The Malwiya Tower, a 52-meter-high spiral minaret with an anticlockwise ramp, is a notable architectural feature of the Great Mosque of Samarra, which was commissioned by Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil in 848 CE and completed in 852 CE. It was once the largest mosque in the world, spanning 17 hectares. It is primarily made of baked and sun-dried brick, with its design inspired by ancient ziggurats. The mosque was significantly damaged during the 1278 invasion by Hulagu Khan, with only the outer walls and the Malwiya Tower remaining unharmed. It is currently a component of the Samarra Archaeological City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Recommended Readings: - The Monuments of Samarra: Historical Studies and Archaeological Writings by Alastair Northedge. - Early Islamic Art and Architecture by Jonathan M. Bloom. - The Art and Architecture of Islam 650–1250 by Richard Ettinghausen, Oleg Grabar, and Marilyn Jenkins-Madina (Yale University Press Pelican History of Art).

Located in the Yagmurlu (Sogmatar) Neighborhood of the Eyyubiye district—approximately 80 kilometers from the city center of Sanliurfa—the Ancient City of Sogmatar is an important pagan cult center dedicated to moon and planetary deities during the Roman and Abgar Kingdom periods. --- Şanlıurfa şehir merkezine yaklaşık 80 kilometre mesafedeki Eyyübiye ilçesinin Yağmurlu (Soğmatar) Mahallesi'nde yer alan Soğmatar Antik Kenti, Roma ve Abgar Krallığı dönemlerinde Ay ve gezegen tanrılarına adanmış önemli bir pagan kült merkezidir.

🏛️ Ghaznavid Empire (977–1186 CE) One of the most influential medieval empires of Central and South Asia. 🌍 Hashtags: #GhaznavidEmpire #Ghazni #MahmudOfGhazni #History #WorldHistory #IslamicHistory #MedievalHistory #HistoricalMaps #AncientHistory #HistoryFacts #Empire #CentralAsia #SouthAsia #PakistanHistory #GlobalTopTen

Efsaneden Beyaz Perdeye, Çanakkale’den Dünyaya: Truva Atı 🐴🏛️ ​Mitolojinin en büyük zeka hamlesi, Homeros’un İlyada destanından günümüze uzanan binlerce yıllık bir efsane... 10 yıl süren Truva Savaşı'nı bitiren o meşhur tahta at hilesi, bugün hâlâ insanlık tarihinin en ikonik hikayelerinden biri. ​Fotoğraftaki bu heybetli at ise hikayeyi modern dünyaya taşıyan çok özel bir parça: Brad Pitt’in başrolünde yer aldığı 2004 yapımı ünlü "Troy" (Truva) filminde kullanılan orijinal set maketi! Film çekimlerinin ardından Çanakkale kordonuna getirilerek sergilenmeye başlanan bu yapı, efsanenin doğduğu topraklarda tarihin ve sinemanın büyüleyici buluşmasını simgeliyor. ​Antik Truva kentinin mirasını bağrında taşıyan Çanakkale, efsaneleri yerinde yaşamak isteyen herkesi bekliyor! ​📍 Geyikli Çanakkale , Türkiye ​🇬🇧 ​Title: From Myth to the Big Screen: The Trojan Horse of Çanakkale 🐴🏛️ ​One of the greatest tactical ruses in mythology and a legend that has echoed through millennia from Homer’s Iliad... The famous wooden horse that ended the decade-long Trojan War remains one of history's most iconic tales. ​The impressive structure in this photo holds a special place in modern cinema: it is the original prop used in the blockbuster 2004 movie "Troy", starring Brad Pitt! Gifted to the city after filming, it now stands proudly along the waterfront promenade of Çanakkale, bridging ancient mythology with modern film history right where the legend was born. ​Home to the ancient city of Troy, Çanakkale invites everyone to walk through history and experience the myth firsthand. ​📍 Geyikli Çanakkale , Türkiye

🇹🇷 TURKEY 🇹🇷 🧠😍 Things you probably didn’t know about Türkiye (breaking common myths): 👏👏 🌍 A bridge between continents: One of the few countries in the world that spans both Europe and Asia — with Istanbul divided by the Bosphorus Strait. 🏛️ Not the capital you think: While Istanbul is the most famous city, the real capital is Ankara. 👑 Empire legacy: The heart of the Ottoman Empire for over 600 years, influencing Europe, Asia, and Africa. 🕌 Hagia Sophia is unique: The iconic Hagia Sophia has served as a church, mosque, and museum throughout history. 🏺 Cradle of civilizations: Home to ancient cultures like the Hittites, Greeks, and Romans — leaving behind incredible archaeological heritage. 🍵 Tea > Coffee: Contrary to popular belief, tea is consumed more than coffee and is a daily essential. 🛁 Turkish baths: The famous “hammam” is a centuries-old tradition of relaxation and cleansing from the Ottoman era. 🎈 Unreal landscapes: Places like Cappadocia are known for fairy chimneys and breathtaking hot air balloon rides. 🍽️ Rich cuisine: From kebabs to baklava and Turkish delight, Turkish food is loved worldwide. 🌐 Strategic location: Controls key routes between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean — making it geopolitically important. 🛍️ Historic bazaars: The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. 🎶 Cultural diversity: A unique blend of European, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences in architecture, music, and traditions. 📺 Global TV hits: Turkish series and films are hugely popular in Latin America and beyond. 👉 Follow for more amazing facts! 🌍✨ ❤️ Like | 💬 Comment | 🔁 Share #Turkey #Türkiye #Travel #History #Culture #Explore

🇹🇷 15 Interesting Facts About Türkiye 🌍 1️⃣ Top Tourist Destination Türkiye is consistently among the Top 10 most visited countries in the world, attracting 50+ million international tourists annually. 2️⃣ Largest City The biggest city is Istanbul, with 16+ million people, making it one of the largest cities in Europe. 3️⃣ Capital City The capital is Ankara, located in central Anatolia. 4️⃣ Population Power Türkiye has a population of about 85 million people, making it one of the most populous countries in Europe and the Middle East. 5️⃣ Unique Geographic Location Türkiye sits between Europe and Asia, connected by the Bosphorus strait. 6️⃣ Large Economy Türkiye has one of the largest economies in the world, usually ranking around Top 20 globally by GDP. 7️⃣ Major Tourist Cities Popular tourist destinations include: • Istanbul • Antalya • Izmir • Bodrum • Cappadocia region. 8️⃣ Ancient Civilization Center Türkiye has hosted many civilizations including the Hittites, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottoman Empire. 9️⃣ World Heritage Sites Türkiye has 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Göbekli Tepe, one of the oldest temples in the world (11,000+ years old). 🔟 Agricultural Power Türkiye is one of the world’s largest producers of hazelnuts, apricots, figs, and cherries. 1️⃣1️⃣ Strategic Straits The Dardanelles and Bosphorus connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. 1️⃣2️⃣ Huge Airline Hub Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline in the world. 1️⃣3️⃣ Beautiful Coastline Türkiye has about 8,300 km of coastline along the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea. 1️⃣4️⃣ Famous Cuisine Turkish cuisine includes global favorites like Kebab, Baklava, and Turkish Delight. 1️⃣5️⃣ Historic Megacity Istanbul is the only city in the world located on two continents. ⸻ 🌍 Türkiye Facts 🇹🇷 ✈️ Top 10 most visited country in the world 👥 Population: ~85 million 🏙️ Largest city: Istanbul (16M+) 🌉 Bridge between Europe & Asia 💰 Top 20 global economy 🏛️ 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites 🌾 Major agricultural exporter ✈️ Turkish Airlines flies to most countries worldwide 🏖️ 8,000+ km coastline 🍽️ World-famous cuisine #turkiye #turkey #geography #worldfacts #europe #asia #travel #amazingworldgeography #fblifestyle 🌍

Urfa Türkiye Step back in time in Şanlıurfa, the "City of Prophets," home to Göbeklitepe, the world's oldest known temple, and the sacred pool of Balıklıgöl; while you're here, be sure to experience the rich, authentic culture and incredible flavors, especially the spicy Urfa kebab, making this southeastern Turkish gem a truly mesmerizing and delicious journey through history and mythology that must be seen to be believed! ✨ #Sanliurfa #Gobeklitepe #CityofProphets #Balikligol #UrfaCuisine #AncientHistory #Mesopotamia #TravelTurkey

🧵 A Journey in Abraham's Footsteps – The Way Forward – Harran, the City of Stars “In the twilight of time, when the stars still spoke to men and the mountains bore names, Abraham was born – he who would become the father of faith for the people who followed the Scripture, the Cross and the Crescent. His name wandered through the desert winds, carried by Turki storytellers who gathered around the hearths in the heart of Mesopotamia. 🔥 “Listen, you who wander. For the wind of Harran carries old words, and the stars there still speak to those who dare to listen.” It is said that when Abraham left Urfa, it was not with a light heart. Behind him lay the miracle of fire, the fish in flames, and the wrath of King Nemrut. But before him – unknown land, and a sky that whispered. He wandered south, through dust and time, until he came to Harran – the city where the stars live. Here, the ancients say, he sat down on a stone by a dry well. He raised his eyes, and the night opened like a veil. 🌌 “First he saw the sun – great and burning. ‘This must be God,’ he said. But the sun sank behind the mountains, and darkness came.” 🌙 “Then he saw the moon – bright and gentle. ‘This must be God,’ he said. But the moon waned, and the stars took its place.” ✨ “Finally he saw the stars – a thousand lights, a thousand promises. And he said: ‘No… God is not the one who sets. God is the one who created all this.’” And the stars are said to have answered him. Not with words, but with light. They danced over Harran, and one of them fell – as a sign. Abraham stood up, knowing: The way forward was not his alone. It was for all who seek. 🧭 Harran – where the stars still speak 📍 Today you can follow in Abraham’s footsteps in Harran, Turkey. See the ancient beehive houses, built like small temples to the sky. Explore the ruins of temples and towers, where the stars were once worshipped. Harran is mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran – as a place where faith took shape. When night falls over plains and rocks, and you stand there alone under the sky, you can hear it: 🌬️ “God is not in what sets. God is in what endures.” Have you visited Harran? Or is it something you dream about?

Balik Gol Sanliurfa Turkiye Şanlıurfa (Urfa / ancient Edessa) – "The City of Prophets" Local Belief: Many Muslims in Turkey believe Hazrat Ibrahim was born or lived in Şanlıurfa. Key Sites: Balıklıgöl (Pool of Sacred Fish): Local tradition says that King Nimrod threw Hazrat Ibrahim into a fire for rejecting idol worship. God turned the fire into water and the burning logs into fish.

✈️🌍 Why Do Flight Paths Look Curved? When flying from *Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles*, you might expect a straight path across the Atlantic or Mediterranean. In reality, the flight takes a curved route over Iran, Russia, the North Pole, and Canada before reaching the US west coast. The reason? The Earth is *spherical*, and the shortest distance between two points on a sphere is called a *Great Circle Route*—a curved line on flat maps, but actually the most direct path. 🗺️ Flat maps are misleading Projections like the *Mercator map* distort distances and shapes. A route that appears curved is actually shorter, while a "straight" line on the map may be longer. 💡 Why do planes take this route? - Shorter distance - Less flight time - Lower fuel consumption - Reduced operating costs - Sometimes to catch favorable jet streams 📜 Ancient knowledge Muslim scholars like *Al-Biruni* and *Al-Idrisi* understood Earth's shape and calculated such paths centuries ago for navigation and determining directions. 🌐 So, what looks strange on a flat map is actually the most *efficient and direct path* on our spherical Earth. #GreatCircleRoute #FlightPaths #AirTravelFacts #GeographyMatters #AviationScience #TravelSmart #CurvedNotCrooked #Map