Private Tour Guide in Istanbul

  Çeşm-i Bülbül (Eye of the Nightingale) Çeşm-i Bülbül (Eye of the Nightingale) is a glassworking art that emerged at the end of the 18th century when Selim III sent Mehmet Dede, a Mevlevi dervish, to Venice to learn glass techniques. Mehmet Dede opened a workshop in Beykoz with the opal glass technique he learnt in Venice and developed çeşm-i bülbül by working on this technique. The person who popularised the production of this valuable product was Tophane Müşiri Fethi Ahmet Pasha. Çeşm-i Bülbül is a product that is produced using special glazing technology and requires long processes and creativity. Its main feature is that thin and coloured glass rods are melted at high temperatures and placed in glass that has become like water. The "twisting lines" reflect the skill and style of the master who shaped this glass form. The products called Çeşm-i bülbül include various forms such as vases, jugs, sugar bowls, bowls and plates. These works of art are of great value in terms o...

The Ottoman Empire was a great empire that hosted many different cultures and civilisations throughout history. This rich cultural heritage is also reflected in Ottoman tombstones. Ottoman tombstones draw attention with their unique designs bearing the influences of Islamic art. In this article, we will focus on the history, design features and symbolic meanings of Ottoman tombstones. In the Ottoman Empire, tombstones were generally used as important symbols reflecting the social status and place of the person in society. These stones were usually made of marble and decorated with various shapes, ornaments and inscriptions. Ottoman tombstones were usually decorated with various motifs, such as geometric patterns, plant and flower motifs, verses and hadiths, which were influenced by Islamic art. One of the most important features of Ottoman tombstones is the relief inscriptions at the top. These inscriptions usually include the name of the person, dates of birth and death, and sometimes...

 In the early 18th century, Lady Mary Montagu, the wife of the British ambassador to Istanbul, travelled to Ottoman/Turkish lands. In Edirne and Istanbul, she made contact with the court circle and visited households, baths and mosques. Lady Montagu provided detailed information about the men's and women's clothing, the ageing and hair ornaments, the priceless jewellery, the fabrics, materials and colours used in the palaces of the Ottoman Empire. At the same time, she recorded that she was not only a visitor to the palace and harem, but also that Ottoman/Turkish women wandered the streets of Istanbul, covered by their headscarves, and made observations like a true traveller. Clothing has been one of the most basic needs of people for centuries. Initially used to protect the body from natural influences, clothing has gained features such as adornment, fashion following and status determination over time. Clothing is an important symbol in human culture and is associated with pe...