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The Tragic Story Behind a Sad Turkish Song [Gamzedeyim Deva Bulmam]

The grave of Kemani Tatyos Efendi, the composer of Gamzedeyim Deva Bulmam

Every song has a story, often reflecting a hidden tale of love, longing, or loss. Gamzedeyim Deva Bulmam (“I Am Wounded, I Find No Cure”) is one such composition, born from the sorrows of Kemani* Tatyos Efendi, one of the…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • September 16, 2025
  • Cats of Istanbul

Do Cats in Turkey Have Rabies? What You Need To Know

Stray cats in Istanbul Bahçeköy

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It is one of the oldest known infectious diseases, almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but entirely preventable through timely vaccination.

  • Özgür Nevres
  • September 16, 2025
  • Places and Sights, Dogs of Istanbul

Belgrad Forest in Spring [April]

Belgrade Forest, Istanbul, in April 2025

As Istanbul begins to thaw from the chill of winter, Belgrad Forest (or the Belgrade Forest) awakens with a quiet, almost magical transformation. By April, this vast woodland, located just north of the city, erupts into a symphony of greens.…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • August 22, 2025
  • Dogs of Istanbul, Cats of Istanbul, Places and Sights

Lady of the Belgrad Forest: A Rescue Dog’s Springtime Walks [Part 1, April]

Lady the rescue dog is hiking in the Belgrad Forest

Lady was a stray dog my father had been taking care of since 2016. He had built a kennel for her in the garden of his house in Silivri. Lady would spend the nights in that kennel and roam the…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • June 19, 2025
  • History

Were There Any Muslims Living in Constantinople Before the Ottoman Conquest?

This illustration by Antoine Helbert depicts Constantinople engulfed in flames, seen from the vantage point of the approaching Venetian fleet. During the Fourth Crusade, Crusaders deliberately set parts of the city ablaze to spread panic and conceal their movements.

Before the Ottoman conquest of 1453, Constantinople was a predominantly Christian city, serving as the heart of the Byzantine Empire. Yet historical records reveal moments of Muslim presence within its walls-diplomatic, commercial, and even religious. A small number of Muslims…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • March 29, 2025
  • Life in Istanbul & Turkey, History

Istanbul Population: Current [2025] and Historic

Bosphorus bridge, Istanbul, at night

Istanbul, one of the most populous cities in the world (its population is over 15 million as of 2025), where the continents of Europe and Asia seamlessly blend, is not just a historical and cultural gem but also one of…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • March 16, 2025
  • Places and Sights

What Time Is It in Istanbul Right Now?

Dolmabahçe Clock Tower

Istanbul, the vibrant city that bridges Europe and Asia, follows Turkey Time (TRT, UTC+3) all year round, with no daylight-saving changes. Whether you’re planning a trip, scheduling a meeting, or just curious about the local time, this page provides the…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • March 9, 2025
  • Cats of Istanbul, Dogs of Istanbul

Rescuing Istanbul’s Strays: How I Care for 100+ Animals [A Story Featured in Newsweek]

I take care of over 100 stray cats and 20+ stray dogs in Istanbul: feeding, rescuing, and providing medical care. My efforts were featured in Newsweek.

For nearly a decade, I have been dedicated to rescuing, feeding, and providing medical care to stray cats and dogs in Bahçeköy, Istanbul. My efforts began in 2015 after I unknowingly rescued a pregnant stray cat who frequently visited my…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • March 9, 2025
  • Places and Sights

Belgrad Forest, Istanbul Under Snow [2025 Edition]

Topuzlu Bendi (Topuzlu Dam), Belgrad Forest, Istanbul

This morning (Sunday, February 23, 2025), Istanbul was once again covered in heavy snowfall (it has been snowing since Wednesday). Belgrad Forest (Belgrade Forest), which is just a 5-minute walk from my home, looks stunning under the snow. So, I…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • February 23, 2025
  • Places and Sights

Istanbul Technical University Campus Under Snow

Istanbul Technical University Campus under Snow

Istanbul Technical University (ITU), one of the most prestigious institutions in Turkey, transforms into a winter wonderland when covered in snow. The tree-lined paths, modern buildings, and serene campus roads take on a peaceful, almost surreal quality under a fresh…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • February 21, 2025
  • Places and Sights, History

Bahçeköy, Istanbul Under Snow: A Winter View from my Window

Bahçeköy Central Mosque Under Snow

On February 19, 2025, Bahçeköy was blanketed in a thick layer of snow, transforming the quiet streets and old buildings into a picturesque winter scene. From my window, I watched as heavy snowflakes fell steadily, covering the rooftops, parked cars,…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • February 19, 2025
  • History

The Plague of Justinian: Constantinople’s Deadliest Epidemic

The Plague of Justinian: Constantinople's Deadliest Epidemic

During the reign of Emperor Justinian I (527-565 CE), one of the most devastating pandemics in history, known as the Plague of Justinian, swept across vast regions, claiming the lives of millions. The disease first appeared in the outer provinces…

  • Özgür Nevres
  • February 18, 2025
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