hen the Muslim Turks from Central Asia settled in Anatolia, they built stately mosques with their elegant interior decorations, their imposing domes and minarets that proclaim their Islamic beliefs that God is One. Each and every one is a magnificent work of art. At the same time, the Turks have cared for the places of worship that belonged to the people who were resident in Anatolia before them. They have continued to respect the religious beliefs and practices of people of differing faiths.

The roots of the Christian Church are in Palestine and Anatolia. Three of the most ancient branches of the worldwide Church of Christ, namely the Armenian, Syrian and Greek Orthodox churches, are essentially Anatolian in character.

History has never been so generous to any land as it has to the lands on which we are living. People who lived here long before history began developed material and spiritual values that they offered to humanity. Of these, one of the most important is Christianity.

These lands are where many Christian religious leaders have lived, also the Ecumenical Councils took place and Christianity was formally accepted by an Empire - an important turning point in the history of Christianity.

Turkey is exciting and entertaining. With pleasant climate and the vitality of the people (most of the population is young), the country offers a great variety of interests to a great variety of tastes. In short, Turkey and Turkish people may get in your blood if your understand them and you keep on coming back.

Turks are known for their hospitality, their friendliness, their tolerance and their sensitivity. These traits put the Turks always on the side of oppressed people; thus it is one of the rare countries in the world where you do not observe discrimination.

Since the early days of the Ottoman Empire Turks have opened their doors and their arms to those who have been oppressed or persecuted. In 1492, the same year in which she sent Christopher Columbus on his way across the Atlantic, Queen Isabella exiled all the Jewish resident of Spain (to say nothing of the Muslim Moors, whom she had defeated them). This happened, remember, more than 500 years ago, in an era of religious intolerance and persecution. The Ottoman Sultan Beyazit II sent ships to Spain to welcome the exiled Jews of Spain to Anatolia. In 1856 the Ottoman citizens, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, became equal under the law; most of the important government positions were held by non-Muslims.

In Istanbul the presence of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate, the Rabbinate, and many active churches and synagogues points to the Turks' respect for the beliefs of other people.

In their time, Paganism, Christianity and Judaism flourished in Anatolia where ninety-nine percent of the population is now Muslim. St.Paul started on his travels from Anatolia to spread Christianity. Soon after that St.John addressed letters to the seven churches located in western Anatolia: his warnings are found in the Book of Revelation. Seven Ecumenical Councils took place here. Cappadocia was the place where early Christians escaped from persecution by hiding in caves or in the underground dwellings. There they painted beautiful frescoes. Southwestern Anatolia was the home of St.Nicholas, better known in the west as Santa Claus.

Located on the crossroads of civilizations between Europa and Asia for thousand of years, Anatolia has been home to people of different races, nationalities, and beliefs who have intermarried and coexisted in peace. They share the same legacy, beauties, advantages, and disadvantages of this country, so rich in fables and legends.

We like to share the splendors of our country with visitors, whoever they are and wherever they come from. In the words of our 13th-century mystic poet Rumi (Mevlane):

Come, come again, whoever, whatever you may be, come:
Heathen, fire worshiper, sinful of idolatry, come.
Come even if you have broken your penitence a hundred times,
Ours is not the portal of despair and misery; come.