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Famous for its impressive size, remarkable
architecture and beautiful mosaics and frescoes, the massive
ochre-coloured domed structure known as Hagia Sophia is one of
Istanbul's most popular attractions. It was commissioned as a
cathedral in the 6th century and remained the most important church
in Christianity for over 900 years. In the 15th century Mehmet II
conquered the city and converted it into a mosque, adding the
minarets and fountains. It functioned as such for the next 481
years until the founding of the secular Turkish Republic in 1934
when it was declared a museum. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest
Byzantine buildings in the world, and the vast interior, with its
huge soaring dome, is extraordinary. The interior contains
different features from its time as a cathedral and then as a
mosque, including incredible Byzantine mosaics, icons and marble
columns, a mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca), and
Islamic calligraphy inscriptions on the dome from the Ottoman
period. see full details
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)
Famous for its impressive size, remarkable
architecture and beautiful mosaics and frescoes, the massive
ochre-coloured domed structure known as Hagia Sophia is one of
Istanbul's most popular attractions. It was commissioned as a
cathedral in the 6th century and remained the most important church
in Christianity for over 900 years. In the 15th century Mehmet II
conquered the city and converted it into a mosque, adding the
minarets and fountains. It functioned as such for the next 481
years until the founding of the secular Turkish Republic in 1934
when it was declared a museum. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest
Byzantine buildings in the world, and the vast interior, with its
huge soaring dome, is extraordinary. The interior contains
different features from its time as a cathedral and then as a
mosque, including incredible Byzantine mosaics, icons and marble
columns, a mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca), and
Islamic calligraphy inscriptions on the dome from the Ottoman
period. see full details
Top
The Sultan Ahmet Camii, commonly known as the Blue
Mosque, with its tiers of magnificent domes and six graceful
minarets is one of the most striking and immediately
distinguishable structures on the Istanbul's skyline. Constructed
as an Islamic rival to the Hagia Sophia in 1609, it is one of the
finest examples of Ottoman architecture and is still used by
hundreds of worshippers. The interior is splendidly decorated with
thousands of blue and white Iznik tiles embellished with
traditional Ottoman flower patterns, and it is this special feature
that gives the mosque its name. Its design of successively
descending smaller domes, soaring columns and 260 stained glass
windows leaves a lasting impression of graceful accord and open
space. At the back of the mosque is a Carpet and Kilim Museum
exhibiting antiques from all over Turkey. see full details
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
The Sultan Ahmet Camii, commonly known as the Blue
Mosque, with its tiers of magnificent domes and six graceful
minarets is one of the most striking and immediately
distinguishable structures on the Istanbul's skyline. Constructed
as an Islamic rival to the Hagia Sophia in 1609, it is one of the
finest examples of Ottoman architecture and is still used by
hundreds of worshippers. The interior is splendidly decorated with
thousands of blue and white Iznik tiles embellished with
traditional Ottoman flower patterns, and it is this special feature
that gives the mosque its name. Its design of successively
descending smaller domes, soaring columns and 260 stained glass
windows leaves a lasting impression of graceful accord and open
space. At the back of the mosque is a Carpet and Kilim Museum
exhibiting antiques from all over Turkey. see full details
Top
The Topkapi Sarayi, built by Mehmet the Conqueror as a
Sultan's Palace, consists of a sprawling collection of buildings
arranged around several interconnecting courtyards. Magnificently
situated on one of the seven hills of Istanbul with uninterrupted
views over the Bosphorus River and the Golden Horn, it was the seat
of the Ottoman Empire for almost four centuries. Home to nearly
3,000 people, it served as royal residence, harem, state
administration and military barracks. One of the most popular
sections is the harem, once the quarters of about 300 women who
were the sultans' wives and concubines, and their children.
Visitors can view the apartments, halls and terraces of the harem,
and see the lavish royal bedchamber and Imperial Hall. No expense
was spared in decorating the palace and exquisitely designed rooms,
intricately detailed fountains and gateways, and the splendid
Treasury, housing one of the greatest collections of treasure in
the world, afford insight into the opulent lifestyle of the sultans
of the Ottoman Empire. see full details
Topkapi Palace Museum
The Topkapi Sarayi, built by Mehmet the Conqueror as a
Sultan's Palace, consists of a sprawling collection of buildings
arranged around several interconnecting courtyards. Magnificently
situated on one of the seven hills of Istanbul with uninterrupted
views over the Bosphorus River and the Golden Horn, it was the seat
of the Ottoman Empire for almost four centuries. Home to nearly
3,000 people, it served as royal residence, harem, state
administration and military barracks. One of the most popular
sections is the harem, once the quarters of about 300 women who
were the sultans' wives and concubines, and their children.
Visitors can view the apartments, halls and terraces of the harem,
and see the lavish royal bedchamber and Imperial Hall. No expense
was spared in decorating the palace and exquisitely designed rooms,
intricately detailed fountains and gateways, and the splendid
Treasury, housing one of the greatest collections of treasure in
the world, afford insight into the opulent lifestyle of the sultans
of the Ottoman Empire. see full details
Top
The grand 16th century palace of the sultan's Grand
Vizier, Ibrahim Pasa, today houses the Turkish and Islamic Art
Museum, containing what many consider to be the finest collection
of Islamic artefacts in the world. The palace itself was the finest
private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. From its
supreme position overlooking the Hippodrome, the sultan could enjoy
excellent views of the celebrations in the square below. The museum
is well laid out and contains more than 40,000 examples of Selçuk,
Mamluk and Ottoman Turkish art, including ceramics, Koran cases,
calligraphy, textiles, metalwork and illuminated manuscripts. Its
antique carpet exhibit is renowned; the carpets, kilims and prayer
rugs forming one of the richest and oldest collections in the
world. see full details
Turkish and Islamic Art Museum
The grand 16th century palace of the sultan's Grand
Vizier, Ibrahim Pasa, today houses the Turkish and Islamic Art
Museum, containing what many consider to be the finest collection
of Islamic artefacts in the world. The palace itself was the finest
private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. From its
supreme position overlooking the Hippodrome, the sultan could enjoy
excellent views of the celebrations in the square below. The museum
is well laid out and contains more than 40,000 examples of Selçuk,
Mamluk and Ottoman Turkish art, including ceramics, Koran cases,
calligraphy, textiles, metalwork and illuminated manuscripts. Its
antique carpet exhibit is renowned; the carpets, kilims and prayer
rugs forming one of the richest and oldest collections in the
world. see full details
Top
The oldest and biggest enclosed bazaar in the world,
also known as the Grand Bazaar, is one of the most enticing and
mesmerizing attractions in Istanbul. Consisting of a vast labyrinth
of 65 twisting streets crammed with more than 4,000 shops,
teahouses, hamams (Turkish baths), mosques, storehouses and
fountains. It is a fascinating experience to wander around the
alleyways, looking and enjoying, or bargaining and purchasing. Here
you can find almost anything, from meerschaum pipes, carpets and
jewellery, to Turkish Delight, textiles, spices, clothing and
hand-painted ceramics. Protracted bargaining over a cup of tea is
an important institution. Built during the rule of Sultan Mehmet
the Conqueror in 1461, the bazaar grew by covering an increasingly
large area of shops and streets with roofs, arches and domes, and
it became the centre of trading during the Ottoman period. Caravans
of silk traders traditionally stayed here and rested their camels
while selling their merchandise, and many of these 'hans' or
caravanserais still exist as storehouses today. see full details
Covered Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi)
The oldest and biggest enclosed bazaar in the world,
also known as the Grand Bazaar, is one of the most enticing and
mesmerizing attractions in Istanbul. Consisting of a vast labyrinth
of 65 twisting streets crammed with more than 4,000 shops,
teahouses, hamams (Turkish baths), mosques, storehouses and
fountains. It is a fascinating experience to wander around the
alleyways, looking and enjoying, or bargaining and purchasing. Here
you can find almost anything, from meerschaum pipes, carpets and
jewellery, to Turkish Delight, textiles, spices, clothing and
hand-painted ceramics. Protracted bargaining over a cup of tea is
an important institution. Built during the rule of Sultan Mehmet
the Conqueror in 1461, the bazaar grew by covering an increasingly
large area of shops and streets with roofs, arches and domes, and
it became the centre of trading during the Ottoman period. Caravans
of silk traders traditionally stayed here and rested their camels
while selling their merchandise, and many of these 'hans' or
caravanserais still exist as storehouses today. see full details
Top
Also known as the Underground Cistern or Yerebatan
Saray, this eerie cavern was built by Constantinople the Great
around 532 AD and is held up below ground by 336 columns. Once a
set for the James Bond film, From Russia with Love, the cavern
today sees tourists crossing over 2 acres of 12 inch thick water,
on wooden walkways, to take in the occasional art exhibit or marvel
at the intricate design on the columns themselves. There is a
pleasant little café topside where the eyes can adjust over some
tea. see full details
Sunken Palace
Also known as the Underground Cistern or Yerebatan
Saray, this eerie cavern was built by Constantinople the Great
around 532 AD and is held up below ground by 336 columns. Once a
set for the James Bond film, From Russia with Love, the cavern
today sees tourists crossing over 2 acres of 12 inch thick water,
on wooden walkways, to take in the occasional art exhibit or marvel
at the intricate design on the columns themselves. There is a
pleasant little café topside where the eyes can adjust over some
tea. see full details
Top
Erected as a bastion for the walls of the 14th century
colony of Galata, the tower offers a 360º panoramic view of the old
town. Today it is a sought-after conference venue, offering fine
dining at the resident restaurant and belly dancing displays in its
own night club. see full details
Galata Tower
Erected as a bastion for the walls of the 14th century
colony of Galata, the tower offers a 360º panoramic view of the old
town. Today it is a sought-after conference venue, offering fine
dining at the resident restaurant and belly dancing displays in its
own night club. see full details
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This second palace of the Ottoman Sultans was once the
Sultan's harem and is an ostentatious interior of crystal
chandeliers, the one adorning the grand hall weighing in at four
tons (4,000 kg). On the exterior, the palace has an extensive and
beautiful garden, yours for the strolling. see full details
Dolmache Palace
This second palace of the Ottoman Sultans was once the
Sultan's harem and is an ostentatious interior of crystal
chandeliers, the one adorning the grand hall weighing in at four
tons (4,000 kg). On the exterior, the palace has an extensive and
beautiful garden, yours for the strolling. see full details
Top
Kids on holiday in Istanbul will jump at a chance to
visit the dolphinarium, its six pools home to a few dolphins and
seals, as well as white whales and walruses. Children can swim with
the dolphins, visit the toy store and learn many great sea-life
facts while they're there. The restaurant or café are great for a
snack or lunch break. see full details
Istanbul Dolphinarium
Kids on holiday in Istanbul will jump at a chance to
visit the dolphinarium, its six pools home to a few dolphins and
seals, as well as white whales and walruses. Children can swim with
the dolphins, visit the toy store and learn many great sea-life
facts while they're there. The restaurant or café are great for a
snack or lunch break. see full details
Top
The fascinating world of science can be explored by
children at the Sisli science centre in Istanbul. Interactive
programs and animations cover a range of subjects from maths and
physics to earthquakes and fire-fighting. Take a ride on the
Bouncing Electrons or see the destructive force of a 7.4 magnitude
earthquake. see full details
Sisli Science Centre
The fascinating world of science can be explored by
children at the Sisli science centre in Istanbul. Interactive
programs and animations cover a range of subjects from maths and
physics to earthquakes and fire-fighting. Take a ride on the
Bouncing Electrons or see the destructive force of a 7.4 magnitude
earthquake. see full details
Top
In a true space odyssey, kids can marvel at the
wonders of the universe projected onto the walls of the Discovery
Sphere Planetarium. They will be amazed at the night sky as it
reveals infinite stars and the fascinating Milky Way. All
children's space questions will be answered by the planetarium's
friendly on-site specialists or the latest digital animation
systems. see full details
Discovery Sphere Planetarium
In a true space odyssey, kids can marvel at the
wonders of the universe projected onto the walls of the Discovery
Sphere Planetarium. They will be amazed at the night sky as it
reveals infinite stars and the fascinating Milky Way. All
children's space questions will be answered by the planetarium's
friendly on-site specialists or the latest digital animation
systems. see full details
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