Architectural Expressions of Love and Compassion: Ottoman Bird Houses
Istanbul is full of beautiful historical bird houses that express the loving and caring attitude of the Ottomans toward birds. Here are some of them…
Istanbul is full of beautiful historical bird houses that express the loving and caring attitude of the Ottomans toward birds. Here are some of them…
Wine has been produced in Anatolia since ancient times. While struggling with restrictions, bans and very high tax rates, the industry has made great progress in recent years. Turkish wines have lately been winning prizes at international competitions. While these can be tasted at numerous restaurants in the city, here is a special place where you can taste special wines made of indigenous grapes of Anatolia.
As an ancient city, Istanbul is naturally full of deep-rooted holy sites that are flocked with believers who want to make a wish or seek a remedy for their maladies. All cities as old as Istanbul are bound to have at least a few such points of attraction. What makes those of Istanbul exceptional is that, they are not confined to the followers of any specific religion. The sight of mostly female Muslim believers, with or without headscarves, in Orthodox holy sites is quite common in Istanbul. So is the benediction they might receive from Christian priests to make their wishes or pleas come true.
The Istanbul Cinema Museum on the İstiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu deserves a visit not just because of its historical collection on the film industry and the supporting state-of-the-art technology, but also because of the historical building that houses it. The building which also comprises the Atlas Cinema today once was a mansion that belonged to the Armenian Ottoman Köçeyan family. The restoration by the Ministry of Culture has revealed the beautiful frescoes and decorations that were on the brink of ruin. Thanks to the restoration, visitors can now admire the palace-like mansion that was fit to host the Sultan. The frescoes are the work of art of the French artist Dominique Berteaux who came to Istanbul in the 1870s.
The full name of the exhibition is Istanbul As Far As The Eye Can See: Views Across Five Centuries. The venue of this most interesting exhibition is Meşher, at 211 İstiklal Avenue. Entry to the building is from the side street (Postacılar Sok.) around the corner. Readers may recall Meşher from another exhibition that was […]
The ever increasing number of restaurants and cafes in Istanbul is almost overwhelming nowadays. In this case, deciding where to eat can be a tedious ordeal for foreign visitors. However, going to places that are also preferred by locals can be a useful guide. Here are a selection of restaurants that Istanbulites prefer to go to around Karaköy. Needless to say, there are many others but these can be a starting point for you.
The centuries-old Turkish Bath tradition. Similarities and differences between Roman and Turkish Baths. The history, culture, rituals and special utensils that are a part of the tradition. Historical Turkish baths that are still in operation in Istanbul.
It may not seem so at a glance to a stranger but, the long and bustling İstiklal Avenue is the true heart of art and culture of Istanbul. The avenue continues to hold this status in spite of the numerous art and cultural centres and venues that have lately sprung up at different locations around […]
The once named Grand Rue de Pera or Cadde-i Kebir (meaning main road in Ottoman Turkish), today’s İstiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu is currently being reborn from its ashes. With each renovated Art Nouveau building, it is rising higher like a phoenix that is by nature destined to be reborn yet again. One of these historical […]
The Galata district of Istanbul has plenty to offer to an inquisitive mind that has a special interest in history. You can literally wonder in the maze of its streets and feel like you are travelling in time. The history and the Genoese background of Galata were covered in my previous post that concentrated more […]