An Anatolian Tale (2020)
An Anatolian Tale is a Turkish family, drama, comedy series broadcast on TRT 1, first aired in 2020. Gönül Dağı follows three cousins living on the steppe as they pursue ambitious dreams and try to achieve the impossible through their inventions, while the story expands into themes of love, family and solidarity.
An Anatolian Tale cast: Berk Atan (Taner Kaya), Semih Ertürk (Veysel Kaya), Ferdi Sancar (Sefer Arslan), Erdal Cindoruk (Hüseyin Kaya), Nazlı Pınar Kaya (Cemile Kaya), Şebnem Dilligil (Halime Kaya).
Detailed content was compiled from sources with AI; pending editorial review. Editor: Uğur Arı.
Plot
Set in the steppe atmosphere of Sivrihisar, Gönül Dağı follows Taner and his two cousins as they pursue ambitious dreams in their small town. Their inventions and shared efforts form the central storyline, alongside the families, relationships and everyday struggles of the town. Producer Ferhat Eşsiz stated that the project was developed from characters and stories found in three books by Mustafa Çiftçi, then expanded with the screenwriters into an original series world. He also said that Hasan Kum’s “bee-wing aircraft system” project was incorporated into Taner’s invention storyline. Screenwriter Ali Kara linked the series’ starting idea to the image of an insurmountable mountain and an unhealed wound in Neşet Ertaş’s song “Gönül Dağı.”
Origins of the story
Adaptation status
The series was developed from characters and stories in Mustafa Çiftçi’s books, but the available source does not establish it as a direct adaptation of one specific book.
Connection to reality
No reliable source found showing that the series is a direct adaptation of a specific real event or person’s life. Its connection to reality is limited to its fictional representation of steppe life, Anatolian social values and the use of Hasan Kum’s aircraft project in Taner’s invention storyline.
Inspirations and influences
Neşet Ertaş’s song “Gönül Dağı”
Confirmed by a creator or official sourceAccording to screenwriter Ali Kara, the series began with the image of an insurmountable mountain and an unhealed wound in Neşet Ertaş’s song “Gönül Dağı.”
According to Ali Kara
Hasan Kum’s bee-wing aircraft system project
Confirmed by a creator or official sourceProducer Ferhat Eşsiz stated that Hasan Kum’s bee-wing aircraft system project was incorporated into Taner’s invention storyline. The source does not say that Taner’s entire character was based on Hasan Kum.
According to Ferhat Eşsiz
Limit of the evidence: The confirmed connection concerns the project’s use in Taner’s invention storyline, not a biographical adaptation of Hasan Kum.
Iconic filming locations
The story setting and the real filming site are identified separately.
Rıfat’ın Kahvesi
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The café used as Rıfat’s coffeehouse in the series.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli town
- Scenes and context
- The TRT Vizyon source lists it among the series’ regularly used locations.
Taner’in Evi
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The residence used as Taner’s house.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli town
- Scenes and context
- Listed by the source among the series’ regularly used locations; no visitor information is provided because it is a private residence.
Sefer’in Dolmuş Durağı
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The location used as Sefer’s minibus stop.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli town
- Scenes and context
- Listed by TRT Vizyon among the series’ regularly used locations.
Ferses Müzik Evi
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The place shown as Ferses Music House in the series.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli town
- Scenes and context
- The source identifies it as a place appearing in the series from time to time.
Sivrihisar Saat Kulesi
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The real clock tower used for the clock-tower setting in Gedelli.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli town
- Scenes and context
- Listed by TRT Vizyon among places occasionally seen in the series.
Sivrihisar Seyir Terası
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The real viewing terrace shown as the town’s lookout point.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli town
- Scenes and context
- Listed by the source among places occasionally appearing in the series.
Tarihi Ulu Camii
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The real historic mosque used for the historic mosque setting around Gedelli.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli town
- Scenes and context
- Listed by TRT Vizyon among places occasionally seen in the series.
Metin Yurdanur Açık Hava Müzesi
Sivrihisar · Eskişehir · Türkiye
- Use in filming
- The real open-air sculpture museum used in the series from time to time.
- Place represented in the story
- Fictional Gedelli surroundings
- Scenes and context
- Explicitly identified by TRT Vizyon as one of the places shown in the series.
Location details were compiled from sources with AI assistance and are pending editorial review.
Trailer
Details
- Year
- 2020–2026
- Channel
- TRT 1
- Genre
- family, drama, comedy
- Seasons
- 7
- Episodes
- 221
- Rating
- 8.2
Cast
Character Map
Hero
- ↳ Ramazan — relative
- ↳ Veysel — relative
- ↳ Ciritçi Abdullah — relative
- ↳ Veysel — relative
Supporting
Character
What's in this series?
From Mustafa Çiftçi’s stories to a television world
Gönül Dağı has been described not as a direct adaptation of one book’s plot, but as a project developed from characters and stories in three books by Mustafa Çiftçi. The producer said that the idea was to bring these characters together in a steppe setting, after which the screenwriters expanded the characters and stories.
Steppe life, family and solidarity
Producer and cast statements frame the series around steppe geography, everyday Anatolian life, family, attachment to the land, traditions and mutual assistance. This is not a reconstruction of a specific historical event, but a fictional representation of rural and social life.
A filming world built in Sivrihisar
The series was filmed in Sivrihisar, Eskişehir. The producer identified the steppe’s yellow and dry appearance, together with the idea of pursuing dreams in a rural setting, as central visual and thematic elements.
Audience interest and local visibility
Anadolu Agency reported interest in the series’ characters, music and steppe atmosphere. TRT’s feature also stated that Sivrihisar became a place visited by viewers because of the series. These points indicate visibility linked especially to the setting and its presentation of Anatolian life; broader cultural-impact claims require additional measurement.
Frequently asked questions
How many episodes is An Anatolian Tale?
An Anatolian Tale has 221 episodes across 7 seasons.
When did An Anatolian Tale air?
An Anatolian Tale first aired in 2020 on TRT 1.
Who is in the cast of An Anatolian Tale?
The main cast includes Berk Atan (Taner Kaya), Semih Ertürk (Veysel Kaya), Ferdi Sancar (Sefer Arslan), Erdal Cindoruk (Hüseyin Kaya), Nazlı Pınar Kaya (Cemile Kaya), Şebnem Dilligil (Halime Kaya).
Sources
- Gönül Dağı Oyuncuları — TRT 1
- Bozkırda bir Anadolu masalı: Gönül Dağı — Anadolu Ajansı
- “Gönül Dağı” oyuncuları Afyonkarahisar’da izleyicilerle buluştu — TRT Haber
- Bozkırın hikayelerini anlatan Gönül Dağı’nın tüm bölümleri tabii’de — TRT / tabii
