Why Is There A Village In The Netherlands Called “Turkey”?

The past of this village, which is associated with the history of the Netherlands, It is based on the fact that the Spanish War, which lasted 80 years, was victorious with the help of the Ottoman Empire.. It is said that Prince Maurits, the then leader of the Netherlands, named this place, which covers a large region, “Turkey” to pay his debt of gratitude.

neighboring Belgium. Village of Zeeland region, TurkeyIt is the area where . Doesn’t it seem strange to you that this region, which is about 3 thousand km away from Turkey, has “Turkish” in its name?

Its history dates back to 1590-1604.

Turkey Village in the Zeeland region of the Netherlands is a region that receives tens of thousands of tourists every year. This special name was given to this place 400 years ago by Willem van, the founder of the Netherlands. Prince Maurits, son of Oranje gave. In other words, the history of this naming situation dates back to the Ottoman Empire. It was also seen as a debt of gratitude to the Ottoman soldiers who repulsed the Spanish.

There is also a Turkish flag waving in the sky!

Before reaching the village in the Oostburg district of Zeeland Turkeijeweg (Turkey road) sign welcomes passengers. Person, “what a nice coincidence”, this time the Turkey sign appears before us.

The Turkish flag waving in the village, although it amazes those who see it, creates question marks in the mind. In this village, there is said to be a volunteer ambassador. This ambassador named Monique Strum, together with her husband Cor, hosts the visitors with a Turkish hospitality..

In the ambassador’s house, it says “Turkish embassy, ​​number 16”.

Ambassador Monique, who has such a sign in her house, said, “I really feel like the Ambassador of Turkey” says.

Adding that there are not only visitors from Europe, but also many people from Turkey, Monique said; He also prepared every detail in the house unique to Turkey. There is no prayer rug, prayer beads, photos of Turkey, Turkish newspapers, Turkish calendar, Turkish coffee, tapes of Turkish artists.

The first person to come to the village is Barış Manço.

If the Turk is the first to step into the village, Barış Manco has been. He even had a conversation with Monique, the volunteer ambassador of the village, in the program 7 to 77 he once presented.

15 minutes away from the village called Turkeye The town of Sint Anna Ter Muiden has an interesting story. This is the most important and starting point of Dutch-Turkish relations. During the wars 400 years ago, Turkish sailors rescued from the Spanish in the Mediterranean for money were brought to this village.

These Turkish prisoners gave the documents of the Spanish war plans to the Dutch. Thanks to the information and tactics provided by the Turkish sailors, the Spanish were defeated. At that time, the Sultan sent a letter to the Netherlands. votive tablet sent. This half-moon shaped plaque was placed on the fountain in the village square. Another half-moon plaque was screwed onto the town hall.

Actually, there are several rumors about it:

Sint Anna Ter Muiden is the place where the most important defense was made during the wars with the Spaniards during the Dutch Prince Maurits period between 1590 and 1604. The strategic importance of this place for the Netherlands is very high. At that time, he was a prisoner in the hands of the Spaniards. About 1400 Turkish forsa, He is rescued with the help of the Dutch.

The Levites present their clothes and three crescent pennants to the Dutch who saved them. Seeing the Dutch pulling the three-crescent Ottoman pennants on their ships, the Spaniards ‘The Ottomans sent a navy here’ He gets scared and withdraws. Thus, the country is saved from a great invasion.

According to another rumor; Prince Maurits asks for help from the Ottomans against Spain. In the reply, it is recommended to use the Ottoman pennant instead of sending soldiers. Seeing the Ottoman pennants on the ships, the Spaniards flee in fear of the Ottomans.

Diplomatic and commercial official relations between the Netherlands and Turkey began in 1612.

400 years ago, after a long 6-month journey and a two-month wait, Dutch Ambassador Cornelis Haga, received by Sultan Ahmet I, became the key to official relations. To put it more clearly, despite the opposition of many states, Turkey became the first country to recognize the Netherlands as a state after Haga was admitted to the presence.

This is in the Netherlands “Turkish” Villagecontinues to receive visitors with its impressive history.