Hıdırellez is regarded as one of the most important seasonal festivals in both Turkey and parts of the Middle East. 

Called the Day of Hızır (Ruz-ı Hızır) in Turkey, Hıdırellez is celebrated as the day on which the prophets Hızır (Al-Khdir) and Ilyas (Elijah) met on Earth.

It is believed that Hızır and Ilyas meet on earth only once every year. While Hızır helps and guides people who are in a difficult situation, and also brings abundance, Ilyas is believed to be the protector of the waters.

It is also believed that, as they symbolise abundance, everywhere they step turns green, and everything they touch becomes more fruitful or healed.

Celebrating Hıdırellez

Turkish communities around the world celebrate Hıdırellez as a spring festival on May 6 while Christians in the Balkans mark it as St. George’s day on April 23.

In the folk calendar used by the people, the year used to be separated into two: summer was between May 6 and Nov. 8, known as the “Days of Hızır”, while winter was between Nov. 8 and May 6, known as the “Days of November”. So May 6, representing the end of winter and the start of summer, is a reason to celebrate.

Across the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, different traditions and rituals have developed, many of which are focused on bringing good luck with the arrival of spring.

While differing greatly from country to country, the event is often marked by the cleaning of homes and clothes, feasting or ceremonies held near open water or shrines.

In the evening of the day before Hıdırellez, people write or draw their wishes — such as a home, car or child — on paper and attach it to a branch of a tree (a rose tree) or bury it under the tree, while some throw it into the sea or a river. Some also bury money under a rose tree for abundance.

Meanwhile, it is considered that eating the first lamb of spring leads to health and recovery. Another belief is boiling flowers or plants and drinking the water to heal diseases, and that the water rejuvenates people and makes them beautiful if they wash with it for 40 days.

Among the Roma community in Turkey’s northwestern province of Çanakkale, there are dancers in colourful clothing and people jump over bonfires for good health.

The roots of the celebration pre-date Islam or Christianity.

An “intangible cultural heritage”

This spring festival was added to UNESCO’s list of “intangible cultural heritage” in 2017.

According to UNESCO, “the rituals have deep-rooted cultural meanings and provide the community with a sense of belonging and cultural identity and an opportunity to strengthen relations.”

Have a look at this amazing video of the Hıdırellez celebrations.

Sources: Hurriyet Daily News/Turkey.Home/Wikipedia

This article was first published on 6 May 2019 and updated on 5 May 2025.

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A City Steeped in History

With a history dating back thousands of years, Gaziantep has been home to numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, Assyrians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The city’s strategic location along ancient trade routes made it a significant cultural and commercial hub. Visitors can explore historical landmarks such as:

• Gaziantep Castle: A well-preserved fortress that has stood since Roman times, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

• Zeugma Mosaic Museum: Home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Roman mosaics, including the famous “Gypsy Girl” mosaic.

• Tahmis Coffee House: A historic café dating back to the 17th century, where locals and tourists alike enjoy traditional Turkish coffee.

The Gastronomic Capital of Türkiye

Gaziantep is often considered the culinary capital of Türkiye and has even been recognised by UNESCO for its gastronomy. The city’s cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Anatolian influences, making it a paradise for food lovers. Some must-try dishes include:

• Baklava: Gaziantep is the birthplace of this world-famous dessert, made with layers of thin pastry, pistachios, and sweet syrup.

• Kebabs: From spicy Adana kebab to the unique Alinazik kebab (made with smoked aubergine purée), Gaziantep is renowned for its mastery of grilled meats.

• Beyran Soup: A rich and spicy lamb soup, often enjoyed for breakfast.

• Katmer: A delicious pastry filled with clotted cream and ground pistachios, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

A Thriving Artisan and Trade Centre

Beyond its food, Gaziantep is famous for its traditional crafts and bustling bazaars. The Zincirli Bedesten and Coppersmiths’ Bazaar are excellent places to explore handmade copperware, textiles, and spices. The city is also well known for its high-quality pistachios, which are exported worldwide.

While deeply rooted in tradition, Gaziantep is also a modern and growing city. It boasts excellent transport links, a thriving economy, and a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. The city has invested in tourism, offering a range of accommodations, from boutique hotels to luxury stays.

Gaziantep is a city that captivates visitors with its blend of history, culture, and cuisine. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, indulging in a feast of local delicacies, or shopping in vibrant markets, Gaziantep offers an experience like no other. It is truly a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Türkiye.

Getting there

Gaziantep Airport is situated approximately 20 km from the city centre and operates regular domestic flights from all major Turkish cities throughout the year.

Impact of the February 2023 earthquakes on Gaziantep

Gaziantep was among the cities impacted by the devastating earthquakes of February 2023, which had their epicentre in neighbouring Kahramanmaraş and affected 13 provinces across southern and southeastern Türkiye. While some districts of Gaziantep province were severely damaged, the city itself fared better than places like Adıyaman and Antakya, the latter of which was left almost unrecognisable. Still, significant destruction occurred, including the partial collapse of Gaziantep’s Roman-era castle. Many historic mosques in the city centre sustained damage and remain under restoration, while some residential buildings were either destroyed or deemed unsafe. Despite these challenges, much of the city, particularly its newer districts, remained intact, with daily life continuing amid ongoing recovery efforts.

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Cappadocia Area President Birol İnceciköz confirmed that restoration efforts have already begun across the fairy chimneys, and that landscaping projects for other key sites, such as Paşabağlar, are being designed. “Fairy chimneys are formed by natural processes, and they also deteriorate over time,” İnceciköz explained. “We will make sure visitor safety is maintained and will monitor the situation closely with experts.”

The commission determined that intervening with artificial support to prevent the chimney’s collapse would go against the natural processes that shape these formations. Instead, they will let nature take its course, ensuring safety measures are put in place to protect visitors from any potential hazards.

Additionally, the inspections highlighted concerns over damage to frescoes in the St. Barbara Chapel at the Göreme Open Air Museum. Water seepage through cracks in the chapel’s structure has caused damage to its historic artwork, exacerbated by outdated repair methods involving wires and nails, which have degraded over the past 20 years.

“We have consulted with specialists and non-governmental organizations to determine the best approach to repair the cracks that are allowing water to damage the frescoes,” İnceciköz stated, noting that the goal is to protect these invaluable pieces of cultural heritage while respecting their historical integrity.

Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its fairy chimneys, rock-hewn churches, and other ancient landmarks, drawing millions of tourists each year. Preservation efforts remain a top priority as authorities continue to balance the region’s natural evolution with the need to protect its rich history.

Source: Hürriyet Daily News

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Kuş dili – bird language of Black Sea

The small town of Kuşköy, which is tucked into an isolated valley on the rainy, mountainous Black Sea coast of Türkiye, looks much like the other villages in the region.

Houses balance on steep hillsides beside tea fields and hazelnut orchards. A narrow white minaret and a small domed mosque stand beside a noisy creek.

Kuş dili (bird language)

But Kuşköy, in the province of Giresun, is remarkable not for how it looks but for how it sounds: here, the roar of the water and the daily calls to prayer are often accompanied by loud, lilting whistles—the distinctive tones of the local language.

Kuşköy’s locals call it “kuş dili,” a form of whistled language that helps them communicate across the region’s deep valleys.

UNESCO Nomination

The whistle language, also known as the bird language, of the northern village of Kuşköy was inscribed in 2017 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

The whistled language is currently used by around 10,000 people in northeastern Türkiye, and it can carry messages as far as 5 kilometres. It translates the Turkish language into whistles, not a distinct language.

The spread of cell phones has reduced the need for the 500-year tradition of whistled Turkish, but villagers stage a festival each summer to try to keep it alive.

Scientific studies

The whistled language of Kuşköy has been the subject of many scientific studies, as well. A study conducted by Onur Güntürkün of Ruhr University in Germany revealed that “Whistled Turkish uses the full lexical and syntactic information of vocal Turkish and transforms them into whistles to transport complex conversations with constrained whistled articulations over long distances.

In Türkiye, this whistled language is used in the Black Sea region only. However, variations of the same technique are common practice in certain regions of France, Spain, China and Mexico. What distinguishes the bird language in Türkiye from other whistled languages is its very high frequency. The maximum frequency of whistled Turkish is 4,000 Hz. Hence, the form used in Giresun can travel a greater distance than any other in the world.

Sources: Daily Sabah/The New Yorker/National Public Radio/UNESCO

This article was first published on 5 July 2019.

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There are 19 cultural heritage sites and 2 mixed heritage sites. Mixed heritage sites contain elements of both natural and cultural significance.

If you enjoy visiting cultural and historic sites, here’s part one of two articles that may help you to choose the ones for your next trip to Türkiye.

Sites on the World Heritage List (Cultural)

Afrodisias (Aphrodisias)

Located in Southwestern Türkiye, some two and a half hours’ drive inland from Kuşadaşı, the archaeological site at Afrodisias is one of Türkiye’s finest. Because of its isolated position, so much of the site still survives and you can get a very real sense of the grandeur and extent of the ancient city.

The temple of Aphrodite dates from the 3rd century BC and the city was built one century later. The wealth of Aphrodisias came from the marble quarries and the art produced by its sculptors. The city streets are arranged around several large civic structures, which include temples, a theatre, an agora and two bath complexes. Afrodisias was added to the World Heritage List on Sunday 9th July 2017.

Archaeological Site of Ani

Registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Ani archaeological site, also known as the “city of a thousand and one churches”, attracts tourists all year round. The ancient city, which houses Islamic architectural works of the 11th and 12th centuries, was added to the World Heritage List on July 15, 2016. 

Click on the link below to read our previous article about Ani.

Archaeological Site of Troy

One of the most important ancient settlements in the world, located at the top of Hisarlık hill about 30 kilometres south of Çanakkale, the history of Troy city dates back to five thousand years ago.

Homer’s work regarded as the origin of European literature was based on the city, which was included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1998.

Arslantepe Mound

Arslantepe, an archaeological site in Malatya, Türkiye dating back to the 6th millennium BCE, boasts an adobe palace and the earliest swords in the world.

The archaeological mound in southeastern Türkiye was chosen for UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 26, 2021. 

Arslantepe Mound (meaning “Lion Hill” in Turkish), is a 30-metre-tall archaeological tell located in the Malatya plain, 12 km southwest of the Euphrates River. Archaeological evidence from the site testifies to its occupation from at least the 6th millennium BCE up until the late Roman period. 

Arslantepe Mound had been on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List since 2014, and it is one of Türkiye’s earliest religious and civil sites. The mound is thought to date back 8,000 years. Archaeological evidence from the site testifies to its occupation from at least the 6th millennium BCE up until the late Roman period.

The mound has been home to many civilisations over centuries. UNESCO details them as “The earliest layers of the Early Uruk period are characterized by adobe houses from the first half of the 4th millennium BCE. The most prominent and flourishing period of the site was in the Late Chalcolithic period, during which the so-called palace complex was constructed. 

Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire

Perched on the wooded northern slopes of Uludağ, Bursa was the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire and, in a real sense, the birthplace of modern Turkish culture.

The site illustrates the creation of an urban and rural system establishing the Ottoman Empire in the early 14th century. Cumalıkızık is a village in the Yıldırım district of Bursa Province, located 10 kilometres east of the city of Bursa, at the foot of Mount Uludağ. Its history goes back to the Ottoman Empire’s foundation period. Bursa and Cumalıkızk were added to the World Heritage List in 2014.

City of Safranbolu

Safranbolu is a town in the Black Sea region of northern Türkiye, once a stop on the trade route between Europe and the Orient.

Its Ottoman architecture includes the old Çarşı district, with hundreds of preserved, red-roofed Ottoman houses on cobblestone streets. Cinci Han is a 17th-century caravansary with rooftop views over the town. Nearby, Tarihi Cinci Hamam is a restored 17th-century bathhouse, still in operation. Safranbolu was added to the World Heritage List in 1994.

Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape

Located on an escarpment of the Upper Tigris River Basin that is part of the so-called Fertile Crescent, the fortified city of Diyarbakır and the landscape around has been an important centre since the Hellenistic period, through the Roman, Sassanid, Byzantine, Islamic and Ottoman times to the present.

The site encompasses the Inner castle, known as İçkale and including the Amida Mound, and the 5.8 km-long city walls of Diyarbakır with their numerous towers, gates, buttresses, and 63 inscriptions. The site also includes the Hevsel Gardens, a green link between the city and the Tigris that supplied the city with food and water, the Anzele water source and the Ten-Eyed Bridge. Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape were added to the World Heritage List in 2015.

Ephesus

Famous throughout history for its Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this great and sacred city lay in ruins until the early 20th century.

Now it is one of the most extensive archaeological sites in the world. Ephesus was added to the World Heritage List in 2015.

Click on the link below to read our previous article about Ephesus.

Göbekli Tepe

Göbekli Tepe, which means Potbelly Hill in Turkish, dates back nearly 12,000 years and is considered one of the world’s oldest temples, featuring massive carved stones and T-shaped pillars that predate the invention of agriculture. 

Göbekli Tepe was added to the World Heritage List in 2018.

Gordion

The archaeological site of Gordion ranks as one of the most important historical centres in the ancient Near East. Gordion lies approximately ninety kilometres south-west of Ankara in central Türkiye, at the intersection of the great empires to the east (Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites) and the west (Greeks, Romans). Consequently, it occupied a strategic position on nearly all trade routes that linked the Aegean and Mediterranean seas with the Near East. Gordion is an outstanding archaeological site for understanding the Phrygian civilisation and its achievements. The buildings of its Early Phrygian citadel, and the burial mounds of the city’s rulers, constitute the exceptional exemplars of monumental architecture in the Iron Age Near East.

Gordion was added to the World Heritage List in 2023

Sources: UNESCO/Wikipedia/Featured image courtesy of National Geographic

This post was first published on 9 December 2021 and updated on 14 November 2023

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