Here’s a view of Bosphorus with my road bike (a 2015 Cannondale CAAD10) from Rumelikavağı (Rumeli Kavağı), a neighborhood of Sarıyer district in Istanbul Province.
Continue reading “A view of Bosphorus and my bicycle from Rumelikavağı”A beautiful sunset in Istanbul
Sunsets in Istanbul are beautiful. Here are a few photos that I took while I was crossing the Bosphorus aboard a Vapur (ferry) on a January evening. Istanbul’s ferries, locally called “vapur”, travels between two continents, between Asia and Europe.
The word vapur comes from French “Bateau à vapeur”, sometimes simply referred to as “vapeur”, which means steamboat in English (vapeur means steam).
Continue reading “A beautiful sunset in Istanbul”Autumn in Istanbul (Belgrade Forest)
The autumn brings beautiful colors to Istanbul Belgrade Forest. I took thee photos during a bicycle ride on November 10.
Continue reading “Autumn in Istanbul (Belgrade Forest)”Istanbul from Space: Top 5 most beautiful photos
Here are the top 5 most beautiful photos of Istanbul from space.
Continue reading “Istanbul from Space: Top 5 most beautiful photos”Sounds of a misty lake
April 14, Sunday was a misty and rainy day in Bahçeköy. I went to the Belgrade forest to get some fresh grass to my cats. Topuzlu bendi looked very beautiful under the mist. I recorded the video below.
Continue reading “Sounds of a misty lake”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).
Continue reading “Topuzlu Bendi, Belgrade Forest on a foggy day”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 Constantinople) by the Golden Horn, was the district of diplomatic residences and European society around 1870. Actually, now, it still is.
The great fire destroyed two-thirds of the quarter, burnt down countless buildings, and killed many people – perhaps thousands. Many hotels, nightclubs, theaters, and embassies went up in flames. British embassy, which already burnt down once before in the great fire of 1831, was also destroyed. Because of the wooden buildings and the strong wind, the fire spread rapidly.
According to the Manchester Weekly Times, a weekly newspaper published from 1828 to 1922 in Manchester, England, “…sheets of the flame extended a mile in length”. The fire was put out after thirteen hours. But, even after then, some burned houses continued falling down and killing yet more people. According to Glasgow Daily Herald (founded in 1873, it is the longest-running national newspaper in the world and is the eighth oldest daily paper in the world), cannons were used to bring down such dangerous buildings.
The fire was also covered by the Western newspapers – here is a compilation below.
Continue reading “The Great Fire of Pera in 1870”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 free day. Fortunately, most of the fascinating sights of Istanbul are in the historic peninsula, which means they are close to each other and can be seen in one day.
Continue reading “What To See In One Day In Istanbul”Two April bicycle rides in the north of Istanbul
I jumped on my road bike and rode to the north of Istanbul. I took some photos occasionally.
Continue reading “Two April bicycle rides in the north of Istanbul”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.
Continue reading “The Aquaduct of Bahçeköy”