Istanbul is the only city in the world
built on two continents; Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus Strait divides
the city in to two sides while connecting the Black
Sea with th Mediterranean. This city has one of the most
spectecular views in the world. With a population of 15.000.000 people,
Istanbul is not the capital city of Turkey. However, it is the leading
city of Turkish Economy. [read more]
ISTANBUL CLASSIC CITY TOUR
A cull day classic city tour should include these sites;
Hagia Sophia Museum,
Topkapi Palace Museum, Blue Mosque,
Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. They are all in walking distance to each
other. It takes a few minutes to walk from H. Sophia to Blue
Mosque or to Topkapi Palace. Walking to Grand Bazaar from these sites is
about 15-20 minutes.
HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM
This building is the most interesting of all. When you return home, you
can proudly tell your friends that "Yess, I saw Hagia Sophia!". It's
from 537 AD and still in a very good condition. A temple higly respected
by two different religions (Islam and Christianity), a milestone in
world's architectural history and the inspiration origin of most famous
cathedrals of the world.
Hagia Sophia (In Turkish: Ayasofya, from the Greek: Αγία Σοφία, "Holy
Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia) is a former
patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey.
Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome
of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world for
nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral
in 1520. [read more]
TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUM
The original place of the Ottoman Sultans used to live, from the second
half of the 15th century, until mid 19th century. Today it is a Museum,
where you'll have the chance to observe the Sultan's magnificent life in
the exibition halls like costumes of the sultans, treasury, holly relics
of Islam, armoury and porcelain. Treasury section is the highlight of
all the exibitions which hosts one of the finest diamonds of the world "Kasikci
Elmas-Spoonmaker's Diamond", a 86-carat pear-shaped diamond
surrounded by a double-row of 49 Old Mine cut diamonds. Harem section
visit needs extra time of 45 minutes with a seperate ticket, so try not
to include that if you have limited time here in Istanbul.
[read more]
BLUE MOSQUE
Famous with its unique 6 minarets, Sultanahmet Mosque is called as "Blue
Mosque" since 17th century by the western travellers because of its
georgeous blue tiles from Iznik (Nicaea). As a master piece from the
tradional and mature Ottoman Architectural history, this monument will
make you feel the splendour of the peak period of the Ottoman Empire.
Easy to visit with just taking your shoes of at the entrance, and
no special clothing is required, regarding that attendants of the mosque
providing covers for unsuitable clothes. Active mosque, not a museum so
will be closed during the praying times [read
more]
HIPPODROME
Today a big square/park but was a colossial circus once upon a time
which was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of
the Byzantine Empire. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos
('ιππος), horse, and dromos (δρομος), path or way. Beside the oldest
monument of Istanbul "Egyptian Obelisque", you can see " The Serpent
Cloumn" "The Stone Pillar" and "The German Fountain" while visiting the
hippodrome
GRAND BAZAAR
For many people "Kapali Carsi" (Covered
Bazaar) in the old city is, of course, the favorite place. In this
labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4,000 shops with each
trade having its own area; the gold-smiths street, the carpet sellers'
street, and so on. From great variety of goods offered, there is
something to suit every taste and pocket. In the Old Bedesten (Old
Bazaar), in the heart of the bazaar, the pattern of shopping seems to
have remained unchanged for centuries. *09:00-19:00 closed on Sunday
MORE SITES, MORE ITENERARIES
As you see, in a single day you can witness 1500 years of history but
Istanbul has much much more to offer. It is possible to make a tours to
the exciting corners of the city up to 8 days, and many of the sites/monuments
needs a whole web site each to explain about them. Archeology Museum,
Turkish & Islmaic Arts Museum, Chora Museum, Dolmabahce Palace, Spice
Bazaar, Underground Cistern, Bosphorus Cruise, Princess Islands,
Suleymaniye Mosque, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Galata Tower are other
must see sites .Check these pages for more;
othersites, tours
TOURS
WELCOME TO ISTANBUL!
