 Istanbul
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Serving as the capital city initially to the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul, once known as Constantinople by the former, is one of the most intriguing and historically blessed cities in the world. |
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Conquered by Sultan Mehmet II in 1453, the city became a weighty center within the Ottoman territory with its important harbours such as the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus Strait allowing trade and commerce to flourish for the Ottomans. As the Ottoman Empire drew to an end and was replaced by the Turkish Republic founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923, the new Turkish nation had then a new capital: Ankara. Yet, Istanbul has never ceased to be the ultimately vital setting in the commercial, financial and touristic arena of Turkey. Acting as a natural gateway between Europe and Asia and home to both Byzantine and Ottoman influences, Istanbul is adorned with fascinating remains from two formidable cultures and correspondingly Christianity and Islam. One marvels at the countless architectural beauties in the city such as Hagia Sophia, Underground Cistern, Galata Mevlevi Dervish Lodge, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace and Çemberlitaş Hamam. Besides these historical sites, the city offers a mesmerising array of modern museums and galleries as well as a vivid art scene, shopping sites, haute cuisine and a group of popular night clubs and bars where both locals and tourists enjoy themselves with the trendiest club music from djs and live music.
FORMULA 1 COMING TO ISTANBUL 21th AUG 2005 |
Places Wich You Must See
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Blue Mosque
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 Blue Mosque
Built by architect Mehmet Aga in the 17th century during the reign of Sultan Ahmet, who wanted this mosque to surpass Justinian's church both in size and grandeur, the mosque takes its name from the blue tiles from İznik that decorate its inner walls. With a classical Ottoman architecture, this prominent landmark has domes, semidomes, court yards and six graceful minarettes and is right across from Hagia Sophia its competitor.turkey
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Dolmabahce Palace
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Dolmabahce Palace
Regarded as the crying evidence of an empire about to crumble, Dolmabahçe Palace was inhabited by Ottoman Sultans during the decline years of this once-omnipotent empire. Built on the shores of the Bosphorus, the palace is a site of intrigue to many tourists interested in the history of the Ottoman Empire. It's also the palace where Turkish Republic's founder and first President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died in 1938.Turkey
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Grand Bazaar
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Grand Bazaar
This is a vast historical complex where the authentic shopping goes on in Istanbul. Bargaining your way through hundreds of shops, it is a haven for beautiful bric-a-bracs, souveniers, antique rugs, kilims and carpets, evil eye beads, authentic jewellery, clothing, handcrafts and cloth. The neighboring Spice Bazaar (aka the Egyptian Bazaar) is a mecca of various food and spices.Turkey
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Hagia Sophia
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Hagia Sophia
Meydanı, Sultanahmet. Built during the reign of Emporer Justinian in the 6th century AD, Hagia Sophia was Christians' largest church up until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. After the fall of the city, Hagia Sophia was tranformed into a mosque and started serving Muslims. With magnificient mosaic works and and an awe-inspring dome, it was later turned into a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1935 and has been one of the main attractions for tourists ever since. Turkey
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Underground Cistern
Initially built to restore the city's water, this Byzantine relic from the 6th century AD is one of the most interesting historical sites to visit in Istanbul. With its vaulted ceiling, 336 separate columns that support its construction and two Medusa heads, the cistern, also known as the Sunken Palace, is large enough to have once stored 80,000 cubic meters of water.Turkey
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Galata Mevlevi (Turning) Dervish Lodge
Built in 1491 during the reign of Sultan Beyazid II, the Dervish Lodge was ill-fatedly destroyed yet rebuilt after a terrible fire in 1766. The semah sessions, organized in the tekke in the lodge, offer one of the most jaw-dropping experiences with a group of dervishes twirling like their spiritual leader, Mevlana (1207-1273) and going through a metaphysical trance.Turkey
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Topkapı Palace
Built during the reign of Sultan Mehmet II in the 15th century, Topkapı Palace has been the residence of the Ottoman sultans who followed the Conquerer up until Mahmut II, the last sultan to live in the palace in the 19th century. The most intriguing sites in the palace are the Imperial Council Chamber, the Harem, the Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk.
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Cemberlitas Hamami
A must-see attraction in Istanbul is the Turkish bath, and Çemberlitaş Hamamı is one of the best and oldest examples to Turkish baths with separate sections for men and women. Built in the 16th century, the hamam was meant to serve Sultan Selim II's wife Sultan Nurbanu.
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Istanbul Archaeology Museum
Istanbul Archeology Museum consists of three museums: Archeology Museum, Old Eastern Works Museum and Enameled Kiosk Museum, all built at the end of the 19th century. Besides being the first Turkish museum, it is one of the first museums in the whole world. The collections include important art works from the Balkans to Africa, Anatolia to Mesopotamia, the Arabian Peninsula to Afghanistan within Ottoman terriroty.Turkey
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Chora Church - Museum
If you're tempted by Byzantine art, Chora Museum, once the center of a Byzantine monastery complex, will definitely strike your fancy with its mesmerizing collection of mosaics and frescoes of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary, which reflect the development of Byzantine art parallel to Renaissance art movements sparked by Giotto in the 14th century. Turkey
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Resort Pictures |
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Bosphorus
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Kadikoy
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Sultan Ahmet
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