You must see: the Topkapi Palace Museum, Hagia Sophia, the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque and the Dolmabahce Palace.

Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapi Sarayi Müzesi)

The Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu) where the Topkapi Palace is located is seen at the left tip of the historic peninsula; followed by (left to right) the Hagia Sophia, the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque, the Yeni (New) Mosque near the Galata Bridge, the Beyazıt Tower rising high in the background, and the Süleymaniye (Suleiman the Magnificent) Mosque at far right, among others.

Topkapi is the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to our day. The construction of the building was started in 1466, and was completed in 1478 several years prior to the demise of Sultan Muhammad II. The palace is formed by many smaller palaces and apartments. The population of the palace of 750 during the Mehmet era, has continually increased and reached up to 5000 in XIX th century.

You must visit:

• the mysterious harem (word harem originates from the Arabic harîm, comprising the concepts of secrecy, inviolability and sacrosanctness that pervade the very walls of this place and marked life here over the centuries that it was a closed book to strangers)
• Palace attire and garments: The costumes of the Sultans
• The Imperial Treasury Miniatures from the Topkapi Museum
• The portraits of the Sultans
• The chambers of the Sacred Relics
• Guns and Armory and
• Porcelains in the Topkapi Museum

The personal belongings of Mohammed and the earliest Caliphs who followed him are today preserved in the Topkapı Palace, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque and in several other prominent mosques of Istanbul.

! Museum hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.

Here are just a very few items exposed at Topkapi

Hagia Sophia (know as Saint Sophia)

Hagia Sophia the most famous Byzantine structure in Constantinople (now İstanbul), built (532-37) by Emperor Justinian I, and now a museum.

It occupies a prominent place in the history of art and architecture. It is one of the rare works of this size and age that has survived to our day.

The entrance to the museum from the courtyard is the original west gate, which has now been put to use again after centuries. Next to the entrance is the remains of the earlier (the second) basilica.

To appreciate Hagia Sophia fully, one should try to look at it not just as an empty museum, but as the magnificent and mystical church or mosque it once was. While it was the mother church of a great empire, the section in front of the apse, the altar, the ambo (pulpit) and the ceremonial objects were all plated in gold and silver and decorated with ivory and jewels. Even some of the doors were covered with such precious metals. The Latin invaders of the 4th Crusade tore all of these down and carried them to Europe, together with some architectural fragments.

Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque

One of the most famous monuments of Turkish art, the blue mosque is visited by all who come to Istanbul and gains their admiration. This imperial mosque is an example of classical Turkish architecture, and it is the only mosque that was originally built with six minarets.

It is surrounded by other important edifices of Istanbul, built at earlier ages. Istanbul is viewed best from the sea and the mosque is part of this magnificent scenery.

The architect was a student of Sinan, the greatest architect of classical Turkish architecture. He applied a plan used previously by his master, but on a larger scale.

The main entrance to Sultan Ahmet Mosque is on the Hippodrome side. There is an outer courtyard, and the inner courtyard and the edifice itself are elevated.

Dolmabahçe Palace

Located on a hill behind the Dolmabahce Palace was the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans. It is not very loved by Turk’s (you won’t find a lot of informations about it) because it is built in occidental style.

Dolmabahce is a beautiful 19th palace right by the Bosphorus, on the waterfront. It’s in baroque and rococo style and very French.

The palace is decorated with French Baccarat and Czech Bohemian crystal chandeliers.The entrance hall is the hall where the visitors were used to welcomed. This part is the official part (Selamlik) of the Palace that was only open to the men. The women and the children lived in a different part called “the Harem”. The Sultan’s bedrooms were also in the Harem Part.

Rare handmade artifacts from Europe and the Far East’decorate every room in the palace. Brilliant crystal chandeliers, candelabras and fireplaces add to the lavish decor.

The ballroom is the largest of its kind in the world. A 4.5 ton colossal crystal chandelier hangs from the 36 m high dome. The hall, which is used for important political meetings,receptions and balls, was previously heated by an oven-like system under the floor. Central heating and electricity were later additions to the palace.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic died in this palace in 1938.

Here is picture to see the beauty of the Dolmabahce Palace.

Many visitors, in their rush to see the “big three” of the old city (Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace), pass up the opportunity to visit this museum, which is next to Topkapi Palace and Gülhane Park. The palace was the hub of Ottoman power for more than three centuries, and for lavish decor and exquisite setting, it is a must-see.

Other important museums and places

Istanbul Mosaic Museum contains the late Roman and early Byzantine floor mosaics and wall ornaments of the Great Palace of Constantinople.

In Istanbul there are many historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers to visit.

Following the Ottoman conquest of the city, Sultan Mehmed II initiated a wide scale reconstruction plan, which included the construction of grand buildings such as the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, Fatih Mosque, Topkapı Palace, The Grand Bazaar and the Yedikule (Seven Towers) Castle which guarded the main entrance gate of the city, the Porta Aurea (Golden Gate).

But even before the Tanzimat period, European styles began to appear in the city, such as the Baroque style interiors of the Aynalıkavak Palace (1677-1679) and Nuruosmaniye Mosque (1748-1755, the first Baroque style mosque in the city, also famous for its Baroque fountain), and the 18th century Baroque additions to the Harem section of Topkapı Palace.

New palaces and mosques were built in Neoclassical, Baroque and Rococo styles, or a mixture of all three, such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, Dolmabahçe Mosque and Ortaköy (Mecidiye) Mosque.

Istanbul became a major center of the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with famous architects of this style like Raimondo D’Aronco building many palaces and mansions in the city proper and on the Princes’ Islands.

The public parks of Istanbul are very beautiful including Yıldız Park and the Gulhane Park at Topkapı, which houses the İstanbul Zoo.

Sports. The Turks love soccer and are several stadiums where you can see a game like: Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Ataturk Olympic Stadium and Ali Sami Yen Stadium.

Istanbul short description

Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, is located in the north-west Marmara Region of Turkey.It is situated near the North Anatolian fault line, which runs from northern Anatolia to the Marmara Sea. It is the only city in the world that sits astride two continents Europe and Asia.

Istanbul is also one of the world’s major conference destinations and is an increasingly popular choice for the world’s leading international associations.The city has 9,451,000 official population, unofficial population is much higher.

Hotels

There are 40,586 beds in 265 lodging facilities bearing touristic license and 19 of which are 5 star hotels, in Istanbul.You will find many types of hotels: 5 stars hotels, 4 stars hotels, 3 stars hotels, cheap hotels & hostels and accommodation in Istanbul apartments.

Pensions and one and two star hotels may be as inexpensive as $9 per night.

For mid-range and cheap hotels/restaurants, you may actually have a better time if you avoid places listed in your guide.

The Sultanahmet district hotels place you closest to many of the key museums and attractions of the city, but be sure not to miss out on other parts of Istanbul as well.

All major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and stores.

Its full range of accommodation, from tourist class to deluxe hotels, and the hospitable people of Istanbul will make your holiday comfortable and enjoyable.

Tourist tips

! A frequent scam, often in smaller hotels (but it can also happen in a variety of other contexts), is to quote prices in Lira and then later, when payment is due, claim the price was given in Euros.

! It’s best to have your hotel arrange for cabs as hotels often have arrangements with a particular company and thus have a little leverage that will act in your favor.

This is the first part of the attractive destination Istanbul, in the future posts you will read about What to visit in Istanbul, Shopping, Food and drinks.