Myrelaion Church - Bodrum Mosque

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 11/17/2020 - 09:35

The building of the Byzantine church called Myrelaion, now known as the Bodrum Mosque or Mesih Pasha Mosque, is one of the inconspicuous buildings located in the neighbourhood of Laleli in Istanbul. Choked on three sides by ugly apartment buildings, it remains a modest reminder of the former palace complex of the same name. However, its unusual history is worth remembering as an excellent illustration of how confusing and twisted were fates of the inhabitants and the buildings of Constantinople.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Istanbul: "Byzantine Secrets of Istanbul".

Hacılar Ezanı Namazgah in Edirne

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 11/05/2020 - 10:14

The structure called Hacılar Ezanı in Edirne offers a good opportunity to explain the concept of a 'namazgah.' While it is not necessary to introduce the idea of a mosque as a building of religious worship for the Muslims, it is worth taking a closer look at the concept of namazgah. It is also a place of worship, but it serves to perform prayers in the open air. Actually, the word namazgah comes from the Persian language and literally means the place of worship.

Hacılar Ezanı Namazgah and Fountain in Edirne

October 2020 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 11/01/2020 - 09:41

October 2020 brought many archaeological discoveries in the area of Turkey, as an ancient temple dating back to the Stone Age, between 7,000 and 12,000 years ago, was found at Kahin Tepe while the memorial tomb of the famous Greek astronomer and poet Aratus was excavated at Soli (Pompeiopolis). Moreover, the sensational discovery of a Minoan-era harbour was announced in Didim and the earliest heating system of southern Anatolia was found in heart of Diyarbakır (ancient Amida).

Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 16:37

The Commercial Agora had three main gates, enabling access from the north onto Harbour Street, the south-east, and the west. The most impressive and best-preserved of these gates is the so-called Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates on the south-eastern side, very close to the Celsus Library. This monument is also the only large-scale structure of the Augustan building programme that survived the earthquake of 23 CE.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Ephesus: "The Secrets of Ephesus".

Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates in Ephesus

Palatial Residence of Troy VI

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 10/26/2020 - 08:27

Not much has been preserved from the Palatial Residence of Troy VI, but it probably had two floors as a fragment of a staircase was discovered. Schliemann called this building "the Palace of Priam", but the residence dates back to the earlier period of 1700-1300 BCE. Large vessels for storing food discovered here testify to the fact that, at least for some time, this building served as a warehouse.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Troy "The Secrets of Troy (TAN Travel Guide)".