A Look at the Serbian Parliament
The Appearance of the Skoupshtina
The Skoupshtina, Serbia’s Parliament, is quite plain and unremarkable. It is built from lath and plaster, and its walls are covered in whitewash. In front and on the sides of the building, there are lime trees. Under these trees, Serbian men gather, each dressed in different styles. Town men often wear clothes that look like those in Western Europe, while men from the countryside sport brown homespun jackets and bright, floral shirts. Their trousers are tight-fitting and made from the same rough material, and many wear simple sandals made by hand.
Others are dressed in loose white clothing, with trousers that appear to have shrunk in the wash and shirts that hang down to their knees. It often seems as if these men have forgotten to tuck in their shirts. Despite their varied outfits, almost everyone can be seen smoking cigarettes, creating a relaxed atmosphere around the Parliament Scenes from
Scenes from the Balkans
Clanging Chains and Convict Labor
As I turned a corner on the road, I heard a loud clanging noise. Coming into view were forty prisoners, a grim sight, all chained together. Despite their situation, they were talking and laughing loudly as they walked. Accompanying them was a group of soldiers, swords drawn, ensuring the prisoners remained in line.
Further along the highway, I noticed more prisoners working to repair the road. These men, dressed in simple clothes, used picks and shovels, the sound of their chains providing a grim rhythm to their labor. At intervals, soldiers stood resting their rifles, ready to intervene if any prisoner attempted to escape or cause trouble Private Istanbul Tour.
A Look Inside the Serbian Parliament
The Current Parliament House
In the future, the people of Serbia plan to build a Parliament House in Belgrade that t
Terminology in the Communist Constitution
Distortion of Meaning
The terminology used in the Communist Constitution of Bulgaria often starkly contrasts with the actual state of affairs, revealing a profound dissonance between language and reality. For instance, the term “freedom of conscience” is a euphemism for the systematic suppression and extermination of political adversaries. Similarly, the so-called “right to work” translates into a compulsory obligation for individuals to labor, even under conditions akin to slave labor in concentration camps A Look at the Serbian Parliament.
Moreover, “freedom of science” implies adherence to Marxist-Leninist dogmas and strict compliance with directives issued by the Communist Party. The “right to education,” instead of promoting inclusivity, has resulted in the mass expulsion of non-Communist students from educational institutions. Only those students deemed “polit
Squares and Domes
Now, step outside and ascend from the street you came from. Be mindful that the streets you traversed were a crucial center of Istanbul life thousands of years ago as well. The Byzantine palaces and residences of high-ranking palace officials have always existed in this area, where wealth from around the world congregated. Ascend with the Marmara Sea behind you. Take a moment to breathe near Arasta, at the base of the Byzantine Palace walls. Enter, either for shopping or to enjoy coffee or tea. If it’s summer, refresh yourself with cold drinks.
Afterward, exit and stroll towards Sultanahmet Square. Let yourself be captivated by the splendor of the square where imperial ceremonies were once held. Try to envision the ceremonies in the Byzantine era when Emperor Justinianus rarely appeared in the square, which was once the Hippodrome. Picture Suleiman the Magnificent observing the parade organized in the area known as At Meydani (The Horse Square) during the Ottoman era
Elgihan
Hotels, in the modern sense, began to be constructed in the mid-19th century. With the frequent calls of passenger ships in Istanbul and the establishment of the Sirkeci Train Station, the number of travelers between Istanbul and Europe increased. Many hotels, such as Hotel de Pera, Hotel de France, London Hotel, and Pera Palace, were opened during this period.
Starting from the mid-15th century, although in small numbers, European travelers visiting Istanbul were accommodated in churches, monasteries, and imarethanes (charitable institutions) of large mosques after their journeys lasting months, as there were no accommodation centers in the modern sense. Considering that transportation was only provided overland by horses, we can deduce that the number of those coming to Istanbul from foreign countries was limited.
Atik Ali Pasa Caravansary
In the 16th century, diplomatic relations between the Ottoman Empire and European countries developed, leading to freque
The Caravansary with Three Doors
According to information provided by travelers and ambassadors, Elgihan’s architectural structure, with a courtyard in the middle, is square.
The well located in the middle of the courtyard served as a water source for humans, animals, and the caravansary. The courtyard featured three entrance doors for wagons. The ceilings of the rooms were domed and covered with lead for waterproofing. Although the rooms were not very comfortable, Elgihan also had ten shops located on the street at the caravansary’s entrance. These shops had windows opening to the outside and to the courtyard with a porch.
“Kiyamet-i Surra”
Representatives staying in Istanbul sometimes for months and sometimes for years used this caravansary to meet the Sultan. The lead covering the domes of the caravansary, with a significant place in Istanbul’s cultural history Elgihan, melted due to a fire at Qemberlita§ in 1587, but the caravansary s
Balkan Tours 2023
Balkan Tours 2022
Liberius’s world for the next quarter century
