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Turkey
Among all Ottoman heritage sites in Istanbul, the monumental imperial mosques are the most important and certainly the most visible. The largest mosque complexes were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. But those from the 18th and 19th centuries are equally significant. Fatih Sultan Mehmed, immediately after conquering Constantinople in the 15th century, commissioned two grand mosque complexes. However, ...
Fatih Sultan Mehmed conquered Constantinople in 1453. The Ottoman sultanate was finally abolished in 1922. For 469 years, the city now known as Istanbul remained under Ottoman rule. Unsurprisingly, the Ottoman heritage in Istanbul is immense, spanning centuries from the conquest to the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic. Among the most visible and enduring legacies are the Ottoman imperial ...
Among the Ottoman heritage sites in Istanbul, the monumental Ottoman imperial mosques are the most prominent and enduring symbols of the empire’s architectural and cultural legacy.
The largest and most impressive mosque complexes were constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Although, those built in the 18th and 19th centuries remain equally significant in terms of style and representation.
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Ottoman fountains are among the most distinctive features of Istanbul's Ottoman heritage. While imperial mosques dominate the skyline, fountains are no less significant, both historically and artistically.
In Islam, water is regarded as the source of life, created by God. It cleanses the body and purifies the spirit, making its presence essential not only in daily life, but also in religious and cultural ...
One of the main reasons I like Istanbul is its extraordinary history. Originally known as Byzantium, later Constantinople and finally Istanbul, this city was the centre of power for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires for nearly 16 centuries. While remarkable Byzantine monuments such as Hagia Sophia and the Theodosian Walls still stand, it is the Ottoman heritage that most visibly defines the city today - ...
Why do I like Istanbul? I’ve been asking myself this question for weeks. My first trip to Istanbul was in December 2002. My memories of that visit are vague, but I remember being fascinated and wanting to return. Since then, I’ve visited nine times, each visit as enjoyable as the last. And every time I leave, I feel like I haven’t seen or done enough.
My most recent trip was in July 2025, the starting ...
I first published this post on Istanbul in 2019, after spending five weeks traveling across Turkey. I returned in June 2024 for another week and, in July 2025, I began a three-week journey through Turkey once again in this incredible city.
So, I decided it was time to refresh the post and give it more prominence, a homage to a place that continues to captivate me. Of course, no single article can truly ...
In my post “Food for Healthy Life” I shared my dietary habits, what I choose to eat and what I avoid, to maintain good health. Sticking to my routine is relatively easy when I’m at home, where I control the food that I buy, prepare and cook. But is it still possible to maintain healthy nutrition when we travel? Let’s take a look at my past travel experiences. Back then, I didn’t pay much attention to my ...
Among Istanbul’s many Ottoman landmarks, the most renowned are its monumental imperial mosques, such as the Blue Mosque, Şehzade Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque. But, in my view, the Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Mosque also holds a significant place in Istanbul’s rich Ottoman heritage.
PERTEVNIYAL VALIDE SULTAN MOSQUE
Situated in bustling ...
PERTEVNIYAL VALIDE SULTAN MOSQUE
Situated in bustling ...
Much like the iconic Yeni Mosque near the Galata Bridge, the Dolmabahce Mosque stands as one of the most recognizable Ottoman imperial mosques, familiar to almost every visitor to Istanbul. Its striking presence along the Bosphorus ensures that anyone embarking on a scenic cruise or simply crossing between the European and Asian sides of the city will inevitably catch sight of its elegant ...
