Newsletters
In a small village in Türkiye's Manisa, a cafe buzzes as a hub of Galatasaray passion with Fenerbahce banned from entry.
Veli Turan, a resident of Manisa, operates the unique cafe his father opened 34 years ago, entirely dedicated to Galatasaray.
Adorned in the club’s iconic yellow and red colors, the "Galatasaraylilar Kahvehanesi" (Galatasaray Supporters’ Cafe) showcases decades of devotion to the Turkish football giant.
Located in the rural Osmancali village, part of the Yuntdag region, the cafe, which opened in 1990, is a visual celebration of Galatasaray.
From the ceiling to the floor, and even the chairs and teacups, everything is decked out in yellow and red.
The walls are covered with posters of players and historic newspaper clippings that chronicle Galatasaray’s achievements.
Turan proudly carries on his father Sadrettin Turan's legacy, ensuring that the cafe continues to embody the Galatasaray spirit.
"My father collected these posters, photos, and newspaper articles for 34 years. What started with just a few pictures became a museum of Galatasaray’s history," Turan told Anadolu Agency (AA).
"Even Fenerbahce fans are impressed when they see it."
On match days, the cafe fills with loyal fans, as 98% of the village supports Galatasaray. No other football matches are shown in the cafe, and Turan admits that when Galatasaray loses, the mood turns gloomy.
"We don’t feel like doing anything for a whole week," he says. "But when Galatasaray wins, tea is on the house for everyone."
The cafe has some ironclad rules that all patrons must follow. Turan printed these guidelines on the cafe’s business card for clarity.
"Criticizing Galatasaray is forbidden," read the guidelines.
"Entering in a Fenerbahce shirt is forbidden. Complimenting Fenerbahçe is forbidden. Watching Fenerbahce matches, news or even TV series is forbidden," Turan explained with a smile.
Long-time patrons like Osman Delen describe the cafe as a second home. "When I walk in, it feels like I’m in a stadium," he said.
Ismail Hakki Sevben, another regular customer, praised the atmosphere, adding: "Our cafe is special, our tea is great, and our Galatasaray is the best. After a win, the tea is free for everyone. We all support Galatasaray."
Turan remains dedicated to keeping his father's passion alive, offering a space where Galatasaray fans can gather, cheer and bond over their shared love of the club – while leaving no room for their Istanbul rivals.
9 min read
