Officially called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, this 17th-century masterpiece sits directly across from Hagia Sophia, facing it almost like a conversation across centuries. One (the Hagia) was once a church, then a mosque, then a museum, then a mosque again. The other (Blue) has been a mosque from the beginning and still welcomes worshippers five times a day. And yes, it really is blue. But maybe not in the way you expect. Why It’s Called the Blue Mosque The name comes from the mo

A Brief History of Istanbul’s Most Public Space Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue are often treated as two separate places. In reality, they function as one continuous space where politics, commerce, culture, and daily life overlap in a way that feels uniquely Istanbul. To understand one, you need the other. Taksim: A Square Built for Control The name Taksim  comes from the Ottoman word for "distribution". In the 18th century, this area sat on the edge of the city and served

Hippodrome in 1573 If you’ve ever wandered through Sultanahmet and found yourself in a long open plaza lined with benches, tea vendors, and a suspiciously racetrack-shaped layout, congratulations, you’ve stepped into Hippodrome Square, one of the most historically layered places in Istanbul. I have walked through this space so many times (it is right in front of the Blue Mosque) without knowing anything about it. I did some digging and felt compelled to share what I found wit