Tour

A Mesmerizing Autumn Retreat”

A Symphony of Colors

As fall unfolds its enchanting palette, imagine standing in a forest where shades of green transition to hues of yellow, red, and finally brown. Picture a realm of smoky mountains, crystalline lakes, towering trees, and endless blossoms. Now, envision not just one lake but many, adorned with a sea of leaves in a myriad of colors that seamlessly blend into one another. Such is the magic of Yedigoller, a place where an ordinary autumn day transforms into a child-like fantasy.

Embarking on the Journey

After a brisk 42-km drive from Bolu city center, fatigue dissipates as we arrive at the Seven Lakes, stepping into an autumn fairytale where nature’s diverse colors harmonize Back to History Exploring the Second Courtyard. The Kapankaya Viewing Terraces provide an eagle’s eyrie perspective of the lakes, setting the stage for

Back to History Exploring the Second Courtyard

Unveiling the Second Courtyard

Emerging into the daylight, my gaze shifts to the second courtyard. A towering 10-meter gate, intricately adorned with cypress motifs, captivates my attention. Pausing to appreciate this exquisite detail, I step into the second courtyard, revealing the inner sanctums of the palace. Among them, the ‘Selamlik’ or Men’s Quarters Courtyard unfolds, housing surprises like the palace mosque, a mausoleum for Colak Abdi Pasa and ishak Pasa, and the majestic main building Seven Lakes.

Palatial Splendor Unveiled

The second courtyard unfolds the mesmerizing interiors of the palace, boasting a colossal harem, a soup kitchen, entertainment halls, rooms for workers and guests, a library, and a court of law. Each area traversed adds new dreams to a visitor’s experience, reviving the splendid days of the past. The palace’s grandeur

Exploring the Meaning Behind Engravings

Symbolic Trees Life and Immortality

The foot sahides of Ottoman tombstones often feature engravings of trees. Prominent among these are roses, date-palms, cypress, and pomegranates. Date-palms symbolize life and immortality, portraying fruitfulness and reproduction when adorned with multiple fruits. Pomegranates signify monotheism, supernatural powers, and are symbolic of reproduction. Cypress trees, symbolizing beauty and immortality, gained popularity during the Ottoman era, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. Cypress implantation ceremonies were held during this period, emphasizing eternity and stability against the wind. The evergreen nature of cypresses, along with their symbolization of patience and humility Read More about Ottoman Tombstone Symbols, is found on both male and female graves.

Golden Apple, Orange, and Grapes: Symbols of Immortality

Illustr

Turkish Graveyard Traditions through the Ages

Evolution of Tombstone Art

The tradition of planting gravestones in Turkish graveyards dates back to ancient times. Initially serving the practical purpose of marking grave locations with flat and high stones, gravestones evolved into symbolic artworks. Animal figures and Chinese motifs adorned these tombstones, gaining figurative significance over time. This tradition laid the foundation for Ottoman tombstones.

Gokturk Era Birth of Grave Statues

During the Gokturk era, grave statues emerged, featuring distinctive headgear, arches, and accessories. With the influence of Islamic beliefs during the Ottoman era, these statues transitioned into abstract forms. While headgear and objects adorned the tombstones, hands and feet were often understated.

Ottoman Grave Classification

Ottomans designated their tombstones as “sahide.” Each grave had two sahides – the head sahide and the fo

“Dus ve Gercek Troia”

Exhibition Overview

“Dus ve Gergek Troia” unfolds across 486 pages, presenting a monumental collection of Troy artifacts sourced from various museums in Germany and other nations. Printed on high-quality glazed paper and measuring 30 cm. x 24 cm., the book serves as a testament to the exhibition’s significance. Its back cover echoes a poignant plea: “These works wait to be exhibited in a modern Troy museum in Turkey.” While a call tinged with tragedy, it underscores the reality of a shared heritage Read More about Distinctive Symbols on Ottoman Tombstones. The hope lingers for the creation of a museum in Troy where these artifacts, currently held by antiquity merchants, can return to their rightful home.

A Harrowing Reality

The exhibition brings to light the distressing extent of Troy’s pillaging. Participating countries in

Necati Güngör’s compiled work, “Boğazın Büyüsü,” provides a literary perspective on the Bosphorus, allowing us to draw comparisons between its past and present.

The Bosphorus stands as a symbol of Istanbul, and exploring its history through the lens of literary figures adds a unique pleasure to the experience. Journalist and storyteller Necati Güngör, in his book “Boğazın Büyüsü,” gathers writings from literary figures, with a focus on the renowned traveler Evliya Çelebi, offering insights into the Bosphorus. Published by İnkılap Publications, “Boğazın Büyüsü” allows us to juxtapose the Bosphorus of the past, including its people, quays, religious communities, economy, and ethnic groups, with its current state. The book also reveals the gaps in our knowledge and memory concerning the Bosphorus, prompting a sense of shame The First Church Dedicated to Virgin Ma

The First Church Dedicated to Virgin Mary and the World’s First Advertisement Hoard

The Double Churches, also known as the Consul Church, hold a distinctive position in the Christian world as the first church constructed in honor of Virgin Mary. Originally a place for consul meetings in the 5th century AD, the church underwent transformation into a basilica during the Roman era, eventually becoming dedicated to Virgin Mary. It was during a meeting of the third consul convened here that the decision to establish “Catholicism” was made, making the edifice significant as one of the seven churches of Christianity.

The appellation “Double Churches” emerged with the addition of a second church in the 7th century AD. Ephesus, at the time, boasted advanced infrastructure, including heating, water, and sewage systems. The city’s primary sewage system passed beneath a marble-covered street, featuring columns several meters high and cast lead

The Commerce, Culture, and Faith Center of the Ancient World

Ephesus stands as the most precious legacy of the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations—a city that thrived as the commerce, culture, and faith center of the ancient world. It remains the most important surviving among the twelve Ionian cities.

According to some sources, Ephesus was initially founded by Amazons, while others argue that it was established by Leleks or Carians. Some historical accounts suggest that human habitation in this region dates back to 5000 BC. Regardless of its origin, everyone agrees that the first city was built at the confluence of the Meander River (Kaistros) with the sea.

Ephesus, initially a significant center in politics and commerce, later transformed into a religious hub with the arrival of figures such as Virgin Mary, St. Jean, and St. Paul. Captured by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, the city prospered, reaching a population of around 250,000. Despite