Historical Affan Coffeehouse, Centennial Antakya Haytali and Kurtuluş Street

History and General Information / Local Legends and Folklore Historical Affan Coffee House is a living cultural treasure, founded by Fuat Sahilli in 1913, on Antakya's historical Kurtuluş Street (Herod Street), which was the world's first street illuminated with torches in ancient times, and has transferred the centuries-old taste culture to the fourth generation. The trademark of the place is the legendary 'Haytalı' dessert, which was filtered from the Ottoman and Arab geography and reached perfection in Antakya. Boiling corn starch and milk on a stone stove for hours and freezing them in trays filled with cold water, adding pure rose water, natural coloring red sherbet and genuine goat milk Maraş ice cream to the cubed pudding and serving it in centuries-old cut glass bowls and special antique aluminum spoons is the pinnacle of Antakya gastronomy ritual. The coffeehouse's high-ceilinged stone architecture, wooden chairs, centuries-old mirrors and black-and-white Antakya photographs on the wall breathe the ancient spirit of tolerance and neighborliness of the city. According to local legend, in ancient times, the elders of Antakya, who wanted to heal broken hearts and reconcile their resentments, came here saying 'Let's eat a bowl of Haytali in Affan and talk sweetly in the scent of roses', and all resentments were resolved with the freshness of rose water and the abundance of conversation. Geographical Structure, Altitude and Natural Features It is located in the historical center of Antakya, at an altitude of approximately 85 meters in the urban protected area between the foothills of Habib-i Neccar Mountain and the Asi River. The surrounding narrow stone streets, traditional Antakya houses with courtyards and dead-end streets covered with centuries-old bougainvilleas reflect the Mediterranean architectural texture of the city. Visiting Hours, Days and Entrance Fees