15 facts about Turkey you never knew

You probably didn't know Turkey's real name, you might have been confused about which city is the capital, and you may have thought tulips came from the Netherlands. Suffice to say, there's a lot more to Turkey than meets the eye — between the beaches and bustling markets lies a wealth of interesting history filled with religious and literary figures, civil war and a multitude of language. Intrigued? Read on to discover 15 fun facts about Turkey you probably never knew, before being inspired by the best things to do in Turkey.

Interesting history facts about Turkey

1. The first ever Christian church was located in Antioch, Turkey

The Grotto of St Peter outside Antioch (now known as Antakya) is believed to have been created by Jesus' disciple Simon Peter. 

This makes it the oldest place of Christian worship in the world. You can still visit the church and see the traces of ancient decoration today.

If you're looking for more churches in Turkey, head to the southeast of the country. Diyarbakır and its surrounding area are peppered with fine religious monuments, such as St. Mary Church.

Editor's tip: chances are, if you're reading this, visiting Turkey has crossed your mind. 

In which case, find out about getting there, getting around, and where to stay, and take inspiration from our customisable Turkey itineraries.

2. Santa Claus was born in Patara, Turkey

St Nicholas – the historic figure behind the man we know as Santa Claus – was born in Patara, Turkey in around 300 AD.

A holy man, people believe he performed many miracles in his lifetime, including saving sailors from sinking ships.

Not only did tales of his generosity become the basis for Santa Claus, but St Nicholas also became one of the patron saints of sailors. The name Santa Claus comes from the dutch 'Sinter Klaas', a shortened version of Sint Nikolaas.

Funnily enough, even though Santa Claus isn't linked to beaches, Patara is a coastal beach town — visitable from Antalya — with 16 kilometres of sand. As an aside, if it's beaches you're after, be inspired by the best beaches in Turkey.

Even with Santa Claus's origins in Turkey, the country doesn't traditionally celebrate Christmas as it's a predominantly Muslim country. 

Rather, Turkey enjoys a wealth of its own religious festivals, the most important being Ramadan.

Fancy meeting Santa? Though the big man was born in Turkey, these days you'll need to visit Rovaniemi, Lapland, as featured in our festive Winter Adventure in Rovaniemi itinerary.

3. The country's official name is the Republic of Turkey

The country now known as the Republic of Turkey was part of the Ottoman Empire until the empire broke up in the aftermath of the First World War. 

The Turkish War of Independence followed, and then in 1923 came the Republic with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as the first President.

If you want to learn more about Turkey's fascinating history, head to the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. It stands as a great symbol of the Ottoman Empire. The palace complex is open everyday apart from Tuesday.

4. Leonardo da Vinci designed a bridge across the Golden Horn

In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci submitted plans for a bridge across the Golden Horn – the inlet of the Bosphorus that divides the city of Istanbul (then known as Constantinople). 

The bridge was never built, although Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced several years ago that a volunteer project was underway to finally realise Da Vinci's plans.

5. Turkey is the birthplace of several important historic figures 

Paul the Apostle (originally known as Saul) was born in Tarsus in southern Turkey.

 Many people believe Aesop, the famed Greek storyteller grew up in Thrace along the Black Sea (now Nesebar). The Greek historian Herodotus was born in what is now Bodrum, a city on the coast.

Interesting cultural facts about Turkey

6. Holland has Turkey to thank for Tulipomania

Tulips were first cultivated in the Ottoman Empire. The seeds of Holland's love for tulips were sown when the Dutch ambassador to the 16th-century court of Süleyman the Magnificent of Turkey returned to Amsterdam with a clutch of tulip bulbs.

In April there is a week-long festival in Istanbul which honours the national flower. There are concerts, arts events and competitions at different spots around the city.

7. Turkey is responsible for 75% of the world’s hazelnut exports

Most of the world's hazelnuts grow in the Mediterranean basin, in Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain. 

After Turkey, Italy is the next largest producer, accounting for almost 20% of the world's supply. Nuts are commonly used in many Turkish desserts such as baklava.

If you enjoy Turkish food (who doesn't?) whet your appetite with our A–Z of Turkish cuisine. Our customisable Turkish Treasures itinerary also has a tasty focus on food, along with immersive cultural experiences.

8. Over 30 languages are spoken in Turkey

One of the most interesting facts about Turkey is how many languages are spoken there. 

Although the official language in the country is Turkish, there are over 30 minority languages spoken across the country, including Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish), Mesopotamian Arabic and Zazaki.

9. "Muvaffakiyetsizleştiricileştiriveremeyebileceklerimizdenmişsinizcesine" is the longest word in Turkish

It roughly translates to As though you are from those whom we may not be able to easily make into a maker of unsuccessful ones and has 70 letters. 

It's not in common usage, though — the word was especially derived for a story.

10. It's officially illegal to wear a Fez in Turkey

The name of the iconic red felt hat with its black tassel comes from Fez in Morocco. That's where the red dye to colour the hat originated. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk banned the fez in the 1920s as it was seen to symbolise the Ottoman Empire. 

Though law was never overturned, you're unlikely to be arrested for wearing one!

Find out more about culture and etiquette in Turkey.

Interesting geography facts about Turkey

11. Istanbul spans two continents – Europe and Asia

One of the most interesting facts about Istanbul is that it is a city divided in two by the mighty Bosphorus River. 

Istanbul's west bank lies on the European continent while the east bank is in Asia. 

You can walk between the two across the Galata bridge. Only 3% of Turkey is in Europe, the vast majority of the country is on the Asian continent.

Looking to take a break in Istanbul? Ahead of booking your trip, check out some of the best places to stay in Istanbul, and discover how to spend a day in Istanbul.

Alternatively, if you're not keen on planning, book our customisable Week in Istanbul trip.

12. Turkey’s Tünel funicular is the oldest operational underground railway in Continental Europe

Opened in 1875, the Tünel connects the districts of Karaköy and Beyoğlu and is beaten in age only by the London Underground which opened in 1863. 

The tunnel is 600 metres uphill between the riverside at Beyoğlu (once known as Galata) and the well-heeled hilltop area Karaköy (once Pera) where many of the city's banks and embassies were located.

13. Turkey’s Black Sea coastline stretches for 1,175 km

That’s the same as the driving distance between London and Venice. Head to the eastern side of the Black Sea and visit Trabzon. 

It's romantic settings and medieval landmarks make it a highlight in the area. While on the western side you can find Sinop which is one the most beautiful parts of the Black Sea coastline.

If you're planning a coastal holiday in Turkey, discover more about the Black Sea coast, and the Turquoise Coast.

Or, if you're thinking of enjoying a beach break with kids, read our guide to travelling with children in Turkey.

14. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar has 64 streets and 4,000 shops

One of the oldest (and largest) markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar welcomes up to 400,000 visitors a day.

Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm, we suggest going with a local guide to learn the art of haggling — and to avoid getting lost.

Ahead of your trip, find out more about shopping in Turkey. You'd also be wise to get insurance protection.

For example, our go-to travel insurance provider, Heymondo, offers great value, and 24/7 support wherever you are in the world.

15. Despite the preponderance of camels at Turkish resorts, they're not native 

There's no desert in Turkey, which means no native camels. Despite this, camel trains once crossed the country on the way to trading posts in Africa and Asia. Camel wrestling is also a popular sport in the Aegean region of Turkey.

Inspired to visit Turkey, but not sure how to start planning your trip, including deciding the best time to go and the best places to visit? 

Browse our itineraries, and enlist the support of our local travel experts to ensure your vacation delivers everything you'd hoped for (and more).

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