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ISTANBUL TOURS
ISTANBUL
SIGHTS OF ISTANBUL
Blue Mosque It is a magnificent series of; domes and semi-domes, six slender minarets sprouting from the corners of the mosque, a spacious courtyard, and finally its grand yet elegant proportions make the Blue Mosque one of the architectural marvels of the world. Hippodrome and Obelisks The ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the centre of Byzantine civil life, stands in the open space in front of the Blue Mosque. Haghia Sophia Museum Haghia Sophia was built at the command of Emperor Justinian in the years 532 to 537. The courtyard of Haghia Sophia harbors a number of minor but fascinating Ottoman structures. Grand Bazaar The Grand Bazaar was built at the command of Fatih Mehmet shortly after the Conquest. It contains 4399 shops, 2195 workshops, 497 stalls and 18 fountains. Topkapi Palace As the administrative centre, for nearly 400 years, for the Ottoman Empire, which was one of the greatest empires of the world, Topkapi Palace is certainly the most important historical site to be visited in Istanbul. That is the reason why Topkapi Palace is one of the most frequently visited museums of Europe with more than 2.5 million visitors per year. In 1461, less than ten years after the Conquest, Fatih Mehmet ordered the construction of Topkapi Sarayi a palace that would be known as Dar-us Saadet, the “House of Felicity”. Topkapi Sarayi remained the seat of the Ottoman Sultans until 1868, when Abdülmecit I moved to the European-style Dolmabahçe Palace farther up the Bosphorus. Suleymaniye Mosque Suleymaniye is without question one of the greatest works of its architect, Sinan. Building began in 1550 and the mosque was completed in 1557, with two more years required in order to finish the entire complex (kulliye). Golden Horn Drive along the Golden Horn by the Roman Land walls and Churches of Byzantine Period. Spice Bazaar This covered market is the attractive L-shaped building to the south-west of the Yeni Cami. Its English name survives from the time when the market specialised in the sale of spices and herbs, as well as medicinal plants and drugs. Boat Cruise on the Bosphorus The Bosphorus - the waterway between two continents - is beautiful at anytime, day or night in any season. On the way to the Black Sea, you can see the finest and richest examples of Ottoman houses and palaces on the Bosphorus shores. Rumeli Fortress In 1452, Mehmet II prepared to besiege Constantinople by constructing a fortress at Rumeli Hisari. It took less than four months to build, thanks to 3000 labourers and master masons assigned to the task. Its crenellated walls and round towers are popular with photographers and what you see from the top of the walls is one of the nicest view of the Bosphorus. Dolmabahçe Palace This area was originally the bay where the navy anchored in the early periods when the Ottomans conquered Istanbul. Between 1611-1614, this bay had been filled in and a timber building with a large garden called "the Besiktas Palace" had been built with the order of Sultan Ahmet I. The land of the Besiktas Palace, which had become completely useless due to a fire, was chosen as the site of the new palace by Sultan Abdulmecit I, as it was by the sea side and close to the city centre. Bosphorus Bridge Offers a unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) within a few minutes. The Ataturk Bridge carries 200 000 vehicles and 600 000 people a day. It is the 4th longest suspension bridge in the Europe and 7th longest in the world. Camlica Hill Camlica Hill is one of the highest points of the Bosphorus and Istanbul. The Çamlica Hill has a wonderful panorama including the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, Historical Peninsula and islands. |
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