Rich and Enduring Information of a Vast and Infinite Magnitude
The style
The costumes used for I perfectly knew I was w/Afra Saraçoğlu gave an impression as if they were made for the ballet. Of course the theme also included ballet itself. The fantasy and mythical elements were prominent in the costume pieces she wore for the project, with fabrics of pale shades, including pink, green and cherry red. Her ballet shoes were dainty and dollish and provided the perfect classical touch to Afra's transcendental and swan like presence and her dream to perform on Broadway as she mentioned in her interview. I perfectly knew I was w/ Afra Saraçoğlu | Based Istanbul .
The Girl with the pearl EARRING
Such Elysian beauty is seen here. A mystery, an outstanding fortitude and self respect amongst the deep softness of femininity can be seen in her expression in this picture. She is certain of her pathway and her place in life. Her maturity allows her to venture forward and organise her life and become content with the rewards of her ambition. There is a prominent divinity within this historical beauty akin to an angelic like essence with the power of something bigger than ego. She wears not an earing, but the pearls are within her eyes and they are unreadable yet magnfincnet in there coolness and softness of a girls heart.
Her work and drama shows
MORE ON FAZILET
On the topic of argument scenes and confrontation scenes from this drama, Ece undergoes a striking transformation: from a timid, tearful child into a figure of sudden resolve and strength. Her bearing shifts decisively, and her conduct becomes that of someone who cannot be easily dismissed or overcome in conflict. Within moments, Saraçoğlu commands these scenes through her voice and physical restraint alone. She emerges as a compelling screen presence in both states, as the vulnerable, crying Ece and as the newly emboldened, resolute Ece. Moving seamlessly between a more fragile dearness and then speaking with a mature sangicity. Thus she blooms as the moral centre of the conflict. Her performance in scenes, in which there is conflict, sparkle with a maturity that transcends age, allowing her to leave a legacy of both innocence and conviction without contradiction. There are many such examples of scenes like this from Fazilet and her daughter's, where Her tears unfold with an unguarded intensity, and her anguished cries seem to breach the confines of the space around her. As she speaks, an unmistakable momentum builds , an emotional ascent that gives the scenes such pure distinct force. One senses her determination to give full expression to the character’s inner turmoil, and this rising energy becomes visibly beautiful. Argument and conflict scenes are powerful moments. Even when positioned on the weaker side of the confrontation, when Afra plays Ece, her clarity and command of language allow her presence to prevail. There is a distinct authority in the way she raises her voice, a form of strength that gives such a spirit to her work. Saraçoğlu expands Ece’s previously subdued presence through controlled intensity, dominating the scene even without fully elevating her voice.
Ece is defined by her kindness and her gentle response to adversity. Saraçoğlu renders this sensitivity with precision, particularly when Ece becomes the target of others’ cruelty. Ece’s desire to please, especially her mother, exists alongside a sincere reluctance to harm anyone. She avoids conflict, is untouched by vanity, and remains steadfast in her principles. Her compassion is evident and, most notably in her scene with Hazan, where her warm and tender offer of sisterly companionship conveys beauty and a sweetness that is rare for an actress to convey. When she is nurtured, she seems to glow with quiet joy; when reprimanded, her sorrow is profound and unrestrained. Yet when confronted with injustice, her restrained authority, often expressed through silence, becomes formidable. The interplay between fragility and indomitability in Saraçoğlu’s physical presence, is a duality that is rich with splendour
From episode five there are scenes of much power that convey Eces story with such beauty and emotion. . These scenes introduce a deeper moral inquiry, exploring the tension between desire for wealth and also the want for virtue. Is it wrong to want more from life? Is the longing for comfort, stability, and material security inherently greedy? All characters, Fazilet, Hazan and Ece are forced to confront this notion at different times in the series. Hazan near the end, Fazilet and Ece throughout the entirety of this.
At this stage, Ece remains under the moral influence of her mother, uncertain whether following her guidance is right or wrong.
Ece herself resists allowing these impulses to govern her actions. The audience witnesses her internal struggle as she attempts to reconcile want with conscience. Her kindness toward her mother remains intact, and it is only through Fazilet’s persuasion that she begins to contemplate wealth and status. Yet this episode forces Ece to confront her mother's ways directly. Her tears stem not from envy, but from the moral dissonance she perceives in the situation. Want, the scene, in episode 5, suggests, is not inherently corrupt; it is instead natural.
There is a deeper idea that one may seek material comfort while also yearning for moral integrity and goodness.
Ece perceives both paths simultaneously, and her tears articulate a universal human longing for balance between them an this is a balance Fazilet herself does not want to acknowledge.
. Scenes like this become an expression of her characters recognition of life’s moral fractures, the quiet injustices that surround Eces daily existence are shown throughout this journey
Ece is consistently cast in the role of the misunderstood. She rarely articulates her own experiences, and instead internalizes blame for circumstances beyond her control. Despite a profound and enduring kindness, she faces persistent challenges in being truly seen or comprehended by those around her. This renders her a character delicately reliant upon the benevolence of others, her sensitivity requiring careful stewardship. In these early episodes, Ece embodies an almost ethereal compliance: she seeks to honor her mother, offers quiet solace to her sister, and sustains a serene, composed presence. Even after saving Sinan Egemen’s life, acknowledgment is scarcely afforded — nor, it seems, expected. Her heart, untainted and innocent, moves through the world with the gentle grace of a sleeping beauty, illuminating her surroundings simply by her presence.
Figure 3., Ece is caught between mother confrontation with her mother and the staff of the house.
Figure 4. Ece explores one of the rooms in the mansion.
It is this episode that Afra proves herself to be a most powerful actress of her era. The scene where she talks to Mr Hazim about the perfume is riveting and perhaps the most emotionally composed performance from an actress. She is such an angelically strong actress that expresses the deepest of emotions in the most authentic, understated and profound way possible. Her epic delivery and her encompassing goodness takes hold of the heart of the audience and really adds such rare emotional depth to scenes like this. She spoke with dedicated, mature conviction. She understood the depth of the emotion she was conveying with purity and self respect within herself. The best poets are the ones who have lived life and enriched themselves in its sweetness. The lady Afra Saraçoğlu has indeed portrayed the deeper complexities of human nature in her performances. There is such moral understanding in her performance as can be seen from this astonishing scene alone. She is a great lady. One of the greatest actresses of the era . From the breadth of her work especially in Yalı Çapkını no one has ever come close to such nuanced emotional deliveries. Her work in Yalı Çapkını showed life within her was sparkling and this great dramatic power of performance became the heart of each of her scenes.
Figure 6, Afra graces paris during fashion week march
In an interview, she mentioned she likes to play the drums and wished she started earlier. Her schedule is busy with her working on weekends as well.
Life is here to to be lived to the fullest, to dream and to work to enrich each day before we wake to the next. Afra mentions that she preferes the winter to the the summer even though she winter is cold. Winter indeed brings a magic to the night. the dawn of winter is more romantic and beautiful then the dawn of summer. The red sun, the pink clouds and the dark blue skies, the white frost sparkles in the pale sun of December. The nights are earlier and the dawns are later. The sleepy warmth within compless the person to his place of work.
holiidays in America
Afra has visited America on many occasions to see her relatives and family. Some beautiful things can be discovered about her from these trips. She likes to cook, she likes Broadway in America and she likes to travel. During the last month she visited Virginia and cooked lovely food for her family. It is said she likes to cook lovely food in the kitchen for all of her family and making deserts is her favourite.
This is a sweet quality because Seyran also cooks lovely breakfasts on Yali Capkini as well as lentil soup. She is full of love and life and the simpler things about her are just as special and beautiful as the qualities she shows in the spotlight. Her ordinary qualities are dear and wonderful and it is clear that those who know her cherish these qualities very well. On this post her family member wrote the caption "she made it delicious ❤". This dish looks very carefully prepared and served with a warm heart.
Phildephia, virginia and new york
The joy of traveling the world, living and experiencing each country is an ambition of Afra as heard from an interview and it is lovely to see that this ambition has been realised. Who is this lady? Only those closest to her will ever discover the deeper heart and really it is not for the world to know, and yet from her pictures on vacation it can be gathered that America is a dear place to her that causes her to smile. She visited America a few times and she also visited her friends in New York, during the summer of 24. Here she celebrated football as seen from photos. The sun is always beautiful and vibrant, filled with sparkle.
Virginia, spain, AUSTRIA and Greece (Italy too)- sunny holidays
She has also been to many other countries such as Austria, Italy and Greece, as seen from her Instagram post.. It was evident that in Austria, the sound of music was really with her as she smiled and the blue lakes reflected the glittering nature of life.
Antalya and edremit
To generally describe things about her personality, Afra, the lady, is a girl who is sensitive and pure. She has the heart of a dove and yet those whom are dearest to her, she guides them well. She is mature and wise, and her love is both nurturing and sweet. She cares for those dearest to her with a tender grace. She likes to cook, and the ways in which she loves her little dog, shows this deep nurturing care she gives to those who she loves. Her life is one made up of hard work as well as family and love. She and her mother are very dear to one another and it is beautiful and heartfelt to see her talk about the bond she has with her mother. She wishes for her privacy to be respected and hopefully the Turkish media learn to do this in the future.
Afra is the most sensible girl, and even though she can be very playful and fun with her friends, she is a deeply mature, profoundly sophisticated lady. Her timeless grace deserves to be noted in history. She is able to become the voice of reason due to her inner emotional and moral wisdom gained from hard work and caring for her family. To those whom she gives her love and respect she strengthens them in times of weakness just by the purity of her silences alone and her moral aid to their nature.
The sweet hearted girl will become strong in times of hardship and this has allowed her to reach her childhood dreams of becoming a actress. She worked so very hard as a child model and even if these things are little known in the public or media, the hard work and difficulties that she has faced should always be respected. Those who love her are proud of her strength and kindness.
In Afra'a own words from an early interview she spoke about her childhood.
My mother used to work all day. I started working at a young age to earn my own money. I worked as a child model to support the family. I learned to stand on my own two feet. These things made me mature......
when speaking about her mother she said
....Her life became mine, my life became hers.
Her name means moon, and desert flower.
Antalya life.
Antalya is a coastal seaside city on the southern mediterranean shores of Turkey. It is known for its's subtropical climate and it's clean and refreshing street atmosphere. It is a very beautiful Turkish city with mountainous landscapes that surround it. The winters are rainy and mild. Antalya is known for its's cliffs . The rich historical and geographical environment and formations have crafted the city of Antalya. It was home to many ancient civilizations that have enriched the current historical heritage of the city. The mediterranean beauty of the city as well as its sunny climate is also another reason why the city is very special in Turkey. Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera because of the rich historical past and natural beauties. Afra moved to this city with her mother during her childhood.
The coast is known to be refreshing and sparkling in all aspects because of its vibrant mix of heritage and climate. The following paragraph about Antalya is cited from an article titled The Recent Changes In Place Formation And The Traditional City Identity Of Antalya written by: Rüya E, htiyar1 Akdeniz University, Volkan Altintaş Bonn University Aylin, Aktaş Alan, Akdeniz University, Seher Oren, Akdeniz University. It provides ample information about the rich historical and natural beauties of Antalya and the region.
The Mediterranean costs of 640 km. length are embellished with archaic cities, monument graves, charming harbors, golden beaches, and Mediterranean-blue beaches, forests embracing the sea, tropical plants, orange yards and waterfalls. At the back side of these mythological legendary costs, snow capped Taurus Mountains rise. It is a very rich province of us in terms of natural beauties, maintaining still its feature of being the center of an important settlement area on the south of Turkey just like during the history..... One of the most important elements determining the identity of the city is the cliffs extending on east and west directions. Antalya is the place where world’s travertines are spread out with their all features. The travertines have a cliff of approximately 20 km. length and 39 m height on the shore. Antalya has gained a universal city identity with its characteristics and undebatable values.
The section in the article includes more information about the ancient history of Antalya
The history of Antalya goes back to the Stone Age. The proof of this is the findings of Paleolithic age found out in Karain Cave near to Yağca Village. These findings are the evidence of the fact that first human being remains were encountered in this period. Moreover, Antalya is one of our unique cost cities which have been successful to protect the historical values and elements of Rome, Byzantine, the Seljuk and the Ottoman till today.
Figure 13. A woman walks past an antique store in antalya
figure 14. The majestic Roman theatre in the old town of Side, Turkey.
Figure 15. This old THEATRE in Aspendos ANCIENT city Serik/Antalya is still used to host events and concerts
Afra as Ece in Fazilet Hanım ve Kızları
Continued
We now turn to Episode 6. Following the intense emotional scene with Hazim, when she admits to taking the perfume, there is a scene that is akin to the power of that one in its beauty. Ece endures further harsh treatment, most notably concerning the perfume she accidentally took and the ring Yasin gave her, which her mother subsequently discovered. This series of misunderstandings and reprimands leaves her with nothing but to flee with Yasin and flee from all that Fazilet represents. Yet even amidst such defeat and relentless bullying, she retains her own goodness. At this juncture in the series, emotional fragility drives her actions.
In Episode 7, Ece tearfully confides to her sister, expressing, with raw anguish, that she is “so tired of being in-between,” explaining that her decision to leave home was entirely her own. Ece’s placid kindness often places her in the position of mediator, attempting to reconcile the desires of her sister, mother, and lover. Yet in striving to satisfy all, she is consistently left caught in the middle, enduring reprimands and judgment from each side , a tension that ultimately compels her to seek refuge elsewhere.
When Ece asserts herself, her voice is imbued with such beautiful emotion, conveying the depth of her inner suffering. Her tears, like flickering embers, are untamed yet beautifully intense, radiating a burning energy beneath their softness. Ece is a girl charting her own course, homeless and searching for the warmth of true home. Unlike Hazan, who rebels openly, Ece’s soft-hearted nature compels her to resist overt confrontation, allowing her sorrow to spill forth with greater intensity. Her tearful voice becomes a conduit for loneliness and yearning. Within the log cabin, a subtle peace replaces the grandiose confines of the mansion; she is no longer subject to the dictates of wealth or her mother's expectation, and so she discovers serenity in the beauty of love. .
The preceding episode had seen her wounded by both Selin and her mother, In these moments, Afra delivers a beautiful phone-call scene with her Hazan over the phone. Her strong emotional delivery, is the emotional rose of the performance and she makes Ece’s narrative so much more powerful and special to the audience.
The tenderest aspects of sorrow, the most profound dimensions of a girl’s vulnerability, entirely through her voice are beautifully conveyed in this scene. It is infused sweetly with subtlety and depth, and this tender strength truly is unparalleled, and the luminous tableau of emotions reveal a story that is alive. Her presence, vibrant and commanding, is akin to the white glow of flames that illuminate the log cabin; a quiet yet undeniable force, guiding the narrative with its warmth and intensity
to 6. Following the intens
The Beautiful Maturity of Ece
Ece demonstrates that she is capable of cultivating a serene and fulfilling domestic life within the farmhouse. She requires none of the material luxuries her mother assumes are essential; instead, she proves herself even more sustaining and dependable than her family often credit her for. Both sisters contrast with their mother in this regard, unburdened by rustic surroundings. The simplicity of rural life suits Ece perfectly: she is neither driven by conflict nor ambition, but rather guided by a desire to remain genuine and kind to those around her. She maintains order in the household, quietly becoming the heart of the kitchen, a stabilizing presence amid the turbulence of her life with her sister and mother.
When she is discovered in the forest, Ece encounters Yasif Egemen, the second eldest son, who has been searching for her alongside Hazan. Alone in the forest, he brings her back to his home. , Ece confronts him directly, dispelling her preconceptions of him as a “cold CEO, unapproachable,” and communicates her impressions with frank honesty. Her journey leads her into kinder, more welcoming spaces, and by Episode 8, Ece returns home after being found (fig. 22). The bond she shares with Fazilet in these moments is at once endearing, quirky, and tender, revealing warmth and care beneath their complex mother daughter interactions.
Afra conveys the subtle shifts in Ece’s emotions when Hazan triumphs in the beauty contest instead of her. Her silences are laden with mystery, and her opaque energy keeps the audience in constant anticipation of Ece’s reactions, whether anger, sorrow, or quiet disapproval.
Afra’s performance seamlessly balances softness with assertive power. The ability to be unpredictable is among the most revered qualities in an actor, and she has mastered it, employing silences and nuanced expressions that convey thoughtfulness and a profound moral consciousness. She portrays a girl who has been “spoiled” by her mother’s attention to her appearance; it is only natural that, having been primed with the expectation that she would outshine all others, Ece experiences feelings of loss, betrayal, and neglect when that attention shifts to Hazan. Afra communicates this childlike immaturity and yearning for recognition with both conviction and authenticity. The raw, untamed sadness of a sensitive heart emerges through her powerful emotional expressions, creating scenes that are at once heart-wrenching and strikingly real.
In Episode 9, Ece is returned once more to the mansion. In her scene with Hazim Efendi, she conveys profound conviction, wisdom, and self-respect through the subtle eloquence of her gaze. Her expression radiates an atmosphere of valor and refined sophistication. In this moment, it becomes unmistakably clear that Ece embodies gallantry (fig. 23). Afra Saraçoğlu, though remarkably young, projects a maturity that is striking in both nuance and intensity. Through her performance, she renders the vivid textures of Ece’s heart and inner life with remarkable grace and strength — a presence that resonates in every scene she inhabits.
By Episode 10, Afra reveals a more intellectual facet of Ece, coupled with a quietly confident energy, particularly during her exchanges with Yasif. She carries herself with steadiness and poise, even amidst the most challenging arguments, demonstrating an unshakable composure and an emerging command over her environment.
Figure 20. She becomes beholden to the forest rains and the lightning and thunder as she tries to escape from Yasif Engermen in Episode 7 she is then found again and returned to safety .
Figure 21. Episode 8: Afra as Ece
Figure 22. Ece is reunited with her mother
Figure 22. The raw morality of Saraçoğlu's expression shows Ece's inner growth as a character.
The Lady's Dream
With a yearning ferocity Ece's tears glisten as she cries for the loss of her house. This is a turning point for Fazilet and her daughters. And yet the old little home is part of both Hazan's and Ece's childhood, the sad part of growing up for both girls has begun. Afra can convey the sparkling hope of a dream within her eyes. There is such a bravery within her and such a form of deep determination seen from her most early roles. This determination is conveyed within her modelling and her perfect performance as Ece, , is no exception. The deep tenacity is within Ece, the lady's dream, something that cannot be put into words. The vibrancy of each tear, the wisdom of her each glance and the sweetness of each thought fills this series with such a power only because of her presence alone. The warmth she brings to the performance is so rare and charming and really one of a kind. It is evident from the first 12 episodes that Afra Saraçoğlu is about to dazzle Turkey and the profession of the arts with her sparkling eternal presence. This is no ordinary woman and she has so much power and magic within her heart and this is evident every time she graces the screen in these early episodes of Fazilet Hanım ve Kızları.
With the delicacy of a buttercup and the eternal beauty of a white rose, the new chapter of Ece's world is portrayed by the enchanting and mysterious Afra Saraçoğlu.
FOOTBALL
In an interview Afra says she has a love for football and fenerbahçe fc. She mentions, this is because of her mother's love for football when she was growing up. Afra got used to watching football when she was little because her mother would passionately watch the Tv matches with great joy and emotion. Afra prefers to watch their matches at the stadium.
The world that we live is very flashy and full of galas and events but I like remaining simple, living my private life away from the flashy world. (an english translation of what she said in the interview)
Her name means White, clean soil. She liked the show Avrupa Yakası and would imitate the character Burhan Altıntop, This was the show she mainly watched when she was younger and from here she wished to become an actress.
Antalya
When she moved to Antalya the longing to play something, any character, was with her. She began to write scripts for characters and with her freinds she would write these scripts for superhero characters in Akçay as well. She set about modelling at age 13 in order to support her family and therefore she had to navigate the seemingly unrelenting sphere of beauty standards at this young age. She says her soul is old, because becoming the one who helped her family allowed her to become mature.
She likes Da Vinci as a her favourite historical figure. During her interview she comes across as very rational but with such poise and kindness. She speaks from a pragmatic stance. Her smile is sparkly and enspirited. She really is beautiful when she talks . Her favourite food is chips and hamburgers and she doesn't like to lie.
During this interview it is clear that she is full of life, and when she speaks, both care and perfection create such a nurturing quality within her and she sparkles with animation and such profundity of beauty within each laugh and smile. She is genuine and kind and she brings with her the grace of a lady.
As a child she had the instinct to lead the way. She would sit in the front seat in the taxi and she would walk in front of her mother. this s a very beautiful thing and shows her love for her family. She also likes masculine fashion and this is perhaps why business style suits her personality so aptly. She also took piano lessons as well. Her interests included dance, hip-hip and breakdance, K - pop dance.
THE SAFETY OF AKÇAY TO ISTANBUL
In Akçay she spent her early childhood and then she went with her mother to Antalya, she studied in Eskişehir and now she lives in Istanbul . The waters are cold in Akçay and there is mineral water there. It is a safe environment. She studied comparative literature and was doing a language at high school and she liked the city of Eskişehir and this led her to apply to study the language German and study at the university. After seeing an Instagram post on his account notifying of a new project her mother messaged the director of the film Second Chance: Özcan Deniz, After seeing that he had started shooting for the film she was lucky to get through to him. They needed a girl with colourful eyes to play the daughter of Nurgül . She was then invited to Istanbul for audition. The company called two days later whilst she was in Eskişehir in order for her to meet with Mr Özcan and she was then confirmed for the role.
She said in the interview that she has always felt something like this would happen and her strong feelings about her becoming an actress proved truthful. At 17 years old this was a big responsibility for her to complete such a role without ever having experienced the profession before.
Flavours of Akçay and Scents of the Aegean
The BEAUTIFUL Coastal town on the north eastern shores of the Aegean
For more information about the Aegean region read here
There are shops for many things , and the pretty shore swirls with the scent of the Aegean , natural beauty, and little cafes. There is safety here and a quiet and serene friendly people . The sun is very mystical and big. The skies are magnificent and atmospheric. The friendships and the community are kind and welcoming and bring fruits to guests. The Hasan Boğuldu is a waterfall and the water is jewel toned and glistening . The place s greatly revered for its exceptionally pure and fresh air. The thermal springs , Kaz Mountains. There is a wealth of history and legends of Troy and Greek mythology that is preserved within its landscape and little mountain villages. The town is located at the foothills of the Kaz mountains and is known as the "water town" amongst the locals. The cold water springs and Artesian wells are special to the town. The golden age of Akçay was a time when the town experienced the urbanisation.
The mountain air is mind blowing. Mount Ida and the Kaz mountains are home to some special trees and plants that are used as raw medicine as well as the oxygen which is marvellously pure. The Kaz Mountains are known to home to the Greek Gods. The springs are mint scented near the Kraz mountains and peaks pierce the white clouds glinting in the Akçay sun . Along the beachfront there are many restaurants with a varied and rich cuisine. The architecture of the mosques are of course dazzling and add to the rich historical heritage of the town. The town is renowned as a Tourism paradise due to its deep historical association with legends and artifacts that date back thousands of years and more. The natural beauties here are also beyond compare and skies and coastline is clean and spectacular.
The Kaz Mountains
The treasure of architecture, historical ancient civilisations and legends has gathered here. The magical mythical tales that sparkle like gems beneath the surface of the blue rippling spring and swirl within the breeze of mountain Ida is bound enthrall and enchant. The sweet whispers of the pine trees make the air pure and the mountain breeze is filled with The immortal love of Hasan and Emine. The air is so pure it is akin to the alps. Kaz means goose in Turkish and there is a connection between the two names for the mountains the other name being Ida.
The BEAUTIFUL Coastal town on the north eastern shores of the Aegean
The cool water spring
The town
This is a picture of the Mosque Akçay Merkez Karabaş Camii. The Mosque, built in 1989, is located in the center of Akçay neighborhood. It consists of a single minaret and a domed structure. The main door is wooden and made using the kundekari technique. An elegant minaret stands out inside. The sermon lectern is also wooden and is notably of beautiful craftsmanship . Upon walking down the stairs you can go to many places in the market to drink tea. The Mosque is also close to the glittering promenade where one can stroll happily through the magical Aegean sea salt breeze. The sweet smell from the café's that serve the best Turkish cuisine is also here. Most amazingly there is a lovely little restaurant called Fazilet Hanim Manti Evi. In true Fazilet style the food is properly home cooked and delicious. The vibrancy of the market centre is very pretty. Through the center of the market opposite the Mosque there is a grocery store called Kazdağı Çiftlik which sells natural food. The customers that have been shopping there for many years recommend the cold pressed olive oils. There is also a pastry shop called Ata Furun Cafe that sells fresh dry cakes and rare desserts and this will be explored in volume 3.
The sun setting in a golden pink market and the view of the beautiful and majestic Akçay Merkez Karabaş Camii. A secret treasure of edremit is indeed this little town.
an Akçay road
Fazilet Hanim Manti Evi
The menu includes stuffed zucchini , manti, dried meatballs, meatballs and delicious olive oil dishes, karnıyarık, stuffed vine leaves with olive oil and lentil soup. The stuffed squash blossoms are notably very beautiful. There is also ravioli, stuffed cabbage, and stuffed zucchini flowers. Also the food is completely made with olive oil and is very delicious. The location is conveniently located in the city centre. Rice wraps are also served as well as stuffed vine leaves, green beans, spinach boran and artichoke. The shop changed positions once and moved 100 meters. people who talk about the place cay it is like eating at there mothers house because the food is home cooked and the atmosphere is warm and kind. The portions are large and beautiful.
Read more about the restaurant Fazilet Hanim Manti Evi in volume 3
Kazdağı Çiftlik shop
Olives, olive oil, breakfast sauce, hot pepper jam. tahini, 8 thieves vinegar and pomegranate syrup are all delicious local products sold in the grocery store. The customers favour the mixed village breakfast and Mediterranean toast. These breakfast dishes are liked because they are also fresh.
Akçay Sahil
Afra mentions that this place is very safe and a "place of her own" and indeed this little town is very homely and cosy with richness of life on the shores of the dear Aegean. The restaurants, cuisine and architecture bring a golden vibrancy and the mountains near are rich with special history and myths. Such a sweet hometown with warm hearts and eternal memories enriches the foothills of the Kaz mountains and glitters upon the dreamlike shores of the dear Aegean sea
the legends of the mout kaz
The villages that are nestled below the mountain are filled with myths and ancient secrets
the following passefes are cited directly from https://www.dailysabah.com/life/travel/mount-ida-turkiyes-alps-mount-of-anatolian-legends-greek-myths
Let's start with an Anatolian legend that gave its name to one of the southernmost peaks of the mountain, which have endless myths and legends. (the next volume will include the next legend)
Legend of Sarıkız
Once upon a time, a blonde girl, who was widely known as Sarıkız, and her father used to live in a village known as Kavurmacılar. The father and daughter had moved to this village from Çanakkale's Ayvacık after her mother passed away.
In this village, they were living happily. Sarıkız was so beautiful, so charming that everyone in the village admired her. Sarıkız's father went on a pilgrimage one day. Upon his departure, he entrusted his daughter to his neighbor. Of course, it took a long time to go on a pilgrimage back then. During this time, the young men of the village, who took advantage of her father's departure, all sought Sarıkız's hand. However, none of them won her heart, so she turned them all away.
When her father returned from the pilgrimage, no one in the village looked at her father's face. Her father asked his neighbor after noticing such peculiar behavior from others. His neighbor informed him that the whole village has been talking about Sarıkız and said that she had gone astray. The neighbor told her father that he had to kill his daughter because of the rumors about her and that he could only maintain his honor in this way. However, her father refused to commit such a deed, and instead, left his daughter with a few geese on the summit of Mount Ida.
Time flew and years later her father heard rumors that Sarıkız was still alive. The old man set out for the mountain. When he reaches the top, what should he see: His daughter was there. Sarıkız and her father embrace and catch up on the years. Then Sarıkız's father said that he would do ablution and asked his daughter for water. Somehow, Sarıkız reached out her hand from where they were at the summit to the valleys down below and brought water to her father. He was stunned. How can this be, how can his daughter reach down to the valley from such a height?
At that moment, the father understood his daughter was no longer a simple human and that she had attained sainthood. He realized all the villagers had lied, and they had slandered his daughter. As soon as the secret unfolded, Sarıkız suddenly disappeared. Her father wandered to and fro on the summit of Mount Ida with a heavy heart. Finally, he died on a hill of the mountain. The locals made a grave for Sarıkız and her father. The hill where Sarıkız's grave is located is known as Sarıkız Hill today, and her father's grave is right next to her, on a hill that is now called Baba (Father) Hill.
Today, every year in August, local people and visitors from all around visit these hills to commemorate Sarıkız and her father. In the festivals, called "Sarıkız Türkmen Festivals," sacrifices are made at the summit, offerings are made and prayers are offered in hope of a good year.