Search Results for: Sultanahmet Square

Ramadan Traditions from the Past to the Present

With its deep-rooted cultural richness, Turkey projects many Ramadan traditions and values into the present day. As the month of Ramadan begins, we have listed enduring Ramadan customs -passed down from generation to generation- that reinforce social solidarity, strengthen communal unity, and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage. Mahyas on Mosque Minarets Although the tradition of lighting oil lamps …

Istanbul Districts: Fatih

An Entire City Within a City: Welcome to Fatih Fatih is not just a district: it’s practically synonymous with Istanbul itself. Creating a travel guide for Fatih can easily turn into compiling a small book, given its deep historical roots and cultural layers. Even the select spots listed below are enough to show how much history and heritage this district …

Films Shot in Turkey and Their Locations

Turkey, a country favored by visitors not only for its tourism but also for its artistic appeal, has provided stunning cinematic backdrops to numerous foreign films. Sometimes featured in a single scene, sometimes serving as the setting for an entire film, Turkey’s landscapes have captivated global audiences. Let’s take a tour through foreign films shot in Turkey and explore their …

The Origin of “Porn” in Constantinople

In Turkey, discussions around films like Nymphomaniac often stir controversy. While some can view such films as art or narrative exploration, others fear they might incite uncontrolled desires. Although the film was permitted at festivals, it was banned from public cinema screenings -even with age restrictions- on the grounds that it belonged to the “pornographic” category. But what if the …

Exploring the 300 Spartans’ Victory and the Obelisk in Istanbul’s Hippodrome

Sultanahmet Square (Sultanahmet Meydanı) had been the center of three different emperor periods. Sultanahmet Square’s name was “Hippodrome” (Hipodrom) during the Byzantine and Roman Empires and it was called “Horse Square” (At Meydanı) during the Ottoman Empire. In this region, the most magnificent structures, like Serpentine Column, and Obelisk, were built by these empires thanks to this feature. Hippodrome was …

Traditional Turkish Sport: Equestrian Javelin

Traditional sports shaped by Turkish culture are the result of long-standing practices that reflect our history and values. One of the most iconic of these is atlı cirit (equestrian javelin); a mounted javelin game that blends physical mastery with honor and heritage. Here’s everything you need to know about this unique sport: Roots in Central Asia Atlı cirit originated during …

Muvakkithane: Ottoman Timekeeping Rooms and Their Role in Islamic Astronomy

Although it is known in geography and astronomy education that Greenwich is the starter meridian, it was the Million Stone in Sultanahmet during the Roman Empire era. Later, Hagia Sophia served as the starting meridian to determine the time. While the information about time and astronomy changes day by day, the institutions we call timing rooms draw attention as the …

Exploring Istanbul’s Cinematic Legacy: James Bond’s Most Iconic Filming Locations

İstanbul is a strategic city that has for generations been the center of states and empires. After it has been conquered by the Ottomans, the city attracted attention not only with its political position but also with its works in historical and modern areas, such that over time, poems have been about on the city, songs have been composed about …