The article examines the cultural penetration of the Ottoman Empire into the territory of the Balkan Peninsula. The once developing peoples of the Balkans, overcoming their own crises, are becoming an indispensable goal of a rapidly emerging empire. The proximity to Europe and close interaction with it became a decisive factor for its conquest, as well as the inability of the allied countries to resist the Ottomans. The gradual seizure led to the complete elimination of most of the existing in the 12th century independent states. For the most part, the dialogue of cultures took place as a forced assimilation. The result was the complete displacement of a foreign culture outside its own territory. Despite this, some of the cultural aspects have firmly entered the life of ordinary people and have become entrenched in it as part of their own culture. This article is dedicated to identifying these entrenched traditions as well as Turkey's contemporary influence in the Balkans.