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Around 92 historical photographs documenting Cyprus during the Ottoman period will go on display at Istanbul's Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) from Nov. 15 to 24, offering visitors a look into the island's architecture, streets and everyday life.
Titled "Ottoman Traces in Cyprus," the exhibition brings together images from the glass negative archive of Haci Ali Rifat Efendi, Cyprus' last Ottoman qadi, an Islamic judge, and his son, Ahmet Burhaneddin Kadizade.
The collection, digitized by Bahcesehir Cyprus University, provides a visual record of the island's social and cultural history through photographs capturing its people, buildings and daily activities.
Preserved on glass negatives for decades, the photographs document traces of Ottoman heritage across Cyprus while offering insight into the island's historical identity and collective memory.
After previously being exhibited in Cyprus, the collection is now moving to Istanbul to reach a wider audience and draw attention to the island's cultural heritage.
The exhibition is organized by Bahcesehir Cyprus University in cooperation with the Osmanlar Foundation, the Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Foundation for Research in the History of Science in Islam (IBTAV) and Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Beyond showcasing historical images, the project also highlights efforts to preserve photographic archives through digitization, making these visual records accessible to future generations.
The exhibition will be open to visitors at AKM Gallery in Istanbul from Nov. 15 through Nov. 24.
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