İstanbul is a fascinating city with a rich history and culture, and as a result, there are many interesting facts about it. Some of the most interesting facts about Istanbul include:
Category Archives: History
Hagia Sophia in 1880
An 1880 photo showing Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. From the Pierre de Gigord Collection of Photographs. Photographer unknown.
Newspaper-selling boy (Istanbul, 1958)
This famous photo of a newspaper-selling boy was taken in 1958 at the Little Hagia Sophia district in Istanbul by the journalist Hilmi Şahenk (1903-1972). The 9-year-old boy is running, waving a newspaper in his right hand, and there’s a small bunch of newspapers under his left arm. There’s a 1950 Plymouth in the background.
Topuzlu Bendi, Belgrade Forest on a foggy day
Sultan Ahmed Dam, also known as the “Topuzlu Dam” (Turkish: Topuzlu Bendi) was built in 1619, and the construction of the dam was ordered by the Ottoman sultan Ahmed III (30 December 1673 – 1 July 1736).
The Great Fire of Pera in 1870
On June 5, 1870, a horrendous fire in Pera which is known as “The Great Fire of Pera” today, destroyed a large part of the district. It is also known as “The Great Fire of Constantinople”. Pera, today’s Beyoğlu, located on the European side of Constantinople (now İstanbul), separated from the old city (historic peninsula of …
What To See In One Day In Istanbul
You came to Istanbul for a meeting, or a work appointment, or vacation, and you have only one free day. Where to go, what to see, in only one day in Istanbul? Last September, I had a guest from London, UK. He came to Istanbul for shooting a short film, and he had only one …
The Aquaduct of Bahçeköy
It is still cold outside. Today it snowed a little here in Bahçeköy. I paid a visit to the local veterinary to buy my lovely cats some food, especially for Nairo who has urinary problems. I took a few photos along the way.
Top 5 must-see places in Istanbul
Straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, Istanbul is one of the major tourist destinations in Europe. The city’s strategic location has made it one of history’s most important cities. So there’s plenty of historic places to see, and to feel the exotic atmosphere. Here …
Istanbul in 1967 (video)
A beautiful and interesting video showing Istanbul in 1967. The time that there were no intercontinental bridges, no skyscrapers, no traffic jams, and much fewer people.
St. Anthony of Padua Church
St. Anthony of Padua Church is the largest church of the Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul. It is located on İstiklal Avenue (see notes 1) in the historic Beyoğlu (Pera) district, the social and cultural center of Istanbul. It is also known as the Sant’Antonio di Padova Church, S. Antonio di Padova, St. Antoine, or locally as Sen Antuan.