For my final blog post, I decided to write about an iconic artifact in Istanbul called “kiz kulesi” also known as “maidens tower”.  Standing on a small island at the entrance of the Bosphorus Strait stands an iconic tower. This tower – called the maidens tower-  has significance both historically and culturally. With it’s iconic design and placement, this ancient tower has caused significant attraction and interest to both visitors and residents for centuries. In this blog post, I will talk about the charming and fascinating landmark of Istanbul known as the Maiden’s tower.

Due to its peculiar location, many legends have arised from this tower, thanks to the imagination of people. One of the most popular and known tale about this tower describes a story where a Byzantine emperor builds this tower after learning about a prophecy that his daughter will be killed by a snake, and moves her daughter to the tower for her safety. However, despite his efforts to protect his daughter, a snake hidden in a fruit basket bites his daughter and kills her. I remember hearing this tale as a child and finding it very fascinating. This shows how peculiar landmarks can be a source for legends.

This tower is also architecturally pleasing due to its history. Originally built in the 5th century BCE by the Eastern Roman Empire(Byzantine empire) as a strategic defense fortification, the Maiden’s Tower has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries. Its elegant Easter Roman design elements can be reflected in the tower, contributing to its visual appeal. It has also been subjected to Ottoman rule and modern Turkish republic rule, with various renovations occurring. This shows how it was still a key part of Istanbul for the governments after the Eastern Roman empire.

As one of Istanbuls most recognizable and iconic landmarks, the Maiden’s Tower holds a special place in the heart of the inhabitants of the city. It can easily be said that it is a symbol of Istanbuls identity. The madiens tower has always had a significant part in the literature, art and popular culture of Istanbul. This makes it serve as a symbol of Istanbuls cultural identity and heritage.

The maidens tower still holds extreme relevance today. It is undoubtedly a big tourist attraction, with thousands of people coming from worldwide to see it with their own eyes. This allows the building to contribute to the economy of Istanbul and Turkey. It is also something that locals like visiting, I personally remember visiting it as a child. Although I don’t remember it in detail, I was still impressed as a child.

In conclusion, the maiden tower is a major part of Istanbul,  culturally, historically and economically. It is important to preserve such buildings with care as they can be pat of a city’s identity.

Sources:

Maiden’s Tower | Müze İstanbul (muze.gen.tr)

» The Maiden’s Tower, a landmark of Istanbul (barcelo.com)

For my 6th passion blog about Istanbul, I decided to write about the street cats of Istanbul. In the bustling streets of Istanbul a certain population can be seen. Those are the street cats of Istanbul. They are seen everywhere, in restaurants, cafes, streets and parks. It is almost impossible to completely avoid them.  These street cats are not just ordinary strays, it is safe to say that they are a beloved and integral part of Istanbul’s culture. They are also very iconic.

Istanbul’s cats are more than just cute additions to the regular streets. They are a key aspect for many historical sites, attracting visitors and making those places even more appealing. These include the historically significant sites Hagia Sophia and Topkapi palace. In those places, cats can be seen interacting with the visitors and behaving in a cute way, and thus making those sites even more appealing and memorable.

Moreover, the cultural significance of these cats should not be underestimated. Cats hold a special place in Turkish culture, with references to them found in literature, folklore, and even religious texts. Certain cats have become so iconic that they became associated with certain streets/locations. One of these is the cat “Tombili” which became so iconic and popular that a statue of him was built on the street he roamed after his death.

Istanbul’s cats are also cared for and supported by the inhabitants of the city. Feeding them and providing shelter for them is a common activity done by Turkish citizens. It is especially common for feeding the cats that live one’s house. This is also an activity that me and my family commonly engaged in and something that we enjoyed. Providing medical care is also something done by the Turkish citizens. The inhabitants of Istanbul taking care of the street cats is a testament to the deep bond between the inhabitants of Istanbul and cats.

In conclusion, cats are a major part of Istanbul without a doubt.  These cats are a significant addition to the city’s culture, they attract visitors, improve the mood of the residents, make historical sites even more popular, and overall creates a positive spirit for the city. It is crucial to recognize all of the benefits that these animals can add to a city and take care of them.

Sources:

Istanbul Honours Beloved Stray Cat With A Statue After Death – News18

Why Are There So Many Cats in Istanbul? (legalnomads.com)

For my 5th passion Blog, I will talk about the notorious traffic of Istanbul.

In the most populated city of Turkey – Istanbul-, traffic is a very common occurrence. Istanbul’s many roads are plagued by traffic congestion. From the narrow roads to the popular highways, traffic can be seen everywhere. It has come to a point where Istanbul is known for its traffic in Turkey, it is an iconic part of it.  Every day, millions of residents and visitors find themselves in congestion, having to navigate through impatient and angry drivers that are constantly honking. In fact, according to a study conducted by Yeditepe university, those living in Istanbul spend more than 3 years of their lives in traffic.

Why is this happening?  The traffic in Istanbul is due to several reasons. The main reason is the city’s infrastructure being unable to keep up with the growing number of people moving in the city. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people move into Istanbul for employment opportunities, increasing the number of cars on the road even more. In addition, a lot of drivers are impatient and sometimes do not follow the rules and regulations of the road, which can lead to car crashes that block the roads. Moreover, the lack of proper city planning is yet another factor that leads to more traffic. There are many slums in Istanbul with badly built and unplanned roads next to them that fail to be properly integrated to the main network of roads. Hence, there are numerous factors that make Istanbul’s traffic so intense and annoying.

How do we fix this problem? It is clear that the traffic of Istanbul is a massive issue since it wastes the time of everyone. It is also very harmful for emergency services such as police or ambulances as well. because of this, finding proper solutions is crucial. Firstly, better city planning is absolutely necessary. To meet the growing population, better and more effective roads must be built. Moreover, better education for drivers is also necessary, their arrogance can lead to further traffic so making them better drivers by increasing the requirements to get a driver’s licence would be very beneficial. In addition, although this would be an indirect solution, investing in other cities in Turkey and creating more job opportunities there would be a significant help. This way, less people would move to Istanbul and possibly more people would move out of Istanbul which means less cars on the road.

In the middle of Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus Strait, stands the magnificent and iconic fortress called Rumeli Hisari.  This fortress is a big part of the history of Istanbul as it served a crucial role in its conquest. Built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed II, this historic landmark continues to stand tall, not just as a relic of the past, but as a vibrant part of the city of Istanbul even now, attracting many visitors.

Rumeli Hisari wasn’t just built for aesthetic purposes, it played a crucial role in shaping the history of Istanbul. Rumeli Hisari, also known as Rumeli Fortress was constructed in 1452 by Sultan Mehmed II, famously known as Mehmed the Conqueror.

Back in 1453, during the famous Siege of Constantinople, it served as a strategic stronghold for the Ottoman army. Its strong walls and towers were crucial for the victory for the Ottoman army. It was a significant part of our history as it served an important purpose in making Istanbul (known as Constantinople back then) a Turkish city and marking the end of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire).  It did this by serving as a key military stronghold, providing the Turkish forces with a strategic vantage point to blockade the Roman city and ultimately securing the victory for the Ottoman army.

However, Rumeli Hisari still continues its relevancy and importance today for Turkey. Today, Rumeli Hisari is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the world due to its historical significance and visually appealing architecture. From guided tours to cultural events, there’s always something happening within Rumeli Hisari that not only attracts local visitors butt visitors worldwide. I personally vividly remember visiting it as a kid, imagining its role in history. My visit to Rumeli Hisari was definitely a major factor in developing my interest in history.

The main reason for why rumeli hisari is still standing and relevant today is it’s restoration that occurred between 1955-1958. With this extensive restoration, the fortress was reinforced and turned into a museum. Thanks to this restoration, this important building is preserved and attracts visitors around the world.

In conclusion, Rumeli Hisari is more than just a simple fortress. It is an important relic with historical and cultural significance that has been preserved thanks to restoration efforts (which shows the importance of restoration for historical artifacts). It still is a building of awe and captivates many tourists as well as the inhabitants of Istanbul.

Sources:

Rumelihisarı – Wikipedia

Rumeli Fortress | Müze İstanbul (muze.gen.tr)

For this passion blog, I want to talk about the sea in Istanbul and how it is harmed by pollution.

For people living in Istanbul, the sea is something that they value very much. It provides them fresh seafood to eat and allows them to relax and spend time in during the summer. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages of living in Istanbul. Being able to go to the beaches during summer with your friends or family is a great luxury that living in Istanbul brings. However, despite its importance for the residents of Istanbul and Turkey, it is severely harmed by pollution which is a major issue.

One of the most notable instances of this environmental pollution crisis occurred in 2021 when Istanbul’s waters were plagued by a phenomenon known as marine mucilage, also knwon as sea snot which is a thick, viscous substance formed by a combination of organic matter, pollution, and rising sea temperatures. This made the once beautiful looking sea look dangerously concerning and disgusting, and its environmental impact was significant.  This event, which caused many concerns among Turkish residents, not only posed a threat to marine life but also highlighted the urgent need for concerted efforts to address and prevent the intense pollution in the region.

In addition to the more immediate challenges posed by events such as the marine mucilage outbreak, Istanbul’s relationship with the sea is also influenced by broader socio-economic and cultural factors. As a large city with a heavy connection to the sea, the city’s economy is closely intertwined with activities such as fishing, shipping, swimming and tourism, all of which rely heavily on the health and the vitality of the sea and its marine environment.

The mucilage outbreak served as a wake-up call for many people and prompted a need for struggle against sea pollution. This wake up call created a response from various sectors including government agencies, environmental organizations such as Greenpeace and the concerned citizens, especially the residents of the Marmara area(which includes Istanbul). Recognizing the severity of the situation, initiatives were launched to clean up coastal areas, raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, and implement stricter regulations to prevent further pollution (although the problem still persists). By protecting the health and vitality of Istanbul’s sea, we are not only protecting vital ecosystems and preserving biodiversity of the sea life, but also protect the cultural aspect and economic prosperity of the city that is connected to the sea for future generations.

In conclusion, the sea is a major part of Istanbul, not only environmentally but also culturally and economically. Because of this, it is of upmost importance to protect it from the destructive pollution problems that it is facing.

sources:

The Most Disgusting Symptom of Climate Change: Sea Snot – The Atlantic

Marmara Denizi’nde Müsilaj Problemi – Çevre Koruma ve Kontrol Dairesi Başkanlığı Web Sitesi (ibb.istanbul)

For my second passion blog, I decided to write about the most iconic aspect of Istanbul which is the Bosphorus and the controversy surrounding it.

Dividing the city into two, the Bosporus is right at the heart of the city. Its beautiful view is a sight to behold that never gets old.  It is undoubtedly one of the biggest things I miss about Istanbul. For me, It’s a symbol of connection, linking Europe and Asia and the Aegan sea and the Black Sea. It is a vital part of Istanbul that gives the city life. However, despite the beauty of the bosphorus, it found itself in the center of a political controversy a few years ago.

Signed in the year 1936, right after the end of the first world war, the Montreux armistice agreement is a treaty regarding the control of Turkey over the bosphorus. It gives Turkey the right to regulate the passing of military ships. However, it does not give Turkey the complete control of the bosphorus.

Because of this, while some people see it as an important treaty that assures the neutrality of Turkey in war time, others see it as a lost economic opportunity. In addition, since the Bosporus is the only trade route that ships can pass through between the black sea and the Mediterranean sea, it can get congested, causing delays.

To solve this issue, the officials announced a bold and according to some – crazy – plan to carve out a new canal between the Marmara sea and the Black sea called “Canal Istanbul” According to the officials, if completed, this project would give Turkey more authority and control over the canals as well as more economic power since the Montreux treaty won’t apply to it. However, others see this proposed project as a complete environmental disaster. Critics also raised concerns about the likely ecological disruption and displacement of communities that would come with this canal. However, despite more than 2 years passing, the current government that proposed this idea has made no progress which makes it likely to assume that it will never be realized.

In conclusion, the controversy behind bosphorus and canal Istanbul reminds us that as we navigate through the complexities of modernization and globalization, we find practical and applicable solutions instead of crazy megaprojects and appreciate what we have.  The bosphorus is a beautiful and natural part of Istanbul that we should appreciate and protect.

The basilica cistern also known as the “Yerebatan sarayi (Sunken Palace)” is undoubtedly one of the most iconic places in Istanbul. It is considered a must – see place by many and for good reason. It is both historically significant and mesmerizing. This palace definitely demonstrates how vibrant and historical the city of Istanbul is. A few years ago, this palace was restored by the local city council. In this blog post, I will talk about why this place is so culturally significant as well as why the restoration of historic buildings like this is extremely necessary.

History

This palace was built by the Eastern Roman Emperor (Byzantine) Justinian I (527-565). Can you believe how old this palace is? I personally think that a building continuing to last for nearly 2000 years is a great achievement. The cistern was built in order to provide a water filtration system for some of the important buildings of the empire. It had a massive water capacity of nearly 80000 – 100000 tons which I believe is huge for the time. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 this palace continued to be in use for many years by the Ottoman government.

Interior 

The interior of the palace is beautiful and magical. There are 366 cylindrical collumns which creates a mighty atmosphere. The ground of the building is water, with the visitors having to stand on bridges to traverse the building. Sometimes you can see fish swimming in the water which is a very nice feature. The lighting of the palace is also dim which further elevates the magical atmosphere. As a kid, when I had visited this palace, I was mesmerized.  Although I don’t remember it in detail as it was a long time ago, I was very impressed and this had ignited my curiosity for history.

The restoration

Due to the risk of collapse and large amounts of tourists having no waiting area, the city council decided to restore the palace. It was a great decision in my opinion because these types of ancient buildings have security risks that need to be addressed, especially with large amounts of visitors coming every day.  Furthermore, a waiting area being given to tourists might have made their experience better and increased the number of tourists which could have benefited the local economy. Moreover, I believe that the environment of the palace is much better as can be seen from the picture above. All in all, I believe that restoring this building was a great decision and should be considered for other ancient buildings as well. Many people can be sceptical of restoration due to the fear that it might harm the original history of the artifact. However, if done right like in this case, it can actually severely benefit the building.

Battlefield 1 is first person shooter game developed by the studio DICE and released in the year 2016.  It is set in the first world war and focuses on large scale warfare with many players playing at once in the same map. There are numerous reasons for why I love this game and I will explain them in this blog.

The immersive setting of battlefield one is extremely well made.I think that this game manages to make the player feel as if they are in the great war. Setting, weapons and cosmetics all reflect the first world war which makes it a very riveting experience. The game being set in the first world war is also a major bonus for me as I find it to be a very intriguing topic. You can play as the central powers such as the Ottomans, Austria-Hungarians or the Germans or you can choose to play as the Allies such as the British or the French. Both sides were involved in the first world war and have uniforms according to those sides which makes the game even more immersive. For me personally, being able to play as the Ottomans was a huge bonus as I am Turkish.

Moreover, the chaotic gameplay of battlefield one is another amazingly well made aspect of the game. Due to the large number of players, the matches often become very chaotic which makes it very entertaining. I also think that the vehicles and weapons are also very enjoyable despite being very old by todays standards. Driving a tank through a highly contested area is a very enjoyable experience.  Furthermore, the game encourages teamwork through the presence of different classes. For example, people who choose the medic class can heal others while the players who choose the infantry class can rush to capture enemy points. This makes the game much more tactical despite being chaotic which is a major strength.

In addition, the maps in the game are also amazingly well designed. Not only are they very immersive, but they also play very well. They are designed in a way that both makes vehicles and normal weapons effective in different scenarios and none of them feel disadvantageous to a certain team. Also, the maps are huge which makes exploring them a fun activity.

In conclusion, battlefield one is an excellent game that I love playing. It’s immersivity, world war one setting, chaotic gameplay and well designed maps makes it one of the best first person shooters that I have played.

Dark souls is an extremely popular franchise known for it’s highly difficult gameplay.  However, despite it being extremely challenging, many people love to play these games. Because of this, I decided to give the latest game in the franchise, dark souls 3, a try. These are my opinions about the game so far:

The first thing that struck me about the game was it’s unforgiving difficulty. This was expected as it is the main thing that the franchise is known for. However, what struck me that I enjoyed this aspect of the game more than I think I would. Every encounter with a hostile enemy required my full attention and analysis. This made a lot of the fights very enjoyable. There were also a lot of instances were I felt immense rage because of the game. However, I never blamed the game with being unfair as I knew that every death was my fault.

The world design of the game with different and interesting locations to explore is another major strength. Each environment is beautifully designed and interconnected. This makes exploring the different areas of the game highly enjoyable. Hidden shortcuts, secret passages and chests feel very rewarding.

The enemies in the game are also extremely well designed. Their moves and abilities makes them formidable foes that demand your attention and reflexes. Each foe requires you to analyze them and adapt to them. Their designes are also amazing.

The boss fights of the game is where it especially shines, Each boss is designed extremely well and are highly challenging.  They are undoubtedly the hardest part of the game. These bosses requires the player to analyze it over and over again and develop the perfect strategy to defeat it.

In conclusion, so far, I loved playing this game. The game has several amazing features that makes it a joy to play: its high difficulty, great locations and well designed foes. I hope that my enjoyment of the game continues as I play it more as I loved playing it, so did many others. 

Developed by the studio “Maddy Makes Games” and released in 2018, Celeste is a game that has reached a large amount of success with it selling 500 thousand copies in the year it released. Celeste is a platformer game that I really enjoyed and I would love to share the reasons for why I and many other players loved this game.

The strongest point of Celeste that made many players love it is undoubtedly it’s smooth and engaging gameplay. Celeste is a 2-D platformer where you move a character between points in a setting. The gameplay of Celeste is superb. The controls of the character is extremely smooth and responsive which makes controlling her very entertaining.

The level design is also spectacular as it requires the player precisely control the character through demanding platforming sections , forcing them to utilize their problem solving skills and pushing their reflexes to the limits. In Celeste, captivating and challenging levels are a joy to play.  Although the levels of the game are difficult, it makes them much more thrilling to play through and makes completing them a lot more rewarding.  After clearing every level, I was sure that my skills had improved significantly. The game contains a variety of levels and some of them have unique aspects that impacts the gameplay in exciting ways. This also increases the replayability of the game.

The breathtaking visuals and music makes the game even better.  Because Celeste is an 8-bit pixel style game, one would expect it to have very poor graphics. However, by embracing it’s pixelated look and making it a part of it’s artstyle, the game creates beautiful environments and stunning scenes. The music is also excellent as it reflects the tone of each level and makes them much more immersive and captivating.

The story of the game is also nice. Unlike many popular titles that I like, it does not contain much violence  and conflict. Instead it is a more personal story that explores the main characters journey to defeat her anxiety by climbing a mountain. Normally, I would find this kind of story boring and uninteresting but I believe that it fits nicely to this game along with it’s visuals and music. Also, as someone who is studying psychology it was interesting to see the depictions of anxiety and depression in this game. A more violent story might have been a bad combination with it’s difficult level design making it similar to games like Dark Souls that are not pleasant experiences most of the time.

Finally, the low system requirements makes the game much more accessible which is another major strength. Since the game is 8-bit, it does not require any strong hardware and can work with old and weak hardwares. It can even work in a potato computer. I believe that this was a major factor that increased the sales of the game.

In conclusion, I believe that Celeste is an excellent platforming game that is very entertaining. It’s remarkable level design, precise gameplay, stunning visuals and music as well as low system requirements makes it a great platformer.