The City Of Roses

Have you ever heard about the city of roses? It is a place where I was born and grew up. Now, I will take you to my beautiful homeland.

Isparta is a small city located in Western Turkey. People call this city as “the city of roses” because the people in it produce many things from roses such as rose water, rose tea, ice-cream, shampoos, colognes, jams, lotions, delights, soap, creams etc. The main economic activities of Isparta includes the production of roses and handmade carpets (many years ago, young girls and old women used to weave carpets by hand and sell them, but this is not common anymore). To this day, Isparta has very fruitful lands that grows many different kinds of fruits and vegetables. Besides this, tourism at both an international and local level is also becoming an important source of revenue for the city.

Isparta is away from the metropolitan cities and does not have problems like traffic, noise pollution and high inflation etc. The city is mostly silent and calm. Most people desire to live in metropolitan cities but all of them wish to spend their holidays and relax in Isparta. There are several places where you can spend a good holiday with your family such as, Davraz Mountain Winter Sports Center, Egirdir lake, natural parks and several historical mosques and caves etc.

Like other cities of Turkey, Isparta also has its own cultural dishes and sweets that people make on Eid and other festivals. Throughout the years, the customs of Isparta have also changed. My grandmother often tells me stories of the past. About 50 years ago, my grandmother was married to my grandfather when she was only 15 years old without even meeting him before. During those days, a girl could not choose her husband and would have to be wed whoever her father chose for her. After the wedding, the girl was to live with her husband’s family in his homeland, no matter how far away it was. Luckily my grandfather was a teacher and used to live nearby my grandmother’s village. At that time, girls were not allowed to frequently visit her family after marriage. They were deprived of basic needs in the village such as electricity, water in the home, hospital etc. Women would have to give birth in their homes and sadly, many women lost their children because of diseases that could have been easily treated with proper medical attention.

However, things have now changed for the better. We no longer face many difficulties with the rapid change in technology. Isparta is continuously developing and modernizing. If you ever have the chance to visit the city of Roses, don’t forget to visit my grandmother. She can brighten your day with her never-ending stories.

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