Paşabahçe Mosque Heated by a Rakı Factory: A Hidden Chapter in Istanbul’s Industrial Past In the heart of Istanbul’s Beykoz district stands the historic Paşabahçe Mosque. Few would imagine that for 12 years, this sacred place was quietly heated by steam coming from what the locals called the “rakı factory”. Unbeknownst to most of the congregation, the mosque’s heating system …
A High-Tech Network of the Middle Ages Centuries ago, during the height of the Byzantine Empire’s power, the state operated a remarkably efficient communication system that spanned vast territories. This system, based on strategically placed beacon towers (called Byzantine beacon communication system), enabled rapid message transmission across great distances; long before the age of modern technology. The Beacon Line from …
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, …
Did You Know Sultanahmet Was a Popular Stop for Hippies in the 1960s? I was personally quite surprised when I first heard this. The idea that one could take a bus from Sultanahmet all the way to Kathmandu still amazes me. One place where hippies would frequently gather and spend time in Istanbul was the Lale Pudding Shop, which still …
Today, Tatvan, a district of Bitlis, has surpassed Bitlis both in terms of population and social life and culture. It’s easy to say this today, but back in 1946, Tatvan was not even considered a district; it was a vast area with no roads or schools, much less the status of a village. Fethi Algon, sent to Tatvan from Istanbul, …
From the 13th century onward in Europe, being Turkish often meant being Muslim, and vice versa. This association became so prominent that Turks were recognized as Muslims not just in their own lands but throughout Europe and beyond. However, the Turkish identity spans thousands of years, encompassing diverse religious traditions. While Islam is the predominant faith among Turks, there are …
Afife Jale, born in 1902 in Kadıköy, Istanbul, holds a pioneering place in Turkish theater history as the first Muslim woman to perform on stage. Her father was Hidayet Bey and her mother Methiye Hanım; she had two siblings, Behiye Hanım and Salâh Bey. She studied at Istanbul Girls’ Industrial School and later passed an exam at Darülbedayi (Istanbul City …
Standing proudly on a panoramic hill overlooking the plains of Old Beyazıt in Doğubayazıt, the Ishak Pasha Palace is one of the most striking architectural masterpieces in Eastern Anatolia. A blend of Ottoman, Seljuk, and even Baroque influences, this palace, unique in both structure and story, has captivated historians, architects, and travelers alike. Constructed over 99 years, Ishak Pasha Palace …
World-renowned neurosurgeon Prof. Dr. Mahmut Gazi Yaşargil, often credited with revolutionizing brain surgery through the development of microsurgical techniques, passed away on June 11, 2025, in Istanbul at the age of 99. Born on July 6, 1925, in Lice, Diyarbakır, Yaşargil moved to Ankara with his family at a young age. After completing his early education in Turkey, he pursued …
If you ever visited Turkey, you know that bread is a key component of in Turkish cuisine. Bread has always held a central place in Anatolian and Ottoman societies; cutting across all social layers, from the humble peasant to the imperial sultan. Beyond sustenance, it symbolizes loyalty, gratitude, sacred bond, and self‑reliance. The Turkish language reflects this depth with idioms …