkey the heir of 10.000 years old history which has still been examined for further ancient secrets to be brought up into daylight. These lands inhale at any moment the mystery of the past through the existenece of the statues of gods and goddesses, temples, theathers, agoras, churches, mosques, medresseh, palaces and caravanseraies. Becoming a united whole of daily life and all other values, Turkey forms the ideal circumstances.
Kırkpınar Wrestling
The History of Kırkpınar Various stories are told to explain how Kırkpınar wrestling started some 641 years ago. The following tale is the one most widely told: In 1346, during military expeditions led by Orhan Gazi to conquer Rumelia (the part of the Ottoman Empire which lay in Europe), his brother Süleyman Paşa marched with 40 soldiers to Domuzhisar, which was then in the hands of the Byzantines. They raided and conquered the Domuzhisar, or Domuz Fortress. After also conquering other fortresses, the group of 40 soldiers who formed the advance guard returned, and they came to rest in Samona, which is today in Greece. There, these 40 soldiers began to wrestle. After hours of wrestling, two brothers named Ali and Selim both proved unable to defeat the other.On a Hidrellez day (a festival held on May 6 to celebrate the beginning of summer), these two brothers started wrestling again. The wrestling match lasted the entire day but still neither man could defeat his brother, so the contest continued throughout the night illuminated by candle and torch light. In the end, however, both of the brothers ran short of both breath and energy and so they died. At the spot where the two men had perished, where there was a fig tree, their friends laid them to rest. Then many years later they came to visit the tree.At that very place where the two brothers were buried, they found a great river flowing. Following this the people of the region start calling the area “Kırkpınar” (Forty Springs). This was at the green pastoral area of the Greek village of Samona. At the end of the Balkan wars and World War I, the Kırkpınar Wrestling Contest started to be held at the place called Virantekke, which is located between Edirne and Mustafapaşa. After the foundation of the Turkish Republic, since 1924 the contests have been held in Edirne’s Sarayiçi area. Until 1928, ağas (landlords) organized the Kırkpınar Wrestling Contest and they entertained the guests and gave awards to the winners. However, due to economic troubles in the country, people became reluctant to volunteer to become agas. So, starting in 1928, the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) and the Child Protection Society (Çocuk Esirgeme Kurumu) took over the duties of putting together the wrestling contests. In 1946, the Edirne Municipality started organizing the Kırkpınar Wrestling Contest, and in this year also Edirne Mayor Tahsin Şipka added the contest’s organization to the municipality’s official duties.
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Pehlivan “Pehlivan” is a Persian word normally meaning brave, but it also has a number of secondary meanings: officer, governor, a physically large man or a person who tells the truth. Throughout history the word has been used with a variety of meanings. The Seljuks used to employ the word to refer to heroic warriors, accomplished shooters and wrestlers. In the 16th century, it was used exclusively for athletes, and this practice continued to the end of the reign of Sultan Mahmut II. The entire Turkish nation, including women and children, loves wrestling, and they respect wrestlers for their roots in the culture of warriors and heroism. People love pehlivans because they are physically stronger than everyone else, as well as muscular, healthy-looking, and brave, and because they have strong characters and you can trust their word. In Ottoman times, wrestling contests were held as a part of festivals and weddings or as a way to raise funds for groups promoting social welfare.
Kırkpınar Wrestling (5.5 Mb)Kırkpınar Wrestling (760 Kb)Kırkpınar Wrestling (2.1 Mb)
Pehlivan “Pehlivan” is a Persian word normally meaning brave, but it also has a number of secondary meanings: officer, governor, a physically large man or a person who tells the truth. Throughout history the word has been used with a variety of meanings. The Seljuks used to employ the word to refer to heroic warriors, accomplished shooters and wrestlers. In the 16th century, it was used exclusively for athletes, and this practice continued to the end of the reign of Sultan Mahmut II. The entire Turkish nation, including women and children, loves wrestling, and they respect wrestlers for their roots in the culture of warriors and heroism. People love pehlivans because they are physically stronger than everyone else, as well as muscular, healthy-looking, and brave, and because they have strong characters and you can trust their word. In Ottoman times, wrestling contests were held as a part of festivals and weddings or as a way to raise funds for groups promoting social welfare.
Thermit Ibis (Kelaynak) Birds
From old hand writing documents, it has been determined that Thermit Ibis birds used to live in Europe since 1504. This bird, which was living in Central Europe near the Alps, was first defined by C. Gessner as Corvus Sylvaticus in 1555 in Historia Animalium and some information was given about the birds' life style. Later, it was determined that those birds, which disappeared in Europe, emigrated to Middle East countries and Africa and they still live in these countries.
Thermit Ibis that come to Birecik in the middle of February settle down at rocks in the middle of March. After their procreation, their raise their young and in the middle of July they leave Birecik with their young. The reason for these birds to come to Birecik for procreation is thought to be that the calcite mineral in those rocks increased the procreation energy of birds. Thermit Ibis birds are single mate and every year they build their nest and lash out with the same couple. Mature birds are the ones that show their energy to build up a nest. It is necessary to be 5 years old, to become a mature bird. Their average life period is 25-30 years.
In the beginning of 1950, the number of Thermit Ibis was more than 1000, there had been a specific decrease in the number of birds since 1954.
Destruction of natural feeding environment of these birds with overuse of agricultural insecticide chemicals, hunting of these birds by the hunters in their long immigration period and cold weather conditions are the main reasons for the decrease of Thermit Ibis birds. Thermit Ibis birds follow the Lebanon - Israel way and the River Nil or Red Sea coast and cannot be observed at those places.
In order to prevent the decrease in number and disappearing of the generation, Thermit Ibis Procreation Station was established in Birecik by the Generate Directorate of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs in 1972. In this station, first of all two mature and nine young Thermit Ibis birds were captured by net and put into a cage, and then production started in 1977. The birds under protection are fed with meat without fat, planed carrot, boiled egg and mixture of fodder.
In February 1996, 52 Hermit Ibis birds set free from procreation station to reproduction in nature. After the reproduction season, the total number reached to 75 with 23 young birds. 4 of them are given to Istanbul Bayramoğlu Zoo, 5 of them are given to Atatürk Orman Çiftliği, 13 of them immigrated and 45 of them are still living in procreation station.
Birecik people consider Hermit Ibis birds which they regionally call "Keçelaynak" holy. Arrival of Hermit Ibıs birds to Birecik in the middle of February is interpreted by Birecik people as a sign of spring. In recent years, "Hermit Ibıs Festival" is being organized in Birecik for these birds.
Thermit Ibis that come to Birecik in the middle of February settle down at rocks in the middle of March. After their procreation, their raise their young and in the middle of July they leave Birecik with their young. The reason for these birds to come to Birecik for procreation is thought to be that the calcite mineral in those rocks increased the procreation energy of birds. Thermit Ibis birds are single mate and every year they build their nest and lash out with the same couple. Mature birds are the ones that show their energy to build up a nest. It is necessary to be 5 years old, to become a mature bird. Their average life period is 25-30 years.
In the beginning of 1950, the number of Thermit Ibis was more than 1000, there had been a specific decrease in the number of birds since 1954.
Destruction of natural feeding environment of these birds with overuse of agricultural insecticide chemicals, hunting of these birds by the hunters in their long immigration period and cold weather conditions are the main reasons for the decrease of Thermit Ibis birds. Thermit Ibis birds follow the Lebanon - Israel way and the River Nil or Red Sea coast and cannot be observed at those places.
In order to prevent the decrease in number and disappearing of the generation, Thermit Ibis Procreation Station was established in Birecik by the Generate Directorate of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs in 1972. In this station, first of all two mature and nine young Thermit Ibis birds were captured by net and put into a cage, and then production started in 1977. The birds under protection are fed with meat without fat, planed carrot, boiled egg and mixture of fodder.
In February 1996, 52 Hermit Ibis birds set free from procreation station to reproduction in nature. After the reproduction season, the total number reached to 75 with 23 young birds. 4 of them are given to Istanbul Bayramoğlu Zoo, 5 of them are given to Atatürk Orman Çiftliği, 13 of them immigrated and 45 of them are still living in procreation station.
Birecik people consider Hermit Ibis birds which they regionally call "Keçelaynak" holy. Arrival of Hermit Ibıs birds to Birecik in the middle of February is interpreted by Birecik people as a sign of spring. In recent years, "Hermit Ibıs Festival" is being organized in Birecik for these birds.
Denizli Rooster
Each rooster crows at its own placeBut Denizli Rooster crows everywhere."Thanks God, I have everything here. Only one thing is missing in my life here: Cock crowing... said a rich businessman living in New York. The rooster he was talking about was Denizli rooster. While he was expressing his missing of the rooster, he was also expressing a reality of the modern world. "I was born at dawn time in Denizli while roosters were crowing.... Then I used to wake up with the same sound for many years... I was getting out of my bed with the sound of my rooster every morning at a regular time like a clock set. Let me tell you something now..... I have not heard any rooster crowing here for 21 years...The thing that modern city life has taken out off me is rooster crowing sound which is sweeter than gold sound... Contemporary city life, at the very beginning, stops the sound of rooster...""Denizli Rooster", the symbol of Denizli is a domestic species which is well known in even the farthest regions to our city with its colour and body building, harmonious long and beautiful crowing. According to some rumours, Berat roosters having long crowing were brought to Istanbul during Ottoman Empire from Albania and then brought to Denizli and crossbred with domestic chicken of Denizli and thus Denizli Rooster species was originated but it is not true. Because there are no similarities between two species when compared in terms of colour and body structure. Denizli rooster was originated automatically upon great care shown by the people living in Denizli to long crowing rooster for centuries. The colour of Denizli rooster's eyes is black and blackened with kohl. Its legs are dark grey or purple, its comb is in big axe comb, and atrium is red or white spots on red background, general colour is black and dirty white together. Sometimes wing features have brown colours. Red roosters have black-white mixture. Their alive weight is about 3-3.5 kg. They are divided into 3 groups according to their colours, body building and combs types. According to their colours they are classified into 6 groups as: DEMİRKIR, PAMUKKIR, KINALI, AL, SİYAH and KÜRKLÜ. According to their body building, they are divided into 3 types, namely: YÜKSEK BOYUN, SÜLÜN and KÜPELİ. According to their combs, they are divided into 2 types: GENİŞ İBİK and DAR İBİK. The sound of Denizli roosters are classified according to the tone and clearness. According to sound tones they are divided into 3 groups: İNCE, DAVUDİ, KALIN SES. Davudi (bass) voice is between high pitched and deep voice and is the only sound close to deep voice. According to clearness, they are divided into 4 groups, namely: SAD VOICE, SHRILL VOICE, WAVY VOICE (FUNNY VOICE). Crowing of Denizli roosters is performed upon use of all abilities. Crowing is divided into 4 groups depending on body position during crowing, which are; LION CROWING, WOLF CROWING, HERO CROWING, PUS CROWING.A good Denizli Rooster must have: lively appearance, long and strong legs and neck, wide and deep chest, sharp and sloped toward head tail. The same features are true for the chicken. The crowing period of Denizli Roosters in the first year must be 20 to 25 seconds. Denizli roosters being grown up by Denizli species production unit formed under body of Director of Province Agricultural Affairs are maintained generally in 100 flocks. Breeding roosters are selected and the rests are sold according to the demands made from various parts of the country from March, April, and sales of chicks are made in March, April, may, June.
The game of Jereed
Jereed, or “çavgan,” is a traditional game which has been played by Turks for many centuries. Turks brought this horse-riding game with them in their journey from Central Asia to Anatolia. For Turks, the horse was both sacred and indispensable. All the days of their lives were spent in the company of horses. Koumiss (kimiz), which means horses’ milk, was their staple drink. For the Turks, jereed was both a great ceremony and a sports competition. Later, in the 16th century, it came to be considered a war game by the Ottoman Turks. In the 19th century, it became the largest sports show and game of the Ottoman state and its palaces. Mahmut II banned jereed in 1826 for its status as a dangerous game. But despite this, the game continued to spread to all the parts of the empire as an important Ottoman war game. Until 40 or 50 years ago, the game was still widely played across Anatolia, but later its scope shrank to only the areas of Balıkesir, Söğüt, Konya, Kars, Erzurum and Bayburt. And now, for over two decades, the game has retreated across the sands of time into only Konya and Balikesir. Yet to this day, almost everywhere around the country, young men in villages continue to play jereed on the occasions of weddings and holidays. This sport, along with wrestling, continues to be a contest of bravery in all corners of Turkey. The zurna, a reed instrument something like an oboe, is played along with drums at the jereed field to grab people’s attention. The tradition of jereed is still alive in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and other Asian countries inhabited by people of Turkish origin. Today in Turkey, the game is still played on the second Sunday in September in Söğüt at the Ertuğrul Gazi (veterans’) ceremonies and in Erzurum, Kars and Bayburt to mark various other occasions. In 1972, a Jereed Festival was organized in Konya by the Konya Tourism Association. Jereed teams from Erzurum and Bayburt participated and gave sterling performances at the festival. There are efforts current underway to restart the jereed tradition in Konya. In a jereed game, there are two teams. These two teams are placed in rows of 6, 8 or 12 players in a field as much as 70 or 120 meters in length. Jereed players, dressed in regional costumes, mount their horses. With their right hand they hold the first jereed – a long stick – they will throw while holding other jereeds in their left hand. One rider from each side rushes forth towards the opposite side until they are within 30-40 meters of the other side. Then one player shouts the name of a player from the other team, challenging him to enter the game. He then throws the jereed with his right hand to that player. Later he turns around and he spurs his horse towards his own row. The challenged player from the opposing team follows him and throws a jereed at the player who is running away. Another player from the first row comes out and meets the returning rider. The player from the second row starts riding quickly to his row and takes his former place. This time his rival chases him and throws a jereed at him. The game continues in this manner. Players who succeed in hitting a player from the opposing team with a jereed win a point, but they lose a point if the jereed hits the horse instead of the player. The jereed players can make several different evasive manoeuvres in order to avoid being hit by players from the other team. The rider leans towards either side of the horse, under the horse’s stomach or even its neck. Some players score points by hitting the other team’s player three or four times before that player manages to escape and take his place back in his row. Occasionally players are injured when they are hit on the head, eyes or ears. There are even some cases, albeit rare, where such injuries have resulted in death. A player who dies in the course of a game is considered to have perished in battle, so his surviving relatives don’t seek redress against the other player. Fathers even boast about their sons who lost their lives while taking part in the game. Initially, the jereeds were made out of date or oak trees. They measured 70-100 centimetres long and were 2-3 centimetres wide. Later, in order to minimize the risk of fatalities during play, wood from poplar trees came into favour in making jereeds. The two ends of the sticks were cut into a cylindrical shape and made round. The wood’s bark is also removed so as not to injure the person it hits. The game’s spectators yell and shout in order to encourage the players and their horses. If two relatives are playing in a game, they are not placed on rival teams, but on the same one. Young men have to respect this decision of the older men, and the older men respect this tradition. At the end of a jereed game, a council formed by former jereed players decide which team will be named the winner. The organizers of the game host dinners and hands out awards to the victors. The game of jereed was first introduced to Anatolia by Alpaslan, and later it spread to European and Arab countries. In the 17th century, the game started to be played in France, Germany and other countries on the continent. The Konya Tourism Association once again put this national battle game into the spotlight by organizing a Jereed Festival in September of 1972. Here are some terms used in the game of jereed: Değnek, diğnek, deynek: Other names for jereed in certain regions. Cirit havası: Sections or the entirety of the music played during the game on the drums and zurna. At oyunu (Game of the Horse): What jereed is called in the areas of Tunceli and Mus. At oynatma havası: Before the jereed game begins, this is a special music with a particular rhythm played to make the horses trot and dance. Rahvan: This is a special gait of the horse when the horse moves the two feet on either side of its body in unison, as if running with two feet. This way, it doesn’t shake the rider. Tırısa kalkmak: The name for a running style in which the horse moves the two feet on opposite, diagonal sides of the body in unison. This is a fast gait which shakes the rider. Dörtnal (Four horseshoes): The fastest running speed of the horse. Hücum dörtnal (Four horseshoes attack): Riding a horse at full speed towards a target. Adeta: The regular gait of a walking horse. Aheste: When the horse walks slowly, putting weight on his hips. At başı (horse’s head): Used to describe two horses running nearly even, or neck-and-neck. At cambazı (horse daredevil): A player who makes a great show of riding skills on the horse. At oynatmak: Showing your skills with jereed. Sipahi, sipah, ispahi: This was the name given to a group of horse-riding soldiers in the Janissaries. Good jereed players or good horse riders are also given this nickname in some areas. Seymen olmak: Wearing local costumes at a wedding in Ankara or the surrounding area. Osmanli (Ottoman): Horse rider, cavalryman. Menzil: During jereed, players who are lined up on their horses. Alan (field): Jeered playing field. Şehit (martyr): The name given to players who are killed during the game. Acemi (rookie, someone who new to a profession, someone lacking skill): A player is called an acemi if the jereed he throws hits the horse rather than the player of the opposing team.
Sea Turtles
Sea Turtles have been around for 95 million years. Their ancestors were giant land turtles that entered the sea ages ago when the great dinosaurs lived. The first sea turtles looked little like those of today. It took millions of years for sea turtles to change, for legs to become pad-shaped flippers and for heavy, bulky bodies to flatten into lighter, streamlined shapes. The dinosaurs and the giant land turtles are gone forever; we can see only their fossil bones in museums. But, somehow, sea turtles have lived on.
Seven different kinds still swim in warm and temperate oceans around the world. They spend their whole lives in the water except for the brief times the females come onto land to nest and lay their eggs. The sea turtles share the sea with fish, whales, other sea creatures and you and me. In the seas surrounding Turkey, two species of sea turtles live: Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas).
Seven different kinds still swim in warm and temperate oceans around the world. They spend their whole lives in the water except for the brief times the females come onto land to nest and lay their eggs. The sea turtles share the sea with fish, whales, other sea creatures and you and me. In the seas surrounding Turkey, two species of sea turtles live: Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas).
Meerschaum
What Is Meerschaum?Meerschaum, contrary to popular belief, is not the fossilized remains of sea creatures, but a mineral: Hydrous Magnesium Silcate, it is found from 30 to 450 feet below the surface of the earth near the town of Eskişehir, Türkiye.Why Is Meerschaum Used For Pipes?Meerschaum’s magnesium content provides strength while the hydrogen and oxygen contribute porosity. As one of nature’s lightest and most porous substances, Meerschaum is a natural filter. This natural absorbency causes the pipe to slowly change colour, eventually turning rich brown colour.
Van Cat
Every domestic animal has a different characteristic. One of the cats attracting human beings' attention for centuries, having silky white fur, different colours, perfect hunting abilities and loving to play with water is Van cat. The fossil of ancestor primitive of modern domestic cats can be seen about 12 million years ago. It is known that domestication of cats was made by Egyptians in 3000 B.C. The domesticated cats were treated as holy creatures and respected as goddess. Although there are various arguments about the place and time of domestication, the thing that is certainly known is that Asians took part in domestication. On the other hand some resources suggest that the cats were semi-domesticated in 1900 B.C. Cats are carnivorous. When generalised, animals are nourished by proteins. Having sharp senses, eyes seeing well in dark, sharp paws, sharp teeth, alerted and energetic bodies, walking on their feet silently make them good hunters. They have sensitive hairs around eyes and nose which strengthen their hunting abilities. They lose their fur hair in spring and fall, and they have facial muscles which change as a reaction to anything happening. Muscle and skeleton form are controlled in an excellent way and that is why no matter the position they fall from they always fall on their feet.Cerebrum area is wide and indicates the intelligence of them. In addition, cerebellum is improved, which provides excellence in co-ordination. Domesticated cats are either treated as holly creatures or are fed by people at home for hunting harmful animals like mouse, rat and insects for centuries. However, people have started to take them as close friends. In recent years one of the cats attracting people's attention in Turkey or in the world is Van cat. However, as required care has not been shown so far, they face loss of the species. The number of them has been decreasing day by day and the original breeds have been lost, while they were often seen in the region and almost each house had one in the past. People of Van call the cat "Pişik". Van cats are not only seen as a pet or hunter of rats and insects but also a friend and member of the family.It is said that Van cats used to spend summer in mountain and winter in houses. Today rarely they spend summer in Erek Mountain and summer in houses. Van cats are described by the people of region as having long, white, silky fur, long body, tiger walking, fox like tail. Different colours of eyes (Diskrematopsi), intelligent, agile is clean, friendly, loves playing and faithful to its owner and therefore these characteristics make it a rare found cat. However, since 1950s, the cat has been introduced to the world by Europeans but this unique cat has not been introduced fully. One of the characteristics of Van cats is the colour of their eyes. They are classified under three groups according to the colour of their eyes: a. Both eyes blue, b. both eyes amber colour (yellow and its tones) c. One eye(dischromatopsy, one eye blue and the other amber). Blue colour of Van cats usually shows turquoise blue but amber colour shows many differences in tones. The tones are amber, light amber, yellow and green almond. Although very rare, sometimes brown colour can be seen. Blue eyed cats are classified as blue eyed short, velvet furred cats and blue eyed long silky fur cats. The colour of newly born kittens is greyish. 25 days after birth the colour of eyes starts to change, and after 40 days the colour reaches final colour. There are generally one or two black points between ears of kittens. Most of the kittens having two black points are single eyed. And this black point is taken as stamp of single eye cats. However, the black points are lost after 2 months. And sometimes they may have black hairs varying in between 8 to 30. It is known that having different colour of eyes which human beings, dogs and doves face, is genetic defect syndrome.Body weight of female Van cats is 2900 grams while males weigh 3600 grams. Van cats have mating period in February-March-June. This period lasts for up to 10 days. In case of pregnancy during this period, no other mating period is seen in the same year. Pregnancy period is 62 days. The belly starts to swallow from the first month and the cat never lets any one touch her belly. Van cats like other cats prefer to give birth in the locations far away from vision, and for this reason they start to look for isolated and dark location from the first month of the pregnancy. Immediately after birth, Plasenta of the kittens are cut by the mother. Mother cat suckles its kittens for 50-60 days. However, this period can be more or less. Van cats give birth to four kittens at one birth. The eyes of kittens are open on the 10th day. Mother licks its kittens in order to clean them and starts suckling immediately after birth. If mother deems that the location is not safe, it finds a safe place and carries the kittens there. Mother hardly leaves its kittens alone and only leaves them to meet its needs. The kittens still with close eyes react to smells other than their mother and try to protect themselves. The movement of the kittens at the beginning is like walking and crawling. Kitten brothers/sisters usually fight for milk. They usually play with each other. Playing game is an essential factor for development. The game is under control of the mother and the mother teaches its kittens how to survive. If the kitten is alone, it wants to play with its mother and if mother is not there even it can play with other animals around. The cats have a strong control over the areas they are settled in. They do not want other cats to come to their living areas. When their living places or houses are changed, they try to return to former place if they do not like the new one. Van cats get used to their new living places in 20 to 30 days. During this period, they examine the surrounding and are not interested in their owners. The cats have more cleaning sense than other animals. They are considerably curious about cleanliness of themselves and their living surrounding. After toilet, they have instinct to burying the dirt. They clean their mouths and faces with help of their paws after eating and toilet.The hunting characteristic of Van cats is superior. They hunt raats, mice, bird, flies and insects indoor and outdoor, and eat them. They never attack to poultry animals living with them in the house or out of the house.Van cats love living with human beings in family environment. If they do not have relation with human beings or have a little relationship, they start to become wild. Van cats are very affectionate, giving head butts and love bites. Especially during pregnancy they are in need of love. They are very close to their owners and love them. When they see strangers, they react and escape. They jump on the lap of the ones loving them. They are jealous of their owners showing affection to other cats and small kids. Although there is a belief that Van cats suffer from deafness problem, only 2-3% of odd eyed (Diskromatopsy) and blue eyed cats suffer from this problem. Van cats love to swim and play with water, and with this feature it is the only cat species. Van cats checks the meal if it is warm with their front paws and if the meal is warm enough they eat. It is also observed that Van cats eat melon, watermelon and some fruit. Although the fur is quite thick, they are affected by the cold.They produce some voices in order to communicate with each other and with human beings. The voices indicate their emotions. Their meowing has some varieties. Some indicates communication with human beings some indicates communication with their kittens or for their sexual activities. The sounds generated according to their needs have different intensity and frequency. Van cats meow loudly when they see their owners in the morning in order to show their happiness. When they are hungry, they go to the kitchen door and meows to indicate that they are hungry. When the food is given, they show their grates by means of touching their owner. When they need toilet they go to the door and meow in order to ask their owners to open the door. It is also observed that if the door needs to be opened, they jump to the handle and open it. The studies indicated that Van Cats respond to training very well. They understand what have been taught very quickly. They immediately learn the place where soil is put for their toilet needs, and never try other places for toilet needs. Kittens are able to learn their names when they are 2-3 months. However, it is thought that this learning means understanding the tone of the sound they are used to rather than learning the names.It is necessary to take any actions required for preservation of lovely, friendly, intelligent, faithful, beautiful and attractive Van cats and decrease of them.
İznik Tiles Today
İznik tiles reached their heyday in the 16th century, and the masterpieces produced at that time are regarded as the most valuable specimens of the art of ceramics by the leading museums of the world.İznik Kiln excavations, carried out for more than 20 years by the Istanbul University Department of Archaeology and History of Art, give us clues as to the types of kilns and ceramics used in the Art of İznik tile making. In the İznik Tiles Atelier opened in mid 1996, following the opening of the İznik Foundatin in 1993 and the Tile and Ceramic Research Centre in 1995, it is now possible to produce tile nearly equalling the quality of those of the 16th century.Obviously, to reach this point, many experiments were made and everything about İznik tiles was investigated, since the old masters took the secrets to their graves, with the result that even the slightest clue to their manufacture lay concealed for centuries.The composition of the tiles and the percentage of the components within the microstructure of the material are carefully studied. The availability of these materials and reserves within the region are considered.Following the excavations, it is observed that İznik tile production was fire high on wastage owing to the large proportion of quartz in the ceramic. Similarly, a number of experiments with the minerals in the area were carried on in the course of which thousands of experimental plates were produced only to be broken and thrown away. The most unfortunate setback the Foundation has had to face has been the absolute lack of documentation regarding the process. Not even the names of the towns and villages where the materials originated were known.Thus, the conclusion was arrived at that only through the most meticulous scientific research could unified İznik tile concept be formed.In its efforts, the İznik Foundation has received the support of scientific foundations and NGO' s such as TÜBİTAK, M.A.M. (Marmara Research Center), İ.T.Ü. (Istanbul Technical University), İ.Ü. (Istanbul University), in Turkey, and Princeton and M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the United States in a vast range of analysis. The production of handmade tiles of the desired quality in this era of speed and automation is a particularly difficult task.Today, İznik tiles are used as an architectural element in old and modern buildings by the discriminating decorator and art-lover alike.
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