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"There, God and human beings, nature and art all together created such a
wonderful place on earth that it's worth seeing." That’s how Lamartine
defines the city that embraces the two continents, one arm stretching out to
Asia and the other one to Europe.
Known as the capital of capitals, the city which first ruled the Roman, and
then the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empires and continents and thus created
vast geographies of peace, today preserves the glamour of its past while
moving towards the modern future. The variety in Istanbul really fascinates
its visitors. With its museums, churches, palaces, mosques, bazaars and
natural beauties, it offers endless nuances to its visitors. When you lean
against backside at the coast of the strait, you feel Istanbul as "center of
the world" and understand why people select this extraordinary place
centuries before with watching the reflection of the red at sun set from the
houses at the coast.
The most beautiful monuments of the city are located on the peninsula, which
is surrounded by Golden Horn, Marmara Sea and the ancient city walls.
Silhouettes of more than 500 mosques completing the skyline of the city
create an astonishing atmosphere. You will feel like in a dream between the
past and today! You should see Sultanahmet Mosque, which is also named as
"Blue Mosque" due to its blue tiles, used in its decoration, and which
become the symbol of Istanbul with its six minarets. Famous Hagia Sophia
Museum, which is constructed as a church during Emperor Justinian, is right
at the opposite. This architectural master of art structure is adorned with
excellent mosaic panels, describing Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and emperors.
Süleymaniye Mosque, which is watching these two monuments on another hill,
is the peek point of Ottoman architectural art. t is constructed by Mimar
Sinan due to the request of Magnificent Süleyman.
On a finger of land at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and
the Sea of Marmara stands the Topkapı Palace, in which the sultans and their
court lived and governed the empire for 400 years. You can see Chinese
porcelain collection, golden adorned and jewelry decorated thrones, sultan
costumes, jewelries remembering the tales, rare manuscript books, and harem
halls which draw attention for centuries in Topkapı.
There you will find Byzantine Period famous Hippodrome, where cart races are
performed, and three obelisks from that period in the middle of the
hippodrome between Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque.
Yerebatan Palace is one of the most important water cisterns, constructed
during Byzantine period. Kariye Museum, which is deemed as one of the most
beautiful Byzantine era pieces of art, is preserving its mosaic and frisks
adorned original décor. Another place you should see in Istanbul is also
Eyüp Mosque. Here serves an infinite lively ambient with pigeon noises to
the moral pleasure searchers with visiting Eyüp Sultan. |
Istanbul is a city where historical structures are met with modern ones,
and become new. While Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) still insists to hold the
signs of dreamy days of history with its labyrinth like structure, at the
same time it serves new products of the modern world; impressive jewelry,
copper objects, carpets, various leather and suet clothing... Once you have
drawn by its attraction, you can travel for hours in this bazaar without
resting.
A ship voyage in the Strait, will be one of your unforgettable memories.
Calm and unique residences, enumerated at both coasts of the strait and
where separate love tales are reflected to waters from each of them, 20th
century constructed luxury villas, Dolmabahçe, Göksu and Beylerbeyi Palaces,
Rumeli and Anadolu Ramparts, remains of fishermen villages, restaurants, tea
gardens, parks, night clubs may charm you. Maybe you can write your
historical memories while sipping your tea at a tea garden at calm coasts of
Marmara after having a swim at wild beaches of Black Sea in the same day.
In addition to its unique history and cultural history as well as numerous
attractions modern hotels, rare restaurants, night clubs, cabarets,
historical bazaars and shops are making Istanbul a fully adequate place for
conferences and congresses.
Istanbul is an international center for culture and arts. International
level culture and art festivals are distributed to the entire year. Operas,
operettas, ballets, concerts, films, exhibitions and conferences all
contribute to the cultural palette of the city.
Istanbul also has a rich program of light entertainment. Nightclubs provide
splendid entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from a selection of
Turkish songs to the famous belly-dancing. Alongside these are modern
discos, cabarets, and jazz clubs in the Taksim-Harbiye district. In
Sultanahmet, there are a number of restaurants in restored Byzantine and
Ottoman buildings which offer a unique setting for an evening out.
Kumkapı, with its many taverns, bars and fish restaurants, is another
attractive district. People have been meeting for years at Çiçek Pasajı in
the district of Beyoğlu for snacks and seafood specialties. Also in the area
near Çiçek Pasajı is the narrow Nevizade Street, which is the best place in
İstanbul for eating Turkish specialties and drinking rakı, the special
Turkish drink. On the İstanbul Strait, Ortaköy is the best place for
nightlife in İstanbul, with its nightclubs, jazz clubs, line seafood
restaurants and bars. In Eminönü, do not miss the opportunity of seeing the
fishermen dressed in traditional Ottoman dollies and their Ottoman-style
boats on which you may board to sample their delicious fried fish.
For more information:
www.istanbul.com
www.kultur.gov.tr |
