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Discover Turkey’s Rich Multicultural Heritage

Turkey might be regarded as a flourishing museum- the interrelation of different ethnicities, religions, and historical backgrounds all combine into one enriching, colorful. If travel to places that are historically rich appeals to you, Turkey is a must on your list of countries to be visited. But why should you care about Turkey’s multicultural heritage, and how do you dive into it? Let’s break it down.

Why Visit Turkey?

First of all, for Turkey it is not so much as a geographical point which connects east and west, rather it is a point of cultural intermingling. From the Byzantine churches to the Ottoman mosques, everywhere you will look there will be a piece of history. And it’s not about only the bigger, recognizable landmarks. The differentiations can be found even in everyday life – the cuisine, the sounds of everyday street life, the languages that are spoken.

Let’s say Istanbul for instance. This is an ideal place to commence your exploration. Stroll all around districts such as Fener and Balat, where Greeks, Armenians, and Jews have safely existed together for many centuries. Or go to the heartland of Anatolia, where you can find few blocks away a church, a synagogue, and a mosque that are very old, but are still in working condition.

What to See in Turkey?

There is no end to the cultural mosaic that you are determined to explore. You’ve got to start with the featured places like the Hagia Sophia, which has seen it all: Byzantine basilica, Ottoman mosque, and now the museum again & now a mosque. It’s evidence of how culture & religion intermingles in Turkey.

Then there goes Cappadocia where the hills are filled with underground churches used by early Christians. Apart from their wonderful conception, these churches tell the story of the history of Christian faith.

Turning to the Jewish history of Turkey, one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in Istanbul is the Ahrida Synagogue, located in the district of Balat and its history is dated to the 15th century. And do remember to visit the St. Nicholas Church in Demre, the true home of the original Santa Clause (the Bishop Saint Nicholas).

How to Visit Turkey?

In this case, visiting which ways should be preferred for learning the culture of Turkey? First, a bit of organization is required, especially with most of the cities being very accessible. Both domestic flights and trains are available in Istanbul making it easier to move from one cultural hotpot to another. That’s a possibility if you are keen on traveling to frequent places other than the tourist spots such as the Aegean Sea or the eastern part of Turkey.

Long organized tours , are quite common for those who do not work on this subject in depth. They can save you the effort or enhance your trip with knowledge not accessible on your own explorations. Well, for those of you who travel in a non-conventional way, it is quite easy to plan out your own tour program – you just have to do combine the main routes with the your interest.

There are ways in which you visit and explore the various cultures that influence Turkey, it is not only for visual pleasures but make a part of life. If you feel like going into the ruins of ancient times, taking tea in an ancient bazaar, even hearing the sounds of prayer while being in the church of modern times, you will be living inside this narrative. And that is what makes Turkey unique; it is not a destination to go, but to comprehend.

Thus, pack your things and prepare to go because there are so many facets to this country that it reaches out and invites exploration.