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 …
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 …
Straddling the continents of Asia and Europe and serving as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul has been a major hub of trade and culture for centuries, with its islands, architecture, and natural beauty. The city’s impact on artists can be seen in countless works of art. In this article, you can explore Old Istanbul paintings …
For centuries, Istanbul has been not only a crossroads of trade and culture but also a meeting point for lovers of sweets. The refinement of the Ottoman palace kitchen, the craftsmanship of neighborhood confectioners, and the elegance of Levantine patisseries have all come together in this city. As you stroll through its historic streets, the confectionery shops you encounter are …
Istanbul… More than just a city; it is a magical stage where history, culture, and architecture intertwine. The waters of the Bosphorus, the legends of the Maiden’s Tower, the majesty of the Blue Mosque, the bustling Grand Bazaar… But among its many wonders, few capture the grandeur of the city as vividly as Istanbul palaces and pavilions. From the Ottoman Empire …
Located on Serdar-ı Ekrem Street near Şişhane, the Crimean Memorial English Church stands on land that was once a Greek Orthodox cemetery. Sultan Abdülmecit granted the land to the British to commemorate the Crimean War. The foundation was laid on October 19, 1858, and the church was inaugurated on October 22, 1868, with the British ambassador Lord Stratford de Redcliffe …
From the 13th century onward in Europe, being Turkish often meant being Muslim, and vice versa. This association became so prominent that Turks were recognized as Muslims not just in their own lands but throughout Europe and beyond. However, the Turkish identity spans thousands of years, encompassing diverse religious traditions. While Islam is the predominant faith among Turks, there are …
One of the most fascinating and unique parts of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula is undoubtedly the Golden Horn. Once polluted by industrial and domestic waste, it lost much of its charm for decades. However, with major cleanup efforts beginning in the mid-1990s, the Golden Horn has gradually reclaimed its former glory. Today, it ranks among the top destinations preferred by international …
Just hearing the names salep and boza is enough to stir up warm waves of nostalgia in many hearts. But these aren’t just sentimental relics of the past, they are timeless beverages packed with health benefits, rich in flavor, and perfect for warming the body and soul on cold winter days. Let’s explore these traditional winter drinks of Turkish culture …
As is well known, Sultan Abdülaziz was the first and only sultan of the Ottoman Empire to undertake a trip abroad. That journey not only brought us a romantic tale but also gave birth to the dish Hünkarbeğendi. Let’s go back to the year 1867, 154 years ago, when this story began. A Captivating Encounter in Paris: When Abdülaziz Met …