November 3, 1839 was the beginning of a new period in istanbul. with the ottoman sultan’s firman of reforms, announced by being read to public in gülhane garden of topkapı palace, the process of westernization gained pace. in this period, lots of innovations took place in istanbul, from architecture to way of life, and from educational institutions to industrial organizations.
published: 30 September 2022 / updated: 21 November 2024Share
In parallel to the enlargement of the city, a hectic constructional activity was in progress. On one hand sultans, on the other hand statesmen, non-Muslim wealthy people and foreign embassies built villas and mansions. Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Ihlamur and Küçüksu Pavillons, Ayazağa, Alemdağ, İcadiye and Mecidiye Villas were built in this period. Also in this period, many state-owned buildings called “mebain-i emriyye” were built. These include postal administration offices in many districts, Tophane, Maçka Arsenals, Harbiye Ministry and Pangaltı Harbiye Buildings.
This rapid westernization activity left its traces in architecture as well. In this period, classical Ottoman architecture was abandoned and new buildings were made in western styles such as baroque, rococo, neogothic and ampire. Indeed, this change in style penetrated into the architecture of mosques as well.
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In those years, there were notable improvements in infrastructure and urban services. These include the building of a bridge over Golden Horn, tunnel (subway), Rumelian Rail, launch of Şirket-i Hayriye that administered in-city sea transport, establishment of other state offices of Şehremaneti (Municipality), hauling of the first telegraph line, establishing of Police Force Directorate and the police stations under its control, servicing of Vakıf Gureba Hospital and Horse-Drawn Tram Company.
A great importance was given to the opening of modern educational institutions that would nourish the process of westernization. Darülfünun, the foundation of today’s University of Istanbul, men’s and girl’s high schools, School of Architecture, School of Telegraph Information, College of Education, Teachers High School, School of Forestry, School of Nursery and Midwifery, Mekteb-i Sultani (Lycee of Galatasaray), School of Industry and School of Medicine and State Administration were the schools which started their education period then.
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When Turkish Seekh Kebab is mentioned in English, and as Şiş Kebap in Turkish, there is no doubt the first thing that comes to our mind is where and how these words came to these days separately without losing their meaning. The origin of these words, which has been used since the earliest times in the time tunnel, dates back to the 10th century. It has come up to the 14th century verbally and was used in writing for the first time in the 14th century. That usage was about the recipe materials and made in the Arabic language, not in the Turkish language. The Turkish meaning of these words goes like Şiş Kebap, and we'll use these two words in the text a few times, so it is essential to know where it comes from.
A city that is worth a country on its own, Istanbul! With a population of 15 million and being the only city connecting two continents, Istanbul is one of the cities with the most advanced transportation network in Europe. So, it is only natural for a tourist to get easily lost or confused in this intricate network. The transportation map comes into play at this point. You can find them nearly anywhere in Istanbul, and they are very easy to read.