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...
Early Cultural Connections in Anatolia
Early Buildings and Trade
During ancient times, Anatolia was closely connected with other advanced cultures like those in Mesopotamia. Pottery from the Ubaid period (a...
Anatolia and the Bible
What Is Anatolia?
Most of what we now call Turkey was once known as Anatolia or Asia Minor. This land stretches about 1,000 miles from...
When was Istanbul settled?
Istanbul daily tours – The earliest-known settlement in the area, which people now know as Istanbul, was probably founded around 1000 BC. Its name...
Ensar on Chinese state TV
Customized Guided Tour – Ensar Islamoglu on CCTV
Chinese Television got the best guide for their customized guided tour. It was Ensar’s pleasure to tell them...
