Five cities in 18th-19th and 20th century Turkish poetry (Bursa, Edirne, İstanbul, Konya, Diyarbakır)

In this study, the cities of Bursa, Edirne, Istanbul, Konya, and Diyarbakır—centers that hosted many civilizations, shaped the historical course of Anatolia, stood out as hubs of knowledge and science, and witnessed the rule of various states and empires throughout history—are examined from different perspectives in the light of poetry. The reflections of these cities on Turkish poetry of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries have been analyzed. In line with their historical order as capitals, Bursa, Edirne, and Istanbul are discussed first, followed by Konya and Diyarbakır, focusing on their representations in literary texts within historical and cultural contexts. The study closely investigates themes such as the aesthetic elements of the cities, their beauties, architectural structures, social fabric, historical characteristics, and comparisons with other cities. Among the central issues explored are the ways in which the social changes and transformations of these centuries, particularly in a literary context, are reflected in the verses of poets. A significant portion of the study is composed of poems centered on Istanbul. Beyond its geopolitical position, geographical features, and historical heritage, Istanbul's role as the host of great empires and civilizations such as Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire stands as one of the main reasons for its prominence in literary texts. In terms of frequency of representation in the literature of the aforementioned centuries, Istanbul is followed by Diyarbakır, Edirne, Bursa, and Konya. This order corresponds closely to the historical, cultural, and socio-political significance of these cities.