The fire engines used in old Constantinople (now Istanbul) were small and simple. They were so light that four men could easily carry one on their shoulders while running through the streets at full speed. Other members of the team carried hoses, while the captain of the company proudly led the way. He waved the nozzle like a drum-major’s baton and shouted loudly, “Yangın var!” — which means “There is a fire!” in Turkish Private Tours Bulgaria Varna.
Watching the fire brigade rush to the scene was a dramatic and exciting sight. People from all around would run out of their homes to see what was happening. The whole neighborhood would be filled with noise, movement, and curiosity.
Chaos at the Scene of the Fire
When the firemen arrived, the scene became even more chaotic. Men, women, and children would run into the burning buildings, hoping to save their belongings—or sometimes steal what they could. It was hard to tell who was trying to rescue and who was trying to loot.
The police were usually present, but they did not interfere. They stood by calmly, watching everything unfold. This might seem strange to outsiders, but there was a religious reason behind their lack of action. Many Muslims in the city believed that fires, like other disasters, were punishments sent by God to correct the sins of the people. According to this belief, only those who had done wrong would lose their homes to fire. So, trying to stop the disaster was seen as going against divine will.
Pigeons Sacred Birds of Constantinople
Another unique and fascinating part of life in Constantinople was the treatment of pigeons. These birds were considered holy. No devout Muslim would ever kill a pigeon. In fact, some areas of the city were filled with millions of them. They flew in large flocks, sometimes so thick that they darkened the sky.
One of the city’s most famous mosques was even called the Pigeon Mosque, because so many pigeons lived there. Wealthy individuals would often leave money in their wills to buy food for the birds after their death. Around every mosque, small vendors sold corn so that the faithful could feed the pigeons as a religious offering Firemen More Interesting Than Dogs.
The Belief Behind the Birds
The reason pigeons are treated so well comes from an old superstition. Many people believed that the Holy Ghost lived inside a pigeon. So, killing one might mean killing the very spirit of God. Because of this fear, pigeons were allowed to live in peace, protected by both law and tradition.
A City of Stories and Beliefs
From firemen who race through the streets shouting warnings, to pigeons flying over sacred mosques, Constantinople was a city full of stories, traditions, and deep religious beliefs. These customs might seem unusual to outsiders, but they formed a rich part of daily life for the people who lived there.
