The name “Istanbul” has a rich and complex history, reflecting the city’s long and varied past. It probably comes from the Greek phrase “στὴν Πόλι” [stimˈboli], meaning “to the city”, or “in the city,” reinterpreted as a single word; a…
Istanbul offers more than just its popular tourist attractions. Numerous hidden gems go beyond the typical guidebook recommendations for travelers eager to experience this vibrant city like an “active” local. Here I picked four non-touristy activities that reveal a different…
A 1956 photo of the Bosphorus. The photo was taken from the Anatolian side of Istanbul. The Bosphorus, boats, Dolmabahçe Palace, and Dolmabahçe Mosque can be seen in the photo.
A view of Bosphorus and Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in the distance (also known as the 3rd bridge). I took this photo on May 27, 2021, from Rumeli Kavağı on the European side.
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:
An 1880 photo showing Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. From the Pierre de Gigord Collection of Photographs. Photographer unknown.
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…
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).
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…
It is still cold outside. Today it snowed a little here in Bahçeköy. I paid a visit to the local veterinarian to buy my lovely cats some food, especially for Nairo who has urinary problems. I took a few photos…
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.…
A beautiful and interesting video showing Istanbul in 1967. The time when there were no intercontinental bridges, no skyscrapers, no traffic jams, and many fewer people.