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.

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.

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.

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

Turkey was once part of the Ottoman Empire, which ended after World War I. After the Turkish War of Independence, the Republic of Turkey was established in 1923 with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as its first president.

To learn more about Turkey's history, visit the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. It is a significant symbol of the Ottoman Empire and is open every day except Tuesday.

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

In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci created plans for a bridge over the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus that divides Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). The bridge was never built, but Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a volunteer project to finally bring Da Vinci's plans to life.

5. Turkey is the birthplace of several important historic figures

Paul the Apostle, originally known as Saul, was born in Tarsus, southern Turkey. Many believe Aesop, the famous Greek storyteller, grew up in Thrace along the Black Sea (now Nesebar). The Greek historian Herodotus was born in what is now Bodrum, a coastal city.

Interesting cultural facts about Turkey

6. Holland has Turkey to thank for Tulipomania

Tulips were first grown in the Ottoman Empire. The Dutch love for tulips began when the Dutch ambassador to the 16th-century court of Süleyman the Magnificent returned to Amsterdam with tulip bulbs. In April, Istanbul hosts a week-long festival celebrating the national flower with concerts, arts events, and competitions.

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

Most of the world's hazelnuts are grown in the Mediterranean region, including Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain. After Turkey, Italy is the second-largest producer, providing almost 20% of the world's supply. Hazelnuts are often used in Turkish desserts like baklava.

8. Over 30 languages are spoken in Turkey

One interesting fact about Turkey is the number of languages spoken there. While Turkish is the official language, over 30 minority languages are spoken, including Kurmanji (Northern Kurdish), Mesopotamian Arabic, and Zazaki.

9. "M_uvaffakiyetsizleştiricileştiriveremeyebileceklerimizdenmişsinizcesine_" is the longest word in Turkish

This word 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 commonly used and was created for a story.

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

The fez is a red felt hat with a black tassel, named after Fez in Morocco, where the red dye came from. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk banned the fez in the 1920s as it symbolized the Ottoman Empire. Although the law still exists, wearing one is unlikely to lead to arrest.

Interesting Geography Facts About Turkey

11. Istanbul Spans Two Continents – Europe and Asia

One of the most intriguing facts about Turkey is that Istanbul is a city divided by the mighty Bosphorus River. The west bank of Istanbul is in Europe, while the east bank is in Asia. You can walk between the two across the Galata bridge. 
Only 3% of Turkey is in Europe, with most of the country on the Asian continent.

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. It is only beaten in age by the London Underground, which opened in 1863. The tunnel is 600 meters uphill between the riverside at Beyoğlu (once known as Galata) and the hilltop area of 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. On the eastern side of the Black Sea, you can visit Trabzon, known for its romantic settings and medieval landmarks. On the western side, you can find Sinop, one of the most beautiful parts of the Black Sea coastline.

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, 9 am to 7 pm, it's a good idea to go with a local guide to learn the art of haggling and to avoid getting lost.

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

Turkey doesn't have a desert, so camels aren't native there. However, camel trains used to travel across the country to reach trading posts in Africa and Asia. In the Aegean region of Turkey, camel wrestling is a popular sport.

Inspired to visit Turkey? Check out our itineraries and get help from our local travel experts to make sure your vacation is everything you hoped for (and more). Discover more interesting facts about Turkey, including its rich history and unique cultural traditions.