Mehmed II

For an archaeologist, the moment of a discovery is unparalleled—especially when it involves a find of historical magnitude and uniqueness, such as the sole surviving contemporary portrait of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine Palaiologos.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, approximately 394,000 of the roughly 1.74 million students enrolled in Turkish higher education institutions have chosen Istanbul, highlighting the city's appeal as a vibrant center for education.

The Bektashi sect (Bektaşi) of dervishes belongs to Sufi Islam and represents an important chapter in the history of Islam in the Middle East, Asia Minor, and the Balkans during the Ottoman period. It is a blend of Muslim faith, Christian Orthodox monasticism, and Masonic mysticism. The followers of this sect are monogamous, eat pork, and drink alcohol.

Political leaders and citizens gathered on May 29 to commemorate the 571st anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul, marking the landmark event with a series of celebrations throughout the city.

An annual ritual held on every Aug. 15 in the Sümela Monastery in the northern province of Trabzon has stirred controversy this year as some political parties requested its postponement, saying that the date coincides with the newly determined conquest day of the city.

Türkiye on May 29 has marked the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul on its 570th anniversary with a series of events in the Turkish metropole.

Istanbul was besieged 28 times throughout history before its conquest in 1453 by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II.

Turkish historians have lashed out at the world's richest man Elon Musk for his "1453 Constantinople" tweet, hinting that Istanbul was conquered, not with a military victory, but due to an open gate forgotten by Byzantine soldiers.

A rare portrait of Suleiman I, the longest-reigning Ottoman sultan known as the Magnificent Suleiman, has been put up on display for Turkish people after it was donated to the Istanbul Municipality by an anonymous citizen who bought the artwork at an auction in London.

A rare 16th-century portrait of Suleiman the Magnificent, the longest-reigning Ottoman sultan, has been donated to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality by an anonymous buyer after it fetched a hefty 350,000 British pounds ($481,000) of sale price in an auction in London last month.

The Istanbul Governor's Office has launched an inquiry into a portrait of Ottoman Emperor Mehmet the Conqueror, which the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality had bought in an auction in London for $1.1 million, after allegations that the painting could be fake.