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Hotbed of passions: memories of the splendid Naum Theatre

Pera’s opera house, star of Istanbul’s cultural scene, survived tempestuous rivalries before going up in smoke on June 5, 1870

By Emre Aracı | June 4, 2020

Exactly 150 years ago, on June 5, 1870, Istanbul’s Italian opera house, the Naum Theatre, burnt to the ground in the great fire of Pera which ravaged a large section of the neighbourhood from Taksim to Galatasaray, including the British Embassy. Fanned by strong winds, the theatre’s ashes were scattered...

Posted in Architecture, Music & Performing Arts, - Classical Music

In the grand Italian manner

A new book on the extraordinary story of the great Italian architects of late-Ottoman Istanbul

By Monica Fritz | May 13, 2018

I was first introduced to Turkey on a road trip with Paolo Girardelli back in 1993. Starting from Rome we drove to Istanbul and took the famous Truva ferry to Trabzon in quest of abandoned Georgian churches. Together with other excited friends we climbed the hills and trekked through tea...

Posted in Architecture, Books

Heartbreak bostan

The ongoing destruction of Istanbul's cultural heritage

By John Scott | July 8, 2013

YEDİKULE YEDİKULE YEDİKULE! Before reading this, fling open your window, fill your lungs with air and bellow 'Yedikule!' three times very fast. For anyone in earshot who ever called Istanbul home, it will bring a tear to the eye. Now sit down and brace yourself. This is yet another sad...

Posted in Architecture, Culinary Arts, History, News, - Gezi Protests, Travel