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Exploring Ottoman Architecture Through the Balyan Family: Masterpieces in Istanbul

In the 19th century, which was described as the most fervent period of the Ottoman for opening to the west, an Armenian family greatly influenced the architecture, which is still seen in present day.The Armenian architects called as the Balyan Family were held in high honor by the high state officials of the Ottoman in the 19th century. An enormous …

White Russians in Istanbul: Smirnoff’s Legacy and the Black Russian Connection

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. …

Serpent Mansion (Yılanlı Köşk): Istanbul’s Enigmatic Waterfront Masterpiece

The Ottoman Empire managed to add its own features to every region it reached, and it reached its peak with civil architecture. The most important and the most beautiful examples of civilian architecture are dispersed in different parts of Istanbul. Hundreds of different books have been written about the architectural structures and stories of the proverbial mansions around the Bosporus. …

Murder on the Orient Express: Poirot, Istanbul & the Romance of the Golden‑Age Train

Istanbul is the last stop on the Orient Express or Eastern Express, which had its first expedition in 1883 from Paris. Between the years of 1883 and 1977, the train expeditions, which were initiated for Europeans to recognize the Eastern civilization and to be informed about its authentic values, especially attracted the attention of authors, artists and the cinema industry.

Unkapanı and Istanbul’s Record Sellers Bazaar: The Rise and Fall of a Music Hub

Technology is rapidly evolving in the present day; even the concept of tape reminiscent of ancient times is unknown to today’s youth. For this reason, we need to explain what a long play record is to today’s youngsters who do not even know the tape in order to tell where the name of Unkapanı Plakçılar Çarşısı (Unkapanı Bazaar of Music …

Istanbul Earthquakes: Understanding the Risks and Preparing for the Future

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 …

Exploring the Kamondo Family’s Impact on 19th-Century Istanbul

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 …

Istanbul Museums and Modern Arts

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 …