1. Evliya Çelebi (1611-1682)
What He’s Famous For: Travelogue
Evliya Çelebi is one of the most famous travelers of the Ottoman Empire. Living in the 17th century, Çelebi traveled all over the Ottoman lands and many regions outside the borders of the empire for more than 50 years. Çelebi collected his travels in his famous work Seyahatname. In this work, he describes in detail the geography, cities, people, cultures and traditions of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans, Anatolia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.
Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname is not only a geographical survey but also a sociological and anthropological masterpiece. He describes in depth the cultures, people’s ways of life, social rules and local characteristics of the places he visited. His observations are an invaluable source for understanding the social structure and culture of the 17th century Ottoman Empire.
Evliya Çelebi’s travels brought him fame. According to a legend, Çelebi gained the desire to become a traveler at a young age when he had a dream. In his dream, he appeared before the prophet and asked for “intercession” (help). However, he excitedly uttered the word “travel” and the desire to travel the world overtook him. This event is told as a legendary story of his beginning as a traveler.
Çelebi did not limit his travels to the Ottoman lands, but also visited many cities in Europe. In his work, he described in detail the history and lifestyles of important cities such as Vienna, Budapest and Sarajevo. Evliya Çelebi’s Seyahatname is an important work that provides a social and cultural map not only of the Ottoman Empire but also of 17th century Eurasia.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Evliya Çelebi
2. Piri Reis (1465-1553)
What He’s Famous For: World Map and Geographical Discoveries
Piri Reis is considered one of the greatest mariners of the Ottoman Empire. Born in the second half of the 15th century, he left a deep mark on Ottoman maritime history. One of his most famous works is the world map he drew in 1513. This map is of great importance, especially because it shows the American continent in great detail. This map of Piri Reis contains geographical details not seen even in Europe at that time and made a significant contribution to world cartography.
Besides the map, another important work of Piri Reis is Kitab-ı Bahriye. This book is a maritime guidebook and describes in detail the ports along the Mediterranean coast, the sea routes and the geographical features of these regions. Kitab-ı Bahriye not only provides maritime information, but also reveals the Ottoman maritime understanding and technology of the 16th century.
Piri Reis played a major role in the success of the Ottoman navy in the Mediterranean. He participated in many wars throughout his naval career and became one of the leading names of the navy with his successes in these wars. He won important victories especially in naval battles on strategically important islands such as Rhodes, Crete and Malta.
Piri Reis has gone down in history not only as a mariner but also as a scientist and cartographer. His world map and Kitab-ı Bahriye are globally recognized works that contributed greatly to the Ottoman maritime heritage. However, as a result of a political intrigue, Piri Reis was executed during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Despite his death, his works and contributions have a great place in the history of navigation and cartography.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Piri Reis
3. Hazerfen Ahmed Çelebi (1609-1640)
What He’s Famous For: Flight Trials
Hazerfen Ahmed Çelebi was a 17th century explorer who lived during the Ottoman Empire and is known for one of the first flight attempts in history. According to legend, he is famous for his flight from the Galata Tower. Hazerfen was influenced by the work on aviation done by earlier scientists such as Leonardo da Vinci and made his own flight experiments. It is rumored that he flew from the Galata Tower to Üsküdar using a wing-like apparatus and made a successful landing.
This courageous flight attempt caused great repercussions in the Ottoman Empire. Murad IV, the sultan of the period, first rewarded Hazerfen Ahmed Çelebi with gold after watching this attempt, but then, fearing this success, exiled him to Algeria. It is thought that Murad IV took the decision to exile Hazerfen after he saw this success as a political threat.
Hazerfen Ahmed Çelebi’s flight attempt is not considered the beginning of modern aviation. However, it has an important place as an indicator of the interest in science and technology during the Ottoman period. The flight test is described as a legendary event in both Ottoman and world aviation history.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Hazerfen Ahmed Çelebi
4. Katip Çelebi (1609-1657)
What He’s Famous For: Geography and Travel Writing
Katip Çelebi was one of the most important scientists of the 17th century Ottoman Empire. His full name was Mustafa bin Abdullah and his nickname was Katip Çelebi. Katip Çelebi, who wrote works in many different fields such as geography, history, medicine and navigation, is known as one of the most versatile intellectuals of the Ottoman Empire. His most famous work, Cihannüma, is a work that deals with world geography and is considered one of the most important examples of Islamic geography.
Cihannüma includes detailed information about the geographical borders of the Ottoman Empire as well as different regions of Europe, Asia and Africa. Katip Çelebi made important contributions to the science of geography by enriching the Islamic geographical tradition with information from Europe. His works include not only geographical information but also social and cultural structures in these regions.
Katip Çelebi’s other important work, Keşfü’z-Zünun, is a comprehensive study of the scientific literature of the period and a compilation of scientific developments. This work is an important source that shows how scientific studies in the Ottoman Empire were integrated with the world.
Katip Çelebi was also a bureaucrat who worked at the state level. He worked as a clerk in various regions of the Ottoman Empire and
Katip Çelebi, who worked as a clerk in various regions of the Ottoman Empire, reflected the experiences and observations he gained during this duty in his scientific works. His works on geography and history are among the important sources reflecting the scientific knowledge of Ottoman society. By analyzing both Eastern and Western sources, Katip Çelebi increased the interest in knowledge in the Ottoman Empire and opened the door to scientific developments.
Katip Çelebi, who did not only leave his knowledge of geography and history in written works, also utilized the cartography of the period to understand the Ottoman geography and the world. His work Cihannüma became a touchstone among Ottoman geographers and is considered the pinnacle of Katip Çelebi’s scientific works.
Katip Çelebi’s works show that he was one of the pioneers of modern science in the Ottoman Empire. In addition to his scientific works, his writings also provide important information about the administration, politics and cultural life in the Ottoman Empire. Katip Çelebi has gone down in history as a scholar who contributed not only to Ottoman but also to world science in the fields of geography and history.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Katip Çelebi
5. Nasuh Mahruki (1968-)
What He’s Famous For: Mountaineering, Search and Rescue and Environmental Activism
Nasuh Mahruki is one of Turkey’s most famous mountaineers and search and rescue leaders. Born in 1968 in Istanbul, Mahruki showed a great interest in nature and mountaineering from an early age. In 1995, he climbed Mount Everest and became the first Turk to ascend Everest. This success led to Mahruki’s national and international recognition.
After his Everest success, Nasuh Mahruki has continued to climb the world’s most challenging peaks and has achieved many important successes in the field of mountaineering. His mountaineering career includes the Seven Summits Project, the goal of climbing the highest peak on each continent. This project is an endeavor that proves Mahruki’s endurance and commitment to nature.
Mahruki is known not only as a mountaineer but also as a search and rescue leader. In 1996, he founded AKUT (Search and Rescue Association)and with this organization, he undertook important tasks in many natural disasters in Turkey. Especially during the 1999 Gölcük Earthquake, AKUT’s success led to search and rescue efforts being taken more seriously across the country. Mahruki pioneered the development and growth of AKUT and actively participated in many rescue operations in Turkey.
Nasuh Mahruki is also an important activist for environmental awareness. In addition to his mountaineering career, he has participated in various projects and activities to promote nature conservation and environmental awareness. Mahruki has also increased interest in mountaineering and extreme sports and inspired many people with his books.
Mahruki continues to be active in search and rescue activities as well as environmental and extreme sports. Recognized as one of Turkey’s most important mountaineers, Mahruki also contributes to the widespread awareness of environmental responsibility.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Nasuh Mahruki
6. Tunç Fındık (1972-)
What He’s Famous For: Mountaineering and High Altitude Climbing
Tunç Fındık is one of Turkey’s most renowned mountaineers, known worldwide for his high altitude climbs. Fındık developed his interest in nature and mountaineering from a young age and is known for his determination to climb the highest peaks in Turkey as well as the world. One of Fındık’s biggest projects is the 14×8000 Project, which aims to climb the 14 highest peaks in the world. This project includes peaks such as Everest, K2 and Lhotse.
Fındık achieved an important success in the history of Turkish mountaineering by climbing Mount Everest in 1995. This ascent of Mount Everest brought him international recognition and made Turkish mountaineers known worldwide. Fındık has also climbed the peaks in the Himalayas and Karakorum many times. Climbing peaks over 8,000 meters high is an extremely challenging task and requires great preparation and endurance.
In his mountaineering career, Tunç Fındık has come to the forefront not only with his climbs, but also with his efforts to popularize this sport and increase interest in extreme sports in Turkey. He wrote books, gave seminars and informed many people about mountaineering. Under his guidance, many young climbers have achieved significant success.
Fındık continues to share his knowledge and experience in mountaineering and contributes to the development of extreme sports in Turkey. Thanks to his brave climbs, endurance and determination, he has taken his place as an important figure in the history of Turkish mountaineering.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Tunç Fındık
7. Cem Sertesen (1964-)
What He’s Famous For: Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark Exploration
Cem Sertesen is a Turkish documentary filmmaker and director, best known for his work on the search for Noah’s Ark on Mount Ararat. Born in 1964, Sertesen has attracted great attention with his documentary projects promoting Turkey’s natural and historical riches. Sertesen is especially known in Turkey and worldwide for his documentary The Mystery of Mount Ararat.
The legend of Noah’s Ark is an archaeological subject of great interest around the world, and Sertesen has spent many years researching and documenting this mystery. Excavations and investigations around Mount Ararat are among the important discoveries that aim to trace Noah’s Ark. Sertesen’s projects have attracted great interest among scientists and historians.
Sertesen’s documentaries aim to reach a wide audience by not only presenting an exploration, but also promoting Turkey’s natural and historical heritage. Sertesen has made a name for himself by promoting the legend of Noah’s Ark and the research around Mount Ararat around the world.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Cem Sertesen
8. Ali Macar Reis (16th century)
What He’s Famous For: Naval Exploration and Cartography
Ali Macar Reis was an Ottoman sailor and cartographer. In the 16th century, he explored the Mediterranean and Aegean seas with the Ottoman navy and carried out important works in the field of cartography. The maps made by Ali Macar Reis show the Mediterranean geography and sea routes in great detail. His cartographic works contributed greatly to the development of maritime knowledge in the Ottoman Empire.
Ali Macar Reis left an important mark on the Ottoman maritime history with his detailed maritime studies and maps.
Image and content Source: Wikipedia Ali Macar Reis
9. Ersin Demirel (1968-)
What He’s Famous For: Trekking, Outdoor Sports and Expeditions
Ersin Demirel is one of the most famous trekking guides and hikers in Turkey. He has done a great deal of work in promoting and creating routes for famous hiking trails in Turkey such as the Lycian Way and the St. Paul Trail. Demirel has made significant contributions to the development of mountaineering and trekking in Turkey and has written many books on extreme sports.
Ersin Demirel has organized numerous events and expeditions to increase interest in trekking and nature exploration in Turkey. He is also an active activist for nature conservation and environmental awareness.
Source: Personal Website: Ersin Demirel
10th Anatolia Through the Ages Project Team in the Footsteps of Barış Manço
What He’s Famous For: Travel Projects that Promote Turkey
The Ages of Anatolia Project Team is known as a team that organizes various trips to promote Turkey’s cultural richness and natural beauties. Following in the footsteps of Barış Manço, this team sets out to discover Turkey’s unknown villages, historical monuments and nature, reaching a wide audience through social media platforms. By promoting Turkey’s natural and cultural heritage, they succeed in attracting both local and foreign tourists.
Through documentary projects and social media content, the team continues its mission to pass on Anatolia’s rich cultural and natural heritage to future generations.
Source:
Website – Project Details: Anatolia Through the Ages
These short narrative biographies put the achievements and contributions of Turkish explorers and naturalists in a broader perspective, revealing the important roles they played in the historical and contemporary world.
