The Oldest Video of Istanbul: Alexandre Promio’s 1897 Film
![Colorized frame from the oldest video of istanbul [1897] showing the old Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn, with wooden structures, boats on the water, pedestrians on the bridge, and the Historic Peninsula with domes and minarets in the background](https://cityofistanbul.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Panorama-Golden-Horn-Alexandre-Promio-1897-oldest-video-Istanbul-768x432.jpg)
This 1897 film shot by Alexandre Promio is generally accepted as the oldest surviving moving image footage of Istanbul that we know today.
Category Places and Sights
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Few stories capture the imagination of Istanbul as powerfully as the tale of Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi (or Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi), the man said to have flown across the Bosphorus in the 17th century. According to the legend, Hezarfen launched himself…
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When we brought Lady from Silivri to Bahçeköy last month, it felt like we were giving her a second chance at life. She had narrowly escaped a tragic fate after a neighbor reported her to the municipality. For a gentle…
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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.…
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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…