Francesco Legnani
Travel and Street Photography | Zürich & Worldwide
1. The Disappearing Hutongs of Beijing
In the 1950s, Beijing was home to around 6,000 hutongs, the city’s iconic narrow alleys and courtyard neighborhoods. Today, only a few hundred remain, as most have been demolished to make way for modern skyscrapers that now define Beijing’s skyline.
Each hutong is a living ecosystem, shaped by its residents, small shops, schools, and generations of memories. Every year, more of these historic districts are razed, erasing the city’s residential heritage and the vibrant street life that once thrived there.
During my visit to Beijing in March 2025, I witnessed this ongoing transformation firsthand. As I walked through the remaining hutongs, I felt the weight of their decay and saw elderly residents struggling to hold onto their homes. Through these photographs, I hope to share the story of Beijing’s disappearing hutongs - a story of resilience, loss, and the urgent need to preserve the soul of the city.
2. The Asian Side
There are places where borders are painful and different cultures do not blend together easily. Istanbul is not one of those places. Crossing from Europe to Asia is as simple as taking a ferry—no different from hopping on a tram or metro in any other major city. At least from an outsider’s perspective, people of different religions, cultures, and backgrounds seem to coexist here without significant issues.
However, there is one thing to note: tourists tend to visit only the European side, where most of the major attractions are located, often overlooking the Asian side. Personally, I found the Asian side to be more exciting, authentic, and welcoming. This series focuses on that part of the city, as always aiming to document daily life in one of the most incredible cities in the world.
In the words of the inspiring Alex Webb: "I love the feel of the winding streets of Istanbul, that sense that, as a photographer, one steps out the door and every decision made that day—whether turning to the left or to the right, whether going uphill or downhill—leads to a different set of experiences."
