The circumcision festival organized in 1675 by Sultan Mehmed IV for his sons went down in history not as the wedding of the year, but as the celebration of the centuries. One of the most magnificent festivities in Ottoman history was undoubtedly the circumcision feast of Sultan Mehmed IV’s sons. The celebration was so grand that it remained legendary for …
When the Turks established their rule over Anatolian lands, they demonstrated examples of civilization that would still be considered significant today in many fields. The matter of standardization is among these achievements. Nearly five centuries ago, standardized regulations were established and strictly enforced according to the local characteristics and production varieties of cities such as Bursa, Edirne, Sivas, Erzurum, Diyarbakır, …
Collective housing specific to the Jewish diaspora is one of the accommodation methods developed by a community facing exile pressure, shaped by the experiences gained across different geographies. The Jewish exile and mass Jewish migrations, which resulted in intensive Jewish settlement in Anatolia, took place over three distinct periods under different conditions. The first was the great Jewish exile that began …
Located in Niğde province, Gümüşler Monastery is one of the most important historical structures in the Cappadocia region. Carved directly into the rock, this monastery dates back to the Byzantine Empire period and is believed to have been built between the 8th and 12th centuries. With its architecture, frescoes, and underground structures, Gümüşler Monastery provides significant insights into the religious …
Although he lived only 49 years, Sultan Mehmet II left an indelible mark on history. As the seventh sultan of the Ottoman Empire, he ascended the throne at the age of 19 and earned the title “The Conqueror of Istanbul” with his extraordinary vision and achievements. Known in the West as “Grand Turco”, Mehmet II was a military genius, a …
Turkey’s aviation history is woven with stories of courage, pioneering spirit, and remarkable diversity. Starting with Bandirma Rocket Club and reaching new heights with modern jet fighters, Turkish aviation grows rapidly. This article brings together some of the nation’s most significant aviation heroes: from Ahmet Ali Çelikten, one of the world’s rare early Black pilots, to pioneering female aviators like …
Every district in Istanbul is like a living history book, containing unique stories and authentic textures. Walking through this cosmopolitan metropolis, you can touch traces of many cultures that have lived here for centuries. Especially the shores of the Golden Horn stand out as a significant route that reveals the city’s most enchanting and colorful history. The jewel of this …
In his famous poem “Üsküdar, Witness to the Conquest of Istanbul,” Yahya Kemal gives Üsküdar a mystical importance, writing: “It saw a hundred thousand angels flying toward Istanbul And kept this vision, secretly, in its memory for centuries.” Indeed, as you walk the streets, avenues, and coastline of this historic district, it’s impossible not to feel the spiritual aura that …
An Entire City Within a City: Welcome to Fatih Fatih is not just a district: it’s practically synonymous with Istanbul itself. Creating a travel guide for Fatih can easily turn into compiling a small book, given its deep historical roots and cultural layers. Even the select spots listed below are enough to show how much history and heritage this district …
Turkey boasts a rich cultural heritage, having been home to numerous civilizations throughout history. Millions of artifacts are exhibited across museums nationwide, preserving the legacies of hundreds of diverse cultures that have inhabited this land. Central Anatolia stands out as a culturally vibrant region, where traces from prehistoric times to the Ottoman era are displayed in its many museums. If …