Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

The Dardanelles

Francesco da Mosto makes stops at the haunting beaches of Gallipoli, visits a mosque in the city of Edirne, and drops in on Bursa, the birthplace of the doner kebab.

Francesco da Mosto reaches the outer limits of the old Venetian empire on his voyage from Venice to Istanbul. Now he enters Turkish waters, the Strait of the Dardanelles, gateway to the east.

First stop are the haunting beaches of Gallipoli - scene of one of the worst massacres of the First World War. It was here that the Anzac forces of New Zealand and Australia were decimated as, alongside British troops, they tried to retake the Dardanelles.

After the bumpiest of bus rides inland, Francesco arrives at the city of Edirne, which boasts Turkey's finest - and biggest - mosque. The incredible acoustics of the giant dome are demonstrated by a local imam with the biggest pair of lungs in town.

In Edirne the most popular sport is wrestling. Naked, except for skin-tight leather trousers and covered in olive oil, the local wrestlers are giants of men. The sport is a severe trial of strength and the rules uncertain - it's even acceptable to put your hands down your opponent's trousers. Francesco is forced to give it a try.

The White Swan embarks on its final lap to Istanbul. But one detour is irresistible - to Bursa, birthplace of the doner kebab.

30 minutes

Credit

Role Contributor
Presenter Francesco da Mosto

Broadcasts

  • Wed 13 Aug 2008 20:00
  • Fri 15 Aug 2008 22:00
  • Sat 30 Aug 2008 02:50
  • Fri 14 Nov 2008 20:00
  • Sun 2 Aug 2009 17:30
  • Thu 22 Apr 2010 19:00
  • Thu 15 Dec 2011 18:30
  • Tue 11 Sep 2018 19:30
  • Mon 30 Mar 2020 19:30
  • Sat 9 Jul 2022 22:30