Tourism in Istanbul

Hours of agony continue for the family of 78-year-old Greek from Kozani, whose traces were lost while he was on an excursion to Constantinople.

Hours of anguish are being experienced by the family of the 78-year-old from Kozani, who disappeared while on a trip to Istanbul.

Relatives of 78-year-old Dimitri are in Istanbul searching for him, where his friends last saw him. His trail disappeared a few hours after they landed in Turkey last Thursday and went for a walk in Taksim Square.

Istanbul's Topkapı Palace, affiliated with the National Palaces Department, opened its doors at night for the first time on June 30 to visitors.

The palace will be open every Saturday night between 9 and 11 p.m. and visitors will have the opportunity to tour the palace in two groups.

One of the phased restoration works, carried out in the Harem (seraglio) section of Topkapı Palace by the Presidency of National Palaces, has been completed.

The Concubines Courtyard (Cariyeler Taşlığı) and Bath and Kuşhane Kitchen were opened to visitors for the first time with their new arrangement.

Authorities have released 182 out of 217 people detained in Istanbul after tensions erupted between police and demonstrators during May Day rallies, security sources have said.

The remaining 35 people were referred to the courthouse for potential arrest, the sources said on May 2.

A large number of workers and unions on May 1 gathered for various marches and events to mark Labor Day, with Istanbul witnessing scuffles between police and demonstrators.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took to social media to extend his greeting to workers in the country.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has reiterated that Taksim Square is not a suitable venue for May Day celebrations and demonstrations by workers and unions, reaffirming the previous decision to close the iconic location.

Tourists are flocking to St. George's Cathedral, also known as Aya Yorgi Church, in Istanbul's Büyükada, the largest of the Princes' Islands, to partake in the age-old wish-making practices.

As the month of Ramadan will begin soon, approximately 600 works of art are on display for visitors in the Chamber of Holy Relics at Topkapı Palace.

The artworks in the Chamber of Holy Relics can be visited every day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. except Tuesday.

The "Family Tree" painting from the Sultan Abdulhamid I era is being restored in the workshop of the National Palaces Painting Museum.