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Nasreddin Hoca
Nasreddin Hoca is a legendary figure and a humorous folk hero who lived around Hortu and Akşehir during the Anatolian Seljuk period. He is mostly known through anecdotes portraying him as a witty and wise man with a sharp sense of humor. Although there is debate about whether he actually lived and, if so, what his true personality was like, some historical documents suggest that he was a real person. According to these sources, Nasreddin Hoca was born in 1208 in the village of Hortu in Akşehir, where he received his basic education. He later studied at a madrasa in Sivrihisar, and upon his father's death, he returned to his hometown to serve as the village imam. After some time, he migrated to Akşehir, a center for Sufi thought at the time, and became a dervish under Mahmûd-ı Hayrânî, affiliating with Sufi orders such as Mevlevi, Yasawi, or Rifa'i. Nasreddin Hoca also held administrative positions in Akşehir and is thought to have briefly lived in surrounding areas. He died in Akşehir in 1284 and was buried in the Nasreddin Hoca Tomb, which still exists today. Nasreddin Hoca's anecdotes are widely told not only in Anatolia but also in the autonomous Turkic republics of Central Asia and Russia. This shows that his sense of humor and folk wisdom are part of a shared cultural heritage across the Turkic world. His witty and thought-provoking stories have been passed down through generations for centuries and adapted with small variations in different regions. This widespread presence is an important indicator of the common history, linguistic unity, and cultural interaction among Turkic peoples. Even today, Nasreddin Hoca's tales continue to entertain while also teaching valuable lessons and encouraging reflection.
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Mimar Sinan
Mimar Sinan was the chief architect and civil engineer of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Serving as the chief architect during the reigns of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan Selim II, and Sultan Murad III, Sinan created many significant works and gained worldwide recognition both in the past and today. His masterpiece, which he called his "masterpiece," is the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. In 1538, Sinan became the chief architect of the imperial corps (Hassa başmimarı) and held the position of chief architect for 49 years under Sultan Suleiman, Selim II, and Murad III. Before becoming chief architect, three of his works stand out: the Hüsreviye Complex in Aleppo, the Çoban Mustafa Complex in Gebze, and the Haseki Complex built for Hürrem Sultan in Istanbul. At the Hüsreviye Complex in Aleppo, a single-domed mosque style was combined with side domes at the corners, blending the side-room mosque style followed by Ottoman architects in İznik and Bursa. The complex also includes a courtyard, madrasa, bathhouse, soup kitchen, and guesthouse. The Çoban Mustafa Pasha Complex in Gebze is notable for its colorful stone inlays and decorations. The mosque, tomb, and other elements are harmoniously arranged. Sinan's first work in Istanbul, the Haseki Complex, contains all the architectural elements of its time. The complex, which consists of a mosque, madrasa, elementary school, soup kitchen, hospital, and fountain, has the mosque completely separated from the other parts. After becoming chief architect, Sinan produced three major works that represent the development of his art. The first is the Şehzade Mosque and its complex in Istanbul. Built with a central dome surrounded by four half-domes, the Şehzade Mosque set an example for all subsequent mosques. The Süleymaniye Mosque is Sinan's most magnificent work in Istanbul. According to him, it was constructed during his journeyman period between 1550 and 1557. Sinan’s greatest work, however, is the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, which he completed at the age of 86 and presented as his "masterpiece" (1575). Throughout his tenure as chief architect, Sinan worked on many different projects. He sometimes restored older structures, dedicating significant effort to Hagia Sophia. In 1573, he repaired Hagia Sophia’s dome, reinforcing it with supportive walls around, ensuring the structure’s preservation to the present day. Part of his duties included demolishing buildings near historic monuments that impaired their appearance. For this reason, he arranged for the demolition of some houses and shops near Zeyrek Mosque and Rumeli Fortress. Sinan also worked on widening Istanbul's streets, constructing houses, and connecting sewers. He raised awareness about fire hazards caused by narrow streets and had a firman (imperial decree) issued on this matter. It is notable that he personally dealt with the pavements of Istanbul, a problem that still exists today. The seal carved on the Büyükçekmece Bridge also reflects his modest personality. In 1976, an impact crater discovered on Mercury was named "Sinan" by the International Astronomical Union in his honor.
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