FAIRY TALES FROM GRANNIE’S BOOK COMENIUS PROJECT
ALIVE PLACES IN FAIRY TALES
2013 BULGARIAN MITS AND LEGENDS
Created by teachers and children from Kindergarten “Slaveykova polyana”
Sofia, 2013 Arda, Maritsa and Tunja
• Once upon a time there were three sisters. They were fighting because each one of them was thinking that she is the prettiest and better than the others. There was no peace in their home. They decided to become rivers . But they were fighting again about who is the Arda river fastest. • Once they were fighting for plenty of time, and they decided to have a sleep in Odrin, and then when one of them wake up to wake up the others. Then they were going to race till the sea and who gets there first the others will say that she is fastest. • When they agree they sack out. But the littlest one, Tunja, was the most roguish and she doesn’t fell asleep the whole night. Before the sun rise she get on Maritsa river her way without wake up the others. After a while the sun rise and Arda woke up. When she saw, that Tunja is gone, without keeping her promise she got angry and called Maritsa, who was still sleeping: • - Maritse, you the oldest, get up and take a look what had happened! • Maritsa woke up, get worried. Then the two sisters started to swear the little one: • - God, make Tunja go, winds, and make us a road! Then they jumped and start going on their way. By the road made from Tunja, it was easy and they fast gain on Tunja. Afterwards they started going together like one till the sea. And nobody knows Tunja river why, these three rivers after Odrin, took the name of the oldest, Maritsa.
Vitosha and Lyulin
• Vitosha and Lyulin was nameless. The Shopi called Vitosha “the big one”and Lyulin “the long one”. The story of their names is very special and people will remember it forever. • In one of the villages , there was beautiful girl named Vita. She was the biggest child, and she was helping of taking care of the sheeps. She was feeding them on the fields and often climbed on Vitosha the top of “the big one” to take a look of the nature. She could see the river Iskar , which was going thru the Sofia field. While she was watching she was singing. She had strong and beautiful voice, which can be heard in nine villages. • A "long been" grazed another shepherd his flock - Lulin was called. Quiet and humble man was Lulin, knew how to play the fiddle. And when he heard the powerful voice of Vita, joined in quietly with his rebec. When a girl is silent, he would shout, wanted to hear her voice • - Vitooo! • - Shtoooo! - Answering Vita and shouts echoing both gather and carry along that reach people like - Vitoshoo! • With song is loved from afar, without face and see him eye to eye, without exchanging a kind word . But both eager to be together. There was nobody to leave their flocks, and to meet and talk . It was definitely one of the village and another village, so the herds graze in its amount and was forbidden to goes through a foreign sinur. Years ran like a river, children grow and manhood. Vita grown and reached a maiden and marriage. He wanted her bachelors from the neighboring villages, but she returned matchmakers - Lyulin loved him wanted to marry, but was ashamed to acknowledge January mother. And there is no true companion or older sister to reveal to your heart. And Lyulin loved Vita, and he wanted to marry her, but dared tooth to peel her parents. He was afraid that he would not like Vita - such a tomboy knows just where the sheep would not be the will of the governed gentle mother of Lyulin. A move matchmakers rich and poor, beautiful and ugly, from villages near and far, but all returned Vita. One day a messenger from doshel remote village - the personal man, the best master mason sent matchmakers for Vita. Every year artists leave their village and nine months went by different parts to build houses, so they have a collar and a strong woman to turn herself home while returning rendered the workers. Shepherdess had glory, just for their boy bride. • Vita That night went home herd milked and sat down to dinner, her mother said: • - Tomorrow brother would go with the sheep. For matchmakers you come from a good family and a good craft. I'll get married, we will no longer do for a laugh! Nothing said Vita. And in the morning when it became home - it would not follow us. Look for it here, look for it there, but in vain. A southward heard her voice singing the height of the "big either." Heard a shout of Lulin, which was grazing his sheep on "Long was": • - Vitooo! • - Whyyyy! - Answering Vita and shouts echoing both gather and carry along that reach people like - Vitoshoo! • Viti mother knew that this time their daughter will make them a laughing stock, released at an altitude of Knyazhevo in tears and cursed: • - Thunder to hit, Daughter, you obstinate, where you stood, and get tan to the land as the cave and my soul from shame to strangers. And he Lulin, where they lie and cheat, and he land and stone way! Lyulin • Whether clear and sunny, but suddenly is dark. Heavy black clouds looming and scary thunder gap ground. Vita, who stood at that moment of peak "Large was" dropped. Thunder struck shepherd of Lyulin "was long." Since then, people called "Large was" Vitosha, and "long been" - Lyulin. The tip where Vita was struck by lightning, was called Black Peak. Tsarichina
• Its name "Tsarichina" is associated with the legend of the miraculous king's daughter Tamara, insidious disease cured by the magic of a scarlet avens which Kingfisher and now called "tzarichina". • sent Tsar Ivan Asen II's daughter ill treatment Teteven Balkan . It was in the spring. Sun Gold forests and drove the birds to sing. Glades flushed flowers. Tamara excerpts flower and stuck it behind his ear. I thought, "Who is like me now. I do not need a crown. " • Tamara learned that the flower is called Avens and that bachelor who first sees a girl wears a charm to it and it became his flame. • Flower helped to heal the king's daughter. But come autumn, and with the birds gone and Tamara. • then call local flower she loved so very royal flower, the meadow where it blooms - Tsarichina. It remained as one of the fabulous sites of Teteven Balkan and therefore reserve bears her name.
Urvich fortress near Sofia
• The population of the whole area is Building stone fortress above the steep ravine. The Turks were amazed by the courage of its defenders and the quest path to conquer this stronghold. Open up its conquest of Sofia, Sultan so quickly and often spurred grazing. as they could by war and victory, decided to try a trick or a betrayal. A woman from the village of Bistrica grazed his flock and proudly looks at Urvich fortress - the works of fortification long wall and knew the secret door that night descending to the Iskar river to draw water, and brought it to the brave defenders of the fortress. All builders are sworn not to give the secret door, even agony to undergo. 's wife held in her arms an infant who cried. That's when grazing toured these places and look hard stronghold just asked him much attention and trouble. • With the roar of the child he found shepherdess. He greeted her with a good day, and she told him to give a good god. Then Pasha said - Do not worry, bride, nothing bad will you do if you tell the truth - it helps you repaired the walls Urvich? - Pas helped all the people working there helps. - Give me then the door through which the water by night down the Iskar. startled the woman. January erect chills at the thought of vows, which gave - to keep secret door to the Iskar river. - If you do not tell me, I'll hit you with the child into the abyss - Jan. threatened grazing. - I do not know Ago, I can not say , I was sworn to secrecy - the woman cried. - Do not know, do not want to be sworn! - Shouted furiously grazing and ordered his soldiers to throw into the abyss. - Stay! I will say, god kill me - the woman screamed and pointed spiral rock. - Hey there ... Pasha ordered the woman and put himself down the scree, and then him and his soldiers. Vedena, so says the shepherdess, left up to the flock, squeezing the child to his breast and prayed to God to forgive sin you have done for your child. Slept all night and in the morning heard terrible screams and uproar from the fortress. Bulgarian Tsar's troops, the defenders of the fortress time sensed betrayal and escaped at night through the siege. The steep path to the monastery "Archangel Michael" fled to Samokov and Dospeyskoto kale, which I now know as "Shishmanova kale" and the tip - Shishmanitsa, supposedly died there Shishman. • But the Turks conquered and defeated Urvich fortress - leaving only ruins. Treacherous Vedena is petrified with the child over the bank of the river since the river called the Vedas. Bistrica village in what today is a district of Sofia, and now talk about the betrayal of their former neighbor Vedena. In their memory when Vedena fortress surrendered, Shishman king and his soldiers felt that it would be something bad happens - a few days the Turks were stopped pressure. Spies of the king, who cruised through the field to know the power of attackers and their intentions, seen grazing talk with shepherdess and her hand pointing to the castle. Understand the betrayal and rushed to insert the secret Urvich time, and brought the king saw. He called boyars and they said - no longer can we keep Urvich fortress because it is delivered to the Turkish secret door to the Iskar river. If you locked will hold fort for a few more days, but the water will die. We must run and saved to save the soldiers. So secret will be out in the dark, pull to Samokov and there will give strong resistance to the Turks. boyars agree with the words of King Shishman. . They took the king's treasures and signs them buried under the rock Gradishteto and then penetrated the mountain and let the waters of the river Iskar to go straight. The water flooded the hole with treasures wiped it completely. The king with all defenders escaped secretly and fled, but where - nobody knows. In these places not more battles were fought. Turks may have caught up with them somewhere in the mountains and there are slay the king to have broken all the king's army and conquered Bulgaria. * Urvich fort has been associated with other Vitosha fortress - "Baptiste" - over Boyana village with a nice time to time. • The fortress was strongly fortified, traces of it are found and so far around 21-km road Sofia - Samokov. In folk memory is connected with the name of King and King Ash Shishman. Paisius the "Slav-Bulgarian History" marks that King Shishman, he could not hold nor Tarnovo, nor Zagorie nor in the Balkan, Sofia came and settled in Urvich fortress. nobles lived here with his troops and seven years until the Turks finally managed to chase it .
Hemus and Rhodope
• From a distant age-old and dark time has reached us that once Ham and Rodopi were brother and sister - to a sea god. They lived freely across large fields played and sang all day. In their games fun thinking up things that drove others to laugh and enjoy their child wit. And here again the two children decided to pretend in their game at the old gods - Hemus man and woman - who heard a talk that own and rule the earth and water, birds and animals. Said-done. Ham made his long white beard and Rhodope unravel his lush blond hair a slender figure. • It was a nice sunny day and the children playing could be seen far away. The old god, ruler of the world, seeing this miracle, angry and turned into the beautiful Rhodope Mountains. At that moment he looked scared Ham sister frowned and was petrified. Since both happy and beautiful children become mountains. Hemus is frowning and looking with horror at the Rhodope beautiful Rhodope sister, petrified in front of his eyes. And stay away from each other brother and sister because God let evil old broad valley between them. Legend of Boyana
• Many, many years ago, in a small village nestled in the foothills of Vitosha, lived extremely beautiful girl named Boyana. She was hardworking, humble and good. From the early morning until late at night she worked tirelessly on the field. At night at gatherings she and her friends were singing songs and their ringing laughter echoed far. But hard times occurred for the Bulgarians. Our proud and invincible people fell under Ottoman rule. Many cities and towns were looted, burned and destroyed. Thousands of homes were blackened and orphaned.
• This cruel fate was a fact and for the little village nestled at the foothills of Vitosha Mountain. The baby boys were taken from the swings and the hands of their feared and despaired mothers. Girls and boys, men, women and elders were forced to accept the Muslim faith. • Boyana gathered her loyal friends. The girls decided not to leave in the hands of the Turks. The next day at noon, they put their best clothes, entangled wreaths of flowers on their heads, just as a holiday. They climbed to a peak above their village- Momina skala, looked with their eyes and hearts the burned homes and tears as pearls rolled from their eyes. • Boyana approached the top of a high rock, turned to her friends and smiled. She looked at the sun, clasped her hands for a prayer and jumped right into the deep abyss. • After her, her friends jumped, too.
• Boyana saved her faith and honor and didn’t bow down.
• From then the rock is named Momina skala and the village was named after the name of Boyana.
Legends About the Stone of Krali Marko
• One local legend retells about the brave heroic deeds of Krali Marko who wandered in these lands and by accident caught a glimpse of a huge piece of stone that was on his way. He tried to move it away but even his strength was not unlimited. That made it necessary to roll it through the glens and the hills of the upland. After the stone giant speeded up Krali Marko ran to the place where it was expected to fall and put some smaller rocks. When the Big one turned out there, in order to make it steady the brave Bulgarian hero hurt his little finger and it bleeded. Up to now one can see the blood of Krali Marko over the surface of the stone globe.
Legend of the Rhodope Mountain
• According to the legend about this song it was during the turkish rule. Turks went to the village of Mugla when some men were with their sheep outside of the village. They wanted to islamize the locals. They did it by force but after converting to islam some women managed to escape in the mountain and took shelter in one cave. Women put mud on their faces to look ugly and not to attract ottomans. A man returned to the village but his way was close to the cave. He saw a woman with muddy face and he continued his way. It was his girlfriend but he couldn't recognize her. She went to him, put the mud off her face and told him ''Bela sam bela yunache, cela sam sveta ogrela'' (I am white, white, hero, I shine over Bacho Kiro cave whole world). He recognized her and they kissed. But Turks found the hidden people and forced the to return to the village. From this time in this village live muslim Bulgarians. They say that the words of the girl- ''Bela sam bela yunache'' mean that even she converted to islam she is still Bulgarian, she is still white!!!
Devetashka cave
BULGARIAN MITS AND LEGENDS
Created by teachers and children from Kindergarten “Приказен свят”
Dobrich, 2013
K A L I A K R A
Kaliakra cape is place, where the rocks whisper legends. The most famous of them is about a beautiful girl Kaliakra. After the capture of the fort by the Turkish invaders, she and forty Bulgarian girls have jumped from the cliffs into the deep sea with braided hairs.They prefer the death instead slavery.
LITHUANIAN MITS AND LEGENDS
Created by teachers and children from “Ąžuolas” Catholitic Secondary School in Kaunas
KAUNAS, 2013 Alive places in fairy tales The Iron wolf
Legend of the founding of Vilnius According to the legend, Grand Duke Gediminas was hunting in the sacred forest near the Valley of Šventaragis, near where Vilnia river flows into the Neris river. Tired after the successful hunt of a wisent, the Grand Duke settled in for the night. He fell soundly asleep and dreamed of a huge Iron Wolf standing on top a hill and howling as strong and loud as a hundred of wolves. Upon awakening, the Duke asked krivis (pagan priest) Lizdeika to interpret the dream. And the priest told him: "What is destined for the ruler and the State of Lithuania, is thus: the Iron Wolf represents a castle and a city which will be established by you on this site. This city will be the capital of the Lithuanian lands and the dwelling of their rulers, and the glory of their deeds shall echo throughout the world." Therefore, Gediminas, obeying the will of gods, built the city, and took it the name Vilnius – from the stream of the Vilnia river. Gediminas castle stand here now Children paintings Puntukas
Legend of stone Puntukas A local legend has it that velnias (a devil in the Lithuanian Mythology) carried the stone to destroy the Anykščiai Church, however a rooster crowed. The devil disappeared back into the underworld, leaving only Puntukas behind. Children paintings Fairy- tale
Fir tree- a queen of grass snakes One warm summer day, Eglė, the youngest daughter of a local farmer, went bathing in the sea with her two sisters. Afterwards, returning to the shore to get dressed, she found a grass snake in her clothes. To her surprise, the snake spoke to her in a man's voice and demanded that she promise to become his wife for the return of her clothes. Eglė startled and gave a promise not knowing what can happen. Three days later a great number of snakes came to Eglė's parents' farm to claim the bride. Her relatives tricked them three times in a row. A goose, a sheep, and a cow were given instead of the girl, despite the warnings of a cuckoo. Finally, the snakes took Eglė with them to their master at the bottom of the sea. Instead of seeing a snake, Eglė met her bridegroom Žilvinas, a handsome man and the Snake Prince. They married and had four children, living happily. One day the children started asking about their mother's former home. Eglė became homesick and asked Žilvinas to allow her and the children to visit her parents' farm. Žilvinas was against it and gave her three tasks - to spin a never diminishing amount of silk, to wear out a pair of iron shoes, and to bake a pie without kitchen utensils. Eglė, however, with the help of a local witch, was able to complete them and Žilvinas had to allow Eglė and the children to go. The reunion with the family was such a happy event that Eglė's family did not want to let them return to the sea and decided to kill Žilvinas. But first, they needed to know how to get Žilvinas to appear from the sea.They demanded that the children reveal the family secret. Sensing danger, the sons refused to comply, but the youngest daughter Drebulė became frightened and revealed the secret call: Žilvinas, dear Žilvinas, If alive - may the sea foam milk If dead - may the sea foam blood..." Eglė's twelve brothers rushed to the seashore, called Žilvinas, who appeared in the snake form, and killed him. Worried, Eglė returned to the shore and called her husband, but only foams of blood returned from the sea. In her grief, after she realized that Žilvinas was dead, Eglė turned her family into trees - her sons into an oak, an ash and a birch, her daughter into a trembling aspen, and herself into a fir. Children paintings
Children with snake from fairy- tale Students are painting POLISH MITS AND LEGENDS
Created by teachers and children from Wladyslaw Szafer’s Primary school no 4 in ELK
ELK, 2013 • GNIEZNO
POLANDak głosi pradawna słowiańska ccording to an ancient Slavic legenda, przodkowie Polaków, legend, the ancestors of the Poles, MIEJSCACzechów i Rosjan wędrowali Czechs ŻYWEand Russians roamed the przez kontynent szukając miejsca continent looking for a place for na swą siedzibę. Odnaleźli je na next generations. They found it on ziemiWżyznej, POLSKICHbogatej w liczne the fertile ground, rich in herbs of stada dzikiej zwierzyny i jeziora wild game and lakes full of fishes. obfiteLEGENDACHw ryby. Rus pozostał na wschodzie Rus stood and settled on the nie mając już siły east as he had not the towarzyszyć Lechowi w strength to accompany Lech wędrówce ku zachodowi. in the journey towards the Czech znużony osiadł na west. Czech weary settled on południu. Lech dotarł do the south. Lech reached the dębowego lasu, gdzie pod oak forest, where he built a gniazdem białego orła castle under the white eagle zbudował gród na pamiątkę nest. His town named in nazwany Gnieznem. memory of Gniezno. Wkrótce Gniezno stało się pierwszą siedzibą polskich królów.
Gniezno became the seat of the first Polish kings. About Wanda, who did not want a German . Po śmierci legendarnego księcia After the death of the legendary Kraka rządziła nad Wisłą jego prince Krak, his beautiful and smart daughter governed the land piękna i mądra• GNIEZNOcórka. Jej uroda i by the Vistula. Her beauty and majątek sprawiły, że zakochał wealth meant that Rydygier - się w Wandzie niemiecki książę German prince, felt in love with Rydygier, którego księżniczka Wanda. Unfortunatly proud nie chciała poślubić. Princess did not want to marry him.
• KRAKÓW Zraniony Rydygier Hurt Rydygier decided to postanowił zemścić się na take revenge on Wanda and kill dziewczynie i zgładzić to co those who Wanda loved most – najbardziej kochała – jej lud. her people. To protect Vistulians Aby uchronić Wiślan przed against destruction, Wanda zagładą, Wanda rzuciła się threw herself into a deep current w głęboki nurt rzeki Wisły. of the river Vistula, and Rydygier Krakowianie po dziś dzień left Poland. Today Cracovians sławią imię ofiarnej Wandy. praise generous name of Wanda. Po śmierci Wandy Kraków rósł w siłę. Wkrótce stał się stolicą Polski. After the death of Wanda, Cracow became stronger and stronger. Town was established as the capital of Poland soon. Wanda ma dziś swój klub sportowy, most na Wiśle i Kopiec Wandy.
WANDA'S BRIDGE IN CRACOW
WANDA’S SPORT CLUB CRACOVIANS REMEMBER WANDA AND CELEBRATE HER FAMOUS NAME.
WANDA’S MOUND • GNIEZNO
• WARSZAWA
Mazowieccy rybacy - Mazovian fishermen, sons potomkowie Warsa i Sawy and daughters of Wars and słynęli z pracowitości. Było tam Sawa, were famous for their jednak trzech leniwych. Uknuli hard work. However there were oni, że aby wzbogacić się three lazy, who decided to get schwytają i sprzedadzą syrenę rich by selling a mermaid who • KRAKÓW mieszkającą w głębinach Wisły. lived in the depths of the Tak też uczynili. Vistula. They captured her and imprisoned. Najmłodszego z nich The youngest of them oczarowała syrena swoją watched a mermaid, but as she pieśnią, w której obiecała, że was pretty, boy felt in love with w zamian za uwolnienie będzie her. Especially in her voice. As bronić Warszawy tarczą mermaid sang a promise to i mieczem, gdy lud będzie protect Warsaw by her shield tego najbardziej potrzebował. and sword, boy let her free. The Młodzieniec nie tylko uwolnił young man not only freed the syrenkę, ale ukrył się w mermaid, but hid in the bushes nadwiślańskich zaroślach razem along the Vistula with her. z nią. Syrena strzeże Warszawy Warsaw Mermaid guards the do dzisiaj. city till now. Syrena jest obecna w Warszawie jako pomnik i popularna marka zabytkowego samochodu. Wiele słynnych Polek naśladuje Warszawską Syrenkę. Mermaid from Warsaw is present as a monument and a car brand. Many famous women want to be like her. POMORZE Na Mazurach panuje Król Sielaw. 5 Zapewnia rybakom obfite łowy. MAZURY In Mazury there is a King Sielaw. It provides a rich • GNIEZNO fishing.
• WARSZAWA
Corner of Poland has Pomorze Gdańskie Na szczęście każdy zakątekits own Polskiguards ma. strzegą dwa lwy, a Why? Because there Śląsk - niedźwiedź. swego stróża. Wszak w dziuplachare witches i skalnychand devils zakamarkachin holes and between żyją rock. In Cracow Pomerania is ŚLĄSK czarownice i diabełki, • KRAKÓW achildren w Krakowie are still dzieci afraid guarded by two of the Wawel Dragon. lions, and Śląsk by nadal boją się a bear. Wawelskiego Smoka. SPANISH MITS AND LEGENDS
Created by teachers and children from C.P. DARÍO FREÁN BARREIRA Primary School in Jarrio
Jarrio (Coana), 2013
The bridge of the kiss
The most important pirate was called Cambaral. He was well-known by his extreme cruelty. He assaulted ships, robbed, tortured, killed and kidnapped maids to sell them.
In a beautiful and picturesque village called Luarca there was a castle surrounded by strong walls, the waves came up to it when there were strong northwest winds in the Cantabric sea.
A nobleman gentleman who lived there decided to capture to the evil pirate Cambaral on his own. To do that he layed an ambush simulating to be fishers. He thought that when the pirates saw them, they tried to assault them. And it was so. In this way Cambaral was made prisoner and led to the fortress in the lookout. He was locked in the dungeon. The nobleman’s daugter, a pretty woman of very good heart, asked permission to come in the dungeon and to cure the wounds to him. They fell in love immediately. One day they decided to escape. While the girl’s father was sleeping, they met in the port. In the last moment, the gentleman of the lookout who had been warned of the flight, took them by surprise in the port. As he couldn’t support that treason, he took a sharp sword and cut both heads while their bodies stayed embraced strongly. Some time later in the same place The bridge of the kiss was built. The fishers’ neighbourhood in Luarca is called Cambaral in memory of this legend.
THE LEGEND OF MONTE PERDIDO A marvellous palace was built by the charmer of mountains’ tops , Atland. This palace is protected by walls and fortified tower, there is a wide range of gardens and grasslands inside, like heaven on earth. But the Palace is haunted, so it is only possible to come in it if you ride a flying horse.
The beech groove of Montejo
Some coalmen and woodcutters of Montejo afirm that the forest Known as El Chaparral is inhabited by very playful and curious elves and fairies who love to coax the walkers in the forest with their caresses and sweet songs. These songs carry the visitors to their dens and turn them into animals such as small lizards or robins, with the aim of provindin the forest with larger population and great charm.
The legend of SainT domingo’S Snake
Just behind Saint Domingo’s monastry, a winged snake lived in a cave. It ate monks when it was very hungry. To avoid this terrible event, the monks used to give it some bread. One day the snake died, after eating a stuffed with pins bread. VallgorgUina’S WiTcheS
In the dolmen of Pedra Gentil, in Vallgorguina town, witches had meetings on Saturday nights. They danced the witches’ dance.
TURKISH MITS AND LEGENDS
Created by teachers and children from Gaziosmanpasa Primary school in Türkoğlu
Türkoğlu (Kahramanmaraş), 2013 Welcome! Hoşgeldin! The story of Turkey’s name (etymology)
The name for Turkey in the Turkish language, Türkiye, can be divided into two words: Türk, which means “strong” in Old Turkic and usually signifying the inhabitants of Turkey or a member of the Turkish or Turkic peoples, a later form of “tu-kin”, name given by the Chinese to the people living south of the Altay Mountains of Central Asia as early as 177 BC; and the abstract suffix -iye, which means “owner” or “related to”. The first recorded use of the term “Türk” or “Türük” as an autonym is contained in the Orkhon inscriptions of the Göktürks (Sky Turks) of Central Asia (c. 8th century CE). The English word “Turkey” is derived from the Medieval Latin “Turchia” (c. 1369). KAHRAMANMARAŞ Kahranmanmaraş was known as Maraş, pronounced Marash. It received its modern name on October 7, 1973, when the Grand National Assembly of Turkey added "Kahraman" to the name. The addition of "Kahraman" ("Hero" in Turkish) was in commemoration of the victory against French forces during the Battle of Maraş in the Turkish War of Independence. After the war, Maraş also received the Turkish Medal of Independence, given to the city as a whole for such actions as the Sütçü İmam Incident. In December 1978, Kahramanmaraş was the site of a massacre of leftist Alevis. A Sunni nationalist group, the Grey Wolves, incited the violence that left over 105 dead. The incident was important in the Turkish government's decision to declare martial law, and the eventual military coup in 1980 • At Nurhak mountains, there is a crater lake is referred to as ALİ. It takes its name from a legend. According to legend, there is a shepherd with named Ali who lives this region.One day he falls in love with a rich man’s daughter. This man calls the shepherd and tells ‘ you have to spend the winter on this mountains’. Ali takes his horse and goes to mountain and he refuges in a cave near the lake. He bases on the conditions of mountains for a while but later he dies.
• According to legend the cause of death of Shepherd Ali is written on the wall. ‘’My death is not starvation, is not lack of water. My death reason is the roar of the mountain.’’ THE CASTLE OF GEBEN
• Geben Castle Commander has a beautiful girl with named Meryem ( Mary in English).South and north Castle commanders’ sons fall in love with this girl but they are unaware of each other.The both commander come to ask the girl. But the father’s of girl loves the both neighbouring castle.He says ‘I cannot decide which one would give my daughter.. • ’The north commander’s son builds rich and powerful to long and wide with smooth stones to take the girl. Meryem wants to marry with the south castle commander’s son. She submits news. He comes with his horse quietly and kidnaps te girl. After the other boy hopeless, for the ways go to the castle he builds say Meryemçil. It means the chilly. It represents the lack of the girl. NASREDDIN HODJA
• The tales of Nasreddin Hodja exist in every Turkish household as children listen to them with glee and laughter. Nasreddin Hodja is a colourful character who often told stories that always had hidden meanings or a proverb at the end. Parents repeat his stories as a life learning tool for their children. Even though not much is known about Nasreddin Hodja, it is said that he was born in 1208 in a small village. In his adult years, he showed great wit and villagers would often approach him with their problems as he always seemed to have the perfect answer. His reputation spread and the urban legend of Nasreddin Hodja was born. • Whether or not urban legends are true, they always add a colourful touch to your visit. When you visit Turkey, take some time to speak to the locals and discover the many delightful urban legends that exist locally and countrywide. ANTIOCH(ANTAKYA) • Through times of war, earthquake, turmoil, and the pursuit of pleasure, the city has remained unperturbed.Legends relating to Antakya begin with Mount Habib Neccar (Silpius) which towers behind the city. According to one such legend, the city was founded over 2300 years ago by Seleucos Nicator I, one of Alexander the Great's generals, on the spot where an eagle dropped a headless sheep from its talons. The city's future king, Seleucos Nicator, had no trouble finding a name, calling it after his beloved son Antiochus.Following the Macedonians, • Antakya frequently changed hands, being ruled in succession by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Byzantines again, Seljuks, Crusaders and Ottomans.Each stitched their own motifs into the tapestry of the city's history, forming tody'sg cultural, architectural, and ethnic synthesis. DAPNE (HARBİYE) • This was known in antiquity as Daphne, after the beautiful river nymph who fled into the forest to escape the impassioned Apollo. She pleaded for help from her father, the river god Peneus, who turned her into a bay tree to save her from Apollo's clutches. It is this poignant story which lies behind the fragrance of Antakya's famous bay leaf soap. The great majority of the mosaics in Antakya Mosaic Museum were excavated at Harbiye. They belonged to the magnificent temples and palaces which once graced this idyllic spot. SAMANDAG(ÇEVLİK)
• Another interesting place to visit near Antakya is Cevlik just north of the town of Samandag. Here you can see the extraordinary Roman water tunnel built by Titus, rock tombs, and the shrine of Hizir. MAIDEN TOWER, in Istanbul • According to the most popular Turkish legend, a sultan had a much beloved daughter. One day, an oracle prophesied that she would be killed by a venomous snake on her 18th birthday. The sultan, in an effort to thwart his daughter's early demise by placing her away from land so as to keep her away from any snakes, had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus to protect his daughter until her 18th birthday. The princess was placed in the tower, where she was frequently visited only by her father. On the 18th birthday of the princess, the sultan brought her a basket of exotic sumptuous fruits as a birthday gift, delighted that he was able to prevent the prophecy. Upon reaching into the basket, however, an asp that had been hiding among the fruit bit the young princess and she died in her father's arms, just as the oracle had predicted. Hence the name Maiden's Tower. Nemrut Mount You can admire the sunset on Mount Nemrut. This is a world-famous ancient megalithic site and one of the most interesting tourist attractions of Turkey. It is often considered the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World. At the summit of this approximately 2000 meter mountain lies the ruins of the ancient Commagene Kingdom which was at its height of power during the 1st century B.C. The most remarkable feature of the Mount Nemrut site is the giant stone heads of ancient gods. It is said to be the king’s tomb, although no grave has ever been found there. Who really built it and why? How far back might it date? It is still a mystery even today. The House of the Virgin Mary, in Dalyan, and Kounos A sacred shrine located on Mt. Koressos. Discovered in the nineteenth century, this stone house has been a site of pilgrimage for over a century. The faithful believe it is the place where St. John brought Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to reside at the end of her life. The rock-cut tombs along the riverbanks, traditionally dated back to the 9th century B.C. and earlier, are enveloped in mystery. The Sarıkız legend, who believed to have lived in a large area in the Edremit Gulf and rituals about it, and its social and cultural effectsare dealt with. Sarıkız post hugs everyone, and people believe that it helps people reach their wishes. Its free to visit. A composition of beliefs held and practiced around it has been formed. It accupies an important place in our popular culture because it reflects the different aspects of the human psychology and culture. Cleopatra’s Island, in Antalya
• This urban legend tells of the romantic love story that exists between two of history’s most prolific characters, Marc Anthony and Cleopatra. It is said that Marc Anthony loved Cleopatra with so much passion that he shipped sand over from Egypt and scattered it on a small island off the Mediterranean coast.
• The name of the island is Cleopatra’s island. No one knows if this urban legend is true, however, scientists have reported that the grains of sand on this island are different from other beaches in the area. We like to believe that it is true as we never scoff at a romantic tale of heroism and a leading lady! See you later!