In this article, we’ll take you to one of the world’s richest museum complexes in terms of artifacts: the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. The reason it is referred to in plural form is that it includes three distinct museums located side by side in Istanbul‘s Historical Peninsula: the Archaeological Museum, the Tiled Kiosk, and the Museum of the Ancient Orient. Let’s …
Osman Hamdi Bey, an archaeologist, museum curator, painter, and the first mayor (Şehremini) of Kadıköy, was the first person to take official steps to protect Turkey’s cultural heritage. Born on December 30, 1842, in Istanbul, he holds a distinguished place in Ottoman history for his contributions to culture, art, and science. He was the son of Ibrahim Edhem Pasha; one …
When the Turks established their rule over Anatolian lands, they demonstrated examples of civilization that would still be considered significant today in many fields. The matter of standardization is among these achievements. Nearly five centuries ago, standardized regulations were established and strictly enforced according to the local characteristics and production varieties of cities such as Bursa, Edirne, Sivas, Erzurum, Diyarbakır, …
Collective housing specific to the Jewish diaspora is one of the accommodation methods developed by a community facing exile pressure, shaped by the experiences gained across different geographies. The Jewish exile and mass Jewish migrations, which resulted in intensive Jewish settlement in Anatolia, took place over three distinct periods under different conditions. The first was the great Jewish exile that began …
Although he lived only 49 years, Sultan Mehmet II left an indelible mark on history. As the seventh sultan of the Ottoman Empire, he ascended the throne at the age of 19 and earned the title “The Conqueror of Istanbul” with his extraordinary vision and achievements. Known in the West as “Grand Turco”, Mehmet II was a military genius, a …
Turkey’s aviation history is woven with stories of courage, pioneering spirit, and remarkable diversity. Starting with Bandirma Rocket Club and reaching new heights with modern jet fighters, Turkish aviation grows rapidly. This article brings together some of the nation’s most significant aviation heroes: from Ahmet Ali Çelikten, one of the world’s rare early Black pilots, to pioneering female aviators like …
Every district in Istanbul is like a living history book, containing unique stories and authentic textures. Walking through this cosmopolitan metropolis, you can touch traces of many cultures that have lived here for centuries. Especially the shores of the Golden Horn stand out as a significant route that reveals the city’s most enchanting and colorful history. The jewel of this …
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 …
Straddling the continents of Asia and Europe and serving as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul has been a major hub of trade and culture for centuries, with its islands, architecture, and natural beauty. The city’s impact on artists can be seen in countless works of art. In this article, you can explore Old Istanbul paintings …
For centuries, Istanbul has been not only a crossroads of trade and culture but also a meeting point for lovers of sweets. The refinement of the Ottoman palace kitchen, the craftsmanship of neighborhood confectioners, and the elegance of Levantine patisseries have all come together in this city. As you stroll through its historic streets, the confectionery shops you encounter are …