Karagöz and Haciva

Karagöz (meaning blackeye in Turkish) and Hacivat ( shortened in time from "Hacı İvaz" meaning "İvaz the Pilgrim", and also sometimes written as Hacivad) are the lead characters of the traditional Turkish shadow play, popularized during the Ottoman period. The central theme of the plays are the contrasting interaction between the two main characters.

Thank you Filiz for this great cultural postcard!

Sent:25 February 2013   Received: 12 March 2013   Travelled: 15 days

Trojan Horse

Çanakkale

The city is the nearest major town to the site of ancient Troy. The "wooden horse" from the 2004 movie Troy is exhibited on the seafront. Çanakkale is the second city to be situated on two continents after Istanbul. However Çanakkale is closer to mid-division than Istanbul.
The Greek Byzantine name for Çanakkale was Δαρδανέλλια, Dardanellia, from which the English name Dardanelles is derived.

Çanakkale was an Ottoman fortress called Kale-i Sultaniye (Ottoman Turkish: قلعة سلطانيه) or Sultaniye kalesi (Fortress of the Sultan). It later became known for its pottery, hence the later name Çanak kalesi 'pot fortress'

Thank you Filiz for this wonderful Trojan Horse card!

Sent: 25 February 2013   Received: 12 March 2013   Travelled: 15 days

Kykkos Monastery

Contemporary Byzantine Frescoes by the Hand of Georgios Chr. Georgiou

An amazing view of the interior of Kykkos Monastery in North Cyrpus, 

sent by my regular swapper friend Filiz from Turkey. Thank you!

Sent: 26 February 2013,   Arrived: 7 March 2013,   Travelled: 9 days

North Cyprus

Northern Cyprus  officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern portion of the island of Cyprus. Recognised only by Turkey, Northern Cyprus is considered by the international community as Turkish-occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
The 1974 coup d'état, an attempt to annex the island to Greece, was followed by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. This resulted in the eviction of much of the north's Greek Cypriot population, the flight of Turkish Cypriots from the south, and the partitioning of the island, leading to a unilateral declaration of independence by the North in 1983. Due to its lack of recognition, Northern Cyprus is heavily dependent on Turkey for economic, political and military support.

 

Thank you Filiz for the postcard from North Cyprus

Sent: 24 December 2012    Received: 3 January 2013   Travelled: 10 days

View from Famagusta

 

Famagusta is a city on the east coast of Cyprus. It is the de facto capital of Gazimağusa District of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognized by Turkey. De jure, it is the capital of Famagusta District of the Republic of Cyprus. It is located east of Nicosia, and possesses the deepest harbour of the island.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thank you to Filiz for this wonderful card

Sent: 3 November 2012   Received: 24 November 2012   Travelled: 21 days