This practice helped imbue all Anatolians, regardless of social standing or age, with love for the natural world and its denizens, be they furred, feathered, or otherwise. As such, these animal-loving peoples showed mercy and compassion to many animals. They founded organizations or charities called Waqf (pronunciation: who the hell knows) where street dogs were fed and cared for, injured storks were rehabilitated, and other creatures, such as wolves, horses, and myriad smaller things, were looked after, fattened, watered, and generally loved. Oh, it's also worth mentioning that doing these things earned people religious credits to ensure them a more comfortable life beyond.
But the Anatolians really loved them some birds and the tradition of municipal birdhousing boomed during the Ottoman period. It dates back at least 600 years, though it may have pre-dated the Ottoman Empire's inception in 1299. It might even be inspired by a more ancient Mughal tradition.
The older houses are of simpler construct. Yet the styles and sophistications evolved over time, and many of them are just as grandiloquent and intricately detailed as the abodes of the sultans themselves. The multi-storied, multi-roomed avian mansions built in the later centuries are definitely nicer than where most of us are living.
They're situated out of the reach of humans as well as Turkey's vigintillion feral cats, in spots that receive lots of photons and not so much wind. Some have water troughs, runways, and even balconies. A number were built in the fashion of palaces, or royal dwellings, while others sported the minarets and domes of stately mosques.
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