Istanbul Lale Festivali, Turkey

Not everyone knows that the tulip is one of the Turkish traditional symbols. Every spring the annual Istanbul Tulip Festival takes place. The festival is held in April, millions of fragrant flowers are planted everywhere in squares and city avenues forming spectacular landscape compositions. In April lush flower beds in Istanbul are seen literally everywhere you look. They bloom for several weeks and may delight the eye for a month.

Although the festival is held for just a few years, its history dates back to the reign of the Ottoman Empire. In ancient times tulips were considered the flowers of sultans, they were presented in reverence and respect for the nobles and rich people. Luxurious clothes and dishes have been decorated with floral print and paintings with the images of tulips have adorned the walls of mosques.

Modern holiday in Istanbul was first held in 2005, it was a tribute to a beautiful old tradition and has gained worldwide fame for a few years. Emirgan Park appears the centre of events many years already. Here interesting exhibitions, fairs and other thematic activities take place. It is important to note that the tulip festival in Istanbul is visited not only by curious tourists, but also by professional florists. During the festival various tulip species and bulbs of rare varieties are for sale for everyone. Tulip lovers can also learn a lot of interesting and useful information about the methods of cultivation of flowers. Next - Songkran festival