Bulgaria

Preserving Cultural Narratives

Clothing and accessories, witnesses to humanity’s evolving journey over centuries, unfold the tales of bygone eras. Serving as a visual narrative of the past, they provide a captivating story for future generations.

Pioneering the First Dress Museum in Turkey

The Uluumay Museum of Clothes and Accessories of the Ottoman People, Turkey’s inaugural dress museum, showcases samples of Turkish culture spanning from Central Asia to Anatolia. The curator, Mr. Esat Uluumay A Glimpse into Anatolia’s Hidden Gem, sheds light on the museum’s inception and purpose.

Inception and Inspiration

Mr. Esat Uluumay, inspired by his extensive travels with the Sword and Shield Folk Dance group, noticed the impact of modernization on local clothing during contests across Turkey. Observing the inadequacy of existing resources in portraying the authenticity of clo

Exploring the Enigmatic Metropolis

Perge boasts not only houses but also a one-of-a-kind Metropolis, unparalleled in Anatolia. A significant challenge remains unresolved: despite falling within the boundaries of a first-degree archaeological site, this area remains privately owned and undisclosed. Urgent action is needed to make this extraordinary site publicly accessible.

Diverse Tombs Tell Tales

Within this archaeological marvel, diverse tombs narrate unique stories. Ranging from podium tombs to those crafted from local stones, marble sourced from Afyon province Clothing and Accessories, engraved rock tombs, and brick-built tombs, a striking feature is the presence of magnificent mausoleums. These two-story structures house well-preserved compartments in the lower level, each containing a tomb. Additional, simpler tombs in the front courtyard of the burial chamber have revealed 18 skeletons in one and four in the ot

In this village, the wedding celebrations continue as the father and uncle escort the bride to where the horse awaits. Once the bride mounts the horse, they head to the groom’s home. A customary route takes them around the mosque, and tourists can join the bride’s group if interested. Upon arriving at the groom’s home, they inquire about the groom’s whereabouts. After a brief wait, the groom arrives, passing under the horse’s neck to symbolize unity. Coins and wheat are thrown over the bride’s head, and the groom embraces her, marking the start of the festivities.

Festive Entertainment and Local Cuisine

The celebration kicks off with a dance between the bride and groom in the center. Local dishes, including keşkek, sarma, pilaf, otlubörek, helva Gift Presentation Ceremony at the Engagement, and salad, are served on copper plates and trays. The drink options range from t

In this village, the engagement celebrations include a special event known as “Bringing the Gifts of the Engagement.” Witnessed by the community head and others, the gifts intended for the bride are opened on the square. These gifts, ranging from dresses to gold jewelry, are meticulously counted and handed over to the bride’s parents. The gold jewelry presented often weighs between two and four kilos. The bride is then invited to the square, where the jewelry is offered to her. The symbolic wedding on the first day concludes with joyful dancing.

“Sheer Paralama” – Cutting and Distributing Candies

On the second day of the wedding festivities, a delightful tradition known as “Sheer Paralama” takes place. The bride and groom leave the bride’s house, with the bride’s face covered. Candies brought from the groom’s house are cut into pieces over the bride’s head. Following this sweet gesture, the groom

In this village, a special tradition is upheld during weddings: the pounding of wheat for the main dish called “kek” in a historical stone mortar. As this happens, men engage in the lively zeybek dance, a traditional dance of Western Anatolia.

Unique Musical Traditions at Symbolic Weddings

During weddings, the bride’s and groom’s houses play different music. Even at symbolic weddings, this tradition remains intact, with the music of the hosting house taking center stage. The musical instruments used in the bride’s house are known as “soft instruments” and include the violin Traditional Wedding Horse Ride and Celebration, cumbiig (a mandolin with a metal body), and darbuka (a drum-shaped instrument with a skin covering the top). In contrast, the groom’s musical instruments consist of the zurna (a primitive double-reed instrument) and a drum.

Henna Cer

A Journey Through Time

Corum A Cultural Bridge Between East and West

Corum, with its 7000-year-long history, stands as a significant gateway between Central Anatolia and the Black Sea regions. The city embodies a cultural bridge that connects the East to the West.

The Oldest Peace Treaty Kadesh Treaty

The “Kadesh Treaty,” discovered in the excavations in Bogazkoy in 1906, is a historic agreement between the Hittites and Egyptians, two prominent civilizations. Carved on clay tablets, this treaty is recognized as the world’s oldest international peace treaty. A copy of the Kadesh Treaty is proudly exhibited in the New York office of the United Nations Read More about Exploring Ottoman Traditions The Role of Bathhouses.

Corum Museum A Time Capsule of Ages

Originally constructed as a health school in 1914, the Corum Museum exemplifies 19th-century archi

Social Hubs and Matchmaking Spots

In the Ottoman era, bathhouses, or hamams, played a central role in daily life. While men visited hamams after prayers at the mosque, women frequented these social hubs for gossip and community. Baths served as places for women to showcase embroidered towels and personal belongings. Ritual preparations, such as bridal and birth baths, were significant occasions.

Mothers-in-law often inspected potential brides in the bath before weddings, emphasizing the Turkish saying, “Now let’s see the bride in the bath!” The bath became a space for matchmaking, allowing mothers to assess the health of potential daughters-in-law.

Ottoman Baths A Cultural Tradition

According to 17th-century traveler Evliya Çelebi, the Ottoman Empire had 4536 hamams. Influenced by Roman baths, the Ottomans incorporated bathing into their cultural tradition. Bathing ceremonies were elaborate, lasting for several hours. Trained staff,

A Sweet Journey

The Traditional ‘Lokum’ Process

Step inside to witness the entire ‘lokum’ (Turkish delight) making process. A blend of water, sugar, and cornflour is meticulously mixed for 2.5 hours at 150-160 degrees, using the most traditional devices reminiscent of techniques from 600 years ago. The mixture is then poured onto trays, left to cool for 24 hours, and later enriched with additional ingredients. After another round of cooling, the final product is cut into delectable pieces for serving.

Interactive Tasting Experience

Pause and indulge in tasting at each step of the process. The clean and cool factory opens its wooden doors to a bazaar enclosed by tile walls, creating an immersive experience. Ideal for those seeking unmissable tastes or searching for unique gifts to bring back from Marmaris, the place offers a variety of options. From playing cards featuring Ottoman images to bath essentials, natural oils, soaps

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