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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 (Topkapi Sarayi)
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Topkapi Palace |
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
Fatihs 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 Murads 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
Spoonmakers 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.
Opening hours: Daily 09.00 17.00, winter closed Tuesday.
Address: Sultanahmet, Istanbul;
Tel: (0212) 512 0480 - 512 0484
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)
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Bosphorus over Hagia
Sophia |
Hagia 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 worlds 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
Address:
Sultanahmet Square,
Telephone: 90-212-5220989 | 90-212-5221750
Open daily except Mondays , 09:30-17:00
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet
Camii)
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Interior of the Blue
Mosque |
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii; is a
historical mosque in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey
and the capital of the Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923).
The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the
blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.
It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed
I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the
founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a
mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular
tourist attraction.
The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the
culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and
Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine
elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional
Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great
mosque of the classical period. The architect has ably
synthesized the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for
overwhelming size, majesty and splendor
Open: Everyday
Location:
Sultanahmet Square, Eminonu, Istanbul.
Telephone: 90-212-5220989 | 90-212-5221750
Grand Bazaar
(Kapali Carsi)
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A street in Grand Bazaar, Istanbul |
Kapali Carsi means Closed/Covered
Bazaar in Turkish. It is 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 Suleymans 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 Ic Bedesten, 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
Location:
Beyazit, Istanbul
Open: Everyday except Sunday.
Chora Church
Museum (Kariye Muzesi)
Now serving as a museum, this is actually Kariye Mosque,
once the 11th century church of St Saviour in Chora. It is
considered to be the most important Byzantine monument in
Istanbul, after Hagia 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 vigor 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.
Location: Edirnekapi, Istanbul.
Web (unofficial website):
http://www.choramuseum.com/
Hagia Irene (Aya Irini)
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Concert in Hagia 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.
Address:
Topkapi Palace, 34400 Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 522 0989 / 522 1750
Egyptian
Bazaar (Misir
Carsisi)
Also known as the Spice Market, this is Istanbuls 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.
Location: 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
atmosphere. 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
Address: Yerebatan Caddesi No. 13, 34410 Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 522 1259
Open daily except Mondays , 09:00-18:0
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: Everyday.
Location: Yedikule, Fatih, Istanbul. Tel: (0212) 263
3505
Rumeli Castle (Rumeli
Hisari)
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.
Location: Sariyer, Istanbul.
Tel: (0212) 263 5305
See Wikipedia Article
Anatolian Fortress (Anadolu
Hisari)
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.
Location: Anadolu Hisari, Uskudar, Istanbul.
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. This unique tower with a history dating back
to 2500 years, has eye - witnessed everything that the city
has encountered throughout the history. This tower has been
erected during the ancient age and constructed by
renovations from the ages of the Ancient Rome, the Byzantine
Empire, and the Ottoman Empire, the tower has reached to
present time with its mysterious appe
Location: Off-shore from Uskudar district, Istanbul
Web (restaurant)
http://www.kizkulesi.com.tr
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Galata Tower |
Galata Tower (Galata
kulesi)
called Christea Turris (the Tower of Christ in Latin) by the
Genoese is a medieval stone tower in the Galata district
of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the Golden Horn.
One of the city's most striking landmarks, it is a high,
cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and affords
a panoramic vista of Old Istanbul and its environs.
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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.
Location: Karakoy, Istanbul.
Web (restaurant):
http://www.galatatower.net/
Dolmabahce Palace
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.
Opening hours: Daily 09.00 16.00, except Monday and
Thursday
Location: Besiktas (closer to Kabatas), Istanbul.
Tel: (0212) 258 5544 - 227 3444
Ciragan Palace
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 Istanbuls premier luxury hotel, and has
retained something of its former glory.
Location: Besiktas
(closer to Ortakoy), Istanbul.
Tel: (0212) 258 5544 - 227 3444
Museum of Turkish and
Islamic Arts
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.
Opening hours: 09.30 17.00, closed Mondays
Location:
At Meydani (Hippodrome) No. 46, 34410 Sultanahmet,
Tel: (0212) 518 18 05
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.
Address: 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.
Address: Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu, 34400 Gülhane, Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 520 7740 / 520 7741
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