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…
Istanbul, Turkey’s largest and most populous city, spans both Europe and Asia. Istanbul’s urban area covers approximately 2,576.85 km² (994.93 square miles), placing it among the world’s largest cities in terms of surface area. This expansive urban landscape is home…
In 330 AD, Roman emperor Constantine the Great made a monumental decision that would shape the course of history: he chose the ancient city of Byzantium as the new capital of the Roman Empire, later renaming it Constantinople. This choice…
You’ve come to Istanbul for a meeting, work appointment, or vacation, and you only have one free day. Where should you go, and what can you see in just one day in Istanbul? Last September, I hosted a guest from…
There’s something I’ve observed in people living in Istanbul (and many others have observed it too): once someone settles in this city, they either can’t leave or find it very difficult to leave and even if they do, after some…
A stunning photo from the 1950s showing Ortaköy and the Bosphorus: not only can you see these two locations, but you can also spot the Maiden’s Tower, the Historic Peninsula, Hagia Sophia, and Üsküdar in the picture. Another interesting feature…
Orhan Veli’s poem “I Am Listening to Istanbul” (Turkish: İstanbul’u Dinliyorum), written in 1947, is one of the most iconic works in Turkish literature, capturing the essence of Istanbul through vivid imagery and a serene, introspective tone. It is also…
A nostalgic photo of Istanbul, likely from the 1980s, shows the Ülev passenger ferry departing from the Karaköy pier. The image evokes a sense of the city’s rich maritime history, with the ferry gliding through the waters of the Bosphorus,…
August 2024: Early morning on the Bosphorus in Istanbul. A view from the European side towards the Asian side. The sun is about to rise. A large cargo ship is making its way from the Black Sea towards the Sea…
In 1971, the majestic SS France ocean liner made a rare visit to Istanbul. This extraordinary event was captured in a unique photograph, showcasing the elegant liner against the backdrop of the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus and the iconic…
On June 26, 2024, I was cycling with my friend Matthias, and while climbing Havantepe (which can be translated as Mortar Hill), we stopped to take photos. Here’s a beautiful view of the Bosphorus from Havantepe Road.