#ottomanempire

[ilcontephotography]

Mesi Bridge, built in 18th by order of Kara Mahmud Bushati, local Ottoman pasha.

Mes, Albania.

© Roberto Conte (2026)

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[along-the-silkroad]

The Blue Mosque, officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultan Ahmet Camii), is a historic imperial mosque from the Ottoman era located in Istanbul, Turkey. Built between 1609 and 1617 during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I, it continues to serve as a place of worship while also drawing numerous tourists. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and celebrated examples of Ottoman architecture.

Designed in the classical Ottoman style, the mosque features a central dome flanked by four semi-domes above the main prayer hall. It is fronted by a spacious courtyard and distinguished by its six minarets. Inside, the mosque is adorned with thousands of Iznik tiles and painted floral designs, primarily in shades of blue, which inspired its popular nickname. The mosque complex, or külliye, includes Sultan Ahmed’s tomb, a madrasa, and several other structures, some of which remain in varying states of preservation.

Located adjacent to the former Hippodrome and directly facing the Hagia Sophia, another major landmark, the Blue Mosque was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 as part of the "Historic Areas of Istanbul."

[whencyclopedia]

A map of European empires c. 1700. By the 18th century, European power had become truly global through a combination of maritime expansion, state-backed commerce, and military force. The leading Atlantic empires, Spain, Portugal, the Dutch Republic, England, and France, had transformed overseas trade into an instrument of state power. Spain and Portugal, pioneers of early expansion in the 15th–16th centuries, still controlled vast overseas territories, particularly in the Americas and the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the Dutch Republic (Republic of the Seven United Provinces) built a commercial empire through chartered companies such as the VOC, dominating key nodes of global trade. England (Kingdom of Great Britain after 1707) and France, under Louis XIV (reign 1643–1715), emerged as aggressive competitors in both Atlantic and Asian markets. This system, known as mercantilism, prioritized bullion accumulation, controlled trade routes, and colonial monopolies as foundations of national power.

[milhankaragul]

A Russian soldier overlooking Istanbul in 1878

[womenoftheottomanempire]

~Mara Branković~

Mara Brankovic, daughter of serbian despot Djuradj Brankovic and byzantine nobless Irene Kantakouzenos. She was married to Sultan Murad II. She was one of the chief personality's of the 15th century. She was also related to royal family of Constantinopole (maternal side). She was the link between slavic, greek, western and ottoman world. She was highley respected by her stepson Fatih Sultan Mehmed. He even mentioned her as "my mother" in official documents. Whole story on my YT channel!

[stanford-photography]

Imagine: A Photogravure of three Armenian nuns, leaving a monastery, in the Ottoman Empire in 1913. By Jeff Stanford, 2023

[thesynaxarium]

Today we celebrate the Holy New Martyr Triantafyllos. Saint Triantafyllos was only 15 years old when he was taken captive by Ottoman Muslims. Confused, he asked them why they had taken him captive without a cause. They did not answer but rather dragged him before the authorities, urging him to denounce Christ. When he heard this, he reprimanded them and said that by no means would he change his faith. He then realised his only "crime" was being a Christian. He told them that they could torture him until he could no longer stand, even kill him, but that he would never renounce Jesus. The Turks did so, granting the young Triantafyllos the crown of martyrdom. His relics soon began to exude a heavenly fragrance and were the source of many miraculous healings. May he intercede for us always + #saint #triantafillus #Triantafyllos #newmartyr #martyr #ottoman #ottomanempire #turk #muslim #islam #christian #faith #love #jesus #christ #jesuschrist #martyrdom #crown #orthodox #saintoftheday (at Zagorá, Magnisia, Greece) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg-Nuy8Pi8s/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[the-fact-site]

Mahmud II ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1808-1839, had 16 Queen consorts, 20 sons, and 20 daughters, making him the father of 40 children. #FACT