The mosques of Istanbul represent the splendour of Islamic architecture. Their central domes, rising above the skyline of the city, convey both the ideals and ambitions of powerful Ottoman Sultans and the brilliance of the architects who created them. Th

Planning to travel to Istanbul and want to know what adventures will await you? Already been and want to know more? "Inside Out In Istanbul" is a collection of short stories about life in Istanbul by author Lisa Morrow. Lisa first went to Turkey in 1990, where she stayed in the small village of Göreme for three months during the Gulf War. Since that time she has travelled back and forth between Turkey and Australia many times, living and working in Istanbul and Kayseri in central Turkey, before finally settling for good in Istanbul. The stories in this collection take you beyond the world famous sights of Istanbul to the shores of Asia, to an Istanbul that is vibrantly alive with the sounds of street vendors, wedding parties, weekly markets and more. Come behind the tourist façades and venture deep into this sometimes chaotic, often schizophrenic but always charming city.

This work translates perhaps the most important Ottoman literary source for the Islamic monuments of Istanbul. Containing descriptions of more than 800 mosques, accounts of tombs and tekkes and other monuments and provides information about the patrons and architects mentioned in the text.

A new approach to late Ottoman visual culture and its place in the world With its idiosyncratic yet unmistakable adaptation of European Baroque models, the eighteenth-century architecture of Istanbul has frequently been dismissed by modern observers as inauthentic and derivative, a view reflecting broader unease with notions of Western influence on Islamic cultures. In Ottoman Baroque—the first English-language book on the topic—Ünver Rüstem provides a compelling reassessment of this building style and shows how between 1740 and 1800 the Ottomans consciously coopted European forms to craft a new, politically charged, and globally resonant image for their empire’s capital. Rüstem reclaims the label “Ottoman Baroque” as a productive framework for exploring the connectedness of Istanbul’s eighteenth-century buildings to other traditions of the period. Using a wealth of primary sources, he demonstrates that this architecture was in its own day lauded by Ottomans and foreigners alike for its fresh, cosmopolitan effect. Purposefully and creatively assimilated, the style’s cross-cultural borrowings were combined with Byzantine references that asserted the Ottomans’ entitlement to the Classical artistic heritage of Europe. Such aesthetic rebranding was part of a larger endeavor to reaffirm the empire’s power at a time of intensified East-West contact, taking its boldest shape in a series of imperial mosques built across the city as landmarks of a state-sponsored idiom. Copiously illustrated and drawing on previously unpublished documents, Ottoman Baroque breaks new ground in our understanding of Islamic visual culture in the modern era and offers a persuasive counterpoint to Eurocentric accounts of global art history.

This is an annotated translation of what is perhaps the most important Ottoman literary source for the Islamic monuments of the Ottoman capital, Istanbul: Hafız Hüseyin bin Ismail Ayvansarayî's Hadikat al-Cevami (The Garden of Mosques). Long recognized by Turkish scholars as a unique source for the city's architecture and urban form, the text, which was completed in 1195/1780 and revised and enlarged between 1248/1832-33 and 1253/1838 by Ali Sati, contains separate descriptions of each of Istanbul's more than 800 mosques, plus accounts of its medreses, tombs, tekkes and other monuments. The annotations place each of these buildings within the city's urban plan and provide biographical information about the patrons, architects and other personalities mentioned in the text. An introductory essay gives an account of Ayvansarayî's life and works, describes the various manuscript versions of the text and reviews the cartographic resources available for the study of Istanbul's urban form.

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Istanbul. Following Rick's self-guided tours, you'll experience the wonders of East and West in this fascinating city—the capital of two great empires. Explore one of the world's largest domed churches, haggle with merchants in the exotic Grand Bazaar, and discover the secrets of the sultan's harem in Topkapi Palace. Wander through monumental mosques, shop along sophisticated avenues, and watch whirling dervishes in action. Cruise the Bosphorus for a quick trip to Asia, and end the day relaxing in a Turkish bath. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants in delightful neighborhoods. You'll learn how to get around on the city's trams and ferries, and which sights are worth your time and money. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket.

In the heart of Istanbul, where East meets West, where ancient history intertwines with modernity, and where the call to prayer echoes alongside the bustling city life, lies a tapestry of cultural richness and spiritual depth. It is a city of mosques, each with its own unique story to tell, each standing as a testament to the enduring legacy of human civilization. This book is a journey through the mosques of Istanbul, a celebration of their beauty, history, and significance in the fabric of the city. From the majestic domes of Hagia Sophia to the serene courtyards of Süleymaniye Mosque, each chapter invites readers to explore the architectural marvels, cultural treasures, and spiritual sanctuaries that define Istanbul's skyline. But more than just a guidebook, this volume seeks to delve into the soul of Istanbul, to uncover the stories of the people who built these mosques, the communities that gather within their walls, and the traditions that have been passed down through generations. It is a testament to the resilience of faith, the power of art, and the enduring spirit of a city that has stood at the crossroads of civilizations for millennia. As we embark on this journey, may we come to appreciate not only the beauty of Istanbul's mosques but also the diversity of its people, the richness of its history, and the depth of its cultural heritage. May this book serve as a window into the soul of Istanbul, inviting readers to discover the magic, the mystery, and the majesty of this timeless city.