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Istanbul blooms with tulips
Istanbul blooms with tulips
Istanbul blooms with tulips
Come the spring, the flowers blossom. Who doesn’t love them, especially when they have such an immediate impact on happiness. Across Turkey, people are selling a variety of flowers on the street. People buy them either because of their scent or to decorate their homes, offices and more. They soften our hearts and are symbols of sharing. DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
But one flower has a special meaning, particularly in Istanbul: The tulip. A festival dedicated to the delicate flower is held each April and the city’s parks, squares and gardens are decorated with millions of tulips of every color. They are mostly planted throughout Istanbul, most of which adorn the Gülhane and Göztepe parks, as well as the Emirgan, Yıldız, Beykoz, Çamlıca, Fethipaşa and Hidiv-Çubuklu forests. DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
Even the period between 1718 and 1730 has been called as the 'Tulip Era,' which was characterized by a more peaceful environment. Gradually in this period, tulips became an important reference within the empire’s arts, folklore and daily life. DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
But as the tulip gained major popularity as a trading product, it came to be grown elsewhere, particularly in the Netherlands, where it acclimatized quite successfully. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s tulip-related activities take some advance planning, as the flower has to be planted in autumn. DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
DHA Photo
Istanbul blooms with tulips
Tulips have also spread seeds of contention between Turkey and the Netherlands. Ottomans popularized the tulip, which grew in the wilderness in Persia over a thousand year ago. Back then, it was considered one of the symbols of the Ottoman Empire. DHA Photo
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