Top 10 Istanbul attractions

Top 10 Istanbul attractions

Istanbul … a magical city that can satisfy even the most discerning travelers!

 

hagiasophia

Hagia Sophia

”The eighth wonder of the world”, sits proudly in the center of the Old Part of the city for almost 1700 years! One of the most precious and imposing jewels of the World Heritage, dedicated to the Wisdom of God. Built in 537, it was a Christian Church for over 900 years, until the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453. In 1935, Kemal Ataturk converted this amazing architectural sample of the Byzantium Era, into a museum

bluemosque

Blue Mosque

One of the two mosques in Turkey with six minarets! A 400 years old imposingly beautiful mosque, which dominates the sky of Istanbul. Built between 1609-1616 for Sultan Ahmet, right next to the ancient Hippodrome. Blue Mosque took its name because of its amazing blue-tiled interior. Besides of being a tourist attraction, it is also an active mosque, closing its’ doors five times a day

dolma (1)

Dolmabache Palace

A stunning palace, which was the last resident of the Ottoman Sultans! It is extensively decorated with gold and crystal while the design contains elements of the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. The main Palace, was built by the leading Ottoman architects of the era and it is consisted of three parts: the Imperial Mabeyn (State Apartments), Muzayede Salon (Ceremonial Hall) and the Imperial Harem. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lived and passed away in the palace and later on his death it was converted into a museum

chora

Chora Church

Described as one of the most beautiful surviving works of the Byzantine architecture… this lovely church lies outside the old walls of Istanbul (Constantinople). It was probably built around the 5th century, but what you see now is the building’s 6th reconstruction! Chora museum offers magnificent mosaics and frescoes, representing the genealogy of Christ

chora (2)

Basilica Sistern

Located next to Hagia Sophia, this huge underground structure, was built to supply water to the city, in time of sieges. Basilica Cistern built in the 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and it is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. At the end of the walkway, there are two big upside down Medusa heads, supposed to hold the walls of the Cistern. A place with a mysterious vibe and a chance for an underground excursion!

galata

Galata Tower

One of the city’s most fascinating landmarks! A medieval stone tower, located in Karakoy, just to the north of the Golden Horns junction with the Bosphorus. During the 16th century, Ottomans began to use the tower for spotting fires in the city. A high cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline, offering a panoramic vista of Istanbul’s historic peninsula…

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Bosphorus Cruise

Taking a cruise on Bosphorus is one of the best ways to discover the elegance of Istanbul. From Bosphorus, you can admire the beauty of the city from a new viewpoint! Travel between the two continents and be enchanted by all the amazing sights…

suleymaniye

Suleymaniye Mosque

The biggest mosque in Istanbul and an absolut masterpiece of Mimar Sinan, the finest Ottoman architect. Suleymaniye is located on the third hill of Istanbul, providing amazing views to the Golden Horn and not only! There is a big garden behind the main mosque, where are located the two mausoleums with the tombs of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife’s Hurrem Sultan

topkapi

Topkapi Palace

The first stage of this palace was built by Mehmet the Conqueror, after the Conquest in 1453. A palace that housed for almost 400 years, Ottoman Sultans, their families and about 4000 people who also lived there. A place that housed not only the Sultans, but also many unbelievable stories, countless intrigues, schemings and murder scenarios between the wifes of the Sultans and not only! Topkapi is a complex of many buildings full of color and indelible beauty! Consists of four main courtyards and the Harem which in Arabic language means…“a holy place that everyone is not allowed to enter”

Grand Bazaar

One of the most famous, largest and oldest covered bazaar in the world! It hosts 61 covered streets and over 4.000 small shops! The complex houses also two mosques, four fountains, two hammams and several lovely cafes and restaurants. Grand Bazaar is well known for the beautiful Turkish carpets, the glazed tiles and pottery, the copper and brassware, the apparels made of leather,for the hand-painted ceramics, the fresh spices and herbs, the glittering jewellery and all sorts of other things

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