Nilüfer Hatun – Matron of a Dynasty in the Making

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 11/23/2025 - 15:00

Nilüfer Hatun, a concubine of Orhan, the second Ottoman sultan, stands at the hazy but momentous threshold of early Ottoman history — a period where fact and legend blend as readily as the frontier cultures from which the young beylik emerged. As the mother of Murad I, the sultan who would transform the Ottomans from a border principality into an ascendant power, Nilüfer occupies one of the earliest and most consequential positions in the dynasty's lineage. However, she also represents one of its greatest historiographical puzzles.

Nilüfer Hatun Imaret (soup kitchen) in Iznik (ancient Nicaea), now housing the Turkish Islamic Arts Museum

Green Mosque in Iznik

Submitted by Iza on Mon, 11/17/2025 - 09:05

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Iznik "The Highlights of Iznik. Treasures of the ancient Nicaea".

Nestled within the rich tapestry of history, Iznik - once known as Nicaea - boasts a remarkable collection of historical structures. Among these, the Green Mosque (or Yeşil Cami) stands out not just for its architectural beauty but also as a cherished symbol of the city. The mosque’s name is derived from the striking hues of the ceramic tiles that adorn its solitary minaret, casting a vibrant charm that captures the essence of Iznik's storied past. Stepping into this enchanting space invites you to discover the layers of history and artistry that have defined this timeless location.

Chora Church mosaics and frescoes

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 11/02/2025 - 16:15

Though smaller in size than many of Istanbul's surviving Byzantine churches — measuring a modest 742.5 m² — the Chora Church stands out as a true jewel of Byzantine art, thanks to its remarkably well-preserved interior decoration, which offers a rare window into the religious and artistic life of the late Byzantine period.

The church's layout is elegantly structured into three main sections: the first one is the narthex, or entrance hall, where worshippers would first arrive. It is divided into the outer narthex (exonarthex) and the inner narthex (esonarthex). The next section is the naos, the central nave and heart of the church. Finally, there is the parecclesion, a side chapel often used for private devotion or funerary rites.

Exonarthex mosaics - Christ as "The Land of the Living" with the Wedding at Caana top left and the Multiplication of loaves top right

October 2025 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Sat, 11/01/2025 - 08:35

In October 2025 archaeologists in Turkey unveiled several major finds that deepen our understanding of past societies and human migration. In western Anatolia near Ayvalık a previously unknown Ice‐Age land bridge has been proposed after the discovery of 138 Paleolithic stone tools across 10 sites, suggesting a new corridor by which early humans left Anatolia for Europe. Meanwhile near Denizli a 2,700-year-old sanctuary likely dedicated to the Phrygian mother-goddess (Matar/Cybele) was found, complete with rock monuments, twin rock-carved idols, a sacred cave and drainage features — shedding light on ancient Anatolian religious practices.

In the southeast at Şanlıurfa Castle archaeologists uncovered a richly decorated 1,500-year-old mosaic with Greek inscription, animal and botanical motifs, and some associated burials - offering fresh insight into the region's late Roman/early Byzantine Christian life. Also of note was the unearthing of a large 1,600-year-old wine production facility in the mountains of Adıyaman's Gerger district, with cisterns, grape‐processing equipment and industrial infrastructure, pointing to the scale and sophistication of late Roman era rural production in Anatolia. Together these discoveries span from Paleolithic migration, to Iron Age cults, and Roman industrial landscapes - illustrating the richness of Turkey's multi-layered archaeological heritage.

Sitting Kybele from Kula in Manisa Province, Roman period, Izmir Museum of History and Culture (now closed)

Chora Church (Kariye Mosque)

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 08:53

Tucked away in the Derviş Ali neighbourhood of Istanbul's historic Fatih district, the Chora Church, now known as the Kariye Mosque, is one of the city's most extraordinary monuments. Once a Byzantine church, later transformed into an Ottoman mosque, and then a museum, it embodies the deep and complex layers of Istanbul's cultural and religious history.