Top 10 Tourist Sites of Istanbul
Istanbul Sight -Blue Mosque - Hagia Sophia
If you are on a short visit to Istanbul and want to experience the richness of the place in your visit, then you might feel confused as to which places to visit and which to keep for the next time. This is because Istanbul is a any tourist’s delight as it has not just one or two riches but a plethora of beautiful and famous historical places to be explored. However, the following list of places will help you get the best of Istanbul in the shortest possible time----
Hagia Sophia Sultanahmet Istanbul Turkey
Hagia Sophia —Also known as Aya Sofya , this ancient monument was built in 532-537 A.D. during the rule of Justinian. Being one of the masterpieces of architectural design, it has Byzantine mosaics that date back from sixth century to the 10th century. It was converted to an Ottoman mosque following the fall of Byzantium. Now days, this church works as a museum open for public from Tuesday to Sunday.
Blue Mosque —Popularly known as Sultanahmet Mosque , this magnificent ancient building was made in 1609-1616 by Mehmet Aga. This functioning mosque has nearly 250 windows that allow natural light to flow in making the place appear larger in size. Tourists can enter the mosque once the prayers are over.
Topkapi Palace--- Topkapi Palace was built by Mehmet II after the conquest of Constantinople to be used as his main residence. Built in 1465, the buildings comprise a number of pavilions inside the huge courtyards. This palace used to be the Sultan’s residence and the official government seat. In 1924, Topkapi Palace was converted to a museum and since then, it has on display some of the most exquisite and finest collection of manuscripts, miniatures, jewelry, costumes and some items of religious significance.
Grand Bazaar--- Grand Bazaar is not just any ordinary place to shop. In fact, it has numerous shops, eating joints, banks and a mosque in its periphery. A visit to Istanbul is incomplete without visiting this famous place that is packed to capacity whenever you go there. This covered bazaar was built in 1453 by Mehmet II following his win over the city. It is open from Monday till Saturday.
Basilica Cistern---Meant to provide water to the Great imperial palace, this cistern was made in 532 A.D. by Justinian and is located near the Hippodrome. The cistern has 336 columns of being nearly 26 feet high providing support to the roof. The visitors can enjoy walking along the side ways of the cistern and listen to the mesmerizing sound of water.
Galata Tower--- Built in 1348, this huge tower seemingly touching the skyline used to serve the purpose of a watch tower during the Ottoman period. One can have views of Princes’ Islands from the top of this tower on clear days. The top floors of this tower have been converted to a night club and a restaurant.
Chora Church---This church of St. Savior was constructed in the 11th century at the site where an earlier church used to exist. The remodeling of Chora Church was done during 1315-1321 with the help of funds provided by an elite Byzantine theologian, Theodore Metochites. The walls and the roofs of this church have some of the most exquisite mosaics of the Byzantine period that depict religious scenes of Christ and Virgin Mary among others. The church now serves as a museum after its conversion into a mosque during the 16th century.
Spice Bazaar---As the structure was built from the funds collected through tax imposed on goods imported from Egypt, this bazaar got to be known as Egyptian Bazaar or Misir Carsisi. From spices, caviar, nuts to herbs, the bazaar is a good place to shop for spices of almost all types. This is a perfect place to shop for herbs to get relief from a number of ailments.
Dolmabahce Palace---Designed by the famous Armenian family of architects, this palace was made by Sultan Abdulmecit I in 1856. One can go inside the palace only by guided tour. The palace is still very luxuriant although it was built when the Ottoman Empire was on its last legs.
Eyup Sultan---Eyup is regarded as one of the main Muslim pilgrimage ranking only after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It is the resting place of Eyup Ensari, the “alamdar” or the standard bearer of the Prophet Muhammad. Eyup Ensari was buried outside the city walls following his death during the siege of Constantinople by Arabs in 678 A.D. Meanwhile, a mosque was built around the tomb of Eyup Ensari by Sultan Mehmet II after he conquered Istanbul. Being a sacred place, it is often visited by Muslims for performing prayers and seeking blessings.
The Historic Hamams in Istanbul
Cagaloglu Hamam Istanbul
The hamams or Turkish baths mushroomed in Istanbul during the 18th century. No doubt, the old tradition of the hamam is dying to a certain extent; however, they continue to hold a significant historical, cultural and architectural importance. Hamams are the special buildings in Istanbul that date back to the Byzantine and Roman periods.
Hamams also hold great significance in the social life of the people during the Ottoman era. Baths or hamams were considered to be central places of attraction during traditional ceremonies like weddings and other such occasions. During the Ottoman period, women spent entire day in the company of their friends in hamams not just bathing but singing, dancing and enjoying their time.
Baths held special meaning and importance for the brides. The brides went to a Turkish hamam with their friends and relatives as part of the wedding ceremonies. Not just women, even the men were brought to baths before joining their military service just for some fun and entertainment.
However, these days, hamams no longer serve the same purpose. Never the less, they do hold a special interest for any tourist visiting Istanbul. Some Turkish people still go to the hamams to know how the people during the Ottoman period took bath and it’s not just the locals but also some tourists who consider it must to go to any traditional bath. The most popular bath which registered nearly 100,000 visitors in the year 2008 is the Suleymaniye bath.
Each bath has a unique and different story related to it. A large number of the baths were built to offer monetary aid to some charity institutes. Built by the Ottoman dynasty rulers or their families, these baths boast of being unique pieces of architectural delight.
The Cagaloglu bath, one of the famous baths of the Ottoman period located near the Basilica Cistern, was built primarily to provide monetary aid to the mosque Aya Sofia. It is a unique bath built by Mahmut I in the baroque style. The Cagaloglu bath is the last bath built during the Ottoman period before the construction of the big baths was prohibited in the year 1768 due to large consumption of wood and water.
Yet another famous and historical bath of Istanbul is the Suleymaniye bath. Built by Mimar Sinan, the Suleymaniye bath was built along with the Suleymaniye Mosque in 1557. The cabin where Sultan Suleymaniye, the first person to take bath here, bathed adds special importance to this place and is a famous tourist attraction.
The two most important things to be done by any tourist visiting Istanbul is visiting a Turkish bath apart from eating a kebab, visiting Aya Sofya Museum and the Sultanahmet. No doubt, a number of traditional baths have been created in Turkey’s famous hotels. But, they cannot recreate the magic and the historical atmosphere of the hamams or the Turkish baths. The attendants known as tellaks are responsible for providing body message and bathing the customer. They are considered to be an integral part of the traditional Turkish baths.
- Cagaloglu Hamami Turkish Bath Sultanahmet Istanbul Turkey
Cagaloglu Hamam Istanbul
- Cagaloglu Hamami Turkish Bath Sultanahmet Istanbul Turkey
Sultanahmet (Hippodrome) Where History Speaks
The exotic beauty of the place called Sultanahmet is simply unmatched for. The district of Sultanahmet was built by Sultan Ahmet – I who also built the Blue Mosque. The mosque having six minars has world’s oldest monuments, obelisk of the Pharoah Thutmoses III, on its one side and the world’s eighth wonder, Haghia Sophia on its other side.
Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)--
Also known as Aya Sofya, Haghia Sophia owes its origin to Justinian the Great in 537 AD and was a famous Church. However, later in 1400, it was declared a mosque by Mehmet II. With most intricate engravings, pictures and miniatures inscribed into it and built in just a short span of five years, this 55.6m tall monument truly deserves to be called the eighth wonder of the world.
Sultanahmet Square --
Having all such beautiful world famous monuments and historical places, Sultanahmet, no wonder, is a favorite destination of tourists the world over. The square named Sultanahmet Meydani or the Sultan Ahmet Square, where the beautiful and ancient history makes its beginning, is still having many traces of the Hippodrome that reminiscences the old traditional ceremonies of the period. The Hippodrome symbolizes chariot races and horse races that were the favorite pastimes in the Greek cities under the Byzantine rule.
Obelisk of Theodosius--
The ancient Obelisk of Theodosius in Istanbul was initially built by Pharoah Thutmoses III. However, later on in the fourth century AD, it was re-built by the Theodosius (the Roman emperor) and given a name as the Hippodrome of Constantinople. The antique Obelisk is made of red granite. Although, originally it was nearly 30m tall, however, due to damages suffered in transportation and re-erection, it is just 25.6m today. This oldest monument of Istanbul was built for the deity Amon by Thutmoses III in 390 AD. The beautiful and intricate carvings on the monument are expressions of love and gratitude towards the god Amon as it was believed that Amon provided a shield to Thutmoses III against all diseases and disasters.
Serpentine Column-
Serpentine Column happens to be yet another antique monument in the heart of Istanbul which was among several artistic pieces brought by Theodosius the Great from his empire. Also known by the name of Tripod of Plataea, the monument celebrates the glorious win of the Greek emperors over the Persians in the 5th century BC in the Plain of Platea. The partially surviving monument is displayed at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum and also in the British Museum.
Braided Column
Braided Column is the third monument in Sultanahmet that stands tall at 21 meter height. However, the statue with four bronze horses named the quadriga, is now adding beauty to the St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice.
Blue Mosque-
Blue Mosque or Sultanahmet Camii is a huge sized ancient masterpiece built in 1606. Surrounded by a long row of water fountains that lead to the entrance, the building has four grand pillars providing support from inside. The six minarets surrounding the mosque echo the chants of prayers by the worshippers inside.
Some other historic marbles—
You can catch a glimpse of the Yerebatan Cistern, the German Fountain and the Haseki Sultan Hamam which are the jewels of Sultanahmet. And how can one forget to mention the world famous Mosaic Museum that has mosaic floors preserved from the Byzantine palace. You cannot afford to miss the Cistern of ‘A Thousand and One Columns’ or the Binbirdirek and of course, the many other ancient mansions and buildings that make Sultanahmet world famous place.
Blue Mosque
Blue Mosque