The Euroleague Basketball organization has released the regular season schedule for the 2026–27 BKT EuroCup season.
According to the Group D fixture details, Turkish representative Bahçeşehir College Istanbul will host Italian team Roma Basketball in their regular season opening match on September 30, 2026.
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Travel publication Condé Nast Traveller has published a review detailing the features and architectural heritage of the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet.
Located within Istanbul's historic peninsula, the property occupies a restored neoclassical prison structure surrounding a central landscaped courtyard adjacent to major historical landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace.
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A team of researchers associated with the Department of Computer Engineering at İstanbul Rumeli University has published a peer-reviewed paper in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio).
The paper introduces an uncertainty-aware Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) framework to prioritize 20 key failure modes in wind turbine drivetrains under dynamic mechanical and thermal stresses.
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Elevated temperatures in Istanbul during late July 2026 have led residents and tourists to adopt heat protection measures across the city.
Concurrently, the extreme weather patterns have drawn attention on prediction platform Polymarket, where market participants actively trade odds on the maximum recorded temperature for July 31 in Istanbul.
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T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı izniyle tarihi İpek Yolu üzerinde bulunan Bayburt Kalesi'nde sürdürülen arkeolojik kazılarda, Erken Tunç Çağı Karaz kültürüne ve 1828 Osmanlı-Rus Savaşı'na ilişkin yeni bulgulara ulaşıldı.
İstanbul Medeniyet Üniversitesi Sanat Tarihi Bölümü Öğretim Üyesi Dr. Resul Yelen başkanlığındaki 51 kişilik kazı ekibi, kalede yürütülen çalışmalarda M.Ö. 3000 yıllarına tarihlenen seramik parçalarının yanı sıra Bizans, Selçuklu ve Osmanlı dönemlerine ait yerleşim katmanlarını belgeledi.
Kaynak / Haber Bağlantısı:
French infrastructure investment manager Meridiam SAS is currently evaluating a potential bid for the privatization tender covering Istanbul's two primary suspension bridges—the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge—alongside state-operated highways managed by the General Directorate of Highways (KGM).
Meridiam, which has previously invested in health complex infrastructure projects in Türkiye, is among the international firms monitoring the potential tender process for public transportation assets.
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İstanbul'un Üsküdar Belediye Başkanı Sinem Dedetaş ve beş belediye görevlisi, imar ve yapı ruhsatlarında usulsüzlük yapıldığı iddiaları üzerine yürütülen soruşturma kapsamında gözaltına alındı.
Anadolu Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı tarafından başlatılan soruşturmada; ruhsat verilmesi aşamasında mevzuata aykırı işlemler yapıldığı, belediye iştiraki Kent A.Ş. üzerinden danışmanlık sözleşmeleri adı altında usulsüz süreçler yürütüldüğü iddia edildi. Emniyet güçleri tarafından eş zamanlı düzenlenen operasyonlarda dijital materyallere el konuldu.
Kaynaklar / Haber Bağlantıları:
Daily Sabah - Mayor of Istanbul's Üsküdar district detained in corruption probe
Al-Monitor - Turkey detains another opposition district mayor, others as crackdown expands
Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), the 33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival took place from June 30 to July 13, 2026, presenting nearly 30 concerts across more than 10 venues throughout the city.
The festival program featured internationally recognized artists, including Marcus Miller presenting his "We Want Miles" tribute project, Robert Plant, Thee Sacred Souls, and Arooj Aftab, alongside notable Turkish jazz musicians. Performance venues spanned open-air theaters and historical sites across both sides of the Bosphorus.
Source Link: Europe Jazz Network Announcement
Elevated summer temperatures and high humidity levels affected public activity across Istanbul during late July 2026. Residents and tourists utilized seaside spaces, including the Bosphorus waterfront near historic landmarks such as the Maiden's Tower, to cool off.
Local authorities and health experts advised individuals to take precautions against direct sun exposure during peak hours, as public interest in daily temperature forecasts and seasonal climatic trends remained high.
Source Link: Reuters Connect Media
The Governor of Istanbul, Davut Gül, met with the Consul General of the State of Qatar in Istanbul, Dr. Nayef bin Jassim Al Abduljabbar.
The official meeting focused on reviewing current cooperation frameworks between Qatar and Türkiye across bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest.
Source Link: State of Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Environmental scientists and municipal forestry teams in Istanbul are working to address the spread of Ceratocystis platani, a fatal fungal pathogen causing plane tree canker across the city's historic avenues and palace gardens. The disease causes severe structural decay, leading to the drying up and death of centuries-old sycamore trees.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has conducted sanitation cuttings of dead specimens, particularly near historic sites such as Dolmabahçe Palace, to mitigate pedestrian safety hazards and suppress fungal spore dispersal. Experts note that because the pathogen persists in surrounding soil and root systems, urban replanting strategies face ongoing ecological challenges.
Source Link: Bianet News Article
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the tender for the infrastructure and superstructure construction of the North Istanbul Railway Project will take place on October 14, 2026. Supported by a preliminary $6.75 billion financing package from six international financial institutions, the development represents Türkiye's largest externally funded railway investment.
The project encompasses a 122.3 km double-track main line linking Çayırova to Çatalca, featuring 36.2 km of TBM-bored tunnels, 23.3 km of NATM tunnels, and 22.1 km of viaducts. The rail corridor will connect Marmaray, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, and Istanbul Airport, facilitating both high-speed passenger service and international freight transport across the Middle Corridor.
Source Link: Railway PRO Article
The initial phase of the Terminal Istanbul project, located at Atatürk Airport, is entering service as part of Türkiye's National Technology Initiative. Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır described the facility as an international technology and entrepreneurship campus designed to host startups, corporate entities, and investors.
Terminal Istanbul will offer incubation infrastructure, specialized shared laboratories, and global acceleration programs. The initiative includes international partnerships with startup accelerators such as Techstars, alongside targeted incentive structures like the Tech Visa program to attract international deep-tech ventures.
Source Link: Hürriyet Daily News Article
The Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Migration Management reinstated notarized residence permit sponsorships for non-family members under updated compliance regulations. The sponsorship route had been temporarily suspended earlier in the year following investigations into fraudulent address registration practices.
Under the revised framework, sponsors must submit proof of verifiable income or maintain adequate funds in Turkish bank accounts. Additionally, immigration authorities have instituted automated monitoring of residential addresses to prevent fraud, subjecting applications tied to high-density foreign registration locations to heightened scrutiny.
Source Link: Türkiye Today Article
The Istanbul Governor's Office issued official instructions to district governorships across all 39 districts of the province requiring educational institutions to provide designated prayer rooms.
Under the directive, newly constructed schools must be planned with facilities capable of accommodating Friday prayers. Existing educational institutions have been instructed to adapt suitable internal spaces to meet the worship requirements of students and educational staff.
Source Link: Daily Sabah News Article
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly convened its third Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul on June 28–29, 2026. The gathering brought together parliamentary leaders from across the 32 NATO member states and partner nations to address key transatlantic security priorities ahead of the main summit of NATO leaders.
The summit discussions focused on accelerating defense spending timelines, enhancing readiness and industrial defense production, and reinforcing Allied support for collective security initiatives. The event highlighted the role of parliamentary oversight and legislative support in implementing defense capabilities across member states.
Source Link: NATO Parliamentary Assembly Summit Conclusions
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee unanimously selected Türkiye to host its 49th annual session in Istanbul, scheduled to run from June 27 to July 7, 2027. The decision was announced during the committee's 48th session held in Busan, South Korea.
In addition to hosting the event, Türkiye's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Ambassador Mustafa Yurdakul, was elected to serve as the president of the 49th session. The gathering brings together representatives from 21 member states to evaluate new nominations for the World Heritage List and assess the preservation status of existing heritage sites globally. This will mark the second time Istanbul hosts the gathering, following the 40th session held in 2016.
Source Link: Hürriyet Daily News Article
Istanbul’s cultural and architectural heritage remains a focus of ongoing art historical coverage. The historic hotel in the Pera district, famous for accommodating literary figures including Ernest Hemingway and Agatha Christie alongside filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, continues to feature in cultural coverage. Concurrently, classical visual artworks depicting the region—such as Pierre Henri de Valenciennes’ painting Landscape with Belisarius and a view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus beyond—highlight the longstanding artistic interest in the Bosphorus cityscape.
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High volumes of local residents and international visitors gathered across major sites in Istanbul throughout late July 2026. High foot traffic was recorded around Ortaköy Square, the historic Galata Bridge in Eminönü, and onboard Bosphorus transit ferries connecting the European and Asian continents.
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Heavy summer downpours affected multiple districts across Istanbul on July 25, 2026. Intermittent rainfall caught commuters and pedestrians off guard along the Bosphorus waterfront, Yenibosna, and Üsküdar, leading residents to seek shelter at transit stations and under temporary rain gear. Meteorological services continue to track local precipitation patterns across the metropolitan area.
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The 8th edition of the Turkish–Arab Art Forum officially opened in Istanbul on Saturday, July 25. Centered around the theme "Colors of Twin Tales," the event convenes artists, delegates, and cultural representatives from across Türkiye and the Arab world to foster cross-cultural artistic exchange and collaborative exhibition.
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The United States Department of the Treasury has announced sanctions targeting an İstanbul-based financial technology company and its Iranian chairperson. Federal authorities allege that the firm facilitated operations within an international sanctions evasion network serving Iranian financial institutions.
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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed freezing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and returning to the "Istanbul Formula 2.0" negotiating framework. Speaking prior to bilateral discussions, Tokayev stated he had received messages from European and American counterparts advocating for diplomatic dialogue based on previous negotiations conducted in Istanbul.
In response, Kremlin representatives rejected the suggestion to freeze frontline military operations, maintaining that a temporary freeze does not align with Russian strategic objectives. The original Istanbul talks served as a primary platform for direct diplomatic negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations.
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Researchers from the Department of Periodontology at Istanbul Medipol University’s Institute of Health Sciences—including Dorukhan Uçar, Naif Mert Yılmaz, and Anıl—have authored a scientific study published in Nature Portfolio.
The research investigates the physiological levels of salivary growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) and its correlation with reduced gingival crevicular fluid volume in periodontitis patients. The findings contribute to ongoing clinical evaluations regarding the efficacy of non-invasive salivary biomarkers in identifying inflammatory periodontal conditions.
News Link: Nature Research Article
The Foodist İstanbul International Food & Beverage Products Exhibition is set to take place from September 1 to September 4, 2026, at the TÜYAP Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul. Organised by TÜYAP Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc. in collaboration with the ALZ Group, the event operates with the official backing of the Türkiye Food Platform.
The trade exhibition aims to establish itself among the top three food sector fairs globally by connecting Turkish food and beverage manufacturers directly with international buyers. The 2026 event will host targeted B2B trade sessions and VIP buyer delegations representing focus markets across Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Americas.
News Link: EQS News Release
On July 24, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed reporters during a press briefing in Istanbul regarding the recent NATO summit hosted in Ankara. President Erdoğan noted that hosting the alliance's summit in the capital—two decades after the 2004 Istanbul summit—represented a source of great pride and happiness for Türkiye.
According to the official statement, the Turkish presidency received numerous congratulatory messages and telephone calls from international leaders commending the organization and hospitality extended during the summit. President Erdoğan highlighted positive feedback from foreign dignitaries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, during and following the summit proceedings.
News Link: Anadolu Agency News Article
Istanbul-related athletic developments included multi-sport coverage across international competitions:
Tennis: The WTA Tour covered match developments at the Enka Open (Istanbul 125), highlighting player performances such as Lanlana Tararudee and the release of the doubles tournament draw.
Football: Manchester United dispatched a 22-man travelling squad to Istanbul for European fixtures, while sports archives covered match analysis for Istanbul Başakşehir in the UEFA Conference League and broadcast scheduling for the Istanbul Rams in the European League of Football.
News Links: WTA Tour | Premier League | Manchester United | Fubo
A clinical study published in Nature by researchers at Marmara University’s Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Istanbul evaluates a video-based dual-task Four-Square Step Test (FSST). The study assesses movement parameters to improve fall risk identification among patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
News Link: Nature
Istanbul's culinary offerings continue to receive international media coverage. Features from Food & Wine highlighted Dürümzade, a well-known Beyoğlu establishment praised by the late chef Anthony Bourdain for its Adana kebab. Additionally, short-term layover guides emphasized popular street food choices, including Taksim döner and traditional Turkish coffee breakfasts.
News Links: Food & Wine | YouTube
A legal analysis published by Opinio Juris examines the structural consequences of Turkey's withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), executed via Presidential Decision on March 20, 2021. The article focuses on legal protections and economic dimensions of violence against women in the post-withdrawal landscape.
News Link: Opinio Juris
Approximately 100 refectory workers dismissed from Istanbul University's Çapa Medical Faculty Hospital entered their second week of ongoing demonstrations. The workers are advocating for job reinstatement and improved employment terms following their termination from hospital food service operations.
News Link: World Socialist Web Site
Istanbul experienced elevated temperatures and high humidity alongside localized overcast skies in late July 2026. On July 22 and 23, residents and visitors frequented coastal zones along the Marmara shoreline, including Florya, Yeşilköy, and Caddebostan, as well as swimming areas near the Maiden's Tower to cool off. Concurrently, market prediction platforms tracked peak daily temperature estimates while heavy cloud cover was documented over prominent landmarks such as the Çamlıca Mosque.
News Links: Reuters Connect | Daily Sabah | Polymarket
İstanbul'un kent yapısını, sosyal yaşamını ve tarihsel süreçlerini konu alan "Altı Üstü İstanbul" belgesel serisinin ikinci bölümü izleyiciyle buluşmuştur. İncelemelerde, şehrin farklı semtlerindeki yaşam dinamiklerinin HD kalitesinde aktarıldığı belirtilmektedir.
Haber Bağlantısı: Mshale
Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, nefret söylemine karşı yürütülen "Cake Not Hate" kampanyasının öncüsü olan 12 yaşındaki İngiliz otizmli aktivist Joshua Harris'i İstanbul'da kabul etmiştir. Kabul kapsamında sosyal farkındalık çalışmaları ve kapsayıcılık konuları ele alınmıştır.
Haber Bağlantısı: YouTube - Anadolu Ajansı
İstanbul'un Fatih ilçesinde bulunan Halıcılar Çarşısı'nda çalışan usta zanaatkar Bayrakdar, saraylardan ve kutsal mekânlardan getirilen asırlık el dokuması antik halıları restore etmektedir. Geleneksel teknikler kullanılarak yürütülen çalışmalarda, tarihi eser niteliğindeki dokumaların özgün yapısının korunarak gelecek nesillere aktarılması hedeflenmektedir.
Haber Bağlantısı: Anadolu Ajansı | Reuters Connect
İstanbul'da yer alan havalimanları, Avrupa genelindeki uçuş zamanlaması performansında üst sıralarda yer almıştır. Eurocontrol verilerine dayanan bilgilere göre İstanbul Havalimanı %81'lik zamanında kalkış oranıyla birinci sıraya yerleşirken, Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı %78'lik oranla ikinci sırada bulunmaktadır. Aynı dönemde Türk Hava Yolları da zamanında kalkış istatistiklerinde Avrupa'nın zirvesini paylaşmıştır.
Haber Bağlantısı: Anadolu Ajansı
Istanbul’s dining sector during the summer season continues to be shaped by a blend of culinary heritage and contemporary culinary techniques. Waterfront establishments along the Bosphorus and historic districts across the city are placing an emphasis on regional Turkish ingredients and seasonal menus.
Current trends in the city's culinary landscape include:
Anatolian Culinary Preservation: A focus on traditional recipes, local olive oils, and heritage grain varieties sourced directly from regional producers across Anatolia.
Seasonal Coastal Dining: Increased demand for open-air and waterfront venues along the Bosphorus shoreline, combining traditional seafood preparations with modern presentation techniques.
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The Bosphorus Strait remains the central geographical and socio-economic axis of Istanbul, serving as both a daily transit route for millions of residents and a living museum of regional history. Frequented by passenger ferries connecting the European and Asian shores, the waterway balances heavy commercial shipping traffic alongside public transportation needs.
Beyond its role as a transit corridor, urban historians and cultural observers note that the Bosphorus embodies the ongoing dynamic between Istanbul's historical preservation efforts and modern development pressures. The coexistence of Ottoman waterfront mansions (yalı), historic fortresses, and expanding public infrastructure continues to define the architectural and social identity of the city.
News Sources:
The Bosphorus: A waterway of work and life in Istanbul - AP News Travel
Istanbul's Beauty and Agony: The Perpetual Fight Between Past and Future — Clarion India
Residents across several Istanbul districts—including Arnavutköy, Sultanbeyli, Beykoz, and Maltepe—have reported an influx of giant grasshopper species. The surge in insect populations has led many householders to keep windows shut, particularly during evening hours when artificial lighting attracts the insects.
According to official assessments and entomologists:
Contributing Factors: The swarm is driven by a combination of high summer temperatures and ongoing agricultural harvesting activities in the neighboring Thrace region, which pushes insects into urban green spaces.
Identified Species: The swarms consist primarily of Saga ephippigera and the Egyptian grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium), with some specimens measuring up to 20 centimeters in length.
Ecological Advisory: Experts emphasize that these grasshopper species pose no biological threat to humans and advise against extermination measures in order to maintain regional ecological balance.
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The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a financing package of up to $1.5 billion for the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project (INRAIL). The project is designed to enhance intercontinental rail transport between Europe and Asia across the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bosphorus Bridge).
The INRAIL corridor will span approximately 127 kilometers of double-track, electrified railway connecting Çayırova on Istanbul’s Asian side to Çatalca on the European side. Key operational outcomes of the project include:
Travel Time Reduction: Freight transit times between Çayırova and Çatalca are projected to drop from 13 hours to approximately 3.6 hours. Public transit travel between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport will be reduced from 120 minutes to roughly 65 minutes.
Multilateral Co-financing: The $8.27 billion total project cost involves co-financing alongside international financial institutions, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Islamic Development Bank, and OPEC Fund.
Regional Logistics Integration: The route reinforces Istanbul’s position among major Mediterranean megaprojects, aligning with key trade infrastructure corridors connecting Europe and Asia.
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Environment ministers and senior representatives from the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation met in Istanbul to formally adopt the Istanbul Declaration. The declaration establishes a unified framework for multilateral climate action ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which is set to take place in Antalya, Turkey.
Chaired by Turkey's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum—who also serves as President-designate for COP31—the summit marked the first ministerial meeting in the D-8’s history dedicated exclusively to environmental policy.
Key agreements under the Istanbul Declaration include:
D-8 Adaptation Action Framework (2026–2030): Initiating targeted plans for climate resilience across member states.
Resource and Technology Transfer: Expanding technical collaboration on clean energy, circular economy practices, zero-waste initiatives, and urban resilience.
COP31 Coordination: Establishing a joint D-8 pavilion and unified advocacy platform at the Antalya summit to highlight the priorities of developing economies.
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Palestinian singer-songwriter Saint Levant has announced his return to Türkiye for a live concert in Istanbul as part of his 2026 tour itinerary. The upcoming performance follows previous appearances by the artist in the region and forms part of his international schedule featuring regional and global dates.
Source Article: Palestinian singer Saint Levant to return to Istanbul for 2026 concert — Anadolu Ajansı
The rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence tools is reshaping the structure of video game development studios in Istanbul. According to industry reports, local tech startups are increasingly leveraging AI tools to automate coding, design, and asset creation, enabling smaller teams—and in some instances, single developers—to build complete titles. The trend reflects a broader shift within Türkiye's gaming ecosystem toward automated workflows.
Source Article: AI is shrinking video game development teams to one — Rest of World
Following reports on social media regarding large grasshopper sightings across İstanbul's agricultural districts, wildlife specialists have issued statements clarifying the situation. Experts confirmed that the insects observed in the region belong to native species and do not constitute an invasive threat or carry agricultural diseases. Authorities emphasized that the population levels do not indicate an environmental risk or crop infestation.
Source Article: 'No invasion': Expert dismisses social media fuss over large grasshopper sightings in İstanbul — Bianet
A fatal maritime incident occurred in Istanbul's Golden Horn estuary when a passenger tour vessel struck a bridge structure. The impact caused a passenger to fall overboard into the waterway. Emergency services responded to the scene, where the individual was subsequently confirmed deceased. Local maritime transport authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collision and the adherence to safety protocols on board.
Source Article: One dead after tour boat hits bridge in Istanbul — Baird Maritime
Istanbul's Pera Palace Hotel was featured by CNN, highlighting its long-standing cultural and historical significance. Originally constructed to accommodate affluent passengers arriving on the legendary Orient Express train, the landmark hotel has hosted numerous prominent international figures and witnessed pivotal moments in modern history.
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An uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) suspected to be a kamikaze drone washed ashore along the coastline of Istanbul's Arnavutköy district. Upon inspection by local security forces and technical experts, the craft was found to have explosive material attached to its structure. Authorities have secured the area and initiated a formal investigation to determine the origin, trajectory, and operational background of the drone.
Source Article: Suspected kamikaze drone washes ashore on Istanbul coast — Türkiye Today
A new digital travel mini-series focusing on Istanbul's Princes' Islands released its inaugural episode, highlighting Büyükada. The feature explores the historic architecture, car-free streets, natural landscape, and local lifestyle of the island archipelago situated in the Sea of Marmara.
