Top 7 Turkish songs about Istanbul
Situated at the crossroads of the ancient and modern world, Istanbul is heir to a host of cultures. The winds that blow across Europe and Asia have carried many musical…
Top 7 non-fiction books about Istanbul
The large number of books available on Istanbul makes it hard to separate the dry from the inspiring. These recommended non-fiction books will show you why Istanbul deserves its place…
Buying Turkish carpets 101: how to get the perfect rug
If you’re reading this, chances are you have an eye on a Turkish carpet. However, the process of buying them is no easy task. But don’t worry. Following our easy…
Kırık Kuyruk: an online portal to keep the paws happy
Street animals don’t always live happy and healthy lives, especially in a city like Istanbul, which is home to hundreds of thousands of stray cats and dogs. A new internet…
HEY! Imaginable Guidelines: designing Istanbul with card game
A card game aims to help ordinary residents discover how their cities are designed, and to find ways to make them better. By Yao Hsiao What if ordinary residents were…
Ramadan in Istanbul: culinary traditions and the glowing messages
Ramadan culinary traditions: must-haves in iftar dinner As the sun sets during Ramadan, families and communities meet to break their fast with a meal known as iftar. Unlike some other…
Güllaç: the rosy dessert of Ramadan tables
During Ramadan, güllaç is a typical Turkish dessert to have after iftar dinner. Learn more about this simple rosy sweet and how to make it at home. Ramadan in Turkey…
7 traces of Ottoman executions in Istanbul
Let’s go through some of the terrible tales surrounding Ottoman executions. Cities such as London, Hamburg, and Amsterdam all have their own dungeon museums, which fascinate children and adults alike…
Beyazıt Library: Istanbul’s first public library meets the 21st century
Completed by Tabanlıoğlu Architects, the restoration project of Beyazıt Library lets the first state library in Turkey meet the public in a better condition. Located between Istanbul University and the…
A complete guide to Grand Bazaar: how to shop without getting lost
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is high on most tourists’ itineraries, and for a good reason. This enormous site is the largest covered market in the world. Since its size and the…
Interview with Kedi director Ceyda Torun: capturing Istanbul’s cats on film
Hundreds of thousands of cats roam in Istanbul’s streets freely and the documentary Kedi (2016) recorded the lives of seven of them. Director Ceyda Torun talked about his thought on making…