Turkey has a rich culture which combines elements from different regions around the world. These influences includes Eastern Mediterranean (West Asian and Middle Eastern), Central Asian region, Eastern European, and Caucasian traditions.
Check out some curiosities that will make you want to visit the country.
1 – They love tea
Turkey has the highest rate of tea consumption per capita in the world.
Yeah, 96% of the country’s population drink at least one cup of tea a day. So, you already know what to order if you are in doubt when you stop for a snack.
2 – The Kebab’s home
Kebab is a popular food around the world. You can find these famous sandwiches anywhere in Europe, especially, and of course in Turkey, the country where he was born.
And rest assured about the price. In Istanbul, for example, the value of a Kebab is around 4 Turkish lire, which is equivalent to 2 reais in Brazil.
One of the most famous places to eat a good Kebab in Istanbul is at the Durumzade Diner, which became famous after a visit by the american chef and TV presenter Anthony Bourdain. There, the sandwich and the soda come out around 7 Turkish lire.
They even say that when you are there you must ask the owner to choose the filling for your sandwich (if you have no dietary restrictions, of course).
3 – It’s a cheap trip
Although it seems luxurious to say that you are going to travel to Turkey, with a good plan it’s possible make a cheap trip, especially when compared to other European countries.
You already know the kebab’s price. Now, about accommodation, the daily price in well-rated hostels in Istanbul is between 5 to 10 dollars for shared rooms.
4 – If you go to Istanbul, you can say that you have been to Constantinople
This is a curiosity for those who loved history lessons. Until the year 330, the most famous city in Turkey was called Byzantium and, later, in 1453, it changed its name and became the legendary Constantinople.
Its current name, Istanbul, was only granted in March 1930. In fact, the fall of Constantinople was the symbol of the decline of the Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire), inaugurated by Constantine – which had given the city its name.
5 – Istanbul is the only city in the world that is between two continents
The city, which has about 12 million inhabitants in the metropolitan region, is divided in two by the Bosphorus Strait, which marks the division between Asia and Europe.
6 – Enjoy a Turkish bath
Another item on the list of curiosities about the culture of this country is the famous Turkish baths. Known as “hamam”, the baths are very traditional and true rituals of purification and beauty. The experience is widely offered throughout the country, in an environment surrounded by marble that conserves the interior heat.
Similar to a sauna, but more humid, the Turkish bath can be carried out individually or with more people, in addition to, in some cases, it can include massages, treatments, and relaxation sessions. Istanbul, for example, offers several options for Turkish baths, which are divided between the more traditional and those that follow a more westernized style, similar to SPAS.
7 – Watch the Dervishes presentations
It is a dance performed by the Mevlevi Order, founded in the 13th century, which is part of a mystical arm of Islam. The dance is performed to symbolize the transition from the earthly to the spiritual world in order to purify the soul.
A dervish is a practitioner adhering to Sufi Islam, known for his extreme poverty and austerity. In this way, dervishes are similar to the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sadhus.
8 – Santa Claus was born here
No, it wasn’t at the North Pole. Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, was born in the city of Mira, in Turkey.
Nicholas came from a wealthy family and was known, at the time he lived – 270, for his good deeds. After becoming a bishop, he became even better known for stories of miracles and for witnessing adults and especially poor children. After Our Lady, Nicholas was the saint most portrayed by painters in the Catholic Church.
The Santa with a white beard, as we know it, was a figure built over the years with a strong commercial influence, by Coca-Cola to be more specific, who has used this image since the year 1930.
The city of Mira is now known as Demre. The church where Saint Nicholas studied is a point of visit and pilgrimage for religious tourism.