Photos | Videos | Info | Links

Videos:

More videos

Constantinople

Constantinople (Greek: Kwnstantinou%poly, Konstantinoúpoli, or Po'ly, Póli, Constantinoupolis) was the capital of the Roman Empire between 330 and 395, the Byzantine Empire between 395 and 1453, and the Ottoman Empire between 1453 and 1923. It was officially renamed to its modern Turkish name Istanbul in 1930^^^ as part of Atatürk's Turkish national reforms. Strategically located between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara at the point where Europe meets Asia, Constantinople was extremely important as the successor to ancient Rome and the largest and wealthiest city in Europe throughout the Middle Ages; it was known as the Queen of Cities (Vasileousa Polis).

The European Side

There are many historical places in istanbul.

• Hagia Sophia , Sultanahmet Square (by tram: Sultanahmet), 0212 5221750. Tu-Su 9:00AM-7:30PM. Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Byzantine engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The basilica was looted in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in 1930's. Don't miss the excellent mosaics, including those in the gallery, reached by a stone ramp to the left of the entrance. 10 YTL . NOTE: the inside is undergoing a major refurb and there is a huge amount of scaffolding in a gigantic tower going up to the top of the dome.

• Topkapi Palace , Bab-i Hümayün Caddesi (by tram: Gülhane/Sultanahmet), 0212 5120480. M,W-Su 9:00AM-5:00PM. The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court in the entrance to the Harem (admission extra, only by joining a guided tour) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular. 10 YTL .

• Sultanahmet Mosque (, aka Blue Mosque), At Meydam Sokak 17, Sultanahmet (by tram: Sultanahmet), 0212 5181319. May-Oct 9:00AM-9:00PM, Nov-Apr:9:00AM-7:00PM. With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside. Unlike Haghia Sophia, this is still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side. No shorts or bare shoulders (shawls are provided) and you will need to remove your footwear. Free.

• Basilica Cistern . Yerebatan Cad., Sultanahmet. It doesn't sound like much, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consacrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere. 10 YTL .

• Hippodrome, adjacent to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This was the center of Roman and Byzantine Constantinople, and is a great place to begin one's tour and to people watch. The building no longer stands, but the obelisks and sculptures that have been collected here since Theodosius' time in the fourth century remain.

• Galata Whirling Dervish Hall . Galipdede Caddesi . A dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut down in 1925 along with all other 'reactionary' movements in Turkey. Today the building houses the Museum of Divan Literature, but the best time to come Sundays between 3 to 5 pm when dervish ceremonies are staged. (Buy tickets in advance, as space is limited.) Also check out the small graveyard next door, where the carved fez perched upon the gravestone indicates the occupant's rank in the dervish hierarchy.

• Ortakoy A shore line of the bosphorus beside the Ortakoy mosque. Filled with nice cafes and a perfect view crowded and fun.

• The Museum of Archeology A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets! Close to Sultanahmet.

• Museum of Modern Art At Karakoy. A nice, organized museum with contemporary installations.Ä°ncluding a cafe with a top notch menu and view.

• Dolmabahce Palace See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahce shore. Build on 110.000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years. Guided tours in major spoken languages available.

• Galata Tower Ride an elevator to the top, then walk the parapet for a 360 degree view of Istanbul, including the entire Sultanahmet peninsula: crowned by Topkapi Palance, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

• Chora Church, a 1000 year old Byzantine church, with precious mosaic frescoes and a captivating mood inside. The early church frescoes had been covered with plaster for nearly 500 years, as the building had been converted to a mosque, but were uncovered in the mid-twentieth century and have been partially restored.

The Asian (Anatolian) Side

• Beylerbeyi Palace Lying under the legs of the Bosphorus Bridge, the palace was built between 1861-1865 by Sultan Abdulaziz. Guided tours in major spoken languages available.

• Camlica Hill is one of the highest hills of Istanbul (268 metres high) and almost major broadcasting antennas are located on this hill, since the hill dominates a great part of the city. On the top of the hill, a public park with cafes remind the visitors of an Ottoman atmosphere.

• The Princes' Islands lies on the southeast of Istanbul, and consists of 8 islands, Buyukada being the largest of them all. Buyukada is also the highest island among the others; its peak reaches to 202 mt (Yucetepe) where the ruins of a monastery remains.

The rest of the islands are; Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kinaliada, Yassiada, Sivriada, Tavsan Adasi and Yassiada. Buyukada and Heybeliada both have a limited range of hotels, some of which serve in a boutique style, preferred by many tourists.

Videos:

Constantinople
movie shot in digital of the Asian side of Istanbul (Constantinople)... Palace by the Black Sea too....Constantinople Istanbul Vacation

Istanbul not constantinople
A video about the biggest town in Turkey, with song Istanbul not constantinople by They Might Be Giants...istanbul turkey constantinople they might be giants

Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
classic They Might Be Giants song is set to images of a week spent in Istanbul....they might be giants istanbul not constantinople turkey vacation

Istanbul Not Constantinople
The commission from Kirkman turns out to be an elaborate hoax, and Jim and Bjorn find themselves lost in Prague after an absinthe binge. Tonja finally tracks down

The Fall of Constantinople
1453ad, turning history into something more contemporary....history teaching

The Fall of Constantinople (1453)
The Fall of Constantinople in the face of Sultan Mehmet II, on Tuesday, May 29, 1453. This marked not only the final destruction of the Eastern

Fun in Turkey Pt. 1 (Istanbul, Not Constantinople)
It's Istanbul, Not Constantinople, (Thanks, They Might Be Giants!) and the highlight video from my last trip to Istanbul. Mostly taken from the

istanbul, not constantinople
holidays in turkey...istanbul turkey holiday they might be giants

The Walls of Constantinople
View from a tower of the old city walls of Constantinople...instanbul constantinople joe

Istanbul pas Constantinople
Crossing the Bridge...Istanbul

Istanbul Not Constantinople
gerçek ismiyle hitap edin. The world calls it Istanbul...istanbul constantinopolis turkey greece

Istanbul & Constantinople
poet, istanbul, poem, Constantinople...efkarıma çeyrek var

Constantinople to Istanbul
For more, check out DVD Islam: Empire of Faith....conquest constantinople istanbul

Istanbul was Constantinople I
Visitan l'AYASOFYA o Santa Sofia, primeres mostres de tuning Otomà...Istanbul Ayasofya

Saint Antoine Catholic Church Constantinople
The original S. Antonio di Padova Cathedral was built in 1725 by the local Italian community of Istanbul, but was later demolished and replaced with the current building

Istanbul was Constantinople II
Pasejant pel Gran Bazar...Istanbul Gran Bazar

The pigeon man of Constantinople
Darlinstein in Turkey...Istanbul pigeons mosque

Istanbul - not Constantinople
Living in Istanbul for 5 months.. Visit my blog: nikolia.blogspot.com...Istanbul Nikolia Constantinople Turkey Greece

Turkish Delight
my recent trip to Turkey, set to the cover of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" performed by the band They Might Be Giants. The video was

Nearest places of interest:

Sirkeci Terminal Byzantium Grand Bazaar Spice Bazaar

Basilica Cistern Bucoleon palace Abdi İpekçi Arena Bandırma

Popular places:

Istanbul Ankara Ä°zmir Turkey

Bursa Antalya Istanbul Uni.. Hagia Sophia