Category: Places

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.

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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.

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