16.03.2026 11:41
Historian, academic, and author Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı is being bid farewell on his final journey today from Istanbul. Speaking at a memorial ceremony at Galatasaray University, his daughter said, "While surrounded by books, dictionaries, and newspapers during his hospital stay, he was also proofreading his upcoming book. When I entered his room yesterday and saw the unfinished proofreading, it broke my heart," and she could not hold back her tears.
Historian and writer Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, who passed away in the hospital where he was treated in Istanbul, is being bid farewell today on his final journey. Emotional moments were experienced during the memorial ceremony held at Galatasaray University for the master historian.
THEY DID NOT LEAVE HIM ALONE
At the ceremony held at Galatasaray University, Ortaylı's family and loved ones were present. Ortaylı's daughter, who spoke at the ceremony, moved everyone with her stories about her father's last days.
"WHEN I ENTERED HIS ROOM YESTERDAY..."
Unable to hold back her tears during her speech, Ortaylı's daughter said that her father continued his work even during his hospital stay. "While surrounded by books, dictionaries, and newspapers during his hospital stay, he was also proofreading his upcoming book. Seeing the unfinished proofreading when I entered his room yesterday hurt my heart," she expressed.
HE WILL BE BURIED AMONG HISTORIANS
İlber Ortaylı will be laid to rest in the courtyard of Fatih Mosque, where the graves of important historians, including Fatih Sultan Mehmet, his teacher Prof. Dr. Halil İnalcık, and prominent Turkish historians and social scientists such as Prof. Dr. Kemal Karpat, Prof. Dr. Semavi Eyice, and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Genç are located.
HE DONATED HIS BOOKS TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY
Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı had donated a large portion of his library, consisting of approximately 30,000 volumes, to the Presidential National Library in Ankara. He served as the director of the Istanbul Topkapi Palace Museum from 2005 to 2012 and was also a member of the Scientific Board of the Turkish Historical Society.
SOME ROADS WERE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
Due to Ortaylı's funeral ceremony in Fatih, some roads were closed to vehicle traffic today. The Istanbul Police Department's Traffic Inspection Branch shared with the public the points closed to traffic and alternative routes that drivers could use.
The routes closed to traffic are as follows:
- Fire Brigade Street
- Great Karaman Street
- Aslanhane Street
- Blacksmiths Street
- Manisalı Bakery Street
- Taylasan Street
- Hulusi Noyan Street
- Nalbant Iron Street
- Calligrapher Nazif Street
- Fatih Tomb Street
It was stated that Kız Taşı Street and Haydar Bey Street could be used as alternative routes.