- Antioch, Turkey was home to the first Christian church.
One of Jesus’ disciples is thought to have created the Grotto of St Peter near Antioch (now Antakya).
It is the oldest Christian church in the world. The church still has traces of its ancient decorations.
You can find more churches in Turkey by heading to the south-east. Diyarbakir, and the surrounding area, is dotted with beautiful religious monuments such as St. Mary Church.
St Nicholas, the historical figure who inspired Santa Claus, was born around 300 AD in Patara in Turkey.
People believe that he was a holy man who performed many miracles during his lifetime.
Saint Nicholas became a patron saint of sailors because of his stories of generosity. Santa Claus is a Dutch version of Saint Nicholas.
Funny enough, Santa Claus has nothing to do with beaches. But Patara, a town on the coast of Turkey, is 16 km long and can be reached from Antalya. If you are looking for beaches, take a look at the best beaches in Turkey. For Villas in Kas Turkey, visit kas4villarentals.com/
Even though Santa Claus originated in Turkey, it is a predominantly Muslim nation and does not celebrate Christmas. Ramadan is the most important of all the festivals in Turkey.
- Officially, the country is known as the Republic of Turkey
Until the First World War, the country that is now the Republic of Turkey used to be part of the Ottoman Empire.
In 1923, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk became the first president of the Republic.
You can learn more about the fascinating history of Turkey by visiting the Topkapi palace located in Istanbul. The palace is a symbol of the Ottoman empire.
- Leonardo da Vinci created a bridge over the Golden Horn
Leonardo da Vinci presented plans in 1503 for a bridge over the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus’s inlet that separates Istanbul (then called Constantinople).
The bridge never got built, despite the fact that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan announced a few years ago a volunteer project to realise Da Vinci’s plans.
- Tulip mania in Holland is a result of Turkey
The Ottoman Empire was the first to cultivate tulips. Holland’s love of tulips was sown by the Dutch ambassador who returned from the court of Suleyman Magnificent in Turkey, during the 16th century. He brought back a bunch of tulip bulbs to Amsterdam.
A week-long celebration of the national flower takes place in April each year, in Istanbul. At different locations around the city, there are competitions, concerts and arts events.
- Turkey exports 75% of all hazelnuts in the world
The majority of hazelnuts in the world are grown in the Mediterranean basin in Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain.
Italy, which produces almost 20% of all nuts in the world, is the second largest producer after Turkey. Many Turkish desserts, such as Baklava, contain nuts.
