Ottoman dynasty

Construction of a new building planned next to the Atık Valide Mosque complex, one of the two great Istanbul mosque complexes designed by the legendary Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in the 16th century, has been halted by a court on the grounds that the work was damaging the historic building. 

An exhibition titled "Matrakçı Nasuh: A 16th Century Genius," featuring works by the famous 16th-century Ottoman philosopher, mathematician and historian Matrakçı Nasuh, opens today in Italian capital Rome. 

The exhibition is hosted by the Societa Geografica Italiana Foundation, which has Europe's most important map archive and library, as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations. 

A 16th century Turkish bath built by renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan in Istanbul has been put up for sale with an asking price of 3 million euros, daily Birgün reported on May 9.

Turkey's main stock exchange Borsa Istanbul is working on new financial instruments that will bring higher yields for lower risks and be based on several unusual products including popular TV series, car manufacturing projects and construction projects, the bourse's head has said. 

A caravanserai that was built by the Ottoman sultan Süleyman the Magnificent for his mother, Ayşe Hafsa Sultan, in the resort district of Marmaris will now turn into a museum amid anger that some parts of the complex are currently used as a bar.

A fire during restoration works has caused serious damage to a historic 15th century Ottoman mosque in Didymoteicho, northeastern Greece, local officials said on March 22.

"For the moment there is no indication that arson was involved," Nathanail Rigas, head fireman of the Thrace region bordering Turkey, told AFP.

A fire badly damaged the Bayezid (Mehmed I) mosque in Didymoteicho, northern Greece, in the early hours of Wednesday, reports say.

Reports say the fire completely destroyed the 14th century building's wooden roof which was undergoing restoration works expected to finish by the end of the year.

Authorities are investigating the incident.

Nilhan Osmanoğlu, the person who has gone extremely public nowadays, claims she is the fifth generation granddaughter of one of the last Ottoman sultans, Abdul Hamid II. She said in a public speech last week that she was fed up with the parliamentarian system. 

We've made the sultan worry, look what've done. 

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker Özgür Özel has rebuked Nilhan Osmanoğlu, one of the descendants of Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II, after she showed her support for the presidential system. 

The biggest problem for Turkey is that we have not yet been able to achieve the sociological and sentimental integration to the extent required by the definition of a "nation." For this reason, we become polarized very easily and very sharply.