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Istanbul
Interesting places in Istanbul:Istanbul (Turkish: Istanbul, Greek: Kwnstantinou%poly / Konstandinúpoli, historically known in English as Constantinople; see other names) is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. The city is the capital of the Province of Istanbul. It is located at 41° N 28° E, on the Bosphorus strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn (Turkish: Haliç), in the northwest of the country. Istanbul extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. Istanbul is also the only city in the world which served as the capital to three different Empires: The Roman Empire (330-395), Byzantine Empire (395-1453) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1923). In 1923, following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, Ankara became the capital of the new state. 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.
The European Side
There are many historical places in istanbul.
Hagia Sofia
Inside Hagia Sofia
- 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 Tower from across the Golden Horn
- 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
View of Istanbul from Camlica Hill, at night
- 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.
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Istanbul - Yerebatan Sarayi
Made by Traces in the Sand
The Yerebatan Sarayi (The Underground Palace) is in fact a giant Byzantine cistern 140m long and 70m wide, comprising of 336 columns supporting brick domes. The cistern held 80000 cubic metres of water, brought by Aquaduct from the Belgrade forest 20km away. A number of statues of medusa can be found in the cistern, it also has it's own fish, and you may recognise it from the James Bond film, From Russia with love Me, I just love the light, the symmetry, and the tranquility of the place.
Comfortably Numb
Made by HakanGil
There is no pain you are receding A distant ship smoke on the horizon You are only coming through in waves Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse Out of the corner of my eye I turned to look but it was gone I cannot put my finger on it now The child is grown The dream is gone And I have become Comfortably numb. Pink Floyd @ Youtube
under a cold blue sky
Made by c a g l a r
ortakoy mosque, istanbul
Istanbul: Salacak
Made by orgutcayli
Istanbul, Turkey
Zen
Made by HakanGil
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