Ivan Aivazovsky, a celebrated Russian-Armenian artist, holds a special place in the hearts of Turkish art lovers. With over 200 paintings dedicated to Istanbul, Aivazovsky’s works form one of the most comprehensive visual records of the Ottoman capital during the…
Istanbul is a city of contrasts and surprises, where history and modernity, and also two continents, collide. Here are 5 fun facts about Istanbul.
On Istiklal Avenue at night, Istanbul’s nostalgic tram glides gracefully along the tracks, surrounded by the vibrant energy of the city. The glowing lights of the bustling street and the red tram create a timeless scene, drawing locals and tourists…
This morning, I stood on the subway bridge stretching over the Golden Horn to watch the sunrise, when the city of Istanbul unfolded in a serene yet mesmerizing canvas. The soft light of the rising sun pierced through the morning…
In 2021, the Republic of Turkey officially began encouraging the use of Türkiye in international contexts, a move solidified by recognition from the United Nations in 2022. While this change might seem sudden to the outside world, the name Türkiye…
The reason why the bird turkey and the country Turkey (currently Türkiye) share the same name is rooted in historical confusion and trade routes. The story is an interesting mix of misidentification, global trade, and colonial exploration.
Back in 2012, I wrote an article titled “Road Cycling in Istanbul” for the website Cycling Passion. The article was predominantly in a Q&A format. Now, for 2024, I wanted to revisit and expand on that article. A lot has…
Hagia Sophia was completed in 537 AD, and it must have been a magnificent sight for the people of that era. Let’s try to imagine what a passenger aboard a ship approaching Constantinople might have experienced when seeing the Hagia…
In the mid-19th century, the Ottoman Empire was undergoing a period of transformative change known as the Tanzimat, or “Reorganization” era, which introduced sweeping efforts toward modernization and Westernization. Sultan Abdülmecid I, who reigned from 1839 to 1861, was a…
Thousands of websites, blogs, and social media posts cite the quote, “If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital,” attributing it to Napoleon Bonaparte. Despite its widespread popularity, no historical evidence exists that Napoleon ever said…
On a September morning, just before sunrise, I decided to take my bike out for an early ride along the Bosphorus. There’s something magical about the city at that hour – the calm before the day fully awakens, with only…
Why do people want to leave Istanbul and live in Izmir? In a previous article, I explained why, despite their desire, people find it hard to leave Istanbul, and even if they move to another city, they often return after…