Its
geographical position, the wonderful natural beauties, the remains of its
thousands of years old history, its being the former capital of three
great important empires and two major cultures-Islam and Christendom...
For those people who are aware of these facts, it is not at all surprising
that so many places of great importance and places of deep interest
are situated in this city. Here we are only going to summarize only a few
major places among these.
TOPKAPI PALACE (Imperial Palace used by Ottoman Sultans during the
Empire's glorious time)
One of the most outstanding and popular places to visit in Istanbul is
Topkapi Palace, the symbolic and political centre of the Ottoman Empire
between the 15th and 19th centuries. It stands on the tip of land where
the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus come together, and
is a maze of buildings centered around a series of courtyards, typical of
Islamic tradition. Such is the complexity of each building, it will take
many hours in order to be explored properly.
In Byzantine times, monasteries and public houses belonging to the
priests of Haghia Sophia stood on this site.
When Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered the city in 1453 he chose to build his
palace on the site of the old Byzantine palace ruins that had been looted
and destroyed by the Latins. It was built between
1466 and 1478, a couple of years before the death of
Fatih Sultan Mehmet.
Shortly
after his conquest of Constantinople, Sultan Mehmet II begun the
construction of the palace as his principal residence. Unlike any European Palace, its architecture is predominantly
Middle Eastern in character.
New additions and
alterations continued until the mid-nineteenth century, leaving traces of
the characters and styles of Ottoman Architecture between the fifteenth
and nineteenth centuries.With its gardens and pavillions contained by four
enormous courtyards , surrounded by enormous high walls , the palace
covered a vast area
The Harem, the residence of the sultan's wives, concubines and children,
is a vast labyrinth of rooms and corridors, only a part open to the public.
The visitor's entrance is via the Kubbealti in the second courtyard. The
most fascinating aspect of the Harem was the cloak of secrecy over life
here. Virtually none of its inhabitants had the freedom to go out at will,
and equally almost no one from the outside world was ever admitted. One of
the loveliest buildings in the Harem is the Murad III Pavillion built by
the renowned architect Sinan in 1578
There were originally 750 residents of the Palace, during Fatih’s period,
which became about 5000 people during normal days
and 10,000 during festivals. Extensions had to be built, and the harem was
completed in 1595 during the third Sultan Murad’s era, after which the
harem residents were moved in from the palace at Beyazit, with a total of
474 concubines. Special tours of the Harem are available. The Harem,
literally meaning “forbidden” in Arabic, was the suite of apartments in
the palace belonging to the wives, concubines and children of the head of
the household.
Around the Harem were the Circumcision Room, the apartments of the Chief
Black Eunuch, and apartments of the sultan – in total over 400 rooms.
Other highlights in the Palace are the Spoonmaker’s Diamond (the fourth
largest diamond in the world), the Topkapi Dagger, (a gift from Mahmut I),
a vast collection of paintings and miniatures. In the Hirka-i Saadet
(Holy Mantle) chamber, objects belonging
to the Prophet Mohammed and the first caliphs of Islam are displayed.(including a footprint, a tooth and a hair of the Prophet
Mohammed). Note that after Ottomans conquered
the holly lands of Islam in Arabia, Sultans also held chaliphate until
it was abolished by Ataturk, the founder of Modern Turkey.
Haghia Sophia,
the "Church of Holy Wisdom", was built by the Emperor Justinian in the
6th
century. It was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest enclosed space
in the world, and still seen as one of the world’s most important
architectural monuments. More than 1400 years old, Haghia Sophia covers a total area of
7570 square meters and is over 100 metres long. Never again did the
Byzantines attempt to build anything approaching the scale of Haghia
Sophia.
Emperor Iustanianus (527 – 565) wanted to construct something even bigger
than the original two and appointed architects Isidoros from Miletos, and
Anthemios from Tralles to build the Aya Sophia which still stands. Columns,
heads, marble and coloured stones were imported to Istanbul from ancient
cities in Anatolia for the purpose.
The construction began on 23 December 532, and was completed exactly five
years later.
After 916
years as a church, Haghia Sophia was converted into a mosque in 1453, shortly after the conquest. Apart from whitewashing the paintings and
mosaics and removing the Christian icons and statues, the Turks left
Haghia Sophia untouched. They committed no acts of destruction as the
eighth and ninth century Christian iconoclasts had done.
The worst desecration of the church was in 1204, ransacked by
Catholic
soldiers during the Fourth Crusade.
In 1935 the
church was transformed into a museum.
Five doors
led into the outer narthex, the largest in the centre reserved for the
emperor and members of his family. At the entrance to the narthex is a
mosaic depicting Constantine and Justinian presenting the walled city of
constantinople and Haghia Sophia respectively to the Virgin Mary, who
holds the infant Christ in her arms. Other mosaics depict the angel
Gabriel, the angel Michael, three saints: St.Ignatius, St. John
Chrysostom, St. Ignatius Theophorus. Any siver, gold or jewels which
were in Haghia Sophia were plundered by the Latins of the Fourth Crusade
who occupied Istanbul in 1204 and ruled here for over a century.
In the upper
galleries known as the gynaceum, there are several mosaic panels
representing the Emperor Alexander, the Empress Zoe and her third husband
Constantine IX, the Emperor John Comnenus and his wife Eirene. Near the
Deesis mosaic is the tomb of Dandalo, Doge of Venice, one of the leaders
of the Fourth Crusade. The impressive figurative mosaics include Virgin and Child
flanked by two emperors, dating back to the late 10th century, and one
depicting Christ,the Virgin, and St John the Baptists. Even though there
is partial damage, the haunting images on their faces remain as strong as
ever.
Another
indication of reverence in which the Turks held Haghia Sophia is the
collection of royal tombs in the precinct. The tombs of Mustafa I, Sultan
Ibrahim, Selim II, Murat III and Mehmet III are all worth visiting
Haghia Sophia
Sultanahmet Square
Telephone: 90-212-5220989 | 90-212-5221750
Open daily except Mondays , 09:30-17:00
KARIYE MUSEUM
This is actually Kariye Mosque, once the 11th century church
of St Saviour in Chora, is considered to be the most important Byzantine
monument in Istanbul, after Aya Sofia. Whilst unremarkable in its
architecture, the interior walls are decorated with superb 14th century mosaics. Illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary,
these brilliantly colored paintings embody the vigour of Byzantine art.
With the restored wooden houses, the surrounding area is a good place for
relaxation and refreshment.
Opening hours: 09.30 – 16.30, closed Wednesdays.
Hagia Irini (Church of St. Irene)
One of the earliest churches of Constantinople, St. Irene served as the
church of the Patriarchate before Hagia Sophia was built. The church took
its contemporary shape at the beginning of the 4th century under
Constantine. It is the only example of a Byzantine church in the city with
its original atrium. The building stands in the outer courtyard of Topkapi
Palace and was used as an armory by the Janissaries after the conquest of
Istanbul. Today it serves mainly as a concert hall because of its
excellent acoustics and impressive atmosphere.
Closed Tuesday.
Topkapi Palace, 34400 Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 522 0989 / 522 1750
KAPALICARSI(Grand Bazaar, the biggest covered market place
in the world)
Kapalı
Carşı (Covered Bazaar) The oldest and biggest closed bazaar in the world,
also known as the Grand Bazaar, has around 4000 shops
and over 60 alleyway, covering a huge labyrinth in the city centre. The
original two structures, covered with a series of domes and remains of the
15th century walls, became a shopping area by covering the surrounding
streets and adding to it over the following centuries. In Ottoman times
this was the centre of trading, and a vital area of town. The Sandal
Bedesten was added during Suleyman’s reign, to cope with the rising trade
in fabrics, during the 16th century.
Traditionally the more valuable goods were in the old central area, called
IcBedesten, because it was more secure. As quite typical of the area,
most streets are laid out and devoted to a particular trade, for example
gold on Kuyumcular Caddesi, leather on Bodrum Han, and shoes on Kavaflar
Sokak. But the trade has also spilled out onto the surrounding streets,
and it is very common to see Russian traders buying up huge sacks of
leather jackets or shoes outside the main entrance. Even the streets
leading to the Golden Horn are lined with outdoor stalls, which have
traditionally been controlled by strict trading laws to reduce competition
between traders.
Apart from the usual shops selling clothes, textiles, jewellry and
carpets, there are small workshops where craftsmen cast and beat silver or
brass, in a skilled trade handed down through the generations. If all that
shopping, bargaining and fending off persuasive salesmen is a little too
tiring, there are also traditional cafes dotted inside the bazaar in which
to relax, eat and sip tea. There are also money-changing booths inside and
out. It is slightly less crowded during weekdays, as most locals shop at
weekends
Beyazit, Istanbul
Misir Carsisi (The Egyptian Spice Bazaar)
Also known as the Spice Market,
this is Istanbul’s second bazaar, constructed in the same complex as Yeni
Camii (or New Mosque). There are six gates, which make it an attractive
exterior. The L-shaped market, together with the mosque, were built for
the mother of Mehmet IV, a powerful woman who ruled the harem and, some
would say, much of the empire.
Although no longer the prime spice trading area of the city, there is
still the aroma of ginger, cardamom, pepper and saffron from the piles of
spices sold from many stalls. These days it is also popular for great
varieties of lokum (turkish delight), small souvenirs, flavoured teas and
local delicacies – including the dubious sounding “Turkish Viagra”. Locals
come here to shop for bed linen and towels, as well as for fruit and
vegetables, coffee, clothes, pots and pans in the surrounding cramped
backstreets. Outside the market on the Galata Bridge end, is this is the
best place to choose olives from huge barrels, and many varieties of white cheese.
Eminonu, Istanbul
Basilica
Cistern
The Basilica
Cistern ,also known as the "Sunken Palace", was constructed by Justinian
in 532 to supply water to the Byzantine Palace primarily. Cities in ancient and medieval times were always in danger of siege. In a
siege, the main problem was inadequate supply of food and water. The Roman
and Byzantine emperors built huge cisterns to solve this problem. It fell out of
use with the Turkish conquest and is the largest of all Istanbul's ancient
cisterns. The cistern was restored in 1980's and today walkways have been
constructed right through the cistern and subdued illumination lends the
place a suitably mysterious athmosphere. It can contain up to 80,000 cubic meters of
water, covers an area of 140 x 70 meters and is supported by 336 columns
Yedikule Dungeons
The Yedikule (Seven Towers) city gate is located along the 5,632
meter-long land walls, which start at the end of the sea walls. It is one
of the main entrances to the city. Over the gate, there is the
double-headed eagle of Byzantium. Inside Yedikule is another imposing
gate, built in 390 by Theodosius I as the arch of victory for the
commanders returning home from victorious battle. It was later turned into
one of the fortress gates after Theodosius II added the new city walls to
the old ones. The Byzantines called this gate Porta Aurea (golden gate).
After the conquest, the Turks added new fortress which formed an
independent castle and gave it the name Yedikule. The Ottoman Treasury was
kept in this tower for a while, and it was turned into a prison for
political prisoners in later times. Only the ruins of the minaret of the
mosque which was built for the guardians can be seen today. The ruins of
the amphitheater also remain.
Open daily. Tel: (0212) 263 3505
Rumelihisari (Rumeli Fortress)
Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror built Rumeli Fortress in four months only and
directly opposite Anadoluhisari in 1452 in preparation for the final
attack on Istanbul, which led to the downfall of the Byzantine Empire.
Today, the fortress hosts many concerts and dramatic performances in its
amphitheatre usually in the summer months.
Tel: (0212) 263 5305
Anadoluhisari(Anatolian Fortress)
A 14th century relic of the Ottoman's first attempt to conquer Istanbul,
Anatolia Fortress is located on the Asian shore at the narrowest point of
the Bosphorus. Sultan Yildirim Bayezit built this fortress in 1393 on the
ruins of a Byzantine temple of Zeus.
Not open to visitors.
Kiz Kulesi (Leander's Tower - Maiden Tower)
A 12th century stone tower erected on a rock at the entrance of the
Bosphorus by Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos. This tower, which has
served as a prison and a lighthouse, became the source of many legends in
ancient days. It soon will be opened to the public as a cafeteria and will
host concerts and meetings.
Near Uskudar, ıstanbul
Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower)
A 55 meter tower providing a panoramic view of the old town, Galata Kulesi
was built by the Genoese as part of the wall surrounding their district of
Galata directly opposite Byzantium (Constantinopolis). It was used for the
surveillance of the Harbour in the Golden Horn. The tower now houses a
restaurant and a night club.
Near Karakoy
DOLMABAHÇE PALACE (One of the last residence of Ottoman Sultans)
Dolmabahce
Palace,
along the European coast of the Bosphorus, built by the brothers Nikagos and Karabet
Balyan in 1853 for the Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid II, was the most
monumental work of the time.
Dolmabahce
marks the beginning of the period in which Ottoman traditional
architectural style is ignored and more and more western patterns are used
for the new palaces. The palace which consists of 285 rooms , 46 halls,
four grand salons, six galleries and six baths is divided into two
sections: the Ceremonial Section - where the sultan would receive
distinguished guests from all over the world and the Harem - where the
Sultan's wife, mother and concubines lived
The palace has a level of luxury not present in most other palaces, with
walls and ceilings decorated with gold, and European art from the period. The crystal
hanging-lamp in the reciprocal room, which weighs 4.5 tons, was a present
from Queen Victoria and is said to be the largest in the world.
As Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, died here on November 10,
1938, this palace holds special significance for Turks.
The most picturesque spots along the Bosphorus and Golden Horn were
reserved for the palaces and mansions for the Sultans, and other important
dignitaries, most of which have now gone.
The interior was rebuilt, at a cost of four million gold coins, beginning
with covering the ceiling with wood and the walls with marble. The rooms
were decorated with rare carpets, furniture, gold and silver. The sides of
the building were decorated with coloured marble, and monumental gates connected it to Yildiz Palace, via a bridge, which is how the harem women
went between the two, in total privacy.
It briefly housed the Turkish Parliament from 1908, but was destroyed by a
fire two years later, and was only rebuilt in 1991. Now, it is Istanbul’s
premier luxury hotel, and has retained something of its former glory.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ART Built in 1524 by İbrahim Pasa, the
Grand Vizier to Suleyman the Magnificent, this was originally a palace and
the grandest private residences in the Ottoman Empire – and one of the few
which have survived. Some of it, however, was destroyed and rebuilt in
stone to the original designs in 1843.
Now home to the museum, this is considered one of the finest collections
of Islamic art in the world, with a superb display of ceramics, metalwork,
miniatures, calligraphy and textiles, as well as some of the oldest
carpets in the world. Equally as impressive is the grace of the building,
with the central courtyard giving something of an insight into the
atmosphere of the residence.
Opposite is the Great Hall, which houses a collection of Turkish carpets,
with exquisite antique carpets and kilims and one of the finest
collections in the world, the oldest exhibit dating back to 13th century.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH CARPETS Across the street from the Ibrahim Pasa
residence, which stands
north of the mosque inside the Sultanahmet Mosque complex is the Museum of Turkish Carpets which contains exquisite
antique carpets and kilims gathered from all over Turkey.
Open days to visit: Everyday except Monday
34400 Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 518 133
Museum of Calligraphy
The Beyazid Medresesi (Educational Instituon), which was used as the
municipality library since 1945 was evacuated, restored and rearanged as
the Turkish Foundations Calligraphic Arts Museum where the objects
displayed in the Sultan Selim Medresesi on Vatan Street previously are
exhibited today. The Korans, imperial seals, diplomas, Hilye-i serif
(descriptions of the Prophet), equipment and apparatus for calligraphic
writing, samples of bookbinding, holy relics, miniatures are some of the
object displayed.
Closed Sunday and Monday.
Bayezit Meydani 34490
Tel: (0212) 527 5851
Archeological Museum
The building was constructed by the architect Vallaury through the efforts
of the first scientific museum organizer of Turkey, Osman Hamdi Bey, and
was opened to public in 1891. The museum displays objects from Byzantium,
the Ottoman Empire and the many civilizations of Anatolia and nearby
regions including ancient Egypt.
Closed Monday. Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu, 34400 Gülhane. Tel: (0212) 520 7740
/ 520 7741
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One of the most outstanding and popular places to visit in Istanbul is
Topkapi Palace, the symbolic and political centre of the Ottoman Empire
between the 15th and 19th centuries. It stands on the tip of land where
the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus come together, and
is a maze of buildings centered around a series of courtyards, typical of
Islamic tradition. Such is the complexity of each building, it will take
many hours in order to be explored properly. 
Haghia Sophia,
the "Church of Holy Wisdom", was built by the Emperor Justinian in the
6th
century. It was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest enclosed space
in the world, and still seen as one of the world’s most important
architectural monuments. More than 1400 years old, Haghia Sophia covers a total area of
7570 square meters and is over 100 metres long. Never again did the
Byzantines attempt to build anything approaching the scale of Haghia
Sophia.
Kapalı
Carşı (Covered Bazaar) The oldest and biggest closed bazaar in the world,
also known as the Grand Bazaar, has around 4000 shops
and over 60 alleyway, covering a huge labyrinth in the city centre. The
original two structures, covered with a series of domes and remains of the
15th century walls, became a shopping area by covering the surrounding
streets and adding to it over the following centuries. In Ottoman times
this was the centre of trading, and a vital area of town. The Sandal
Bedesten was added during Suleyman’s reign, to cope with the rising trade
in fabrics, during the 16th century.
