One of the lesser-known stories of the conquest of Constantinople is the brave resistance of 300 Cretan warriors and how Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror allowed them to leave; a story truly worth reading. Fatih Sultan Mehmed and His Respect for the Enemy Fatih Sultan Mehmed… he was undoubtedly a commander who earned the title “Conqueror” through his rationality, scientific approach, …
Introduction: A Bloodline Secured by Bloodshed The Ottoman Empire, one of the most powerful dynasties in history, spanned over six centuries. But behind the grandeur of its palaces and military conquests lay a brutal political reality: the systematic elimination of male relatives to secure the throne. Known as **fratricide**, this practice was not only accepted but legalized, institutionalized, and, at …
The millet bahçesi , or “people’s garden,” is more than just a park: it’s a reflection of urban transformation, social change, and cultural identity in Turkey. Its roots stretch back to the Ottoman Empire, where gardens were not only places of beauty but also symbols of prestige, power, and communal life. From Private Gardens to Public Leisure Grounds In Ottoman …
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 …
While a visit to the hammam; where one bathes with the help of a tellak (male attendant) or natır (female attendant); is no longer a regular part of daily life for most modern Turks, these steamy bathhouses remain deeply symbolic in Turkish culture. With their kurna (marble basins), heated göbek taşı (central massage stone), wooden clogs, copper bowls, peştemals (bath …
Istanbul, as the capital of the Ottoman Empire, had grown into a densely populated city. Wars, migrations, and the concentration of soldiers and bureaucrats significantly increased the demand for bread, making the establishment of bread factories a necessity. Bread is one of the oldest, most fundamental, and essential food items known to humanity. During the Ottoman period, the need for …
With its thousands of legends, Istanbul is one of the most talked-about cities among world travelers. And the Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi) is among the first places that come to mind when Istanbul is mentioned. This elegant tower, located 200 meters off the Asian shores of the city, directly opposite Üsküdar, remains a mystery in many ways; why and when …
One of the prominent figures in archaeological collaboration between Turkey and Japan, Japanese archaeologist Sachihiro Omura, passed away last month in Kırşehir. Living in Turkey since 1972 and serving as the excavation director at Kalehöyük since 1985, Omura passed away at Kaman State Hospital, where he had been admitted due to illness. According to some sources, Omura was born in …
A Brief History of Bozcaada With roots stretching back to the Trojan Wars, Bozcaada has seen Ionian, Persian, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. It was ruled by the Venetians and Genoese before being conquered by the Ottomans under Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1455. Famous Ottoman navigator Piri Reis mapped the island, naming it Bozcaada. Historically, Greeks and Turks coexisted on the …
History of Beer in the Ottoman Empire The history of beer in the Ottoman Empire can be traced back to the 19th century. Sultan Abdulhamid II ruled the empire from 1876 to 1909, a period marked by both modernization and increased centralization of power in the hands of the sultan. During his reign, Western cultural influences permeated various aspects of …