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“The letters must be placed precisely, the symmetry must be perfect. It takes math and some geometry, strength and skill,” said Kahraman Yıldız, one of the last masters of the art of mahya. A Deutsche Welle video report traces the origins of a unique Ramadan tradition that began in Istanbul.

“Mahya,” one of the most characteristic features of the month of Ramadan, was depicted by Salomon Schweigger during his travels through Ottoman territories in the 1570s. Thanks to these historical records, mahya’s origins can be traced back to the 16th century. It adds a special touch of decoration to cities across Turkey.

I also took the opportunity during Ramadan to photograph some of the mahyas at Istanbul’s mosques. The mahya hanging at the Süleymaniye Mosque became my favorite among the photos I took. That’s why I’m sharing this below photo with you.

You can also watch Deutsche Welle’s video via the link below and learn a bit more about the mahya:

Istanbul aglow with its centuries‑old Ramadan traditions

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If you’d like to take unique nighttime photos of Istanbul’s mosques, as a licensed tourist guide, I can help you. Click the link below for more details:

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