Turkey/Türkiye/Törökország/Tirkiye/Turquie/Türkei
View allAll Photos Tagged OttomanArchitecture
Ortahisar , Nevsehir, Turkey
The rituals of the Rumi's followers (Whirling Dervishes) are among the enduring as well as the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality.
The ritual whirling of the dervishes is an act of love and a drama of faith. It possesses a highly structured form within which the gentle turns become increasingly dynamic as the individual dervishes strive to achieve a state of trans.
The music that accompanies the whirling from beginning to end ranges from somber to rhapsodical; its effect is intended to be mesmerizing.
Chanting of poetry, rhythmic rotation, and incessant music create a synthesis which, according to the faithful, induces a feeling of soaring, of ecstasy, of mystical flight.
The Dyavolski most or Devil's bridge is an arched stone bridge built by the Ottomans at river Arda in the Rhodopes mountain near Ardino, Bulgaria.
Дяволският мост е каменен мост над река Арда в Родопите, близо до Ардино.
The Dyavolski most or Devil's bridge is an arched stone bridge built by the Ottomans at river Arda in the Rhodopes mountain near Ardino, Bulgaria.
Дяволският мост е каменен мост над река Арда в Родопите, близо до Ардино.
The Dyavolski most or Devil's bridge is an arched stone bridge built by the Ottomans at river Arda in the Rhodopes mountain near Ardino, Bulgaria.
Дяволският мост е каменен мост над река Арда в Родопите, близо до Ардино.
The Dyavolski most or Devil's bridge is an arched stone bridge built by the Ottomans at river Arda in the Rhodopes mountain near Ardino, Bulgaria.
Дяволският мост е каменен мост над река Арда в Родопите, близо до Ардино.
A popular tourist site, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque continues to function as a mosque today; men still kneel in prayer on the mosque's lush red carpet after the call to prayer. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I.
Topkapi Palace, situated in Istanbul, Turkey, stands as a monumental testament to the opulence and grandeur of the Ottoman Empire at its zenith. Constructed in the 15th century under the order of Sultan Mehmed II, following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the palace served as the administrative center and royal residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries, until the mid-19th century when the court was moved to Dolmabahçe Palace.
Covering approximately 700,000 square meters at the tip of the historic peninsula overlooking both the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, the palace complex is a stunning showcase of Islamic art, with its elaborate courtyards, exquisite tile work, and intricate architecture. The layout of the palace is a series of courtyards, each serving different purposes and increasing in privacy: the First Courtyard served as a service area; the Second Courtyard was the administrative heart of the empire; the Third Courtyard housed the Sultan’s private residence and the treasury, including the Imperial Council (Divan); and the Fourth Courtyard was a series of gardens and pavilions used for private relaxation.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Topkapi Palace is its Imperial Harem, a secluded section that housed the Sultan’s wives, concubines, and children, along with a large staff of eunuchs who managed the day-to-day affairs. The Harem is particularly noted for its architectural significance and intricate interior decorations.
The palace also holds an extensive collection of artifacts that reflect the splendor of the Ottoman era, including imperial treasures, religious relics, and a significant collection of manuscripts and decorative arts. Among its most prized possessions are the Prophet Muhammad’s cloak and sword, which draw pilgrims and visitors from around the Islamic world.
Today, Topkapi Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and operates as a museum, attracting millions of visitors each year eager to explore its rich history and cultural heritage. Its strategic location offers panoramic views of Istanbul and the waters that define it, making it not only a historical treasure but also a symbol of the city’s enduring legacy as a bridge between continents and cultures.
The Dyavolski most or Devil's bridge is an arched stone bridge built by the Ottomans at river Arda in the Rhodopes mountain near Ardino, Bulgaria.
Дяволският мост е каменен мост над река Арда в Родопите, близо до Ардино.
The Dyavolski most or Devil's bridge is an arched stone bridge built by the Ottomans at river Arda in the Rhodopes mountain near Ardino, Bulgaria.
Дяволският мост е каменен мост над река Арда в Родопите, близо до Ардино.
The church is named after Cyril and Methodius and their five disciples, known in the Orthodox Church collectively as the Sedmochislenitsi.
The church was originally built as a mosque but abandonded after the Bulgarian independence. It is believed that the architect of the mosque was the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
Ishak Pasha Palace, one of the few remaining examples of an historic Turkish palace, sits on a promontory near the Turkish borders with Armenia and Iran. It overlooks the city of Doğubeyazıt and one branch of the old Silk Road used for centuries for trading with China. Its construction took place over a century starting in 1685 and its history includes periods of war, earthquakes, abandonment and restoration. It is on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list for its mixture of Ottoman, Anatolian, Iranian and North Mesopotamian architectural traditions.
24/05/2025 www.allenfotowild.com
The little town of Mostar – once part of Yugoslavia and now in Bosnia & Herzegovina – suffered terribly during the war which led to the break-up of Yugoslavia. One of the flashpoints was the unforgivable destruction of Stari Most, the 16th century bridge over the Neretva river, in 1993.
After the war, the bridge was rebuilt in the form of an exact replica, and internationally-funded work was completed in 2004. And here it stands today, beautiful though not of course original.
The bridge is 29 meters high and attracts tourists from all over the world. Jumping from the bridge ('bridge diving') is a local ‘rites of passage’ tradition that goes back hundreds of years; if local boys don’t do it, goes the legend, they’ll be a failure for the rest of their lives. But if they misjudge what they're doing, the result could be fatal.
These days, jumps are strictly regulated by the local Mostari diving club, and the activity’s certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Image featured in EXPLORE
The church is named after Cyril and Methodius and their five disciples, known in the Orthodox Church collectively as the the Sedmochislenitsi.Sedmochislenitsi.
The church was originally built as a mosque but abandonded after the Bulgarian independence. It is believed that the architect of the mosque was the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.