Istanbul full of color as Judas trees blossom
İstanbul full of color as Judas trees blossom
When a tree turns purple one morning, know that spring is in the air. This is all the more delightful in Istanbul, where the fragrance of the Judas tree is never far away.
Take a tour of the Bosphorus to see both sides of the city covered in purple. Yes, the Judas trees are blooming now. Don’t wait too long because the flowers disappear as fast as they come -- 20 days is all you have. Turkish poet Ziya Osman Saba once spoke of this, saying: “Düşünceli yürürken bir yol demecinde/Çıkacak önümüzde beyaz dallarda bahar/hatırlatacak bize şen çocukluğumuzu/erguvanlı bir bahçe, mor salkımlı duvar.”
(While walking thoughtfully on a road/spring will put in an appearance/spring will remind us of our joyful childhood/a garden full of Judas flowers and a purple bunch.) If you want to return to years past and your childhood to see the beauty of İstanbul, do so when the Judas trees bloom, as poet Hilmi Yavuz has advised.
People interested in literature or history or those who read books on Byzantine culture know well that İstanbul’s color has since the beginning of time been purple. Author Haluk Dursun reminds us in one of his books, titled “İstanbul’da Yaşama Sanatı” (The Art of Living in İstanbul), that the Byzantine Empire was founded on May 11, which was celebrated as the day the flowers of the Judas trees blossomed in İstanbul. The Ottomans conquered İstanbul on May 29, 1453, which corresponded to the time when Judas trees are in full blossom.
Also, Turkish poet Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar says in his book “Beş Şehir” (Five Cities) that if there is a flower with which to celebrate, the flowers of the Judas tree come in second only to roses. Judas tree celebrations have been organized every year since 2000. Bosporus tours are held to enjoy the beauty of the Judas trees in İstanbul. Süheyl Ünver, who is among the top promoters of Judas trees, notes that people should see Judas trees through tours of the Bosporus. Seeing Judas trees while walking on a road is an insult to both the Bosporus and to Judas trees, he cautions, however. In 1996, Ünver suggested organizing Judas tree activities in İstanbul; ever since, no one has shown more devotion to this cause than Erguvan İstanbul Association Chairman Hüseyin Emiroğlu.
We started our journey from İstanbul’s European side. Judas trees put in an appearance in Dolmabahçe Palace, but this is only a small sample because far more can be found in Yıldız Park, whose entrance is a little north of Dolmabahçe Palace as you head to Beşiktaş. It is also possible, but rare, to see Judas trees in Ortaköy. Approaching Arnavutköy, we noticed more and more Judas trees. Just around the corner, in Bebek, however, we felt we were in Judas tree heaven, with blue waters below and purple mixing with patches of blue sky above. A bit further north, the imposing stone towers of Rumeli Hisarı rose up high, shrouded in purple. This place and the nearby Aşiyan neighborhood are surrounded with wonderful Judas trees. There are also many Judas trees in İstinye and Emirgan Grove, both of which are favorites among İstanbulites and pleasant places to enjoy stunning views of the Bosporus while spending quality time alone or with family.
The Asian side of İstanbul is no less spectacular. We strongly recommend a walk around Beylerbeyi. Enjoy the Judas trees while drinking tea in popular places such as Hidiv Kasrı (a pavilion located on the Asian side of the Bosporus), the hill in Kanlıca, Mihrabad Grove and Küçüksu Sevda Hill. Vaniköy and Fethi Paşa Grove have pink and purple-colored Judas trees, but they do not have as many trees as can be found around Rumeli Hisarı. If all these are far away, look for the Judas trees in and around Sultanahmet, Halide Edip Adıvar Park in Şişli, at Topkapı Palace, around the Aya İrini (Hagia Irene) Museum and in Gülhane Park, all of which are on the European side. Fenerbahçe Park in Kadıköy and Anadolu Hisarı may also be worth a visit. Both are on the Asian side.
Previous years had dedicated Bosporus tours that allowed you to see as many of the trees as possible, but this year you’re out of luck. Instead, take regular Bosporus tours provided by İstanbul Ferry Lines (İDO). Ferries leave from Eminönü (on the European side) at 2:30 p.m. and from Üsküdar (in Asia) at 2:30 p.m. for a two-hour-long tour. If you have more time, İDO offers six-hour-long Bosporus tours. The longer tour allows you to take in Eminönü, Beşiktaş, Kanlıca, Yeniköy, Sarıyer, Anadolu Kavağı and Rumeli Kavağı. The cost is TL 25 per person. For more details, visit İDO’s website at www.ido.com.tr.
Michael Palin is at Turkish baths (hamams) in Istanbul – BBC
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Treasures from Kremlin Palace at Topkapi
Treasures from Kremlin Palace at Topkapi Palace
Home to the Ottoman throne for nearly 400 years, Topkapı Palace is now hosting the czarist treasures of Moscow's Kremlin. The exhibition 'Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin at Topkapı Palace' invites all Istanbul residents to witness the grandeur of the Russian empire for the first time in Turkey
Russophiles and art lovers of all stripes will have the unique opportunity to peruse the treasures of Russia’s Kremlin during an exhibition opening Friday at Istanbul’s historical Topkapı Palace.
Organized under the auspices of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency in collaboration with the Topkapı Palace and Moscow Kremlin Palace museums, “Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin at Topkapı Palace” will display 16th and 17th century Russian artwork through June 7.
The works focus mainly on the lives of the czars, especially in their capacities as heads of state and army commanders. The show will also display works depicting their private lives, religious practices and roles in public ceremonies.
Housed in the Has Ahırlar section of Topkapı Palace, the exhibition includes ceremonial harnesses for horses, clerical cloaks and examples of the czars’ personal effects. Most of these latter objects were produced by master craftsmen and are typically made of gold and silver.
In addition, “Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin at Topkapı Palace” will also display a series of garments created for the czars by the empire’s master tailors, included clothing sewn and ornamented with exquisite representations in pearls and silver. The czars wore such apparel both for religious functions and in their everyday lives.
The pieces forming the Turkish portion of the collection include swords, helmets and daggers, along with harnesses, pocket watches, basins, ewers and ink-holders that were acquired by the czars over the years. After several centuries in the Russian capital, these Ottoman-era artifacts have returned to Turkey for the first time as part of this exhibition.
Topkapı Palace was the official residence of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years, from 1465 until 1856, and was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1985. Built in 1459, the palace is a complex made up of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings.
After the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic, the palace was converted into a museum in 1924. Large collections of porcelain pieces, robes, weapons, Ottoman-era miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts and jewelry are on display in the museum.
Kremlin Palace to host pieces from Topkapı
In a reciprocal arrangement, the Kremlin Palace Museum in Moscow will also host unique treasures from Topkapı Palace in an upcoming exhibition. Ottoman objects produced in the 16th and 17the centuries will be presented at the Palace of Czardom in a show organized by the Istanbul 2010 agency in collaboration with the Topkapı Palace and Kremlin Palace museums.
The exhibition, “Topkapı Palace Treasures at the Kremlin Palace,” will run from May 26 to Aug. 15 and will include 106 pieces, including symbols of the sultanate, personal effects and representations of Ottoman palace life.
The two events mark the first time Russia and Turkey have organized this type of cultural exchange. The exhibitions aim to help further enhance future relations between the two countries.
With the exchange, the two museums also hope to cooperate more fully in the future in preserving artifacts from the imperial past.
(Hurriyet Daily News ; Thursday, March 11, 2010)
