Zeyrek Cistern in Istanbul

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 09/09/2025 - 13:05

Tucked beneath the sloping streets of Istanbul’s historic Zeyrek neighbourhood, just below the Zeyrek Mosque (once the Monastery of Christ Pantocrator), lies one of the city's most atmospheric rediscoveries: the Zeyrek Cistern. Recently restored and opened to the public, this Byzantine structure was originally part of the water system supporting the grand monastery complex above. Today, it offers travellers a quieter, more intimate alternative to the well-trodden Basilica Cistern.

Ayakapı Bathhouse in Istanbul

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 09/06/2025 - 12:00

Ayakapı is a small neighborhood located on the shores of the Golden Horn in the Fatih district of Istanbul. During the Byzantine period, the district was known as Ta Dexiokratiana or Dexiokràtous. The district's most important historical structure is the Gül Mosque, built as a church during the Byzantine period and later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period. Another important structure is the Ayakapı Bathhouse, built by the architect Sinan in 1582, also known as the Havuzlu Hamam (Pool Bathhouse). Located on the shores of the Golden Horn between Fener and Cibali, the building, also known among the public as the "Cibali Bath", was built by Mimar Sinan in 1582 for Nurbanu Sultan, the wife of Selim II and mother of Murad III, to generate income for the Atik Valide Sultan Complex in Üsküdar.

Hasan Sezai Shrine in Edirne

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 09/05/2025 - 08:31

A visit to Hasan Sezai Shrine gives us an excellent opportunity to take a closer look at the concept of Sufism as Hasan Sezai was one of the famous Sufi scholars who lived in Edirne. His recently restored mausoleum and adjacent mosque complex are the examples of the successful renovation of the buildings of the highest importance to the Muslim community of the city.

August 2025 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 09/01/2025 - 08:40

Among remarkable archaeological discoveries announced in August 2025 in Türkiye, it is worth mentioning the identification of a remarkable mortuary structure in Çatalhöyük, dubbed the “House of the Dead,” where the remains of 20 individuals were ritually placed. A recent archaeological breakthrough in the ancient city of İznik, formerly known as Nicaea, unveiled richly decorated Roman mosaics and burial plots that may have belonged to a high-ranking Roman general. Finally, archaeologists uncovered a series of cremation burials dating back around 3,000 years at Beçin Fortress in Milas, shedding new light on ancient funerary traditions in western Anatolia.

The games people played

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 08/14/2025 - 13:11

Text by our correspondent from Didim, Jay Jean Jackson.

There are many ancient archaeological sites which have graffito carvings etched into the stone floors. I have seen them in many places, Miletus, the Sacred Road, the Temple of Apollo, and Ephesus to name a few and I suspect they would also be present in most Ancient Greek cities. I have always been curious to learn about these, what are they for or what do they mean?