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Istanbul (Turkish:
İstanbul, historically also
known as Byzantium and
Constantinople is the largest
city in Turkey and fifth largest
city proper in the world with a
population of 12.6 million.
Istanbul is also a megacity, as
well as the cultural and
financial centre of Turkey. The
city covers 39 districts of the
Istanbul province. It is located
on the Bosphorus Strait and
encompasses the natural harbour
known as the Golden Horn, in the
northwest of the country. It
extends both on the European (Thrace)
and on the Asian (Anatolia)
sides of the Bosphorus, and is
thereby the only metropolis in
the world that is situated on
two continents. In its long
history, Istanbul has served as
the capital city of the Roman
Empire (330–395), the Eastern
Roman (Byzantine) Empire
(395–1204 and 1261–1453), the
Latin Empire (1204–1261), and
the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922).
The city was chosen as joint
European Capital of Culture for
2010. The historic areas of
Istanbul were added to the
UNESCO World Heritage List in
1985.
Location : Istanbul and
the Bosporus today.
Istanbul is located in the north-west
Marmara Region of Turkey. It
encloses the southern Bosporus
which places the city on two
continents—the western portion
of Istanbul is in Europe, while
the eastern portion is in Asia.
The city boundaries cover a
surface area of 1,830.92 square
kilometres (707 sq mi), while
the metropolitan region, or the
Province of Istanbul, covers
6,220 square kilometres (2,402
sq mi).
The museums, churches, palaces,
great mosques, bazaars and
sights of natural beauty seem
inexhaustible. As you recline on
the shores of the Bosphorus at
sunset, contemplating the red
twilight reflected in the
windows on the opposite shore,
you understand, suddenly and
profoundly, why so many
centuries ago settlers chose to
build on this remarkable site.
At times such as these, you feel
that Istanbul is truly one of
the most glorious cities in the
world.
Hagia Sophia: The Sancta
Sophia or Aya Sophia is also
known as the Church of the
Divine Wisdom. This
architectural masterpiece, once
a Church, is now a museum. The
decoration is beautiful and
although you canno wander around
on the Upper Gallery, you may
want to use some binoculars to
look at the detailed mosaics and
chandeliers. The Aya Sophya is
also home to a picture Gallery
where mosaics of Jesus Christ
and the Virgin Mary are on
exhibition. You will need to buy
a separate ticket to visit the
Gallery - be sure to check
closing times before entering.
Blue Mosque: The Blue
Mosque is also called
Sultanahmet Mosque or Camii. It
is situated directly opposite
the Aya Sophya. Take a walk
through the Hippodrome park
linking the two and look out for
the tourist entrance. As in
other mosques you need to remove
your shoes and ensure that your
shoulders are covered. There is
no entrance fee but donations
are more than welcome. The
interior is impressive with
hanging crystal chandeliers and
intricate mosaics. You will not
be able to visit the mosque
during prayer time so be sure to
keep that in mind so that you do
not miss out.
Topkapi Palace: The
Topkapi Palace was home to the
Ottoman Sultans for four hundred
years. The buildings and gardens
are impressive and pay tribute
to the wealth and history of the
Sultans of Istanbul in days gone
by. You can visit Imperial
display rooms containing Sultans
Kaftans, Chinese porcelain,
portraits of all the Sultans and
the armoury. For an extra fee
you will be able to see a mind-blowing
array of glittering jewels on
display-diamonds and emeralds to
rubies and pearls. The Sultan's
private home; the Harem, which
means Private, can only be seen
at certain times accompanied by
a tour guide. The Harem housed
the Sultan, his wives, his
mother, children and concubines.
Hygiene and cleanliness were a
priority in the Harem as was the
education of its' inhabitants.
Before entering Topkapi Palace
look at the opening times of the
Harem and so that you can take
time out to see it's interior.
Suleymaniye Mosque: The
Suleymaniye Mosque looms over
the West side of Istanbul and is
the most majestic of the Mosques
built during the reign of the
Ottomans in the 1550s. The
courtyard that precedes the
Mosque is particularly
interesting with it's antique
columns and minarets. The Mosque
itself has a pale interior and
high arches and is the largest
in Istanbul.
Kariye Mosque and Museum:
The Kariye Mosque and Museum is
the same site and is located in
Fatih, a 10-minute taxi ride
from Sultanahmet. The mosaic
walls inside the Kariye tell the
story of Jesus Christ and the
Virgin Mary and the more you
look the more you will see. To
make the most of your visit you
should take a detailed
explanation of what all the
mosaics are about.
Yeni Mosque: The Yeni
Camii lies alongside the
Bosphorous and directly opposite
the Galata Bridge on the Golden
Horn. It is also nicknamed the "pigeon
mosque" and no prizes for
guessing why! Yeni Camii is
right next to the Spice bazaar
so you may want to visit both at
the same time while in the area.
Yerebatan Sarayı: The
Yerebatan Saray or Sunken Palace
is an immense underground
Cistern built during Byzantine
times. The main entrance to the
Cistern is over the road from
the Aya Sofya. The palace, or
Cistern, is creatively lit up
while classical music fills it's
crevasses. You can make your way
down the long walkways while
listening to the constant
dripping of water. Right at the
back of the Cistern are the
Medusa heads used as the base
for pillars. As legend goes the
stronger of the three sisters
placed her one sister upside
down and the other on her side.
If you like fish, bring a tiny
bit of bread to feed the carp
and goldfish in the Cistern
waters.
Grand Bazaar: The Grand
Bazaar is along the Divan Yolu
Cadessi, approximately 20
minutes walking distance from
the Blue Mosque and the Aya
Sofya. The Grand Bazaar is
covered and has over 1700
jewellery shops, leather shops,
water pipes, art dealers and of
course an endless amount of
carpet shops. Your visit should
be hassle free although be
warned that if you show some
interest in a merchant's wares
he will be determined to sell
them to you. The Grand Bazaar is
the ideal place to perfect your
bargaining skills.
Spice Bazaar: The Spice
Bazaar is also a covered bazaar
and is next to the Yeni Camii.
It is here that you will find an
array of spices, dried fruits
and home remedies all laid out
to bring out the most of the
different vibrant colors. It is
even possible to buy raw Royal
Jelly.
Rumeli Fortress: The
Rumeli Fortress or Hisari is
half way down the Bosphorous and
can be seen from the boat. It
was built in a very short period
of time with a work force of
about 9000 in the 15th century.
It was never used though as the
enemy never attacked from that
direction!
Obelisk of Theodosius:
The Obelisk of Theodosius is to
the right of the Blue Mosque if
you are approaching it from the
Hippodrome. The Obelisk is very
old, dating back to 1500 BC, and
you can still see the intricate
hieroglyphics. Close by in the
same plaza, you can find the
spiral column and another
obelisk but in worse shape than
the Obelisk of Theodosius. |
