Turkey in Europe!

Here comes trouble?

The EU has agreed to open its doors and allow Turkey into its fold.At least in talks with them for to join our club.

However Turkey has already spent a considerable amount of time in EU and non-EU Europe.Though this was way back in the 15Th and 16Th centuries.Turkey under Suleiman the magnificent and Mehmet the II,got as far as pitching their tents up at the gates of Vienna.At this point they had under their domain all of the Balkan countries and a large part of Hungary(The middle third of its territory.However Hungary as we know it now,is a third of its total size at that time).

They ruled over Hungary for almost 160 years.This was of course as an occupying force.Not as it would be now,as a friendly relationship.

You can still find a few remainders left of this earlier Turkey inclusion.Some of them negative.As in the depopulation and deforestation.Especially notable in the Great plain.

At 12 o'clock everyday church bells ring out across the country.In celebration of the victory over the Turks at Nandorfehervar in 1456,today Belgrade in Serbia.Marking the halt of the Muslim advance and the saving of Europe.

For architecture,the best examples remaining are in Pecs(see my previous blog).Plus a couple in Eger,which is in the North-east.Here you will find a minaret and thermal baths from this time(still in use today).The castle bears the scars of 2 sieges.One Hungary won in 1552.The inspiration for the legendary Egri bikaver(Bulls blood wine).Because after downing it and staining their beards.They fought with a renewed strength as if they had drunk the blood of bulls.Also for the popular book Egri csillagok(in English 'The eclipse of the crescent moon').However the sequel in 1596 Turkey won.

They left behind,notably in Budapest a few fine remaining bath houses,which again are still in use.As the Turkish enthusiastically took up the bathing culture from where the Romans had left off.And then the Hungarians after them.

The Paprika,which is one of the popular symbols of Hungary.Was possibly brought to Europe with the Turks.

The biggest impact from Turkey,though in fact the entire western world can thank them for.You can find in every high street,a little Turkish delight,but I'm not talking about the late night kebab shops.Indeed in every household.For its the coffee that we consume in copious amounts and the cafe culture that we love so much,that Turkey introduced us to.

But an old Hungarian saying goes"Jon a fekete leves".Which translates literally into"Here comes the black soup".The black soup being the thick Turkish coffee,but really means "here come the Turks",or rather Trouble.

The effects of Turkish rule in Hungary.