Turkey has a unique place in the world with its historical and cultural background. As a bridge connecting Europe and Asia, it has been under the influence of various cultures throughout history and reflects these influences today. This diversity is one of the most effective reasons why people in Turkey are harmonious, friendly, hospitable and helpful.
Turkish culture and history go back thousands of years. Turks have lived and settled in a wide geography from Central Asia to Anatolia and the Balkans. In this process, Turkish culture was formed under the influence of various cultures such as Mongolian, Persian, Syriac, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman. In this sense, there are many characteristics of Turkey, which are a mixture of East and West, old and new, traditional and modern.
Hospitality
In Turkish culture, hospitality is a very important tradition that continues to be kept alive. This tradition requires people to be respectful, kind and helpful to their guests. Turks make every effort to make their guests feel comfortable in their homes and try to provide them with the best service. Likewise, when you go to a traditional Turkish restaurant, you will often be offered sweets, tea, nuts and fruit. This tradition is likely to be the result of Turks interacting and living together with different cultures for long periods of time.
Unesco World Heritage List “Turkey”
Turkey is a historically and culturally rich country, being one of the oldest settlements in Europe and Asia. For this reason, the country has artifacts, monuments and historical buildings dating back to ancient times. For example, the ancient city of Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a globally recognized tourist destination. Likewise, Istanbul used to be the capital of the Byzantine Empire before it was conquered by Mehmet the Conqueror. For this reason, there are buildings and artifacts from the Byzantine period in Istanbul. Turkey contains 19 important cultural and natural sites on the Unesco World Heritage List. Some of these are:
- Cappadocia: Contains unique caves and fairy chimneys formed by volcanic eruptions.
- Troy: Known as the site of the mythological Trojan War, as described in Homer’s Iliad.
- Mount Nemrud: It is one of the highest mountains in Turkey and stands out for its natural richness.
- Hierapolis-Pamukkale: It was used as a health center during the ancient Roman period and contained white travertine terraces of hot springs.
- Hattusa: Known as the capital of the Hittite Empire and contains important ruins, settlements and ruins.
Popular Museums and Historic Sites
Turkey is home to many popular museums and historical sites due to its rich historical and cultural heritage. After purchasing a discounted museum card for students, you can enter more than 350 museums within one year. Below is a list of some popular museums and historical sites in Turkey:
- Topkapi Palace Museum: Located in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, this palace reflects the rich culture of the Ottoman Empire.
- Istanbul Archaeology Museum: Located in Istanbul, this museum contains artifacts important to Anatolian and European history.
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: Located in Ankara, this museum contains artifacts, archaeological finds and sites from Anatolian cultures.
- Pergamon: It was an important cultural center during the ancient Roman period. It includes important buildings such as the Asclepion, the Temple of Athena and the Grand Theater.
- Göbeklitepe: It is the first archaeologically important settlement in the Şanlıurfa province of Turkey.
Religious Holidays and Public Holidays
Although Turkey is a secular state, people value religious holidays and opportunities to be together with family. The national and religious holidays and public holidays celebrated in the country can be listed as follows:
- New Year’s Day: January 1
- National Sovereignty and Children’s Day: April 23
- Day of Labor and Solidarity: May 1
- Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day: May 19
- Democracy Day: July 15
- Victory Day: August 30
- Republic Day: October 29
- Eid al-Fitr: Variable according to the year (3 days holiday)
- Eid al-Adha: Variable depending on the year (4 days holiday)