Atayolular

Benim Memleketim...

Did You Know That....?

The only city in the world located on two continents is İstanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for more than 2000 years.
The number of archaeological excavations going on in Turkey every year is at least 150.
The oldest known human settlement is in Çatalhöyük., Turkey (7500 BC)
Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Bodrum), the two of the seven wonders of ancient world, are in Turkey.
Abraham was born in Şanlıurfa in Southeastern Turkey.
Anatolia is the birthplace of historic legends, such as Omer (the poet), King Midas, Herodotus (the father of history) and St. Paul the Apostle.
Julius Ceasar proclaimed his celebrated words, "Veni, Vidi, Vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered) in Turkey when he defeated the Pontus, a formidable kingdom in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
Turks introduced coffee to Europe.
Turks gave the Dutch their famous tulips.
St. Nicholas, who became popular as Father Christmas, was born in Demre on Turkey' s Mediterranean Coast.
According to legend, Noah' s Ark landed on Ağrı Dağı (Mount Ararat) in Eastern Turkey.
The last meal on Noah' s Ark, a pudding with nearly 20 ingredients (see our "Aile Reçeteleri" page !!), is still served throughout Turkey.
The last home of Virgin Mary is in Selçuk.
Leonardo da Vinci in 1502 drew designs for a bridge over the Golden Horn (Galata). It was never built.
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 present-day capital (Ankara).
İstanbul' s Robert College (established in 1863), is the oldest American school outside the United States.
Early Christians escaping Roman persecution nearly 2000 years ago sheltered in Cappadocia in Central Anatolia.
The Amazons were supposed to have originated in Turkey' s northeastern region.
The Famous Trojan Wars took place in western Turkey, around the site where a wooden statue of the Trojan Horse rests today.
According to Turkish tradition a stranger at one' s doorstep is considered "A Guest from God" and should be accommodated accordingly.
The first church built by man (St. Peter'' s Church) is in Antioch (Antakya).
The first Ecumenical Council was held in İznik
Süleyman the Magnificent (the famous Ottoman Sultan) was a poet who wrote over 3000 poems, some of them criticizing the greed of mankind.
Turkey provides 70% of the world' s hazelnuts; the nut in your chocolate bar was most probably grown in Turkey.
The most valuable silk carpet in the world, is in the Mevlana Museum. Konya, with 144 knots per square centimeter. In the 13th century, Marco Polo wrote "the best and handsomest of rugs are woven here, and also silks of crimson and other rich colors".
Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi was the first man who flew a significant distance using wings across the Bosphorus.
Anatolia is the location of the first known beauty contest, judged by Paris, with Aphrodite, Hera and Athena as leading participants.
Anatolia was producing wine as early as 4000 BC.
Turkey receives children from around the world each year on 23rd April to "honor and cherish the freedom and independence of all people".
Anatolia is the location of Seven Churches of Asia.
Anatolia is the origin of the names of Paris, Philadelphia and Europe.