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Home / CITY GUIDE / Istanbul

Istanbul

Its beauty was described by songs, poems, novels, but unfinished; it was the capital of 3 civilizations, but still maintains its existence with the same splendor, Istanbul is a city you can never give up. For those who don't know, but for those who know, let's open Istanbul's wide doors,for we want to list the addresses you should visit. To feel the soul of Istanbul, you must visit these points:

1 - Sultan Ahmet Mosque
Let's start with the Sultan Ahmet Mosque which is one of the most precious riches of the region. Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which has given  its name both to the location and the square, is one of the most important legacies of the Ottoman Empire. The building, which was built between 1609 - 1616 by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I as consisting of 6 minarets, still welcomes its visitors with the same beauty. It is not difficult to see the traces of Mimar Sinan in the building, which was the work of Mimar Sinan's student, architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga.
 

        

2 - Hagia Sophia
Located opposite the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Hagia Sophia is another witness of history. The work, which dates back to 532 AD, was built by I. Justinian. In addition to being the largest church built by the Romans in Istanbul, it is one of the oldest monuments that witnessed history, even though it was built three times in the same place. In 1453, after the conquest of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, it was started to be used as a mosque. Today, it welcomes visitors as one of the most important museums of Istanbul. You can also visit the Hagia Sophia's unique atmosphere.

        

3 - Ancient Istanbul Hippodrome
One of the cultural values ​​of Sultanahmet is Antique Istanbul Hippodrome. The Hippodrome, which is thought to have been built in the 2nd century AD, but which we see today in Sultanahmet Square, was built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century; It was built to be the most eye-catching structure of the city. The Ancient Istanbul Hippodrome, where we can see the ruins of At Square and its surroundings, is indeed one of the most valuable buildings of the city. Today, however, it cannot be considered apart from the history of Istanbul.

        

4 - Topkapı Palace
Let's come to the story of Topkapı Palace which conquered the hearts with its splendor. After Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered Istanbul, it was started to be built in 1460. The structure, which has managed to become the center of education, administration and art of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years, is still important today. Since 1924 as a museum opens its doors to visitors. Although the structure, which includes the breezes from the Edirne Palace located on the banks of the Tundja River, is considered as one of the modest structures of the period, it is considered to be an extremely magnificent work today. Inside the museum, many valuable works such as special production clothes of the Ottoman dynasty, precious jewels, state medallions, candles made of solid gold and sacred relics can be seen.

        

5 - Basilica Cistern
If we talk about another precious and interesting point of the region, we must meet the mystery of the Basilica Cistern. The cistern, which was built during the same period as the Hagia Sophia, has columns of 9 meters each. The cistern, which was built to meet the water needs of the city in ancient times, does not have such a duty even though it has water in it. It is known that the construction of the Byzantine Emperor Justinianus took place in the 6th century and it was used during the Ottoman Empire to meet its water needs. The appearance of a forest as a cistern, really enchanting people. You should hear the legends of the Basilica Cistern at place.

        

6 - Grand Bazaar
Our last stop should be the Grand Bazaar. From history, the bazaar was covered by domes called 'Charshu-yı Kebir' and was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. As in the past, it is a fact that nowadays it is a trade center of the city. If you look at the architectural features of the Grand Bazaar, we see that it consists of 64 streets and streets, 2 bedestens and 16 halls and has 22 gates. The Grand Bazaar, which has 3600 shops today, is regarded as the world's largest and oldest shopping center. The Grand Bazaar, which is spread over an area of ​​4500 square meters, has a minimum of 300 thousand visitors per day. This shows the interest in the Grand Bazaar.

        

7 - Maiden's Tower
As a precious of Istanbul, it is a structure that has been the subject of mystical stories that has witnessed so much time, preserving its existence in the middle of the Bosphorus. This masterpiece, which consists of 18 meters high and 5 floors, served mainly to control the maritime traffic and defense purposes in history; Although there is no clear information about the date of construction, the Maiden's Tower has an average value of 2500 years and today it welcomes those who want to enjoy the Bosphorus and Istanbul. You should definitely experience the magical atmosphere of the Maiden's Tower, come together with your loved ones and listen to the legends of the Maiden's Tower. Finally, one of the first things that comes to mind when one comes to Istanbul is the Maiden's Tower. Just like the city's icon.

        

8 - Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi Palace, which was both a summer palace and a guest house for foreign guests, was started to be built in 1861 with the order of Sultan Abdulaziz. Here you can see all the magnificence and grace of the palaces of the Ottoman Empire. Magnificent marble workmanship, precious furniture, eye-catching scenery and a coolness that surprises people in summer are the most important features of this palace. If you are looking for places to visit in Istanbul or places to visit in Istanbul, Beylerbeyi Palace has a different place. Access to the palace in Uskudar is quite easy. You can easily reach almost any point.

        

9 - Dolmabahche Palace
With its unique history, Dolmabahche Palace is one of the most important riches of Istanbul. If we listen to Evliya Chelebi, we learn that Yavuz Selim had built a mansion at the point where Dolmabahche Palace is today. At the time of Ahmet I, this space was filled with stone. The name of the palace comes right here. Dolmabahche Palace is the current form of 1842, ie the time of the first Abdulmecit. After the proclamation of the Republic, Ataturk preferred the Dolmabahche Palace as the former Ottoman Sultans and used it as the Presidential residence. His death took place here as well. In the end, Dolmabahche Palace has a beautiful history that cannot be understood without telling. For this reason, it is definitely one of the places that should be seen and the atmosphere should be felt.
There are some rare points of Istanbul. Indispensable places, which should be seen and heard properly from us now. They are so precious, so meaningful and also so good to learn to visit. If you bring together some of these kinds of stops and make a pleasant trip, Miniaturk, Eyup and Pierre Loti create a beautiful line.

        

10 - Miniaturk
Miniatürkis spread over a total area of ​​60 thousand square meters and promises a fair trip tour. Spread over an area of ​​15 thousand square meters, models will make you a brief tour of Turkey. That's why  it mostly called as "Turkey's Showcase". From Topkapı Palace to Hagia Irene Church, from the Tomb of Sultanahmet to the Maiden Tower, we can see numerous works of Istanbul such as Amasya Yalıbolu Houses, Trabzon Sumela Monastery and the Nemrut Mountain Ruins. Even the miniatures of some structures and values ​​abroad such as the Mostar Bridge, the Kubbet deus Sahara and the Ecyad Fortress can be seen here. The Panorama Victory Museum and Kristal Istanbul Museums within the Miniaturk area are other places to see. There are also alternatives where you can eat and buy gifts. Therefore, it is a route that can be preferred to spend a pleasant time.

        

11 - Eyup
Located in the inner part of the Golden Horn, Eyup is one of the most valuable in Istanbul. It attracts both history and nature. The district, named after the Eyup Sultan, has many places to visit and see today. Eyup Sultan Mosque comes to the top of these. The mosque, which was built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1459, was repaired extensively during the period because it was damaged over the years. The Eyup Sultan Mausoleum is the main reason that makes the mosque meaningful. The Djafer pasha Madrasa, located right next to the mosque, was built in 1587 with the support of Djafer Pasha, one of the viziers of Kanuni Sultan Suleyman. Hadith trainings were also given in the so-called Kırımi Tekkesi. Zal Mahmut Pasha Mosque is one of the precious people of Eyup district.

 

The building, which is one of the works of Mimar Sinan, was built with the donations of Zal Mahmut, one of the viziers of Suleiman the Magnificent, and the date of the history was the year 1577. If we visit Sultan Reshat Tomb, it will be a stop for those who are interested in history. Following the overthrow of Abdulhamit 2., Mehmet Reshat or Sultan Reshat, who came to the throne with the support of the Union and Progress Society, lay there. Sultan Reshat's mausoleum, which loves the district of Eyup very much and is visited frequently, welcomes its visitors in this neighborhood today. Vialand draws a different route for Eyup district. Maybe it's not a Disneyland, but Vialand can be one of the addresses you'll want to visit, which is quite fun and shows a delightful theme park property.

        

12 - Pierre Loti
Although Pierre Loti is one of the districts of Eyup, it is also a stop to be emphasized and told. The real name of Pierre Loti comes from person, who lived in Istanbul for quite a long time and gave his name to this hill, was Julien Viaud. The historic hill, located here and named after, has an amazing view of the Golden Horn. In the works of Evliya Chelebi this area named as 'Idris Koshku Mesiresi' or 'Caffee de Rabia' and Pierre Loti often came here and wrote his story of 'Aziyade'. So it is rumored. Later, the name of this hill was Pierre Loti and it was the stopping point of those who wanted to see the view of this enchanted Golden Horn. Pierre Loti comes to mind when it is called Eyup, when it is called Istanbul and even when it is called Haliç; romantic, pleasant, peaceful and a must-have address. You can't feel the spirit of Istanbul without drinking coffee here.

        

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