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…
Posts by tag
Ottoman
11 posts
New Mosque: women’s touch on Istanbul’s landscape
Following the Great Fire of 1660, which destroyed almost two thirds of Istanbul, Hatice Turhan Sultan, an influential figure from the Ottoman imperial court, used the opportunity to redefine the…
Iznik ceramics: relighting the kilns of history
The tiles of Iznik can be found decorating monuments and religious structures; not only in Turkey, but in Cairo, Damascus, Jerusalem, and many other cities, and are proudly displayed in…
The dazzling legacy of Ottoman jewelry
The Ottoman Empire’s bejeweled masterpieces give us tantalizing glimpses into Istanbul’s multi-ethnic past, and its cultural legacy is the exquisite jewelry being made by the city’s contemporary designers and craftsmen.…
Flower power: edible flowers in Ottoman cuisine
The Ottomans loved flowers and incorporated them in life whenever and wherever possible. Floral patterns appeared everywhere from textiles to tiles, surrounding Ottoman life with depictions of tulips, roses, carnations,…
Boza and şıra: not-so-innocent drinks of the Ottomans
Food fermentation is a culinary trend around the world, and for good reason. In certain foods, the process of converting carbohydrates and sugars can not only create bacteria-boosting agents but…
How to eat like the Ottomans today
Ottoman fine dining is a fantastic and delicate melange of flavors drawing influence from Levantine, Turkic, Persian, and European roots. Check out the The Guide Istanbul’s top suggestions for where…
Turkish milk puddings: satisfy sweet tooth without guilt
Turkish cuisine is rich with syrupy desserts, sometimes cloyingly sweet for foreign palates. However, there is a great, often-neglected option in the Turkish sweet world: milk puddings, which are a…
Sublime fragrance: the story behind Anatolian roses
The Anatolian rose is much more than just a pretty look and an indulgent scent. From the Ottoman era to the present day, it continues to produce the world’s most…
Bursa: why is the old Ottoman capital worth a visit?
In comparison with Istanbul, the city of Bursa might seem like a quiet, provincial town. The good news is that Bursa is in fact calm and welcoming – a perfect…