REWRITE THE HISTORY

GÖBEKLI TEPE

In 1963, an old Turkish farmer in Sanliurfa found accidentally a precisely carved stone in his farm and took it away to Sanliurfa Museum but he had no idea which consequences he would cause. After a process of research and excavation, today some parts of Gobekli Tepe Temple have been unveiled. Its history traces back to 10th Millennium BC which means that it’s 12 thousand years old. That makes Gobekli Tepe the oldest human-made temple in the world. Plan of the temple is similar to the Stonehenge. However, not only its immense dimensions but the side-by-side existence of multiple pillar shrines makes the location unique. Today the temple is acknowledged worlwide as the biggest antique temple in the world.

Hypotheses about it are unlimited and the most logical one seems as the one of an excavator Klaus Schmidt as is: “First came the temple, then the city.” Hunter-gatherer or a settled commu- nity, whoever built this temple must have had a great sense of art and skill. Animal or floral carv- ings and their plastic values are very significant. However, their belief system is not very clear yet. Shamanism seems the most logical system considering ornaments in it but there is no evidence about it. Pictograms are unreadable and the meanings of animal reliefs are unknown. Deers, insects, spiders and wolfs... They keep their silence for centuries; excavation may bring us closer to their meaning or take us thousands mile away... The only truth is that the biggest antique sanctuary Gobekli Tepe has more to show and each day we will learn more of it. We are certain you will also discover your own truths about this old spiritual place by visiting and feeling it...

Note from Matiana Travel Advisors:

Göbekli Tepe is the most attractive destination of Matiana Travel’s archaeology and history of religions themed tours. If you like to visit mystical places where the people chased the higher beings & holy energies, we invite you to contact our travel advisors for more information and guidance.

ÜÇ YILDIZ CANDY

 THE HOME OF DELICACIES, WHERE YOU CAN TASTE THE SWEETNESS OF LIFE...

Mr. Ahmet Fikri Dörtler, the founder of Üç Yıldız Şekerleme, relocated to Istanbul from Inebolu soon after the Turkish War of Independence. As his family was involved in candy making, Mr. Dörtler began working at a candy shop. Not long afterwards, in 1926, he, his brother, and a close friend established Üç Yıldız Şekerleme.

Years later, two of Mr. Dörtler’s three children, Fahri and Feridun, happily agreed to carry on the family business. Unfortunately, Fahri died at a young age, so the business passed down to Feridun, who had graduated from the well-known Galatasaray High School.

Üç Yıldız Şekerleme continues to manufacture a range of candies, such as lokum (‘Turkish delight’), jams and marmalades, akide şekeri (hard candy), beyaz tatlı (white candy), and badem ezmesi (marzipan). Foreign and domestic customers alike, as well as five-star hotels and recognized restaurants, form the portfolio of Üç Yıldız Şekerleme, one of Turkey’s most irresistible and traditional candy makers and sellers.

Did you know?

the title ”Üç Yıldız Şekerleme” their shop “Three Stars Candy” taken from the close bond between the three men. 

THE PRIDE OF OTTOMAN TREASURY - SPOONMAKER'S DIAMOND

Imperial Treasury of Ottoman Empire is full of ancient daggers, pendants, book covers, chests, rings, and various other ancient artifacts but Spoonmaker's Diamond is the most precious and valuable single exhibit. It is an 86 carat (17 g) pear-shaped diamond, surrounded by a double row of smaller forty-nine diamonds which makes it one of the world's most valuable diamond.

It is origin is still not clear but there are few myths about its past. According to one tale, a poor fisherman in Istanbul near Yenikapi was wandering idly, empty-handed along the shore when he found a shiny stone among the litter, which he turned over one over not knowing what it was. After carrying it about in his pocket for a few days, he stopped by the jewelers Market, showing it to the first jeweler he encountered. The jeweler took a casual glance at the stone and appeared disinterested, saying "It's a piece of glass, take it away if you like, or if you like I'll give you three spoons. You brought it all the way here, at least let it be worth your trouble." What was the poor fisherman to do with this piece of glass? What's more the jeweler had felt sorry for him and was giving three spoons. He said okay and took the spoons, leaving in their place an enormous treasure. It is for this reason they say that the diamond's name became the "Spoonmaker's Diamond" 

According to more convincing tale, in 1774 a French officer by the name of Pigot purchased a diamond from the Maharajah of Madras and brought it to France. After changing a number of hands, the diamond was put up for sale at auction, in which Napoleon's mother purchased it. For a long time she wore it on her breast. When Napoeon was sent into exile, his aged mother put the diamond up for sale in order to be able save her son. One of Tepedelenli Ali Pasa's men, who was in France at the time, bought the diamond on the Pasa's behalf for 150 thousand gold pieces, bringing it back and handing it over. During the reign of Mahmud II, Tepedelenli Ali Pasa was killed on allegations of rebelling against the State, and his treasure was confiscated. The whole lot of precious jewelry was moved to the Ottoman Treasury, during the course of which the diamond purchased from Napoleon's mother, subsequently becoming famous as the Spoonmaker's Diamond, also entered the Treasury. It is known that the stone known in France as the Pigot Diamond which was purchaed by Tepedelenli Ali Pasa's men was 86 carets. The Spoonmaker's Diamond in the Treasury of Topkapi Museum is also 86 carets. Thus, the world-renowned Pigot diamond must be the Spoonmaker's Diamond in Topkapi.

Even we are not sure its origin, this masterpiece of deathless beauty still sits alone in its case, smiling at its spectators in Topkapi Palace.

Discovering Coastal Beauties

Discovering Coastal Beauties

Antalya

The largest conurbation on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, Antalya is famous for its old city, Kaleiçi, which lies at the modern town’s heart. Here, within the old city walls, you can find superb boutique hotels, resplendent in their local architecture. For those who delight in discovering ancient ruins, Antalya is a great spot to base yourself.

Belek

Close to the city of Antalya, Belek is a very popular resort. Its sandy beaches, superb all-inclusive hotels, and entertainment are good for families with children who prefer to be based in one place rather than move around.

Marmaris

A popular destination for holidaymakers, like Fethiye, Marmaris is also well-known for the bays that pervade its coastline. Many of the bays are home to some extraordinary properties that act as special retreats for ultimate relaxation.

Kalkan – Kas

Popular with foreign visitors, Kalkan & Kaş together form a district, about three hours away from Antalya. Along the way, you can stop in Demre – Myra where Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) was born. These villages boast not only charm but also pure and inviting turquoise water along the coastline.

Fethiye

Very close to the UNESCO world Heritage site of Xsanthos & Letoon, Fethiye is an important harbor for gület (large wooden boats), which travel out to the numerous beautiful bays. Close by is Olüdeniz, well-known for its beautifully shaped beach, for swimming, and for paragliding.

Bodrum

Popular with foreign visitors, Kalkan & Kaş together form a district, about three hours away from Antalya. Along the way, you can stop in Demre – Myra where Saint Nicholas (aka Santa Claus) was born. These villages boast not only charm but also pure and inviting turquoise water along the coastline.

The Eye Of Istanbul - ARA GULER

THE EYE of İSTANBUL

ARA GÜLER

Ara Guler (born in August 16, 1928, Istanbul, Turkey), Armenian origin, is one of the most famous Turkish photojournalists and nicknamed as “the Eye of Istanbul” or “the Photographer of Istanbul”

“Beauty is hidden in details...” World known photographer, Ara GULER’s picture- book named “Ara GULER” published by Eczacibasi “photographer series no: 2” reminds this sentence. While you will look into the pictures of Ara GULER, you will start to keep saying “how I didn’t see this beautiful door or window or just fragment of the door. He is like a guide of different dimension where the beauties unveil themselves and he pointed out for us to see...

Ara traveled for photography assignments to countries, such as Kenya, Borneo, New Guinea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Iran and other cities of Turkey. In 1970s, he also took photography interviews with noteworthy artists and politicians, like Salvador Dalí, Marc Chagall, Ansel Adams, Alfred Hitchcock, Imogen Cunningham, Willy Brandt,John Berger,Maria Callas, Bertrand Russell, Pablo Picasso, Indira Gandhi, and Winston Churchill.

In addition, Ara also directed The End of the Hero, a 1975 documentary based on fiction on a World War I battle cruiser.

Ara's work is included in the collections of institutions worldwide, such as Paris's National Library of France; New York's George Eastman Museum; Das imaginäre Photo-Museum; Museum Ludwig Köln; and Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery.

He has won several awards for his work, including Turkey's Photographer of the Century, 1999; Master of Leica, 1962; France's Légion d'honneur; Lifetime Achievement Lucie Award, 2009; and Turkey's Grand Prize of Culture and Arts, 2005. In 2004, he was give honorary fellowship by Istanbul's Yıldız Technical University.

SEB-I ARUS - AN EXTRAORDINARY WEDDING

Mausoleum of Mevlana in Konya

Hz. Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi was a great Anatolian mystic, poet and the father of the Mevlevi Order. He is known as Hz. Mevlana in the East and as Rumi in the West. According to Mevlana's teachings, human beings are born twice, once of their mothers and the second time of their own bodies but the real birth is the second, spiritual birth. He passed away on 17th of  December in 1273, every year in 17th of December, great ceremonies are held in Konya city to remember his legacy and his reunion with his love, God. That’s why his death day is called “Seb-i Arus”, meaning “Wedding Night”, defining the unity of two souls.

Mevlana has achieved to abolish any discrimination and gathered everyone under one roof... Neither religions nor the ethnicity had any importance in his house and his messages to the world always carried the gentle breeze of peace, relaxing & soothing. His famous words are  “Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again , come , come.”

Those who live this celebration every year and also those experiencing it for the first time, were given at least a taste of the beauties and wonders of loving God, of wanting to be with God eternally.

Also should be noted, Sema is part of the inspiration of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi as well as of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture. It is what we do as a form of remembrance of God.

MEMORIES OF AN ANCIENT CITY - ISTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS

Istanbul Archaeological Museums was the first institution in Turkey to be organized and arranged as a museum. Housing various artifacts from civilizations from different and distinct periods of history, Istanbul Archaeological Museums counts as one of the ten most important world-class museums. Besides the institution’s spectacular collections, the architectural features of its buildings and its garden are also of historical and natural importance. The museums are housed in three buildings;

The Ancient Orient Museum 

Lions of the Ishtar Gate

The Ancient Orient Museum is home to pre-Islamic Arabian art, the Egypt Collection, the Mesopotamia Collection, the Anatolia Collection, the Urartu Collection, and Cuneiform documents—all arranged according to region. The Arabian Peninsula, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Anatolian cultures are presented in historical order. Most of the artifacts were discovered during archaeological excavations carried out between the late 19th century and the World War I, and were brought to Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, then ruler of those countries and regions. The Ancient Orient Museum boasts unique artifacts, such as the stele of Akkadian King Naram-Suen, the Treaty of Kadesh, and the Ishtar Gate. The museum also safeguards a tablet archive containing 75,000 cuneiform documents. 

The Archaeological Museum 

Alexander Sarcophagus

On the ground floor of the Archaeological Museum rest sculptures from ancient ages up to the Roman era, together with world-famous, unique artifacts, such as the Alexander Sarcophagus and the Sarcophagus of Crying Women. The ground floor also hosts the “Children’s Museum” exhibition. The “Surrounding Cultures of Istanbul” section, which was opened in the cellar of the new building, features artifacts from various ages found in excavations from nearby archaeological sites and tumuli. It includes the Thrace-Bithynia and the Byzantium sub-sections.The “Istanbul through the Ages” collection is exhibited on the first floor of the new building, the “Anatolia and Troy through the Ages” collection on the second floor, and the “Surrounding Cultures of Anatolia: Artifacts from Syria, Palestine and Cyprus” collection on the third floor. All are presented in chronological order. 

The Tiled Kiosk Museum

The Tiled Kiosk Museum

The Tiled Kiosk Museum’s collections consist of around 2,000 artifacts belonging to the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, dating from the 11th to the 20th centuries. These artifacts include those from before the museum was incorporated under the umbrella of Istanbul Archaeological Museums and those acquired through excavations, purchases, donations, and confiscations.