The Roses of Van and Rose Culture

Abstract

According to some historians, the 18th century was the beginning of a change in the established culture of the Ottoman community due to the proliferation of European culture. During this period, great changes were observed in the types of plants used for decorating outdoor spaces, and in daily culture. For example, the rose, which was grown for many years in the palace gardens of Istanbul, lost its value after the importation of European roses, causing Ottoman roses to lose their traditional admiration. However, those old original Ottoman roses were preserved in some Anatolian cities and remained unaffected by the European conversion. One of these such regions is the Lake Van region in East Anatolia. Six different types of original roses were found in gardens and old graveyards in this region. Investigatons show that these roses have a great influence on Van's traditional handicrafts and cuisine. © International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.