Local and Cultural Foods - Hatay City of Gastronomy

Hatay has gone by several names. Nearly all Anatolian civilizations left their mark in Hatay. The Greek word Antioch is more widely known. Given that Hatay is yet another province with two official names, that name is still used in Turkey. Be prepared to pass through Hatay and Antakya. Although the history of Hatay-first Antioch's settlement dates to the Bronze Age, recent finds on the province's shore have shown signs of human migration into Anatolia more than 75 thousand years ago. The Akkads, Meds, Hittites, Babylonians, Urartians, Assyrians, Seleucids, and Romans lived in Hatay City. The Seleucid and Roman empires brought Hatay its greatest periods of prosperity. Hatay is now a vibrant city that draws visitors from all over the world. So, why are you waiting to apply for a turkey visa online?

 

Where is Hatay?

 

Turkey's southernmost city is Hatay. The province shares borders with Syria in the east and south. On the west is the Mediterranean Sea, while to the north is the province of Adana. Flying is the quickest way to reach Hatay. Direct flights to Hatay Airport depart daily from Antalya, Izmir, Istanbul, and Ankara. That makes Hatay an easy and practical place to launch a thorough exploration of southeast Turkey. Adana and Gaziantep, two well-known cities in the southeast, are around two hours' drive from Hatay's centre. It is simple to travel to Hatay, but it is difficult to leave behind its fascinating past and, more significantly, its outstanding cuisine.

 

What to see in Hatay?

 

Hatay-Antioch has a rich history and served as the home to many civilizations. The Church of Saint Peter is the most significant landmark in Hatay. It is believed to be the first church ever built into a rock in history. The cave and the garden were home to hundreds of graves. The original warriors created the building that you will see now. They added two arches to the cave's front after they conquered Antioch in 1098. The vaults and arches that may be seen now date to 1863 and are made possible by Napoleon III. Pope Paul VI designated the Church of Saint Peter as a place of pilgrimage in 1963. The largest Roman mosaic museum in the Republic of Turkey is located on the route to the church. Roman Antioch had a population of about 200 thousand and was a metropolis. The magnificent mosaics displayed at The Museum of Archaeology of Hatay were used to decorate the penthouses of wealthy Romans and high-ranking officials. If you enjoy history, you could visit this museum for a half-day. It would help if you allowed a whole day to explore Hatay-old Antioch's town on foot. The Habibi Najjar Mosque, the Roman Orthodox Church, the Orontes River, and the historic bazaars of Uzuncarsi are must-sees. For quick breaks, numerous antique tea houses and modern coffee shops are sprinkled around the old town.

 

What to eat in Hatay?

 

A trip to Hatay is a culinary getaway. The cuisine of Hatay has the imprint of several cultures. Zahtar, chickpeas, and tahini are responsible for cooking Hatay's most distinctive flavours. At breakfast, lunch, and dinner, zahtar is served, either fresh or in powder form. Different varieties of pide bread are produced throughout the day at wood oven bakeries. Small restaurants provide hummus, fava beans, and a paste made of red pepper, yoghurt, and walnuts, among other dips. The most popular main course in Hatay City is tepsi (tray) kebab. You can find a butcher making you a kebab on a tray, which you can then quickly bake. Even sweet potatoes can be found on the food platters of street sellers in Hatay since the variety of its products is so great. A wide variety of appetizers are coming at the kebab houses in Hatay. My favourite dessert is kunefe. Turkish noodles are cooked over an open flame while horizontally filled with nonfat white cheese. They sweeten this outstanding Middle Eastern dish with warm syrup. Essential components of Hatay cuisine include zahtar, which has a distinctive flavour, pomegranate sauce for dressing salads, and tahini for the texture of dips.

 

Apply for a Turkish visa online, pack your bags and book a flight is all necessary to begin a fantastic vacation.