the mystery of palace life

Issue 3
AIDA
TURKEY EN VOGUE
THE JEWEL
OF THE AEGEAN
BODRUM
THE
MYSTERY
OF PALACE
LIFE
LORD OF THE RINGS
SEVAN BIÇAKÇI
İSTANBUL
RESTAURANTS
PICTURE BY DAY,
JEWEL BY NIGHT
MARDİN
CONTENT
4 SHOPPING
AIDA’S
SELECTION
DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL
ADMINISTRATOR AND OWNER
Adviye Bergemann
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Melek Aksoy
ART DIRECTOR
Ali Cindoruk
CONTRIBUTERS
Şirin Soysal, Zeynep Erekli, Soner Ataş,
Evrim Aydın Murphy, Bengisu Gürel, Tuğçe Kazaz
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Şenol Altun, Sedef Delen, Jerry Stolwijk, Sezer Alçınkaya
PUBLISHER
Aksoy Cindoruk Tasarım ve Yayıncılık
Adnan Saygun Caddesi No 60 Daire 33
Ulus 34340/İstanbul
Phone: 0212 287 30 32
e-mail: info@aksoycindoruk.com
PRINTING HOUSE
Bion Dijital Baskı Matbaacılık Tanıtım Ürünleri
Reklam Bilişim Sis. ve Mak. San. Tic. Ltd. Şti.
Yenidoğan Mahallesi Çizmeci İş Merkezi No 87/62
Tel 0212 576 62 62
Fax 0212 567 06 16
Turkey is a bridge
between two
continents, Europe
and Asia. She is
adorned with stories and objects of the east,
while treading the ways of the west. For ages,
elegance and style have blessed these lands.
We have chosen just a few of these stories to
spruce up your holiday.
10 FASHION
THE MYSTERY
OF PALACE LIFE
Turkish designers’ satin, sequin and lace masterpieces fit for sultans flirt with the centennial marble of the Çırağan Palace. Life here
seems to be an emulation of past eras.
YEREL SÜRELİ YAYIN
Printed in Turkey
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
Aida Turizm Seyahat Acentalığı Ltd. Şti.
İstanbul Caddesi Kartal Sokak G 1 Blokları B Blok No:3 D:10
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Tel +90 212 322 43 90-91
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www.aidatours.net
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All rights reserved by AIDA magazine.
Reproduction in part or in full is strictly prohibited.
Issue 3 AIDA 1
24 DESIGN
“LORD OF
THE RINGS”
SEVAN
BIÇAKÇI
Brooke Shields, Julia
Roberts, Lady Gaga, Catherine Zeta Jones,
Elizabeth Hurley, Liv Tyler, Halle Berry, Mariah
Carey, Celine Dion, Mary Kate and Ashley
Olsen all have one thing in common. They
all adore Sevan Bıçakçı, three-time winner of
“Couture Design”, America’s most prestigious
award for the design of jewelry.
30 AGEAN
The Jewel of the Aegean:
Bodrum
Bodrum is an Aegean town where dreams
spring out of every corner, painting everything into the wild fuchsia of bougainvillea,
where a whole world of new tastes from cocktails to marmalades await, the fresh fragrance
of mandarins lifting your spirits, and the exquisite tastes of the olive tree bays cleansing
your soul.
62 EAST
‘Picture by day, jewel by
night’… Mardin
One of the most intriguing cities of Southeast
Anatolia, Mardin has always challenged time
and the rapacity of civilization. Having been
home to dozens of different cultures and religions, it is an old and sophisticated city.
70 NEW SPOTS
Istanbul Restaurants
“Istanbul, my love, let me kiss you on your neck”
These are the words to a song Istanbulites
know very well, for it is difficult to resist the
city’s elegance, sexiness, and seductiveness.
With new restaurants and clubs opening, Istanbul is becoming more and more attractive.
Here is a selection of Istanbul venues to tickle
the senses.
2 AIDA Issue 3
EDİTO
A VISIT TO WONDERLAND
Anatolia has been home to hundreds of civilizations and is one of the
world’s most intriguing geographies with its astonishing variety. The
history of these lands go far and deep, creating a multitude of stories.
Anatolia is indeed a Wonderland and its every corner is a place of
enchanting stories. This third issue of AIDA Magazine begins with one
of Anatolia’s oldest places of settlement, namely Bodrum, the crown of
the Aegean.
Bodrum takes her ‘nobility’ from the knights and the heroic seamen in
her history, and from the poets that crowned her with all her beauty.
Blessed with the luring scent of mandarins, Bodrum is a centre for
vacationers through all seasons, as well as seekers of an intellectual
journey, with its turquoise bays, mandarin gardens and delicious
Aegean food.
Our story spans towards the east’s most mystical hill, Mardin.
Mardin is a sparkling jewel despite the pitiless destructiveness of past
centuries. A labyrinth of narrow streets, waiting to be tread upon…
Her multi-cultural history invites you to play on her streets, each
building you see takes you on a magical journey to the past. Here one
understands that the union of different cultures and beliefs creates
wisdom, which is the true treasure of mankind. Mardin is not just a
place of historical, architectural and gastronomic attractions, but one of
timelessness, infinity and tolerance.
Istanbul, the protagonist of many a poem, painting and story, is in this
issue a destination for shopping, design and gastronomy. Her mystical
streets invite you to enjoy their fairytales and legends, whether
captured in a suitcase, a shoe, a flying cabin or a dreamy jewel.
Speaking of dreamy jewels, let us visit Sultan Ahmet, home of
Sevan Bıçakçı, the man known as the ‘Lord of Rings’, who chose the
Byzantine to make his dream come true. Bıçakçı tells us with full
sincerity of his passion for his work.
There is no end to our stories. Everywhere we go, everything we see
gives us something unique to keep in our hearts.
Issue 3 AIDA 3
AIDA’S
SELECTION
Turkey is a bridge between two continents, Europe and Asia. She is adorned with stories and objects of
the east, while treading the ways of the west. For ages, elegance and style have blessed these lands.
We have chosen just a few of these stories to spruce up your holiday…
FOR THE CHIC AND THE SLEEK
Jeanne Lanvin and her daughter have created an empire of elegance in
the world of fashion with their hats, embroidered dresses, perfumes and
knockout shoes. Istanbul’s most distinguished store Beymen houses no
brand that is any less than ‘the best’. Make time to visit the Beymen
stores, famous for their innovative décor, to catch their latest collections. This will be a shopping spree you won’t regret.
4 AIDA Issue 3
THE ART OF TRAVEL
Louis Vuitton is perhaps one of
the first names to be associated
with travel. In 1854, Vuitton
made suitcases for the wife of
Napoleon. His cases were light
and airproof, and shortly made
him famous. Today, Louis
Vuitton is the brand for those
who deem travel a form of art.
Issue 3 AIDA 5
FLYING POTS
In her Paris atelier, Alev
Ebüzziya designs pots, jugs
and bowls that stand in midair. Represented by Galeri
Nev in Istanbul, Ebüzziya’s
flying turquoise pots are probably some of the most extraordinary souvenirs to take back
with you. If you are intrigued
by Ebüzziya’s work, which is
exhibited in important museums around the world, you
can visit the gallery in Mısır
Apartment, Beyoğlu.
6
AIDA Issue 3
JEWELS FOR THE IMAGINATION
The handsome war hero Achilles was shot in the heel and killed
by the poisonous arrow of his enemy Hector. Sevan Bıçakçı, master of jewels, gives life to hundreds of such stories. The stories are
captured in his jewels to live through generations. Bıçakçı’s stores
in the Grand Bazaar and in Akaretler will sweep in you into the
world of tales and legends.
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7
VAKKO’S SIGNATURE
Venturing into fashion in 1934 through hat-making, Vakko very
quickly became Turkey’s biggest fashion brand with the motto
“Fashion is Vakko”. Besides their vast selection of women’s, men’s,
household, shoes and bridal dress collections, Vakko’s most coveted
products are their scarves. Using the best quality Turkish silk, cotton and wool, Vakko produces fashionable scarves and continues to
‘produce the best for customers who wish for the best’.
8
AIDA Issue 3
THE EYE
The “Eye” family of tabletop objects is the product of a unique
collaboration between GAIA&GINO, designer Sebastian Bergne and
Swarovski Elements with a thousand year old tradition of Iznik quartz
ceramics. GAIA&GINO is the first company using the new “Crystal
Rocks” product of Swaroski Elements in the world. London-based
designer Sebastian Bergne is known for his precise, pared-down design.
Inspired by a visit to the Iznik factories in Turkey, he turned to quartz
ceramics for this project to introduce a range of bowls and vases.
Issue 3 AIDA
9
The
Mystery
Of Palace
Life
Turkish designers’ satin,
sequin and lace masterpieces fit for sultans
flirt with the centennial
marble of the Çırağan
Palace. Life here seems
to be an emulation of
past eras…
Photographer Jerry Stolwijk at Bybusto agency
Styling Bengisu Gürel
Hair and make up Osman Nuri Buruk at Bybusto agency
Digital artist Levent Sülün at Bybusto agency
Thanks to Çırağan Kempinski Hotels
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Dress by Nedret Taciroğlu
Shoes by Beymen
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Dress by Nedret Taciroğlu
Accessories by Sky
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Dress by Zeynep Tosun
Shoes by Beymen
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Earrings by Lanvin at Beymen
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Dress by Dilek Hanif
Earrings by Beymen
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Dress by Nedret Taciroğlu
Accessories by Lanvin at Beymen
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Dress by Nedret Taciroğlu
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Dress by Dilek Hanif
Shoes by Beymen
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Lord of the Rings
Sevan
Bıçakçı
Brooke Shields, Julia Roberts,
Lady Gaga, Catherine Zeta Jones,
Elizabeth Hurley, Liv Tyler, Halle Berry,
Mariah Carey, Celine Dion,
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen all have
one thing in common. They all adore
Sevan Bıçakçı, three-time winner of
“Couture Design”, America’s most prestigious award for the design of jewelry.
Photography Sezer Alçınkaya
Text Melek Aksoy
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We try to make rings that people will want to leave to their grandchildren one
day. We spend a lot of time on them, weigh them on our scale of conscience,
before we lock them in the safe… If a ring has made it into the safe, it has
most definitely been examined 35 times.
AIDA Issue 3
S
evan Bıçakçı is an offspring of a city of palaces, ancient city walls, fountains and minarets… A city that has set the stage for three great empires spanning a history of
8500 years, rich with culture and variety, housing Armenians, Greeks, Jews, Moslems,
Circassians, Bosnians, Romans and Caucasians… He is an artist who has thrived on
the heartbeat of a city that has the silk road running through it…
He is an Istanbulite who lives by the pursuit of her dreams, which he engraves onto his rings…
He is a master of the art who crafts his rings with patience, a fine virtue of the soul, growing,
flourishing and reaching from the centre of history out into the world…
He is a pilgrim who follows stories of Ottoman sultans, the mystical world of Byzantium, stories
of ancient Greece and the depths of Sufism, then brings them all together to tell and be told…
He is a magician who melds his images of inspiration with his gift and technique, and transposes them onto 24, 18 carats gold, silver, and other precious stones of a thousand colors, with
diamonds carved in the classical way… Apart from his favorites, which are rings, Sevan Bıçakçı
makes earrings, necklaces, cufflinks, hairpins, ankle rings, armbands, shawl and jacket pins…
Touching these jewels, which are loaded with stories, in his Sultan Ahmet shop facing the walls
of an Ottoman tavern, one truly grasps the meaning of patience…
LACK OF STUDY BECAME MY LUCK
My luck has actually been that I couldn’t study past
the fifth grade, and I had to start doing this job as a
child. I began my apprenticeship in second to third-rate
carpenters’ workshops. At the age of 12 I had already
developed my own ideas about all sides of the craft. I was
curious too. I started working in the Grand Bazaar at age
12 and I had an excellent master. Then, before I knew it,
I was 18 and opening up my own shop. My capital was
my art. I started by making moulds for jewelers. Moulds
were customarily made of gold, but I used silver, which
is a complicated process. I had to bring silver to the same
level of endurance as gold by adding certain additives. As
a result, everyone started coming to me for their moulds.
The most time one spends with their family and loved
ones is an hour a day, two at most. The rest of the time
is spent at work and if you’re doing a job that doesn’t
excite you, you begin to wither and
disappear. My dream was to do something interesting.
To create an original style, recognizable as mine. I had
three roads in front of me. I could either continue doing
cheap jobs for the market, which didn’t excite me at all;
I could buy the world’s best stones, for which I had no
capital; or I could push my art to its limits. This was
the only way. I was not going to spend just one day on
a ring, but maybe a week, months, a year perhaps…
Then, in 2002 I had my first collection inspired by
Ottoman sultans…
I’M THE EXTRAVAGANT TYPE, NOT A
MINIMALIST
Sometimes I say to myself, “why do I make these
rings?”. I think it has to do with where I come from.
I grew up playing hide-and-seek amidst the Yedikule
walls. Sometimes I would get tired, sit on a rock and
daydream. I still love watching the sea from atop a
city wall by dusk. I’m the extravagant type, not a
minimalist, which is why I love historical places, places
with stories. The best examples of this in Istanbul are in
Samatya…
MY CAPITAL WAS MY ART
I was working for the market, but there came a point
when I had to make a decision. I was earning good
money but hadn’t lost my desire. I was not enjoying my
work anymore. I had to have fun, at the end of the day.
2009 The Design Award, The Best of Men’s Jewelry: Cuff Links of rose and yellow gold, sterling silver, black diamonds with dagger stems on back and two
paintings by Hasan Kale portraying Istanbul’s Bosphorus and the Marmara
Sea with a Galleon and one of the Prince’s Islands.
Issue 3 AIDA 25
Sevan Bıçakçı’s story is a long and adventurous one, stretching over eight years,
categorized under the subheads “Brotherhood of Religions”, “Magic Bowls”,
“Sadabat Collection”, “Theodorius and Justinianus” and “Ida”. It is a large collection
that grows by the year. This year’s collection of 500 pieces is a product of works
created over weeks, sometimes over a year, and sometimes over three years.
Left The architectural style of the period of Sultan Abdülhamit II is the main influence for this ring named ‘Hamidiye’. The middle dome
of the building carved into the smoky quartz stone directly resembles the dome of Hamidiye Mosque. Gold, silver and diamonds of
different colors have been used here. Facing page The Hagia Sophia bracelet, composed of gold, silver and diamonds of different colors
has the central dome of Hagia Sophia carved into it. Hagia Sophia was built in mid 6th Century and has been considered the mother of
all eastern churches over a thousand years. The building is so magnificent that for centuries it has pushed Ottoman architects to build
even grander mosques. It is the muse of Istanbul’s fairytale silhouette.
26 AIDA Issue 3
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO KEEP KISSING
THE FROG UNTIL THE PRINCE COMES
ALONG
I began to earn my bread with craftsmanship. For me,
there is no design that can’t be achieved. Whatever
I do, I have to get the desired design in the end. So I
acquired a certain fame as “Crazy Sevan”. Things that
the market has little faith in, we achieve with success,
because we spend a lot of time on them. I’ve also never
been afraid of falling. I walk on fearlessly. Say, for
instance, you I a very expensive emerald and despite the
risk of breaking it, I experiment. I break it too. Then I
buy a second one, which I also break. This of course is
not the purpose, I desperately want to make and sell.
But sometimes you have to keep kissing the frog until
the prince comes along.
I WANT MY RINGS TO LIVE ON LIKE OLD
AMERICAN CARS
Though I make all kinds of jewelry, from earrings to
belts, I always initially design the jewel as a ring.
My artistic mind works in the shape of rings. I make
rings that force the imagination and I always give the
first ring of a collection to my wife. There are pieces
I work on for over three years… I have to see the light
in the customer’s eye.
My work thrives on customers who wear their jewels
with love and I don’t like pieces to have to wait in the
safe, they must live. I want my rings to live on like old
American cars. They must be cared for everyday, wiped
dry when wet, and brought to me once in a while. I like
the marks of age and experience.
THE GRAND BAZAAR HAS TAUGHT ME ALL I
KNOW ABOUT LIFE
The grand bazaar is my school. From my master I
learned to be polite, to talk, to respect and to be a good
person. I’ve always aimed to do what I do in the best
way possible. What has marked the difference in my
work? Something I haven’t been able to explain myself,
a kind of magic, which we needn’t talk about. Perhaps
it’s my grandfather’s prayers. Apart from that, I owe
everything to hard work. I’ve been with the right people
at the right time and I’ve trained many good students. My
wife has been very tolerant throughout it all, I’ve stolen
much of her time because I’ve chosen to share and grow
as one. Also, I’ve never been afraid of being brave. Had I
been afraid in the beginning, I may not have made it…
WHAT IS A JEWEL?
This is the question which in fact begins the whole
process. I find that if my wife, my mother, my children
are all individual beings, then my gifts to them must
each be one and individual. I don’t want to give them a
ring worn by 550,000 other people. This is what paved
my way.”
I BELIEVE IN ‘NAZAR’ AND IN LUCK
My first store is in the tavern opposite, I’ve been
renting it for 20 years… My second one, which I also
still keep, is in the next building. I believe in the luck of
the old. Our jewels are handmade, which means you put
something of yourself into every piece. Thus the ring is
a charm. Nazar (the evil eye) is an important part of our
culture. I even have a collection named “Nazar”.
Issue 3 AIDA 27
The Jewel of the Aegean
BODRUM
Bodrum is an Aegean town where dreams spring out of
every corner, painting everything into the wild fuchsia
of bougainvillea, where a whole world of new tastes from
cocktails to marmalades await, the fresh fragrance of
mandarins lifting your spirits, and the exquisite tastes of
the olive tree bays cleansing your soul.
Photography Sedef Delen
Photography Asssistant Soner Ataş
Text Zeynep Erekli
AIDA Issue 3
Issue 3 AIDA
“When you get to the tip of the slope you’ll see Bodrum. But
don’t think you’ll go as you’ve come.”
These are the words of Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, known
as “Halikarnas Balıkçısı” (The Fisherman of Halikarnas)
in Turkish and world literature, describing Bodrum in
the 1920s. Kabaağaçlı moved to Halikarnas Bodrum in
the latter part of his life, where through his encounter
and experience with this natural splendor, he produced
his famous masterpieces. He rented a boat with some
of his writer and artist friends, opened up to the gulf of
Gökova and explored this breathtaking landscape.
These quests, which were the source of inspiration
for his stories about the sea and its coastal beauties,
were repeated every summer from 1957 onwards, and
each time with a bigger and more regular crew. The
Halikarnas Fisherman would tell of the past and present
of Bodrum with such interesting and curious information, that these ten day trips would turn into unique
exploits. Whichever part of this romantic peninsula
you are staying at, it is a good idea to rent a car to see
all sides of it. If you are traveling as a couple especially,
you should have your map and a good playlist of songs
to accompany you, while you drive through the oregano
scented roads. You can be sure to encounter fresh surprises and first-rate experiences in every corner of the
peninsula.
The 200 year-old stone-houses, which you’ll come
across walking through Bodrum’s narrow little streets
are the sole embodiment of this town. These houses
with their white exteriors, their tiny windows and the
bushes of pink bougainvillea hanging from their high
garden walls are typical especially of central Bodrum,
Bitez, Ortakent and Gümüşlük.
The curvy bays carved into the Aegean shore are covered with blankets of olive and pine trees. Once one of
the most important sea trade centers of the antique era,
this small town, which inspired the literature of the
Halikarnas Fisherman, has come a long way. According
to Herodotus, Bordum was built by the Dorians, who
were seaman folk. Named Halikarnassos in those days,
the town had its most fruitful period in 353 B.C. when
it became the capital of Karya. The Bodrum Mausoleum (Mausoleoin), one of the world’s seven wonders,
was built at that time in memory of King Mausolus
by his sister and wife Artemisia. Halikarnassos was
taken by the Byzantines in 395 A.C., by the Turks in
XI A.C., then by the Knights of Rhodes in 1415, and
bequeathed back to the Ottoman Empire by the Sultan
Süleyman in 1522. Its castle was a notorious prison in
Ottoman times. The town was finally named Bodrum
after the proclamation of the republic.
The wondrous Mausoleoin Open Air Museum, the
Bodrum Castle, one of the best preserved historical sites
32 AIDA Issue 3
AFTER SUNSET A NEW RUSH OF EXCITEMENT ENGULFS
THE STREETS OF BODRUM. WITH THEIR MOUTHWATERING MEZES, SEAFOOD AND DESSERTS, POPULAR
RESTAURANTS COMPETE TO CATCH YOUR ATTENTION
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Like the poet said, when you get to the tip of the slope you’ll
see Bodrum Bay, its white stone houses with gardens of bougainvillea and mandarins, its mysterious castle capturing the
spirit of knights, sophisticated yachts and their gullets, its
turquoise bays and the surprise bay Karaada. Bodrum waits to
take your breath away…
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SARAY SOKAK (“PALACE” STREET) IS HOME
TO BODRUM’S MOST MAGNIFICENT HOUSES,
WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE PAST HIDES IN THE
SHADOWS OF PALM TREES, BANANA TREES AND
BOUGAINVILLEA WRAPPED IN BAMBOO, AND THE
SCENT OF MANDARINS…
Issue 3 AIDA
THE KOCADON RESTAURANT IN THE TOWN CENTER AWAITS GUESTS
WHO WISH TO DISCOVER A DIFFERENT WORLD OF TASTES AMIDST
PALM AND BANANA TREES AND SURROUNDED BY BUGLE FLOWERS
in the world with a history going back to the Middle
Ages, and the Bodrum Underwater Museum which it
houses will take you on an unforgettable journey.
Bordum’s sponges, leather sandals and olive oil soap.
Until the 1960s, this little fisher town’s main means of
existence was the production of sponges. Today it offers
the wonders of its bays, its fertile flora, yacht tourism,
stylish and luxurious hotels, unique restaurants with
fist-class dining, a vibrant nightlife and ceaseless surprises jumping out of every nook and corner.
The narrow streets of the town center are lined with
shops selling leather sandals whose style is inspired
by ancient models, herbalists selling natural skin care
36 AIDA Issue 3
products as well as soaps and sponges, centennial patisseries and tiny buffets for snacks, charming Italian
trattorias and countless rock bars. The town is crowded
with stores that resemble one another. Some of these
however have been around for years. The most famous
handmade sandal shop for instance belonged to the late
Ali Güverin, whose name has become one with Bodrum. It is anticipated that his daughter continue the
business. If you are a lover of olive oil soaps and natural
skin products, we recommend a store called ‘Sahan’
inside the market.
Be sure to visit Hasan Fidan’s shop for coffee in one of
these pathways. This is Bodrum’s oldest Turkish coffee
ALONG WITH
JERUSALEM AND
VENICE, MARDIN IS
ONE OF THE WORLD’S
‘THREE OPEN CITY
MUSEUMS’.
Issue 3 AIDA
FAMOUS FOR ITS HARD-SHELLED SEAFOOD, ORFOZ
RESTAURANT SERVES DELICIOUS BAKED MUSSELS,
GRILLED BLUE CRAB AND OYSTERS
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The Kısmet restaurant in Konacık promises
a feast with its daily local dishes.
The peninsula is thus home to countless restaurants of
flavor and taste.
The Kocadon restaurant in the town centre is a 19th
Century stone house which detaches itself from the outside world with its garden of palm trees, banana trees
and bugle flowers. A service team dressed all in white
welcome visitors who wish to delve into the tasty world
of discoveries. The word ‘discovery’ in fact perfectly defines this place, opened in 1987 and situated diagonally
to the Bodrum Marina, and the experience its cuisine
will give you, offering a menu that uniquely blends flavors of both the sea and the mountains. The squid with
fennel; sole fish with turnip sauce; octopus carpaccio
with mastic; the caviar with cranberry and bonito with
beetroot are some examples. The ‘ocean bubble shrimp
dish’ or the mountain mushrooms with aniseed essence
are also highly recommended.
Another restaurant that takes its place among the list of
young Bodrum fine-dining houses is Adasofra. Located
in Ortakent, at the foot of the grandiose Mustafa Paşa
Tower from the 1600s, which was admirably turned
The Yunuslar Karadeniz Bakery, serving since 1876, lures you in with
its smell of fresh oven-baked goods, and is open 24 hours a day.
house, perfect for those who can’t wake up without a
good coffee kick in the morning. After shopping you
may dine at the tasty Italian Piu Piu, where a refreshing
mandarin flavored ice-cream will lift your spirits, or you
can enjoy a drink or two at the Bodrum Marina while
watching the sun set languidly over the Bodrum Castle,
the soft breeze of the Aegean caressing your skin.
GASTRONOMIC DISCOVERIES
Bodrum’s olive oil dishes, lemons, mandarins and fish
are as distinctive as its sea, sun and nature.
A breath of fresh air visits the bazaars of Bodrum each
season, adding new spice to the dining tables. Spring
brings the fresh herbs of the Aegean and adorns tables
with delicious salads, mezes and olive oil dishes. Blackeyed peas, kidney beans and okra are consumed in abundance, and squash blossoms are seen everywhere. The
season of herbs, from April to mid June, cools the hot
summers days with cold mezes, fish, calamari, octopus,
shrimp, mussels and olive oil dishes.
A strong Aegean cuisine reigns over this town, which is
a boat drive away from the Greek Islands, with olive oil,
tomatoes and garlic as the main actors.
Issue 3 AIDA 39
UNTIL THE 1960S, BODRUM’S
MAIN ENTERPRISE WAS
SPONGE PRODUCTION.
TODAY, THIS TRADITION LIVES
ON IN THE HERBAL STORES
AROUND CENTRAL TOWN
AIDA Issue 3
into a one-room hotel called Adaev. The restaurant,
placed within this, one of the most beautiful architectural sights of the peninsula, overlooks a peaceful green
valley, offering a very intimate atmosphere. The seabass
with mustard sauce, smoked salmon salad, mackerel
smoked in tea, grilled calamari with cress sauce and fish
patties are just some of the specialties offered in this
fairy-tale atmosphere, topped by wonderful music and
candlelight.
A very common preference for a classical Bodrum dinner is Yalıkavak. This charming village houses established fish restaurants like Sait, Hasan, Memedof and
Çimentepe, all promising best quality dining standards.
To go with your fish and raki, mezes like ‘köpoğlu’ (a
cold dish made with yoghurt), squash blossom rolls,
fava, calamari and octopus are highly recommended.
Fast and simple service by friendly waiters create a fine
atmosphere for a feast.
DIFFERENT VILLAGES, DIFFERENT TASTES
Whether you drive through the curvy Bitez roads
amidst mandarin trees or through oregano scented
village roads on either side of Yalıkavak, Bodrum will
lift your senses and fill them with freshness, happiness,
peace and joy. All roads of the peninsula lead to a different seaside village.
Built over the antique ruins of ancient Karya, Göltürkbükü is reachable via the Torba road. When you reach
the village via Torba and go down towards the seashore,
you are suddenly surrounded by mandarin trees. These
are the famous Bodrum mandarins, small, green and
wonderfully fragrant, the missing ingredient of a cooling gin and tonic.
Top 100% natural olive oil soaps are the skin’s best friend.
Below The most famous handmade sandal shop belonged to the late
Ali Güverin, whose name has become one with Bodrum.
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BUILT IN THE 1600S, THE MUSTAFA PAŞA TOWER
HAS BEEN RESTORED TO SERVE AS A ONE-ROOM
HOTEL CALLED ADAEV
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With its clear seawater, countless beachclubs and boutique hotels, Göltürkbükü is always crowded, energetic
and vibrant. The piers reaching into the sea resemble
podiums at daytime, showcasing the latest bikinis and
bathing suits in fashion, flashy accessories and tanned
athletic bodies. The beach club life begins with a swim
and tan session in the morning, then sprites up with
music in the afternoon. The evening brings a party
breeze and stretches into a night of feasting at tables
set on the very same piers. After midnight, music and
dancing take over. The most popular of these beach
clubs are Ship Ahoy, Fidele and Maki.
Going westwards from Göltürkbükü, you arrive at
Yalıkavak, one of Bodrum’s best-kept bays. First you
encounter a windmill, which signals that you’re about
to come across a fantastic view. The manufacture of
sponges was once the sole enterprise here, and thus it is
the birthplace of Bodrum’s most famous sponge-makers. Today it is a village of quality housing complexes
Left and top Adasofra is a bright new star in Bodrum’s vibrant fine-dining
scene, overlooking a matchless green valley.
Facing page With its design, quality of service, distinguished guests and
hyper-cool beach club and famous DJ’s, the Xuma turns summer nights into
a one big festival.
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and beach clubs. Xuma Beach and Dodo Beach are the
oldest, and just as attractive as their counterparts in
Göltürkbükü.
Gümüşlük apparently takes its name from the silver
shine cast over the sea by sunset. The bay is frequented
mostly by intellectuals and artists, since it is the home
of the Gümüşlük Academy, a cultural foundation built
over years through the efforts and resourcefulness of
Latife Tekin, an author whose books have been translated into many languages. The foundation is open to
all kinds of projects and ideas. With such a big cultural
structure as this at its heart, Gümüşlük naturally attracts philosophers, and literary and artistic people. The
most notable fish restaurant in Gümüşlük is located at
the very end of the bay. Colorfully lit and decorated,
Mimoza offers delicious food with good music and
friendly service, combining the charm of both the bohemian and the chic.
CITY OF MARBLE
We find it hard to imagine what it was like in 6000
B.C. until we actually visit an ancient city. This is one
of Bodrum’s most appealing surprises. Just a two and a
half hour drive away you can find yourself in the depths
of history, in a city built in the Neolithic age, walking
through the marble streets, wandering around its agoras, catching your breath in the shade of its library, sitting in the audience of the antique theatre and imagine
you’re watching an ancient play. You can lose yourself
in deep thoughts about time, just sitting at the bottom
of a column.
The place has a history of 6000 years. Recent research
and excavations around Ephesus have brought about
settlements of the Bronze Age and Hittites. In the time
of the Hittites, 1050 B.C., Ephesus was called Apasas, a port were emigrants from Greece were coming to
settle. The city was then moved to the Temple of Arte-
The westernmost bay of Bodrum, Gümüşlük is a
peaceful and modest hideout by the sea
mis in 560 B.C. Today’s Ephesus was built in 300 B.C.
by Alexander the Great’s general Lysimakhos. Ephesus
lived its most glorious times during the Hellenistic and
Roman ages. It was constructed with great awareness of
city planning, in accordance with the “grill plan”.
One of the biggest gateways of trade to the east, Ephesus marked history as an independent city that played a
great role in politics, art and culture. One of the reasons
for this is that the city was in possession of the famous
Temple of Artemis, and was therefore sacred. The story
goes that when the Hellens came to Anatolia, they
began to worship the peoples’ goddess Kybele, as they
did their own goddess Artemis, in order to form good
relations with the people. With time, Artemis took the
place of Kybele in the eyes of the people.
‘Magnificenct’ is the word to describe Ephesus.
Being the first to enter Ephesus through the doors of
the museum makes one feel special, as the morning sun
blinks at the solitude of history, and you gaze at a city
that was once the center of the world.
The first temple to be made completely out of marble,
the Temple of Artemis was once one of seven world
wonders. The amphi-theatre is the world’s biggest with
a capacity of 24,000. The extraordinary Celsus Library
built in the Roman era between 115-117 and the Port
Road lined with pillars and lit with oil lamps at night.
All are exquisite works of architecture.
Left With its chic décor and attention to detail, Mimoza marks its place in
Gümüşlük’s list of fish restaurants.
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A Place of Passion: MAÇA KIZI
The maestro of the Maça Kızı kitchen Aret Shakyan
dazzles his guests with his dishes.
Taking its name from a card game, Maça Kızı is one of Bodrum’s oldest and finest venues. Located in Türkbükü, one of the town’s classiest bays, this dreamlike place has hosted
many a guest from high society as well as intellectual circles, and international celebrities
such as Nuruyev, Ahmet Ertegün and Mick Jagger. The character of the venue has been
shaped by its perfectionist owners Ayla and her son Sahir. Its guest describe Maça Kızı as
simply a manifestation of paradise on earth.
Maça Kızı is the most
pleasant and distinguished
hotel in Göltürkbükü.
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Ephesus was a seaport in 6th Century B.C. and a
crucial base for trade and politics. It is home to the
Temple of Artemis, Anatolia’s ancient goddess, and
is thus considered a sacred place
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THE LIBRARY OF
CELSUS, ONE OF THE MOST
REMARKABLE EXAMPLES OF
ROMAN ARCHITECTURE, WAS
BUILT IN 106 A.C., BY THE SON
OF CELSUS IN MEMORY OF
HIS LATE FATHER
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Ephesus was a leader in science, art and culture in 6th Century B.C., and raised great men such as Herakleitos the wise;
Artemidoros, interpreter of dreams; the poets Callinos and
Hipponaks; Zenodotos, master of grammar; and the doctors
Soranos and Rufus
The Cave of the Seven Sleepers, which was proclaimed
sacred in the Byzantine era and turned into a mortuary
chapel, and Christ’s mother St. Mary’s house where she
and St. John spent their final years together, hereto visited by many popes, are holy places that must be seen.
A HOUSE HIDDEN IN THE MOUNTAINS
Having lost your sense of time in the ancient city of
Ephesus, you venture on a mystical journey up a mountain, zigzagging your way for 6 km, until you reach
the house of St. Mary. The house, which is visited by
Christians from all over the world is situated on top of
the Bülbül Mountain, 420 km high. Peeking out from
amidst trees, the house opens up its door each day to
accept prayers in silence and patience.
It is believed that here in this house resided St. Mary,
mother of Jesus, with St. John after Christ’s crucifixion.
The house certainly carries the spirit of that time. St.
John, whom Christ asked to take care of his mother before he was crucified, decided that Jerusalem would be
too dangerous, and so brought Mary to Ephesus, which
was quite a popular city in 33 A.C. The people of Ephesus, who were under the Roman regime, hid Mary in a
forest on the back hill of Bülbül Mountain and built a
house for her. Centuries later, in 1891, four priests discovered house with the help of Greeks that lived there.
The house, which was in ruins, was restored and beside
it a small church was built. The House of St. Mary was
declared a ‘place of pilgrimage’ by the Vatican, and was
visited by Pope Paul VI on 26 July, 1967; Pope Jean
Paul II on 30 November 1979; and lastly by the present Pope Benedict XVI, head of the Catholic Church in
August of 2007.
Catholic priests hold mass every Sunday here, prayers
are said, candles are lit, and thousands of wishes attached to the walls. Even if you’re there simply on a history visit, Mary’s protective and caring spirit envelops
you, and you feel light and purified.
TURQOISE BAYS
A Bodrum holiday should never end without a boat
The Temple of Domotian, built in honor of the Emperor Domotian who
gave the people of Ephesus the right to guard the empire.
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The holy house of St. Mary, where Catholic
priests hold ceremonies every Sunday, lighting
candles in prayer
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Pronounced as ‘holy’ by the
Vatican, the House of St. Mary is a
place of pilgrimage for Christians
around the world
The statue of St. Mary at the entrance of the house.
The House of St. Mary amid trees in peaceful acceptance of prayers; candles are lit; little ‘wish’ notes are
attached to the walls of the house.
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trip. Sucking in the geography from from a small sail boat or a chic
schooner taking off from the Bodrum Marina in the early hours of the
morning, is quite something. You will experience tones of blue you’ve
never seen, swim along with the colorful fish and feel the fresh water
revive your skin. Karaada, an island just opposite the Bodrum Marina
where hundreds of boats rest every year, is the priority choice for daily
excursions.
When you arrive at Karaada, just four miles away, and see its bays and
beaches, you’ll understand why this is the captains’ choice of island.
The biggest and most beautiful of these bays are Poyraz and Yalancı
Poyraz, where the sea is as clear as an aquarium, and its bottom is pure
sand. The light breeze creates little waves that dance with the sunlight. While swimming, you are accompanied by fish of all sizes and
color.
Each bay on the peninsula houses dockyards for the building of
wooden boats by Bodrum’s best boat masters. These boats have come
a long way from the Karyan fishing boats called “tirhandils” to today’s
Situated amidst sublime trees atop the Bülbül Mountain
at a height of 420, the House of St. Mary opens its doors
to hundreds of visitors each day, accepting their prayers
in peace and quiet
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The sailboat named ‘Bodrum’ belonging to
the Municipality of Bodrum holds open sailing
courses with famous captains on board
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schooners, and they sail the seas in Turkey and all over
the world.
The word ‘tirhandil’ evolved from ‘trikandini’, which
comes from the Greek ‘triakena’ meaning ‘one third’.
The word ‘triakena’ describes the main structure of
the boat. The most crucial characteristic of this boat is
that its width is a third of its length. Its head and tail
are similarly curved like a crescent, opening to a wide
and round body. Its low and arched structure boosts its
seamanship as giving a highly aesthetic look.
These tirhandils go back to the ancient Finikians and
even Egyptians. They took their form from the Egyptian papyrus boats, with their heads and tails one and
sharp, and with time evolved into their present shape.
It is no coincidence that Bodrum has always been a
leader in seamanship. Perhaps this is why Turkey’s
most important museum of underwater and submerged
ruins is placed in the Bodrum Castle, whose major piece
is a submerged wooden boat. The famous captains of
the time were raised in these waters. According to the
great historian Herodotus, the captain Skylax from
Kayranda (today’s Gündoğan), held captaincy for years
on the Persian fleet. Winning glory after glory against
the Greeks, he eventually opened sail even to the Indian
ocean. The notes he took on the Mediterranean and
other seas later became “The Secrets of Skylax”, the
world’s first navigation book, which was a major guide
THE BAYS, PERFECT FOR SAILORS
AND DIVERS ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR
REEFS WITH AMAZING
DEPTH
for Alexander the Great when he was directing his fleet.
Another famous captain is Turgut Reis who was raised
as a shepherd in Karatoprak (today’s Turgutreis), and
made it all the way to the captainship of the Ottoman
fleet. While the sea surface has been and is the stage
for famous captains and their skill, its depths provide
a world for every kind of sea creature, for caves and
sponges of every color. The Bodrum Antik, famous for
its reefs, is a diver’s paradise.
The soft breeze on top of the boat turns your head with
calm and joy. This is after all the home of the Halikarnas Fisherman, and in his words, those who come here
do not leave unchanged.
Each bay on the peninsula
houses dockyards for the
building of wooden boats by
Bodrum’s best boat masters.
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Picture by day, jewel by night
MARDİN
THIS IS HOW THE PEOPLE OF MARDIN
DESCRIBE THEIR TOWN. POETRY IS IN FACT
RESIDENT IN THE VERY STONES OF THIS
MAGNIFICENT CITY.
Photography Şenol Altun
Text Zeynep Erekli
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Then came the first Christians, the Romans in the 2nd
Century, Sassanians and Byzantines. In the 9th Century
came the Arabs, then Turkmens in the 11th Century
and Artuklus in the 12th Century. After the swords of
the crusaders came the Eyyubis and the Ilhanians. In
the 16th Century the Sefavis preceded the Ottomans,
before the city was bequeathed to the Turkish Republic.
According to sources, this all-embracing city takes its
name from its Persian leader’s son. Others say the name
comes from an Arab tribe, while Byzantine historians
write that Mardin means ‘city of castles’ in the Mardes
or Syrian language.
Though Mardin has lost its multi-cultural character,
it is still a meeting-point for different cultures and
beliefs. Almost all its inhabitants speak Turkish, Arabic
and Kurdish. You can even hear Syrian, Armenian and
Greek in the bazaar. Only about forty families of Syrian
culture, history’s oldest Christian community, are left
in the center. The majority of the Armenian population
has migrated.
One of the most intriguing cities of Southeast Anatolia,
Mardin has always challenged time and the rapacity of
civilization. Having been home to dozens of different
cultures and religions, it is an old and sophisticated
city. Its sophistication lies in its 5000 year history.
Bonding Anatolia to Mesopotamia, Mardin has nurtured many civilizations, religions, ethnic groups and
beliefs, and has kept the lives of these different cultures
together in peace, love and tolerance. Communities
of Moslems, Syrians, Yakubis, Chaldeans, Nestorians,
Yezidis, Jews, Kurds, Arabs, Chechens and Armenians
lived here side by side in understanding and solidarity.
The birth of the city goes back to 3000 B.C. and its
first inhabitants are listed in the following order: First
it was the Sumerians, Hittites, and Midilians from
Iran. Later came Assyrians, Urartians, Aramis and
Persians. Alexander the Great arrived 2000 years later.
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Mardin’s ‘old town’ is composed of yellow stone houses.
It is a neighborhood with a single road dividing it into
two. The best way to explore the old town is by getting lost in its tiny streets, which are too narrow for any
vehicles to drive through. Even the rubbish from the
houses is picked up by municipality workers, on the
backs of donkeys and mules. Walking through these
magical streets, you are sure to be invited in for tea
by the house owners sitting on their terraces, so you’ll
even get to see some interiors. It is quite probable that
you’ll find yourself squatting on the floor of a highceiling salon of a Mardinian family, sipping tea and
listening to the enchanting stories of the city. In recent
years, the city has been discovered more and tourists
have been flowing in, so residents are quite enthusiastic about hosting their guests. Shop-owners too are
uncommonly friendly. In the Coppersmiths’ Market,
you’ll be treated with an extra gift for even a tiny bit of
shopping. The city simply seems detached from the rest
of the world with its rhythm, buildings, atmosphere
and its charming folk. In the middle of the old town
a series of old stone houses have been turned into the
Erdoba Lodgings, a boutique hotel both authentic and
chic. The Artukian Caravansaray, a giant monument
showcasing Mardin style architecture, is a restored 4
Top left Mor Hananya Monastery (Deyrulzaffaran) established in the 8th
century. The monastery is the oldest known temple of Semsilik (belief of
worshipping the sun). Facing page The Great Mosque is located in historic
core of Mardin. It has numerous inscriptive plaques from the Seljuk, Artuqid,
Aq Qoyunlu and Ottoman periods, showing that the mosque was probably
founded in the eleventh century by the Seljuks and developed to its current
state under Artuqid rule during the last quarter of the twelfth century.
In the capital of different beliefs, everything is
still as magical and unique as it was thousands
of years ago
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star hotel, bequeathed to Mardin by the Artuklus who
reigned here for a long time.
The main feature that gives Mardin its character is its
architecture. It has carried 2500 years of a city planning tradition to our day, with its distinctive stone and
architecture. The Mardin houses sit on the southern
slope of a rocky hill, a line of rising terraces stretching from the skirts of the Mardin Castle towards the
meadow. Their front courtyards face the south. The
doors which open up to the Mesopotamian meadow, are
situated on the incline of the hill and so are generally at
least two floors high. None of the houses’ shadows fall
on the next one; the narrow streets are organized so that
sunrays do not reach them, providing cool shades in the
summer.
of Caves’. Midyat was an important settlement of upper
Mesopotamia. Civilizations like the Agadians, Assyrians, Hittites and Urartians are known to have lived here
and nurtured the lands. Throughout history, Midyat’s
means of living has been farming, stock farming and
crafts. Midyat is famous for its traditional crafts, stonework, silverwork (Telkari), coppering, carpentry, fabric
dyeing, pottery and jewelry. Old Midyat is home to 25
adjacent little ateliers, where handmade accessories such
as rings, necklaces, vases, belts, keychains, teaspoons,
and saucers are processed in the traditional style.
DEYRULZAFARAN MONASTERY
The Deyrulzafaran Monastery is to Syrians what the
The stone used for Mardin houses known as ‘kalker’
is of a light yellow color and is easily cut, and thus
very prone to modeling. The engravings found on the
sides of windows, pillars and courtyards are the work
of Syrian stonemasons. The most interesting feature of
the houses is perhaps their open stone terraces, and the
wooden beds placed there during summer and spring
months. These beds are called ‘thrones’ which residents
use to sleep on hot summer nights. The thrones are
generally of blue color as supposedly blue wards off
scorpions. Along with Jerusalem and Venice, Mardin
is one of the world’s ‘three open city museums’. The old
town, which consists of the one way First Street stretching from the Mardin Castle, is a protected area. The socalled new town is downtown, where the governorship,
apartments, concrete buildings and shopping centers
reside. Unfortunately, there is nothing attractive about
this part of the city.
MİDYAT
Another ‘museum town’ is Midyat, Mardin’s most characteristic district, also under the spell of antique yellow
stone houses. The surroundings of Midyat are the holy
land of Syrians. They call it ‘Turabdin’ in their own language, meaning ‘The mountain of the servants of God’.
In the first half of the 20th Century, a total of 10,000
Syrians lived in Midyat. Due to economic problems in
the 1960s, they migrated towards Europe. Migration
increased in the 70s and 80s with the onslaught of terror. Today, Midyat is home to 60 Syrian families.
The traces of Midyat’s multi-cultural structure can be
seen throughout history. Its name comes from ‘Matiate’,
according to Assyrian tablets of 9 B.C., meaning ‘City
Left The Monastery of St. Gabriel is the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox
monastery in the world. Right The Kasımiye Madrasah owns a façade
opening up to Mesopotamia and is one of Mardin’s biggest structures.
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Vatican is to Christian Catholics. Built in the 5th
Century after Christ, the Deyrulzafaran Monastery was
the residence of the Syrian Orthodox patriarchs for 640
years, up until 1932. The monastery stands in its full
glory on a hillside overlooking the Mardin Meadow,
4 km east from Mardin. Originally composed of three
floors, the monastery was continually transformed into
its present state up to the 18th Century. It was built
over a complex, which in B.C. was used as a temple to
worship the sun, and later as a castle by the Romans.
When the Romans retrieved from the area, St. Şleymun
brought the bones of certain saints and turned the
castle into a monastery. It used to be known as the Mor
Şleymun Monastery. After the 15th Century, the monastery was renamed Deyrulzafaran due to the ‘zafaran’
(saffron) herb that grew in its environment. With its
domes, cambered pillars, wooden handworks and interior and exterior stone works, Deyrulzafaran is a tremendous structure. The monastery is an important religious
center of the Syrian Church, and has pilgrims from all
over the world coming to pray. Its most esoteric part
is its oldest section, the temple of the sun. This place
Below Diversity in Mardin Mardin is called the city of seven languages
and seven religions. Today Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Yezidi and Syrian
Christians live friendly in Mardin. Right The Kasimiye Madrasah
was completed around 1500 by Sultan Kasim of Aq Qoyunlus’. The
complex comprises of a madrasah, a mosque and tombs. Facing page
Deyrulzaffaran Monastery includes the Sun Temple, the Virgin Mary
Church, the Saints’ House and the Domed Church.
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was built with blocks of stone, some of them weighing
tons, meticulously placed on top of each other, without
mortar. It is complete balancing act. Going up to the
terrace of domes, you come face to face with the vast
panorama of Mesopotamia.
KASIMİYE MADRASAH
This is one of the most important destinations in Mardin. Situated in the southwest of the city, the madrasah
owns a façade opening up to Mesopotamia, and is one
of Mardin’s biggest structures. It is composed of a
mosque and a hermitage. Though there is no inscription, it is believed that the construction began in the
Artukian era, and completed in the Akkoyun era by
Sultan Kasım, between 1487-1502. The madrasah is a
two-floor building, has an open courtyard and was built
in accordance to a scheme of one or two iwans (vaulted
rooms with one side open to a court, typical of Mardinian structures), using both hewn stone and brick. The
pool in the main courtyard with an iwan over it has an
enormous cooling as well as calming effect, with the
tingling sound of its flowing water.
ALONG WITH JERUSALEM AND VENICE,
MARDIN IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S ‘THREE
OPEN CITY MUSEUMS’.
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Istanbul, my love,
let me kiss you on your neck
These are the words to a song Istanbulites know very well, for it is difficult to
resist the city’s elegance, sexiness, and seductiveness…
With new restaurants and clubs opening, Istanbul is becoming more and
more attractive. Here is a selection of Istanbul venues to tickle the senses…
A Port Restaurant
Open for lunch and dinner, Karaköy Restaurant
runs in the tradition of the Istanbul taverna or
‘meyhane’ culture. Removed from the craze and
fuss of Beyoğlu, this is a great little nook for deep
conversation, celebration and comradeship; a
place where raki is drunk for happy purposes.
The pot dishes served at lunch revive the artisan’s
luncheon tradition, while a selection of tasty mezes
tease the appetite in the evening, preparing the
way for a filling fish meal. The turquoise ceramics
used in the décor complement the friendly
atmosphere.
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A Modern ‘Meyhane’
With its distinguished dishes like Çerkez (Circassian)
chicken puree with duck and mint fava (mashed
broad beans), mullet with sesame paste and baby
octopus, village bread from Akhisar and butter with
anchovies, this is a restaurant in tune with its name,
‘Münferit’, meaning ‘singular’. Münferit has added a
new touch, a new understanding to Istanbul’s bistro
culture. Beginning with a ginger or strawberry cocktail
at the bar, you can seduce your appetite with mussels
in vinegar steam, tarator, marinated seabass or cold
lamb in rice dough; grilled shrimps with hummus
served on warm plates; porcini mushrooms and white
cheese baked with truffle oil; goosefish with corn
cream; black couscous with mussels; seabass with
sand mussels; spareribs well done; cheek of veal with
barley noodles. This restaurant promises quite a feast.
DISCOVER THE
SUBTLETIES OF TURKISH
CUISINE IN THE MOST
COVETED SPOTS OF
İSTANBUL
Modern renditions in Turkish cuisine
The Istanbul Foundation for Art and Culture, with a 37 year history within the arts scene of Istanbul, houses
‘X Restaurant’ on the top floor of its 100 year-old building. This Art Nouveau building embraces a spectacular view of the legendary Golden Horn. Run by the managers of Istanbul’s iconic restaurants Borsa and Masa,
this fine-dining house has marked its place among the finest of the city, with its modern renditions of Turkish
cuisine. On the first floor of the building is the arts venue ‘Salon’, where all kinds of performances from jazz and
alternative music to theatre take place. This floor also boasts a gift shop, especially attractive for art and design
buffs. The building invites you for a night of fine dining and class entertainment.
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IN LOVE WITH
THE MEDITERRANEAN
The Gloria Hotel&Resorts on the shores of Antalya guarantee a
holiday to remember. Falling in love with the Mediterranean is
something else. The palm trees, the pines, the scent of oranges…
The blues, the greens, the skies and the fragrances are quite
matchless… Love and adventure make up this paradise.
The Gloria Hotel&Resorts is the perfect place to spend
a week with your kids.
The Gloria Hotel&Resorts has something in store for
each family member… While parents flirt with the
turquoise sea amidst all tones of green, their kids lose
themselves in the adventures of the kids’ world.
At Gloria, the day begins with the song of birds. After
the first night in the modern family villas, you may call
the professional trainers to pick up your kids and take
them to the mini club. Your children will be delighted
by this opportunity and find themselves in the throes
of a weeklong adventure. This leaves you free to jump
in the pool in front of your villa, without a care in the
world, breathing in the beauties of the Mediterranean.
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With the healing power of the water still on your
skin, you are now ready for an invigorating breakfast.
Instead of lining up for the open buffet, you can have
your breakfast brought to your room, and feast on the
unique tastes of the Mediterranean and the Aegean.
After breakfast it is time to move to your own private
pavilion on the shore, which you can rent. Feel all
stress and tiredness leaving you as you nibble on fresh
fruit and sip on a drink of your choice, lying on your
pavilion, the vast panorama of the Mediterranean
reaching out before you.
Enjoy getting together with the kids for lunch in the
main restaurant. Listen to their day’s adventures as
you compose your food tray with an array of delights
from the buffet. Let the Spa take you to a realm of
calm and peace, where the full body treatments will
make you feel as though you are reborn, and prepare
you for the evening. Designed with themes of the Far
East, the Spa has much to offer in a quiet, peaceful
atmosphere. After leaving the Spa, put on your chic
summer outfit and let the seaside invite you to take
an appetizer, and the crimson of the setting sun take
your breath away. Your cocktail and the music will accompany you at this magical hour.
Now for the finale: Aegean cuisine, with its selection
of olive oil dishes, Aegean herbs, meze and fish, is
a treat to have in the Mediterranean. The night has
started, and by the end of it, you will most probably
feel like an ancient Greek god or goddess. While the
kids dance the night away in the Mini Disco, you’ll be
asking yourself why you choose Gloria for your holidays every summer…
The answer is simple: the best days are spent here in
the Mediterranean, at Gloria…
Issue 3 AIDA
İSTANBUL
HOTELS
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
İSTANBUL
AT THE BOSPHORUS
B
eside the shimmering strait, a landmark 19th
century Ottoman palace is reinvented as Four
Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus.
Rising on the European side of the waterway, the
Hotel’s unfolding panorama takes in the busy watery
highway to the green hills on Istanbul’s Asian shores,
and the domes and minarets of the Old City. Within
easy distance of designer stores and avant-garde
galleries, Four Seasons is splendidly placed for
exploring the opulent palaces and waterfront parks of
Upper Bosphorus.
74 AIDA Issue 3
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
İSTANBUL
AT SULTANAHMET
S
urrounded by the meandering alleys of
Istanbul’s historic core, Four Seasons Hotel
Istanbul at Sultanahmet has been created
from a century old neo-classic Turkish prison. Set
around a tranquil sunny courtyard, Four Seasons
has fashioned an intimate and rare treasure house
of astonishing beauty the ochre-tinted stonework,
faience tiles, artwork and antiques, tapestries and
kilims proudly proclaiming its Ottoman heritage.
One of the most perfectly located hotels in the
entire city, Four Seasons is within easy walking
distance from most of the main sights including the
Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace.
Issue 3 AIDA 75
İSTANBUL
HOTELS
THE RITZ-CARLTON
İSTANBUL
L
ocated on the shores of the Bosphorus on
the European side commanding fabulous
views of the mighty Bosphorus, The Blue
Mosque and the ancient Saint Sophia, The RitzCarlton, Istanbul is a practice in culture, hospitality and luxury. Featuring exceptional renovated
accommodations, world-class cuisine, a nurturing spa and impeccable service, this Istanbul
luxury hotel’s amenities and services provide an
unforgettable retreat in the heart of one of the
world’s most fascinating and inspiring cities .
76 AIDA Issue 3
ÇIRAĞAN PALACE
KEMPINSKI İSTANBUL
W
ith its splendid style, superb location, fascinating view and its resort ambiance complemented by a spacious green garden
with palm trees, the only Imperial Palace and Hotel
by the Bosphorus in Turkey, Ç›ra€an Palace Kempinski
offers 11 suites in the historical Palace including the
glorious Sultan Suite along with 302 guest rooms
including 20 suites in the hotel. Being the 2nd largest
suite in Europe 376 square meters Sultan Suite combines the best of today’s modernism with classical
Ottoman architecture to recreate the splendour of the
Issue 3 AIDA 77
W HOTEL
W
İstanbul is the first expansion of the W
Brand and culture in Europe. Istanbul is selected for this mission for being one of the
unique hubs of the nostalgic and elegant old continent where - compared to rest of the region - Eastern
flavors are also mixed and matched with European
Hip Trends. It is basically the New Yorker Style, European Trend Setters Gusto and somehow the Asian/
Middle Eastern Sacred Hospitality crossed each other
in a unique ambiance. The very street the hotel is located is even a reinvigorated Ottoman Style High End
Residential Area, reconfigured into a fabulous shopping and dining district where W Istanbul is the leading center point. W in Istanbul represents high society
gatherings, latest fashion, “now”, beauty and sparkle
and most importantly great five star value proposition
with a great twist in town.
78 AIDA Issue 3
ÇEŞME
HOTELS
RADISSON BLU
T
he inviting Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Çeşme
is the perfect destination for satisfying body
and soul. Elegant and modern throughout,
the resort boasts 312 guest rooms including 42 large
Senior and Junior Suites, 2 King Suites and 4 luxury
duplex villas. The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Cesme
boasts one the most impressive meetings and events
facilities in Cesme. This resort hotel offers five stylish
meeting rooms that range in size from 81 m2 to 100
m2. For larger events, the hotel also offers the Cesme
Ballroom, a 600 m2 space. In addition, the stylish Blue
Restaurant & Terrace, and the Wedding Platform with
stunning views, are both wonderful choices for events
with a difference.
Issue 3 AIDA 79
BODRUM
HOTELS
KEMPINSKI HOTEL
BARBAROS BAY BODRUM
L
etting time stand still, escaping to be pampered in a place where the blue of the Aegean
and the cobalt sky merge seamlessly into infinity, that’s a luxury not everyone gets to experience…
At the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, we bring you an
oasis of serenity, kissed by the pure sea and caressed
by the gentle breeze, where you can luxuriate in the
world renowned Six Senses Spa, lose yourself in daydreams on our private beach, or discover 3,000 years
of history that feels like yesterday. Don’t ask why, just
ask when… And discover the luxury of making time
stand still.
80 AIDA Issue 3
RIXOS BODRUM
O
n Milas – Bodrum highway, built on a
187.000 sq m. field surrounded by pine trees,
in a charming atmosphere, Rixos Premium
Bodrum is located on the most precious area of
Bodrum Peninsula, Zeytinlikahve Bay, covered with
Mediterranean Turkish Pine union and with scrubs of
the same union.
Issue 3 AIDA 81
FETHİYE
HOTELS
HILLSIDE BEACH CLUB
H
illside Beach Club, the holiday village at Fethiye on the Mediterranean coast, with 330 rooms and 781
bed capacities. It is a worldwide, first class resort, which realizes the “nature and fun in style” concept.
It is a unique holiday club set on a private bay designed amid pine trees respecting nature and environment, where one may find not only a peaceful atmosphere, clear blue crystal water and the “sunny side
of life”, but also a unique combination of warmth, enthusiasm and hospitality. Besides the festival of delicious
top quality food and beverage all day long, Hillside Beach Club offers the guests innovative opportunities for a
different vacation experience to enrich him/herself and to learn something new. The guests have the chance
to have a lazy or crazy day according to their preferences. They can experience a variety of superior rituals by
experienced therapists to attain wellness, beauty and health in relaxed and peaceful settings of Sanda Spa and
Sanda Nature Spa or they can enjoy the stylish ambiance with amazing entertainment.
82 AIDA Issue 3
ANTALYA
HOTELS
CALISTA LUXURY RESORT
C
alista hotel is named after a Goddess in
Mythology, a young woman of rare beauty.
For its exacting guests hotel Calista Luxury
Resort offers unique concept with VIP «A’la Carte
All Inclusive». Luxury Rooms and exclusive Villas
have been specially designed for a secluded holiday
experience. Located in Antalya, Belek, Calista Luxury
Resort is waiting for you, with it’s culture of service
perfection. Issue 3 AIDA 83
ANTALYA
HOTELS
MARDAN PALACE
T
he Mardan Palace Antalya marks a long return
to the days of experiential luxury, paying homage to the elegance of an enchanting past.
An awe inspiring world where the royal splendour of
illustrious empires meets today’s modern luxuries. A
sense of place recreating the extraordinary palatial
architecture of ancient ottoman days combined with
a great passion for service and quality are the prime
ingredients to tailor make oriental fairytales.
84 AIDA Issue 3
RIXOS TEKIROVA
T
he hotel is located on a territory of 95.000 sq.
m in the resort area of Tekirova where the blue
waters of the sea merge with emerald greenery of pine forest at the bottom of Taurus mountains.
The distance from Tekirova shopping center - 10 minutes walking, 15 minutes drive to Kemer tourist center
and 73 km to the Antalya airport.
Issue 3 AIDA 85
ANTALYA
HOTELS
RIXOS PREMIUM
R
ixos Hotel Premium Belek is situated in charming pine and pine nut trees forest alongside
Mediterranean Sea in Belek, the area mostly
known as Turkish Riviera. The Hotel has uninterrupted
1000 meter long, 100 meter wide private beach. Rixos
Hotel Premium Belek is 50 km away from Antalya city
center and 40 km away from Antalya International
Airport. 86 AIDA Issue 3
RIXOS SUNGATE
R
ixos Sungate presents a perfect combination of nature, comfort and relaxation all
year round. Rixos Sungate has different types
of A’la carte restaurants offering delicate dishes of
Turkish, Far Eastern, French, Greek, Italian, Mexican,
Russian, and Lebanese cuisines, bars and places of
entertainment Rixos Sungate reveals its 720m long
golden sand beaches by the Mediterranean sea as
well as refreshing swimming pools, a Marina, two
ports, fashionable boutiques and fine jewellery
shops combined with luxurious accommodation
options in exclusive design and attentive personal to
look after our guests’ comfort and wellbeing.
Issue 3 AIDA 87
ANTALYA
HOTELS
GLORIA VERDE RESORT
G
loria Verde Resort is located on a stunning
beachfront and surrounded by a fragrant
pine forest. The hotel, which is connected
to Gloria Serenity Resort, Gloria Golf Resort and Gloria
Golf Club by a picturesque walkway, embraces 293
stunning rooms and vast SPA complexes. Gloria Verde
Resort guests also have the privilege of using the
courses of Gloria Golf Club, the only 45-hole course in
a region described as Mediterranean Riviera, including two 18-hole championships courses and a 9-hole
academic course designed by eminent architect
Michel Gayon and preferred by both professional and
amateur golfers.
88 AIDA Issue 3
GLORIA GOLF RESORT
G
loria Golf Resort offers an excellent base with its 515 rooms
to explore the beauties of the Mediterranean Sea and golf
sport at an utmost service quality. Situated in Belek, Antalya
in the midst of pine forests and at the seaside along Acisu River, in
a region which embodies all natural beauties of the Mediterranean,
Gloria Golf Resort offers easy access to golf greens, exquisite beaches,
spa and thalasso centers, a fabulous aquapark and, conference and
entertainment facilities... Restaurants with delicious examples of
international cuisine... The healthiest of air... The cleanest of seas in all
shades of blue... You will find all of these in the heavenly atmosphere
of Gloria Golf Resort…
Gloria Golf Resort welcomes its most valuable guests, the children, at
‘Gogi Kids Club’ catering to all age groups with unique play and entertainment opportunities.
Issue 3 AIDA 89
ANTALYA
HOTELS
GLORIA SERENITY RESORT
T
he latest addition to the renowned Gloria
Hotels & Resorts, Gloria Serenity Resort is an
ultra-luxurious resort boasting 369 rooms, a
pristine beach, a modern styling, exclusive restaurants,
sophisticated shows, relaxing SPA’s and a challenging
golf course. Being a short distance away from Gloria
Golf Club, the only 45-hole course which is the largest in Turkey, including two 18-hole championships
courses and a 9-hole academic course designed
by eminent architect Michel Gayon, Gloria Serenity
Resort allows its guests indulge their passion for golf
within a unique resort.
90 AIDA Issue 3
LYKIA WORLD ANTALYA
L
ykia World Antalya is beautifully located between the Mediterranean on one side, lush
green forests and the Taurus mountains on
the other. It offers a unique scene where blue and
green become one; one step away, you enjoy historical places and archaeological sites that are well worth
visiting. Lykia World Antalya comes you with a beach
of 2.5 km. the very first and the only links golf course
on the shores of the Mediterranean; it also offers a
hotel providing comfort, luxury and excitement amid
Turkey’s finest architecture and natural surroundings.
Issue 3 AIDA 91
ANTALYA
HOTELS
KEMPINSKI THE DOME
S
et in an area of natural beauty also known as the
Turkish Riviera, Kempinski Hotel The Dome is
located directly on the beach in only 20 minutes
from the international airport of Antalya. Luxuriously
appointed guest accommodation units includes 18
villas with private pools located on the golf courses.
Hotel guests can enjoy the privilege of access with
the best tee times to Antalya Golf Club’s “The Pasha”
and “The PGA Sultan” course, which is the only PGA
golf course in Turkey. The Dome Spa is a true oasis
of relaxation. Spread over 3,600 sqm, The Dome Spa
offers facial, body and Thalasso treatments as well as
a variety of saunas, a heated indoor swimming pool
and a genuine Turkish Hamam in exclusive, refined
settings.
92 AIDA Issue 3
CAPPADOCIA
HOTELS
MUSEUM HOTEL
CAPPADOCIA
T
he Museum Hotel, established in a beautiful
area of Uchisar, was came into existence after
the restoration of old ruins, paying utmost
attention to the preservation of their originality. Due
to its unique location all the rooms, restaurant and
terraces overlook the unique panorama of Cappadocia. The Museum Hotel which has aimed to serve its
distinguished guests in the best way is the sole preference of the majority of prominent guests visiting
Cappadocia.
Issue 3 AIDA 93
CAPPADOCIA
HOTELS
CAPPADOCIA CAVE
RESORT & SPA
T
he only spa hotel in the region with cave
therapy rooms, overlooking to beautiful Red
Valley with uninterrupt panorama offering
great sunrise and sunset complemented by its guests
to be charming, luxurious and amazing. Sleeping in
thousands of years old caves, rock cut rooms bringing old settlements of village alive. Cappadocia Cave
Resort & SPA offers you an irresistible escape to visit
Cappadocia. For its extraordinary geographical landscape, its rich history and culture, this region now
provides you boutique service thanks to CCR Hotels
& SPA. Among the boutique hotels in the region, CCR
Hotels & Spa exhibits its difference with its 79 rooms,
2 meeting rooms, 2 swimming rooms ( indoor and
outdoor), 3 restaurants, 4 bars and Leea Spa serving
in 1500 m2 closed area. CCR Hotels & Spa aims to
exceed your expectations in every way for an endless
memory. Because you deserve the best.
94 AIDA Issue 3
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