The real story of Rumi and Sufism in modern Istanbul
It may be a surprise that Jalal ad-Din Rumi—the thirteenth century mystic known as Mevlana in Turkey, the Middle East, and Central Asia—is the best-selling poet in the United States.…
Unfolding the city: Lale Apa and her Istanbul
Since The Guide Istanbul was first published in 1991, the city has no more secrets, says Lale Apa, the magazine’s founder. Having guided others through Istanbul’s narrow streets and picturesque…
A Turkish gothic tour: Istanbul’s most haunted mansions
In Istanbul, fragments of history are revealed by the slightest scratch of the earth. Having grown from a Greek fishing village to a global metropolis over the course of 2,600…
Escape from the city: best weekend getaways for Istanbulites
Day trips Using free time to get out of the city and enjoy some natural bliss is not an idea exclusive to Istanbul. But, although the megacity can be overwhelming…
Lettuce from Byzantium: discover Istanbul’s ancient gardens
When we think of cultural heritage in cities, we tend to imagine monuments made of stone: Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower, or Topkapı Palace. But some of Istanbul’s most ancient sites…
Heybeliada’s hidden spot: Halki Seminary
Photos by Elİf Savarİ Kızıl It’s been so long since someone stepped into this classroom that the floorboards creak in protest. The chalkboard, presumed to once have been a forest…