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Istanbul Tulip Festival
Many people associate Tulips with Holland, and the Keukenhof Gardens of Lisse, Netherlands are world famous, but did you know that Tulips are native to the Asian steppes in Turkey? During the 16th century Tulips were imported to Europe by traders of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. It is said that the Europeans confused the word tulbend - the old Turkish word for muslin, describing the turbans that the traders wore- and introduced the unknown flower as the tulipe. |
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Throughout history the Tulip flower has been a symbol of Istanbul and to celebrate the role that Tulips have played in the Turkish arts and culture the city has hosted a Tulip Festival every spring since 2005. The festival runs the entire month of April.
This year over 30 million bulbs were planted in public parks, along the streets and in front of public buildings through out the city.
Treat yourself to a virtual visit at http://howtoistanbul.com/en/istanbul-tulip-festival/5911#prettyPhoto |
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One of the highlights at last year's Tulip Festival the was the large floral carpet planting of 500,000 tulip bulbs in a highly geometric pattern covering 1,500 square yards. |
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