The Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George (Turkish: Aziz Yorgi Patrikanesi Kilisesi), located in Istanbul’s Fener neighborhood in the Fatih district, is the spiritual heart of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, serving as the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch since ~1600. Dedicated to Saint George, this modest yet richly adorned cathedral is central to Eastern Orthodoxy, guiding over 300 million Christians worldwide. A UNESCO World Heritage Site within the “Historic Areas of Istanbul” (inscribed 1985), it houses sacred relics, including a piece of the True Cross, and features historic gates sealed since the 1821 Greek uprising, embodying centuries of resilience and faith.
The True Cross, one of Christianity’s most sacred relics, believed to be a piece of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. This relic, preserved within the church’s nave, is a focal point for Orthodox Christian pilgrims and a testament to the church’s role as the spiritual seat of the Ecumenical ...
The Süleymaniye Mosque (Turkish: Süleymaniye Camii) is a 16th-century Ottoman masterpiece in Istanbul’s Fatih district, designed by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Celebrated for its elegant dome, four slender minarets, and sprawling külliye (complex), it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site within Istanbul’s Historic Areas.
As an active mosque, it blends architectural grandeur with serene spirituality, attracting worshippers and tourists alike.
Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman I (1520–1566), the mosque was built between 1550 and 1557, at the height of the Ottoman Empire’s power. Sinan, the imperial architect, considered it his finest work, balancing scale and harmony.
It was constructed on the third hill of Istanbul, on the site of the old Eski Saray (Old Palace), symbolizing Suleiman’s legacy. The külliye included madrasas, a hospital, a soup kitchen, and tombs for Suleiman and his wife Hürrem Sultan. Damaged by fires and earthquakes (notably in ...
Nakhon Ratchasima FC (Swatcat) hosts Port FC in a Thai League 1 clash. This mid-table encounter pits a struggling home side against a talented Port squad that has struggled on the road so far this season.
The match will be held at the 80th Birthday Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima, a multi-purpose venue opened in 2007 to commemorate King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday. With a capacity of around 20,141, it features a single covered grandstand, colorful seating, and a surrounding running track. Part of a larger sports complex, it serves as the primary home for Nakhon Ratchasima FC and hosts various athletic events.
Heading into the fixture, Nakhon Ratchasima sit in 12th place with 7 points from their opening matches, having gone winless in their last five outings and scoring just four goals during that span. Port FC, in contrast, occupy 6th position with 10 points, boasting an impressive 12 goals in their previous five games, with all of them coming at home.
Port FC hold a strong historical ...
The Grand Bazaar (Turkish: Kapalıçarşı, meaning “Covered Market”) is one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, a sprawling labyrinth of commerce that’s been the beating heart of Istanbul since the 15th century. Located in the Fatih district, between the Beyazıt and Nuruosmaniye mosques, it’s a UNESCO-recognized gem that draws 250,000–400,000 visitors daily, blending Ottoman history with vibrant modern energy.
Whether you’re a history buff, a shopper, or just wandering, it’s an essential Istanbul experience—think endless alleys lined with treasures, the scent of spices, and the lively banter of merchants.
Construction began in 1455–56 under Sultan Mehmed II, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, as a way to boost the city’s economy and fund landmarks like the Hagia Sophia. Originally a modest warehouse for textiles and jewels, it evolved into a massive complex with stone and brick architecture, surviving earthquakes, fires, and even a notorious 1591 theft ...
