In the autumn of 1865, two Ottoman corvettes – Bursa and İzmir – set sail from Istanbul on a mission that should have been unremarkable: a long but well-charted voyage around the Cape of Africa to reach Basra in the Persian Gulf. The Suez Canal had not yet been opened, so the route demanded sailing the full length of the Atlantic. Aboard …
Sultan Abdulhamid II, who took his personal passion for carpentry a step further after ascending to the throne, practically turned introducing and teaching Western-style furniture across the empire into a state policy. From Traditional Interiors to Western-style Furniture In the Ottoman Empire, which had sustained its traditional interior design identity for centuries, modernization brought a rupture: there was now a …
We know you are already familiar with the fact that first animal hospital in the world was built on the fertile soil of Anatolia. What about a book hospital? Yes, there is one in Istanbul! Books are far more than ink on paper -they are silent witnesses to the past, carriers of knowledge, culture, and spirit across the ages. But …
When travelers walk through today’s Istanbul -past Hagia Sophia, the Land Walls, or the quiet streets of Fatih– it is easy to forget that this city’s most dramatic transformation was once witnessed not by its conquerors, but by a defeated Greek aristocrat who chose to write rather than flee. His name was Michael Critobulus of Imbros. Writing only a few years …
Just like the lush nature, vibrant music, and spirited people of the Black Sea region, its cuisine is also one of a kind. The area’s unique geography and climate have shaped a distinct culinary identity. Ingredients like corn, beans, collard greens, regional herbs, and of course, anchovies, form the backbone of Black Sea cooking. Hınkal Resembling oversized dumplings, Hınkal is …
With its deep-rooted cultural richness, Turkey projects many Ramadan traditions and values into the present day. As the month of Ramadan begins, we have listed enduring Ramadan customs -passed down from generation to generation- that reinforce social solidarity, strengthen communal unity, and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage. Mahyas on Mosque Minarets Although the tradition of lighting oil lamps …
Reaching the tomb of Yavaşça Şahin Paşa -who famously marched ships over land during the conquest of Istanbul– is nearly as difficult as marching ships over land itself. As the roads rose over the years and the mosque courtyard shrank, it has become almost impossible to reach his grave. Yavaşça Şahin Paşa (Mehmet Ali Paşa) is one of the lesser-known …
With its elegant long legs and graceful neck, the crane is a bird known across nearly every corner of the world, embodying different meanings in different cultures. In Anatolia, however, the crane has come to symbolize something deeply rooted in the collective heart of the land: abundance, prosperity, and sacredness. The Cranes of Turkey: Rare Yet Revered Although there are …
The concept of time is both directly relevant to human life and broad enough to evade universal definitions. Our perception of time relates to the dimensions we interact with, creating multiple and differing understandings. Muslims ground their understanding of time in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Let’s discover Saatnâme: manuals of Islamic timekeeping. God’s swearing by “time” in the Qur’an …
Throughout history, Turkish culture has left a lasting mark on European art. But it was during the 18th century that a particular fascination with Ottoman life, customs, and daily practices surged in Europe, inspiring countless works across classic music, painting, and literature. Among the most remarkable of these are operas composed by prominent European musicians, who, captivated by the mystique …