The Egyptian Bazaar
If you think that you know the Egyptian Bazaar of Istanbul quite well, then you are probably mistaken. Because you will need at least two-hours to find various fantastic and unique offerings that the Egyptian Bazaar has in store for all of you.
The Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar) ---
Egypt Bazaar ( Spice Bazaar ) in Istanbul Eminonu
You think that you have all the relevant knowledge about this market and its different aspects. But the fact is that it is not true. Those of you who thought there were five doors of this market when it was started in 1666 are wrong in their assumption. The truth is that this bazaar has not five but six doors, each of them opening in a different direction and unfolding before you an altogether different world. The point where the two wings of this L-shaped market meet is known as the ‘praying square’. It got its name because in the earlier times, the shopkeepers of this market used to perform their prayers together at this point. And talking about the offerings in this market, well, it has almost anything to just about everything under the sun from spices, clothes, theater puppets to several other things that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. And this diverse range of things available in this market sometimes astonishes not just the travelers but even the shop owners of this market.
The Flower Market---
Situated just close to the famous Egyptian Bazaar, the Flower Market is a colorful market which seems to be carrying on the tradition of the ancient imperial garden belonging to the Ottoman period. It sells different varieties of plants and their seeds along with several different species of animals including iguanas, peacocks and parrots, to name a few. If you feel tired and want to have a short break in your journey, there are several open-air cafes all around this market to serve you hot simmering cup of tea to revitalize your energies.
The New Mosque---
Although, the name of this mosque is the ‘New Mosque’, but the fact is that is nearly 300-years-old mosque depicting a vibrant example of the exemplary architecture of the Classical period. In fact, this mosque happens to be the last and the only surviving examples of the Ottoman mosques belonging to the Classical Period. The mosque boasts of exotic interiors and decorations belonging to the late 17th century period and you can find Ottoman tiles adding elegance to this beautiful monumental structure. A huge dome rests on four grand columns.
Tomb of the Sultan Mother---
It happens to be the biggest dynastic graveyards of Istanbul located near the entry to Bankalar Caddesi. This mausoleum is the resting place for five sultans along with their wives and the crown princes. It was made in 1663 and has 47 windows and mother-of-pearl entrance. It is worth visiting at least once by every visitor to Istanbul.
The Imperial Pavilion----
Situated just next to the New Mosque, this mysterious structure rises over just one arch. The interiors of this building are decorated with beautiful stained glass, Iznik tiles, wooden doors having carvings and stencil work to add extra charm. Although, the restoration work of this building is now complete, but, it can be viewed only from outside.
The Bazaar Restaurants---
The restaurants here serve various traditional dishes of Istanbul. however, the most favorite among the locals and the tourists is the Turkish coffee garnished with gum mastic and hazelnuts to give you superb flavor and mind blowing taste.
Gold in Topkapi Palace Istanbul
Gold in Topkapi Palace Istanbul
Gold held a great symbolic value in the lives of the sultans during the Ottoman period. One can see the treasuries made of gold belonging to the Ottoman Sultans preserved in the Topkapi Palace. Gold was the first mineral discovered by man and gained immense importance to become a hot passion among people since times immemorial.
While looking at the ancient history of the Turkish people makes it quite clear that from Central Asia, the passion for gold continued to the Seljuks, Mamluks and the Ottomans till the present times. In the Topkapi Palace Museum, one can find golden chandeliers, cup holders, rosewater flacons, candle scissors, water pipes, dessert sets and candlesticks.
Apart from the above named articles, the museum also has items such as fans, snuff boxes, pill boxes and seal pouches which were commonly used either on ceremonies like weddings, coronations etc. or on day to day basis. Also on display is the jewelry belonging to the Ottoman period. Some of the jewelry is studded with diamonds, pearls, emeralds and jade.
By going through the Chronicles of the House of Osman by Asikpasazade (a source of the history of Ottoman dynasty), it becomes quite clear that the Ottomans used gold as gifts on important ceremonial occasions in their lives. According to a report from the Chronicle, ten trays of gold and silver were presented as gift at Murad I’s son’s circumcision.
During the 15th century, a number of gold and silver mines were captured after the conquest of the Balkans. Hence, there was a mass production of jewelry in Istanbul, Diyarbakir, Erzurum, Trabzon and Prizren. Further, the production of jewelry increased manifold after Sultan Mehmed (1451-1481) conquered Istanbul. According to Jacopo de Promontario, a chief merchant of Sultan Mehmed, there were a large number of candlesticks, pitchers, basins and bowls made of gold and silver.
Several items of luxury were in great use in the reign of Bayezid II and their use increased manifold after Selim’s I trips to Egypt and Iran. Some of the gold artifacts gifted to Shah Tahmasp of Persia by Suleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566) include carafe, tray and belts of gold.
Among the other gold items belonging to the 16th century include a jade cup and a gold tray presented by Mustafa II to the Voyvoda of Poznan in 1699 on the occasion of signing of the Treaty of Carlowitz.
The fact that there was a vast wealth of jewelry during the Ottoman Empire also makes it quite clear about enormous resources of the sultans during the period. Moreover, the sultans gave whole-hearted support to encourage the artists dealing in such work. There were a number of learned and skilled artists dealing in hammering gold and weaving embroidered cloth using gold.
During the later periods, we can find Indian and Mughal inspiration in the Ottoman jewelry pieces. The vast Ottoman Treasuries were the result of the gifts and the taxes collected from the provinces. Meanwhile, during the economic straits, a large number of gold objects were melted to make coins. However, the highly valued gold pieces of ancestral value were largely spared.
The Ottoman Treasury was protected by the Superintendent of the Treasury with a seal of Sultan Selim I till 1924 when the Topkapi Palace was converted to be used as a museum at the behest of Ataturk.
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Sultanahmet Istanbul | sultanahmet1.com
Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as Blue Mosque, is the most famous monument of Ottoman era. Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617), a highly religious sultan of Istanbul during the Ottoman period, ordered his architect Sedefkar Mehmet Agha to build a mosque that would rival Hagia Sofia, a Byzantine church. Hence, a specific site was selected in front of Hagia Sofia and the construction began on the Sultan Ahmet Mosque began in the year 1609. It is regarded as the stupendous masterpiece of Ottoman architecture..
Blue Mosque from Hagia Sophia
Mehmet Agha, the architect of this mosque, was a disciple of Sinan, one of the best architects of the Ottoman era. Suleymaniye Mosque (1550-1557), located on the western bank of the Golden Horn, is an example of Sinan’s creative skills. Hagia Sofia is another example of his architectural designs.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque is built on an area of nearly 209 by 235 feet while its central dome is nearly 23.5 meters wide and 43 meters high. It is supported by round piers. The mosque has a huge courtyard in the front and is enclosed by a wall. There are eight gateways having doors made of bronze for gaining entry inside the mosque. The inner court has a marble pavement and a fountain surrounded several columns made of marble, granite and porphyry.
While most of the mosques have just one, two or four minarets; this mosque is distinguished by its six minarets visible from a distance. These minarets are classic examples of Ottoman architecture. The six minarets became a cause of scandal as one other mosque, namely the Haram Mosque in Mecca, had six minarets. However, this problem was solved by the sultan after he ordered his architect to add another minaret to Mecca’s Haram Mosque.
Sultan ahmet Mosque or Blue Mosque got its name from the blue tiles that decorate the interior walls of the mosque. The floor of the mosque has been covered by carpets, the tradition followed in all other mosques. The minarets and the domes are covered by lead while the minaret tops are made of gold-plated copper which are repaired from time to time by skilled master craftsmen.
The beautifully decorated west entrance of the mosque is worth seeing. However, the non-worshippers can only use the north entrance for gaining entry inside the mosque. This has been done to preserve the sanctity of the mosque. When entering the mosque from the north side, one cannot fail to see the symbolic chains that remind all to bow their head as a mark of respect while entering the mosque.
According to Islamic tradtion, Muslims are required to pray five times in a day. In the communal prayers held in the mosque, the imam reads verses from the Koran, the holy book of Muslims. The mosque has a separate area meant for offering prayers by men and women.
During the summers, a historical narrative as well as a light show is held at the Blue Mosque in the evenings.
Şunu daha büyük bir haritada görüntüle: Blue Mosque
