Did you know that Julius Ceasar was married three times and had at least two well-known mistresses? Among the well-known mistresses of this famed Roman figure was Cleopatra. And around the time their child was born is when he first said the now-infamous words “Veni, Vidi, Vici”. Referenced in popular culture but also used as […]
TRAVEL THE ICONIC ROUTE OF THE ORIENT EXPRESS
One of the world’s most iconic train journeys is the Orient Express. This long-distance passenger train journey heralded an era of extravagant first-class travel during years when travel was commonly rough and dangerous. Just as impressive as the furnishings, food, and accommodations were the magnificent views from London through Paris to Constantinople (now Istanbul). Today, […]
BEYLERBEYI PALACE MUSEUM, ISTANBUL
The beautiful terraced gardens behind Beylerbeyi Palace used to be known as the Gardens of the Cross because of a cross erected here by Constantine the Great. From Byzantine times onwards, numerous magnificent buildings were constructed here, enhancing the beauty of nature with that of architecture. The sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze was […]
THE DANCE OF TASKALE & MANAZAN CAVES
A local dance that used to be performed in Taskale is described by Cenk Gencdis in his book about the town. Two people dressed up as a camel in a costume made of sacking. A wise man wearing a white robe would appear first and behind him the camel, and then the camel’s owner, an […]
TURKISH ROSES
Roses are the oldest source of perfume. Ancient Sanskrit documents mention rose oil, which is the strongest form of this scent, and in the Iliad’s Homer relates how Aphrodite rubbed Hector’s dead body with rose oil. What was meant by rose oil in these texts was not what we mean by this term today, since […]
DON’T LOOK AWAY: DISCOVER THE MEANING AND HISTORY OF THE EVIL EYE
You’ve probably seen the iconic evil eye symbol a hundred different times and paid no mind to it. Or, you’ve pondered its meaning and the history behind it. In fact, you may even own a piece of jewelry with the evil eye symbol but not thought twice about its actual meaning- only that it looked […]
CLOTHES FIT FOR A SULTAN KAFTANS
Topkapi Palace was the splendid home of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years, built by Mehmed II the Conqueror (1451-1481), and from 1478 onwards used both as an imperial residence and the seat of government. Events at Topkapi Palace determined the destiny of the most far-flung parts of the empire. Here decisions to go to […]
TRAGIC HEROES OF THE ARENA: GLADIATORS
Musicians announce their approach. The roar of the crowd and the noise of music can be heard outside the arena and even in distant neighborhoods of the city. Dressed in magnificent rented costumes the gladiators descend from their litters for the first and perhaps the last time. Seated in the state in the tribunes, magnates, […]
TOP PLACES TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR’S EVE IN ISTANBUL
According to Sumerologist Dr. Muazzez Ilmiye Cig, celebrating the New Year’s Eve is not something new for Turkish people. It has rather been a culture to decorate the pine tree which also represents the “Tree of Life” that rose in the sky from the center of the earth. What Comes Around Goes Around The celebration […]
TOWERS OF ISTANBUL
Most of Istanbul’s children do not realize that Hans Andersen, whose stories have opened the doors to a world of fantasy, visited Istanbul. The Danish writer describes his first sight of the city with a metaphor worthy of a storyteller, likening each mosque with its dome and minarets to Noah’s Ark. Istanbul is a city […]