Turkish Culture: 100 Fun Facts That Will Amaze and Delight You

Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a land where ancient history and vibrant modernity collide in the most fascinating ways. It’s a country of breathtaking landscapes, profound hospitality, and a culture so rich and layered that you could spend a lifetime exploring it and still be surprised.

To give you a taste of this incredible nation, we've compiled a whirlwind tour of 100 fun facts about Turkish culture. From quirky superstitions to historical gems and culinary wonders, get ready to see Turkey in a whole new light!

100 FUN FACTS ABOUT TURKISH CULTURE

History & Landmarks in Turkey

1. The Ancient City of Troy, famous for the Trojan Horse, is located in modern-day Turkey.
2. Two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World stood in Turkey: the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
3. St. Nicholas, the real-life inspiration for Santa Claus, was the Bishop of Myra in ancient Lycia (now Demre, Turkey).
4. The world's first known temple, Göbekli Tepe, dates back to 10,000 BCE and is in Şanlıurfa. It predates Stonehenge by 6,000 years.
5. Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents Europe and Asia.
6. The Hagia Sophia served as a Greek Orthodox Christian cathedral for 916 years, an Imperial Roman mosque for 482 years, and has been a museum and now a mosque again.
7. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops.
8. The famous "Whirling Dervishes" are part of the Mevlevi Order of Sufism, founded by the poet Rumi in the 13th century in Konya.
9. The first-ever Christian church, the Cave Church of St. Peter, is in Antioch.
10. Turkey is home to the world's first beauty contest, judged by Paris, as told in the myth of the "Judgment of Paris" on Mount Ida.
11. The word "Turquoise" comes from the French word for "Turkish," as the gemstone was first brought to Europe through Turkey.
12. Noah's Ark is believed by some to have come to rest on Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey.
13. The Lycians, who lived in what is now the Turquoise Coast, established one of the world's first democratic unions.
14. The Library of Celsus in Ephesus was built to store 12,000 scrolls and also served as a monumental tomb.
15. Istanbul's Basilica Cistern is a vast underground water chamber supported by 336 marble columns, built in the 6th century.

Recommended reading: Uncovering Troy: Trojan War, Myth, Reality, or Something In Between

Turkish Culinary Delights (A Food Lover's Paradise)

16. Turkish Coffee is so important it has a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status. The grounds are used for fortune-telling after you drink it.
17. Baklava, the sweet, flaky pastry, is a source of national pride and has protected origin status for the city of Gaziantep.
18. The Tulip, often associated with the Netherlands, was first introduced to Europe from Turkey in the 16th century.
19. Yogurt is a Turkish word that has been adopted into languages worldwide.
20. Turkey introduced cherries to the Roman world from the town of Giresun on the Black Sea.
21. A traditional Turkish breakfast, or "kahvaltı", is a lavish feast featuring cheeses, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jams, honey, and sucuk (spicy sausage).
22. There's a entire culture around the sunflower seed (*çekirdek*). Cracking them open is a national pastime, especially while watching football or chatting with friends.
23. The world's first known paid restaurant chefs were in the Ottoman Empire, working in the Imperial Palace.
24. Turkish Delight ("Lokum") was created in the late 18th century and became famous after it was featured in C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe".
25. İskender Kebap, one of Turkey's most famous dishes, was invented in Bursa in the 19th century.
26. Meze is not a single dish but a culture of sharing dozens of small appetizer plates.
27. Ayran is a salty yogurt drink and is the national beverage, often consumed with kebabs.
28. The Simit, a circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds, is Turkey's quintessential street food, much like a bagel or pretzel.
29. Manti, tiny dumplings topped with yogurt and garlic, are so beloved that there are regional rivalries over whose is best.
30. In Turkey, rice pilaf ("pilav") is often served with "şehriye" (orzo) and is a staple at almost every meal.

Recommended reading: Turkish Delight: A Sweet Journey Through Time

Turkish Language & Literature

31. The Turkish language underwent a massive reform in 1928, switching from the Arabic-Persian script to a Latin-based alphabet almost overnight.
32. There is no grammatical gender in Turkish (no he/she/it distinction).
33. The English word "turkey" (the bird) comes from the mistaken belief that the bird was imported from Turkey. In Turkish, the bird is called "hindi," meaning "from India."
34. One of the world's first female war correspondents, Sabiha Gökçen, was also Turkey's first female fighter pilot.
35. The Turkish alphabet has 29 letters— 8 vowels and 21 consonants.
36. The phrase "To be a Trojan" means to work hard and patiently in Turkish, referencing the perseverance of the Trojans.
37. The famous "Midas Touch" legend is based on a king who ruled in the Phrygian kingdom of Anatolia.
38. The oldest known love poem was written on a tablet in Anatolia around 2000 BCE.
39. The Turkish word for "thank you," "teşekkür ederim", literally translates to "I make acknowledgement."
40. The word "angora" (as in angora wool from rabbits) comes from Ankara, Turkey's capital.

Recommended reading: Turkish Language: History, Structure and Cultural Legacy

Social Customs & Quirky Traditions in Turkey

41. The "Evil Eye" ("Nazar") is a ubiquitous symbol, a blue glass bead used to ward off bad luck and jealousy.
42. It's customary to remove your shoes before entering a Turkish home.
43. Turkish hospitality is legendary. It's not uncommon for shopkeepers to offer tea to potential customers, and refusing can be seen as rude.
44. When a baby is born, it's a tradition to serve "lohusa şerbeti", a sweet, spiced drink, to visitors.
45. There is a specific type of sarcasm and wit in Turkish culture known as "kafa bulmak" or "laf sokmak."
46. Turkish people have a deep love for cologne ("kolonya"). It's often offered to guests to freshen up their hands after a meal or as a general sign of welcome.
47. A common superstition is that if you step on a piece of bread, you will go hungry in the future.
48. Before leaving on a trip, it's customary for family and friends to pour water in front of you, symbolizing a wish for a journey as smooth "as flowing water."
49. The "Henna Night" ("Kına Gecesi") is a pre-wedding ceremony where the bride's hands are decorated with henna in an emotional celebration with her female friends and family.
50. In Turkish baths ("hamam"), you get scrubbed down by an attendant known as a "tellak".
51. Bargaining is expected in bazaars and markets (but not in fixed-price shops).
52. It's considered impolite to chew gum or speak loudly in formal or respectful settings.
53. Elders are shown great respect. It's common for younger people to kiss the hand of an elder and then press it to their forehead.
54. When a person leaves on a long journey, it's common not to clean their house until they have safely arrived, to not "sweep them away."
55. If your right palm itches, it means money is coming. If your left palm itches, it means money is leaving.

Recommended reading: Turkish Evil Eye Beads (Nazar Boncuğu): Meaning, History, and Beliefs

Modern Life & Pop Culture in Turkey

56. Turkey is one of the world's leading producers of hazelnuts, cherries, figs, apricots, and raisins.
57. Turkish soap operas ("diziler") are a massive global export, wildly popular from Latin America to the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
58. Istanbul's New Airport has the world's largest indoor terminal area under one roof.
59. The Çaydanlık is a special two-tiered teapot used to brew strong black tea, which is then diluted with hot water to taste.
60. Football (soccer) is a national obsession. The rivalry between Istanbul's clubs—Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş—is fierce.
61. Despite being a predominantly Muslim country, alcohol is legally available, and the country has a rich history of winemaking.
62. Turkey has a very young population; more than half the population is under the age of 30.
63. A Turkish inventor, Ekrem Hakkı Ayverdi, created an early design for a "flying car" in the 1950s.
64. The national lottery, "Sayısal Loto", is a weekly event that captivates the nation.
65. "Gecekuşu" (Night Birds) is a term for people who love staying out very late, and Istanbul's nightlife caters to them perfectly.
66. The Turkish film industry, nicknamed "Yeşilçam" (Green Pine), was once the epicenter of movie production for the region.
67. Carpet weaving is a centuries-old art, with each region having its distinct patterns and motifs that tell a story.
68. The Turkish Van cat is a unique breed known for its love of water and striking odd-colored eyes.
69. The headscarf debate has been a central and complex issue in Turkish politics and society for decades.
70. The Turkish military has a unique tradition of having a "Janissary Band" ("Mehter"), the oldest military band in the world.

Recommended reading: Turkish Oil Wrestling: A Deep Dive into the 665-Year Legacy of The Glistening Giants

Turkish Arts, Crafts & Music

71. The art of Ebru, or paper marbling, is a mesmerizing traditional art form where patterns are created on water and then transferred to paper.
72. The "Saz" or "Bağlama" is a long-necked lute and is the quintessential instrument of Turkish folk music.
73. Shadow theatre ("Karagöz ve Hacivat") is a traditional form of entertainment using intricately designed leather puppets.
74. Iznik tiles, with their distinctive cobalt blue and red patterns, are world-famous and adorn mosques and palaces across the country.
75. Turkish folk dances vary dramatically by region, from the fierce "Horon" of the Black Sea to the graceful "Zeybek" of the Aegean.
76. The "Ney" is a soulful end-blown flute used extensively in Sufi music.
77. Calligraphy ("Hat") is a highly revered Islamic art form in Turkey.
78. Kilims are flat-woven rugs, distinct from knotted pile carpets, known for their geometric patterns.
79. The evil eye bead is often incorporated into jewelry and decorative items.
80. The "Türkü" is a form of folk song that tells stories of love, loss, and heroism.

Geography & Nature

81. Cappadocia's "fairy chimneys" and hot air balloon rides are one of the most iconic images of Turkey.
82. Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle," is a stunning natural site of white travertine terraces filled with thermal waters.
83. Turkey is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world due to its location on several active fault lines.
84. The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and divides the city of Istanbul.
85. Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) is Turkey's highest peak at 5,137 meters (16,854 ft).
86. Turkey has 81 provinces, each with its own unique character and culture.
87. The Black Sea region receives so much rainfall it's home to lush tea plantations, unlike the arid interior.
88. The ancient region of Cappadocia has entire underground cities, some large enough to house 20,000 people.
89. Turkey is a birdwatcher's paradise, located on major migration routes.
90. The Mediterranean coast of Turkey, known as the Turquoise Coast, is famous for its stunning blue waters and ancient ruins.

And Finally... 10 More Quirky & Quick Facts!

91. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, had a dedicated law protecting his memory; insulting him is a criminal offense.
92. In 1934, Turkish women gained the right to vote and stand for election, before many European countries like France and Italy.
93. The Turkish word for "one" is "bir", making it easy for English speakers to remember.
94. There's a village in Turkey called "Şavşat" where half the population lives in Germany due to migration.
95. It's considered good luck to say "Maşallah" (God has willed it) when complimenting a baby or something new, to protect it from the evil eye.
96. A traditional form of oil wrestling ("Yağlı Güreş") sees competitors doused in olive oil and has been held annually since 1346.
97. The Turkish delight sent to space in the movie "Alien" was specially made by a London-based Turkish chef.
98. The world's smallest Koran is housed in the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul.
99. The Turkish word for computer is "bilgisayar", which literally translates to "information counter."
100. Perhaps the most important fact: For a Turk, there is no greater pleasure than sharing a cup of tea and a conversation with a friend. The invitation "Çay içmeye gel" (Come for tea) is the true key to the Turkish heart.

From the ancient ruins that whisper tales of empires to the bustling bazaars overflowing with color and life, Turkish culture is a captivating tapestry. It's a culture that embraces you with its warmth, surprises you with its depth, and leaves you longing for more. We hope these 100 fun facts have given you a glimpse into the incredible soul of Turkey!