Now available: the Habsburg Empire. Ottoman Empire coming soon!

Six Myths About the Ottoman Empire

İstanbul, Turkey. Photo by Linda Gerbec / Unsplash

Our recent article, “The Ottoman Empire: A European History,” sparked a lively online debate, drawing criticism from those who view Ottoman history as something “far removed” from Europe. We selected six myths encountered in the comments or circulating online in discussions of the Ottoman Empire, and asked cultural anthropologist Jeremy F. Walton—who coordinates the ERC… Continue reading Six Myths About the Ottoman Empire

Yogurt, Coffee, and Phyllo Dough – an Introduction to Ottoman Gastronomy

Traditional Turkish Coffee, Ankara, Turkey, 2019. Photo credit: Febe Armanios

Food is an important part of our understanding of the Ottoman Empire, and much of what the former Ottoman territories retained from this period is found on the dinner table.  But what is Ottoman cuisine, and what exactly are its legacies today? We spoke with Dr. Febe Armanios, the Philip Battell and Sarah Frances Cowles Stewart… Continue reading Yogurt, Coffee, and Phyllo Dough – an Introduction to Ottoman Gastronomy

The Ottoman Empire, a European History

Stari Most, Mostar – Ramirez, CC BY-SA 4.0

After the Republic of Venice and the Habsburg Empire, the third guide in Extinguished Countries will be dedicated to the Ottoman Empire, which received the highest number of votes in the poll among our readers. The Ottoman period, in several European countries, is often viewed very negatively, as a long occupation during which nothing good… Continue reading The Ottoman Empire, a European History

The hidden traces of Habsburg Belgrade

View of Belgrade at sunset

The Habsburg Empire tried to conquer Belgrade from the Ottoman Empire several times: in 1688, in 1717, and then again in 1789. 1717 was the only time the Habsburgs retained long-term control over Belgrade, and between 1717 and 1739, Belgrade became the capital of the semi-autonomous Kingdom of Serbia within the Habsburg Empire. Although brief,… Continue reading The hidden traces of Habsburg Belgrade

The Habsburg’s boat return

The city-fortress of Palmanova is well known to us at Extinguished Countries and to our eager readers. But how many of you know that, some 300 km further east, there is another star-shaped city? A city that was attacked by the Ottoman Empire six times, and managed to repel it just as many times? We… Continue reading The Habsburg’s boat return