DID YOU KNOW?
Some of the interesting facts about Turkey

The only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for more than 2,000 years.

The world’s oldest known Neolithic village is in Catalhoyuk in central Anatolia, Turkey, and dates back to 6,500 BC.

Alexander the Great conquered a large territory in what is now Turkey and cut the Gordion Knot in the Phrygian capital (Gordium) not far from Turkey's capital (Ankara).

Anatolia is the birthplace of many historical figures such as the Phrygian King Midas, the father of history Herodotus and St Paul.

The first coins ever minted were done at Sardis, near İzmir, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, at the end of the seventh century B.C.

The word "turquoise" derives from the French word for Turkish (Turquois), the beautiful colour of waters of the Mediterranean Sea on the southern Turkish coast.

Julius Caesar proclaimed his celebrated words “Veni. Vedi, Veci” (I came, I saw, I conquered) in Turkey when he defeated Pontus, a formidable Kingdom in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.

The Virgin Mary spent her last days in Selcuk, İzmir, near the ancient city of Ephesus according to the Biblical and archaeological evidences.

Homer (Homeros) was born in Izmir on the west coast of Turkey and he dscribed Troy, which is north of Izmir, in his Epic the Iliad.

According to the Legend of Great Flood, after the withdrawal of the waters, Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ağrı in eastern Anatolia.

Contrary to popular opinion, tulip originated not in Holland but on the Asian steppes. The Turks first gave the Dutch their famous tulips that started the craze for the flower in England and the Netherlands. There is a period of elegance and amusement in 18th century is named "The Tulip Age" in Ottoman Empire.

The Seven Churches referred in the Book of Revelation are all found in Turkey: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

The most valuable silk carpet in the world is in the Mevlana Museum in Konya, Turkey. Marco Polo's journeys in the thirteenth centuries took him here, and he remarked that the "best and handsomest of rugs" were to be found in Turkey.

Göbekli Tepe in Sanliurfa is the oldest human-made place of worship yet discovered. Dated to 7500 – 6000 BC.

The number of archaeological excavations going on in Turkey every year is at least 150.

Anatolia is the location of the first known beauty contest, judged by Paris, with Aphrodite, Hera and Athena as leading participants.

The oldest known shipwreck in the world was excavated in Kas. The shipwreck is on display now in Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum.

Istanbul houses the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fener and the Armenian
Patriarchate in Kumkapı.

Many valuable finds from Anatolia can be seen in museums all over the world. The Pergamum Museum of Berlin contains the Zeus Altar, Gateway to the Sanctuary of Athena from Pergamon, Statues from Priene and the great Market Gate from Miletus.Temple of Artemis from Ephesus, The Mausoleum of Halicarnassos and the Harpy Monumental Tomb from Xhanthus display in British Museum.

The number of species of flowers in Turkey is 9000,of which 3000 are endemic.

Many words in English such as, bulgur, caique, angora, mausoleum, sherbet, meander,
kiosk, turban, parchment, byzantine and yoghurt originate from Anatolia.

Early Christians escaping from Roman persecutions in Jerusalem, sheltered in Cappadocia.(Central Region of Turkey).Anatolia was also the first major stronghold of
Christianity.

The Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis was watered by two rivers located in Turkey: The Tigris (Dicle) and the Euphrates (Fırat)

aykut@privatetours-turkey.com© Copyright 2010 - 2011 Başar KULAÇ