Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, also known metonymically as the Sublime Porte, and especially in the 19th and 20th centuries as the Turkish Empire, was one of the great empires of the Old World, from the 14th to the early 20th century. At the height of its power, it controlled most of the Middle East, the Balkans and parts of North Africa, with a sphere of influence across much of Europe, Asia and Africa. The empire collapsed at the end of World War I, and was succeeded by the modern Republic of Turkey.
UnderstandThe Turks trace their origin to Central Asia. Their current homeland in Anatolia (Asia Minor) has been home to many civilizations throughout history, including the Hittites, Ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empire.
DestinationsThe bulk of the Ottoman heritage in what is now Turkey rests in the Marmara region, where the empire started and grew.
SeeThe most common elements of the imperial Ottoman architecture include arches and domes, which were strongly influenced by Byzantine architecture.
DoSoak up in a hamam (bathhouse).
EatThe kitchens of the Topkapı Palace were often the source of many of the dishes that are popular in the Turkish and other regional dishes to this day, with the chefs experimenting on a daily basis with whatever…
DrinkOften purported to be unintentionally introduced to Europe by the Ottomans through the sacks of roasted beans left behind during the hasty retreat after the Siege of Vienna of 1529 was lifted, the coffee culture is one…
TalkThe official language of the empire was Ottoman Turkish, which differed from vernacular Turkish and is almost completely incomprehensible for modern Turkish speakers without some training.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Ottoman Empire" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: A.Savin, FAL via Wikimedia Commons