In a heartwarming example of compassion, Imam Mustafa Efe, the imam of Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Mosque in Üsküdar, Istanbul, became a global symbol of kindness when he opened the mosque’s doors to street cats. His gentle embrace of these animals—allowing them to roam freely even during prayers and sermons—struck a chord not only in Turkey but around the world. Nicknamed …
Politics, football, art, cinema, love, passion, anger, wealth, poverty, and history—Istanbul embodies all aspects of life and naturally becomes an indispensable setting in Turkish literature. Since the Tanzimat literary era, countless novels have been set in this culturally rich city. However, in some novels, Istanbul transcends its role as a backdrop and emerges as a central character—almost the protagonist of the story. …
Istanbul’s Beloved Street Cats: A City Where Felines Reign Supreme Istanbul is a city of immense cultural wealth, steeped in history and overflowing with charm. From its iconic historical peninsula and scenic Bosphorus waterfront mansions to world-renowned museums, bustling bazaars like the Grand Bazaar, and awe-inspiring natural beauty, every corner of Istanbul reflects the city’s grandeur. It’s no surprise that …
Although nowadays when we think of fish, the Black Sea comes to mind first, in fact, Istanbul has historically been the most important city in terms of both the variety of fish and the taste of fish. Except for the last 40 years, the abundance of fish in Istanbul has even made its way into history books. Istanbul has not …
The food culture of a city actually includes both food and beverage. That’s why the more varied and complex settlement pockets there are in a city, the more ethnic varieties in food and beverages that one can find there. Istanbul has many different street foods a visitor can try and feel the culture.
The First World War revealed a huge devastation that caused both the winner and the loser to face a great economic storm. Before the end of the First World War, Russia, in 1917, gave up and found itself in the middle of internal conflicts. On the one side were the Tsar and the defenders, on the other side, the communists. …
The settlement of civilizations in Istanbul date back to 7th century B.C. When it was conquered by Sultan Mehmet in 1453, a new era started, as did a lot of catastrophe, including fire, flood, and plague. In recent times, when mentioning catastrophe in Istanbul, earthquakes top the list. This is not something new, though. The Istanbul Earthquakes actually go back …
During the Ottoman period, there was a great deal of tolerance among people. Many individuals from different nations lived happily together, especially the Jews, who settled in Istanbul after escaping the oppression and inquisition in Spain. They made many contributions to the Ottomans in terms of culture, art, and economy. The Kamondo family was one of the families that brought …
One of the most renowned attractions of Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar, which is indispensable for travelers and writers. The Grand Bazaar is a trade center that began construction in the 1460s at the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmet.
Modern art was born by an urge to show the painter’s depth of imagination and firstborn of that philosophy. The trend was later integrated beyond paintings to other social spaces, with the aim of destroying traditional artistic confines. Historical, political, and social events play a major role in the formation of modern art, where the painter actually expresses his feelings …