Saksagan
Use of Beads in Turkish Culture
Beads for Prayers and Conversation
In Turkish culture, beads are used not only to count prayers but also for conversational purposes. The Mohammedan faith requires...
The Waterfront of Constantinople
Waterfront Space Taken by Palaces
The waterfront of Constantinople is not used for typical shipping purposes, like docks or warehouses. Instead, it is occupied by...
Caution Regarding National Etiquette
Respect for Veiled Women
The first piece of advice given to strangers in Constantinople is about understanding the local etiquette, especially regarding veiled women. It...
Strict Palace Security
In addition to the regular guards, one officer sits at each corner of the corridor around the Sultan’s room. From their positions, they can...
The Sultan’s Sleeping Habits
The Sultan sleeps only two or three hours each day. He can only fall asleep when someone is reading to him or when music...
The Sultan’s Wealth and Mental Health
Power, Money, and Madness
The Sultan's Generous Treatment of His Family
Sultan Abdul Hamid II was known for being very generous to his family members. Unlike...
A Middle Byzantine Cistern Near Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque
There is a Middle Byzantine cistern located to the northwest of the outer courtyard of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Mosque that draws special attention....
Cistern Near the Pantokrator Church
Cistern is located on Ibadethane Sokak, to the southwest of the Pantokrator Church in Istanbul. This cistern is a remarkable example of how Byzantine...
Monolithic Columns in Byzantine Cisterns
Reused Materials in Cistern Construction
In the cisterns of Byzantine Constantinople, one of the most important architectural features was the monolithic column. These columns, often...
The Rock Sanctuary of Yazılıkaya
A Sacred Place Near Hattusha
The Yazılıkaya rock sanctuary is located about one mile from Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire. This place...
