The famous Bayezidiyeh Mosque, also called the Pigeon Mosque, was built in 1497 by Sultan Bayezid II. It gets its nickname from the many pigeons that live there, which are believed to be the descendants of a pair of birds the Sultan once bought from a poor woman in the nearby market. He gave the birds as a gift to the mosque, and they have remained under the care and protection of the mosque’s priests ever since.
These pigeons are fed regularly by the priests, who take their duty seriously. The birds are seen as part of the mosque’s sacred environment, and harming them is strictly avoided The Firefighting Equipment and Spectacle.
Feeding the Dogs on the Muslim Sabbath
Every Friday morning at 8 o’clock, a special event takes place outside the Pigeon Mosque. The priests also feed the local stray dogs. This tradition is based on a legacy left by a Turkish tailor who died 60 or 70 years ago. In his will, he asked that food be given to the neighborhood dogs every Friday, which is the Muslim Sabbath. The mosque has kept this custom going for decades.
The event is both noisy and lively. The dogs seem to know the exact day and time, and they arrive eagerly for their weekly meal. However, if a stray dog from another area tries to sneak in for a share, the local dogs chase it away immediately. They all seem to know each other, as if each one had been listed in a neighborhood census.
Even beggars and poor people sometimes come to try to grab pieces of meat from the dogs. However, this is a risky move—the dogs are fierce about their food, and the noise of barking and growling can be heard from far away. Still, the residents of the area are used to the weekly uproar Jeep Safari Bulgaria.
The Magic Chain of the Dervish Mosque
Another curious place in Constantinople is the Mosque of St. Andrew, which is cared for by the Dervishes, a religious group known for their mystical practices. In this mosque, there is a hanging iron chain that is believed to detect lies and dishonesty.
If someone is accused of stealing or lying, they can request to be tested by the chain. According to tradition, if the person is guilty, the chain will move or vibrate. If they are innocent, the chain stays still. Many locals trust this method and believe it gives fair results.
A Story of Deception and the Chain
There is a famous story about a Jewish man who owed money and claimed he had already paid his debt. He asked to be tested by the chain to prove his honesty. Before standing under the chain, he gave his hollow walking stick to the person he owed money to. Inside the cane was the exact amount of money he owed.
Since the chain somehow “knew” that the money had been passed, it remained still, declaring the man innocent. However, this showed that the chain could be tricked by clever tricks, just like some courts that follow the law too literally.
Sacred Traditions and Strange Justice
These stories reflect the unique customs and beliefs in old Constantinople. From pigeons and dogs protected by legacies and religion, to chains used to judge truth, the city was full of traditions that blended faith, culture, and folklore into everyday life.
