KarDes: Discover the Multicultural Legacy of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir
KarDes is a mobile application that serves as a personal tour guide in Turkish and English languages, allowing users to explore the multicultural legacy and rich history of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. With close to nine hundred sites, including mosques, synagogues, schools, and cemeteries, KarDes offers a comprehensive cultural inventory for users to discover.
One of the standout features of KarDes is the "Discover" feature, which provides users with access to location information, construction dates, and brief descriptions of cultural sites they may encounter in their daily lives. This feature helps users uncover the hidden stories and historical significance of these sites, which are often overshadowed by standardized official narratives.
KarDes also offers 30 memory tours, each lasting an average of two hours. These tours are meticulously researched and consist of nine to fifteen stops within walking distance of each other. What sets these tours apart is that they are narrated by well-known artists, such as Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, Ayla Jean Yackley, and Ceylan Ertem, who bring the stories of the cities to life.
In addition to the memory tours, KarDes provides excerpts from neighborhood talks and oral history interviews, allowing users to listen to the stories of the neighborhoods and their transformations from the voices of the residents. With around 70 oral history interviews available, KarDes offers a dynamic and immersive narrative experience. Overall, KarDes is a valuable tool for anyone interested in exploring the multicultural pasts of Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. With its extensive cultural inventory, memory tours, and oral history interviews, KarDes brings the rich history and hidden stories of these cities to the forefront, making it an essential companion for both locals and tourists.
