Café Sam’al – The Story of a Name
Some places are not just points on a map.
They are roots. Memories. Identity.
Sam’al – known today as Zincirli Höyük – is exactly such a place.
This ancient city near Gaziantep was a vibrant center more than 3,000 years ago. An important place where cultures came together and people met.
And for us, this place has a very special meaning:
our family home stands on this historical mound.
That is why the name of our café is not a coincidence.
It is a connection between past and present.
A kingdom where cultures came together
In the 1st millennium BCE, Sam’al was the capital of an Aramaean kingdom. A city surrounded by strong walls, known for its grand gates and stone reliefs.
Here, different cultures met:
Aramaean traditions, Hittite influences, and later Assyrian impact.
Sam’al was a meeting place.
Just like a good café.
Traces of the Past
Today, we know more about Sam’al thanks to archaeological excavations.
At the end of the 19th century, German researchers began excavations in the region. The German Oriental Society played an important role in this work.
Archaeologists such as Felix von Luschan and Robert Koldewey brought the traces of this ancient city to light.
Among the discoveries were:
monumental city gates
stone reliefs
ancient inscriptions
palace ruins
Especially impressive are the stone lions that once guarded the gates.
Some of these finds are now exhibited in the Pergamon Museum.
A bridge between two worlds
Sam’al not only connects past and present, but also different countries.
The connections between Turkey and Germany have been strong in this region throughout history:
archaeological research
scientific cooperation
major infrastructure projects
One of these is the Baghdad Railway.
This railway line was built in the Ottoman Empire with the support of German engineers and connected different regions with one another.
The Hejaz Railway is also a symbol of these historical connections.
What Sam’al means to us
Sam’al is not just history.
It is a feeling.
It stands for:
our roots
our culture
unity and community
the connection between people
And that is exactly what we also want to live in our café.
A place where people come together,
stories are shared,
and connections are formed.