Russell Crowe’s Istanbul… and an Istanbul news roundup…

This is the photo he tweeted while he was in Istanbul…

This is where I am pic.twitter.com/THqHRgk4DB

? Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) July 31, 2013

*****************

Turkish PM Erdoğan favors ?city park? over ?Central Park? in Istanbul

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said a planned park to be built in the Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul should be a ?city park?

Historical building of Istanbul’s Kadıköy becomes library

The historical Şehremanet building in the Istanbul district of Kadıköy is set to become a library

Mayor vows to build ‘Central Park’ in Istanbul

Istanbul mayor said they would build a huge park in Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul similar to Central Park in New York

Historical ruins destroyed in Beşiktaş?s stadium in central Istanbul

Historical ruins including a vaulted ceiling were intentionally destroyed with heavy construction

Istanbul mayor says new candidate decision up to ruling AKP

Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş told reporters July 24 that the ultimate decision on who would run for his position next term is up to the ruling Justice and Development Party

Istanbul?s Hagia Elia Church to reopen next month

The Hagia Elia Church, which belongs to Turkey?s White Russians, is set to be reopened Aug. 2, with a ceremony led by Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew

Italian artists come to Istanbul

This September Istanbul will be hosting Italian artists. Projects and artworks by Cristina Cobianchi, Adrian Paci, Elisabetta Benassi and Anna Franceschini will be displayed in Istanbul

Istanbul’s controversial redevelopment plansBBC News

Turkey’s government is still planning to redevelop large parts of the country’s largest city, Istanbul, as it seeks to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games. Protests at

 Istanbul?s massive metro project Marmaray hits the tracks in first test run

Istanbul Modern hosts August events

Istanbul Modern?s ?Sky Spotting Stop? hosts events, performances, projects by Silsila, Jeffrey Baykal- Rollins, Rob Sweere and Monali Meher

Picturing Byzantine Istanbul: 1930-1947

Hurriyet Daily News

This summer Istanbul witnesses an exhibition, which focuses on the Byzantine heritage in the city. ?Artamonoff: Picturing Byzantine Istanbul, 1930-1947? exhibition presents the Byzantine heritage ofIstanbul from the perspective of Nicholas V

Istanbul mosques welcome Ramadan with ‘Mahya’ tradition

www.worldbulletin.net

The inevitable Ramadan tradition, Mahya have illuminated the streets of Istanbul and other cities during the holy month for hundreds of years and continue to fascinate residents as well as tourists. Mahya, hung only on blessed nights and for religious

Pining for Morsi, in IstanbulNew York Times (blog)

Demonstrators in Istanbul on Aug. 1 supported Mohamed Morsi, the recently deposed president of Ozan Kose/Agence France-Presse ? Getty Images .

Auction for Istanbul’s Golden Horn project to be held today

An auction is expected to be held today for the privatization of the shipyards in Istanbul?s Golden Horn

Orthodox patriarch calls for reopening of Istanbul’s Halki Seminary

Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew repeated his call for the reopening of the Heybeliada Halki Seminary.

Cibalikapı Balıkçısı: Have Your Meze and Eat It Too

On a night out in Istanbul, we often find ourselves forced to make sacrifices in one or more categories of the overall dining experience.

For women, by women: An Istanbul Sex Shop

roadsandkingdoms.com · Turkey · Istanbul · United Nations

It was a Sunday afternoon, and while other Istanbullus were strolling through markets and lingering over brunches along the Bosphorus, I was in hot pursuit of a sex shop.

Istanbul art scene and artists in focus in Switzerland

Swiss Museum Haus Konstruktiv displays Turkish art and the first comprehensive exhibition of Turkish abstract, concrete and conceptual art in Switzerland, with works from over 60 years

Tourist arrival numbers up in Istanbul despite protests

While foreign tourist numbers reached 4 million last month in Turkey, in a 5 percent rise on the same month last year, Istanbul also showed a 2 percent rise despite Gezi Park protests.