Architects, Italians, and the attack on young women in Istanbul

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has unfortunately adopted a stance that will damage its respectability. The highly controversial "Seagull" transport hub project on the coast of the Bosphorus in the Kabataş neighborhood is not only designed by an inept architect - it also blocks views of the historic Molla Çelebi Mosque built by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. 

The technique used to construct the building, planned to "looked like a flying seagull," has also damaged the 16th century mosque. 

If a project damages a 428-year old mosque, clearly its methods are inadequate. Clearly, some people consider themselves architects and act like spoilt children, trying to push through the crowd with their elbows. But good manners and politeness are necessary for architects too. 

Italy in Turkey 

Italy and Spain are two countries with which we still have good relations in Europe. Of course, the role of Italian culture in Turkish history is bigger than many other European countries, and nowadays many Italians live and work in Istanbul. 

There was intense Italian migration to the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. From ordinary plasterers to architects, many who worked on chic buildings in Istanbul and İzmir contributed to the country, as well as musicians and artists. Many Italians who fought against Austria in the 1848 revolution also came to seek refuge here. Aldo Kaslowski, who once headed the prestigious Turkish Business and Industrial Association (TÜSİAD), comes from such a family. 

The Italian colony in the Ottoman Empire used to amount to more than 100,000 people but now it amounts to only 3,000. Still, even this population is enough to connect us with a wide global network.