Search Results for: ottoman period

Homosexuality in the Ottoman Empire: A Historical Perspective

Origins of Homosexuality in the Ottoman Empire According to historical records, homosexuality in the Ottoman Empire began during the reign of Orhan Bey, nearly at the time of the state’s founding. Influences from the Byzantine and Persian worlds introduced these practices to the Anatolian region, and by Orhan Bey’s time, relationships between men had already taken root in various social …

The History of Beer in the Ottoman Empire: From Imperial Breweries to Cultural Shifts

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 …

Gurabahane-i Laklakan: The Ottoman’s First Animal Hospital for Storks and Strays

Gurabahane-i Laklakan is the first animal hospital built for the purpose of caring for birds, especially storks, during the Ottoman period in the 1800s. Gurabahane-i Laklakan also means “Storks’ Doss-House.” It was founded in Osmangazi, Bursa, and Osmangazi was chosen for a special reason: it is located on the path of the birds’ natural migration, so it was decided that …

Ottoman Bird Houses: Architectural Symbols of Compassion and Craftsmanship

The history of bird houses goes way back. The construction of bird palaces and houses, which has been developing since the 15th century in accordance with classical Ottoman architecture, reached different aesthetic dimensions through the 19th century. In fact, the purpose of making bird palaces is to provide shelter to freely flying birds, to protect them from burning sun and …

Turkish Coffee and Tea Culture: From Ottoman Traditions to Modern Cafes

The value of coffee and tea in human life cannot be underestimated. The plants that produce these commodities are not grown in every country, but it is known that tea was first used in China about 2000 years ago BC, and generally, British society is known for its tea. But the Turks also deserve credit! Turks have a Turkish tea …

Turkish Pirates: The Rise of Ottoman Corsairs and Their Legacy in Mediterranean History

Combining truth and legend, with black eye patches and black skull flags, pirates are the fearful nightmares of sailors. Nowadays, pirates depicted in movies are barbarian haramis who seize the ships for the booty, especially in the open seas, and kill people mercilessly. However, the term Pirate in the Ottoman evokes many different meanings. Would it surprise you if we …

Classic Turkish Music: Exploring the Rich Traditions of Ottoman Court Music and Its Legacy

The trend of nostalgia in the consumption of contemporary culture has been experiencing intense popularity in recent years. The styles of past times are sought in many scenes, from clothing to artificial architecture to music. In this respect, Classic Turkish Music draws attention with both its source and its inhabitants. Though historians and musicologists cannot agree on many points, the …

Muvakkithane: Ottoman Timekeeping Rooms and Their Role in Islamic Astronomy

Although it is known in geography and astronomy education that Greenwich is the starter meridian, it was the Million Stone in Sultanahmet during the Roman Empire era. Later, Hagia Sophia served as the starting meridian to determine the time. While the information about time and astronomy changes day by day, the institutions we call timing rooms draw attention as the …

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 …