The Java Studio- The freshest Cafe of Sultanahmet
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the newly opened Java Studio provides a relaxing atmosphere to unwind yourself. Located near the historic Blue Mosque, this coffee house is being run by Jennifer Gaudet, a Canadian who first came to Turkey in 2005 but returned to Thailand only to come back in 2007 with a firm resolute to start a business in Turkey. Hence, the doors of Java Studio were thrown open for those having a love not just for coffee but also for books. It’s not just a place for sipping your cup of coffee, but any tourist’s true haven.
The menu offered at the Java Studio is quite elaborate, at least much more than what the other big coffee houses found at every corner. You can have a taste of exclusively wide range of coffees apart from cold drinks, tea, milkshakes and what not. For those who have a tasty bite for cakes and cookies, there is pretty fresh and oven baked for you in the Java Studio. In fact, everything you will find at the Java Studio is baked with the labor of love and care of Jennifer Gaudet. Gaudet uses natural ingredients for preparing various eatables at her coffee bar.
As told earlier, the Java Studio not only provides you with wide variety of cakes and coffees, but also helps to quench your creative thirst by giving you a display of some exclusive art pieces. “I am not an art dealer but I love art and I wanted to have a place people could come to relax and be surrounded by beautiful works of art,” admits Gaudet. The money from sale of all artistic pieces goes to help and support various programs of sports, music and art for the children so that the Gaudet is able to help towards a noble cause of the community.
You have a choice to either relax in the outdoor seating arrangement or sit in a cozy and comfortable ambience indoors. No matter wherever you choose to sit, the atmosphere is perfect to strike a rapport with people and have a good time. The staff at the Java Studio is very caring and thoroughly professional. Even if you don’t know the local language, the multilingual staff is there to assist you and take orders. Moreover, you can ask questions about the neighboring areas of Istanbul as well.
The fact that despite being a relatively new place in the Sultanahmet area, Java Studio enjoys a large local clientele. The prices are low and the menu is full of freshly baked pastries and coffees. So, if you are in Sultanahmet, you cannot afford to miss a visit to the most happening and inviting coffee bar called the Java Studio. Do visit the website of the Java Studio by logging in to www.javastudioistanbul.com
Sultanahmet – A Shopper’s Paradise
Shopping is, no doubt, one of the most enjoyable hobbies of the women, the world over. If you are visiting Istanbul and want to go on a shopping spree, then you are not alone. This is because Istanbul is a shopping paradise because you can choose from international brands to the local made products, depending upon your personal choice and your pocket.If you have a discerning eye for beautiful artifacts and want to grab some along with you, then Sultanahmet certainly is the best place for you to shop till you drop. The only thing is that you should know what you want to buy and get prepare to do negotiations with the shopkeepers. In fact, negotiations and bargaining are an inseparable part of shopping in Istanbul, whether it’s simple street vendor or the big shopping malls.
While Istanbul is famous as a shopper’s city for almost centuries now, the inviting Grand Bazaar can be given the name of the oldest shopping mall of the world. With nearly 4,000 shops having exquisite stocks of jewelry in gold and in silver to the most fashionable and trendsetting leather jackets, you can get whatever you want. In fact, sky is actually the limit for any shopper.
Apart from the ancient and sprawling Grand Bazaar, you will come across a large number of colorful markets, big shopping centers and, not to miss, the beautiful range of products displayed tastefully in the small boutiques. Whether you are looking to buy some souvenirs, some clothes, leather products, books or the most coveted piece of adornment, the jewelry, you can find almost everything under the sun in the bazaars of Istanbul.
Next in the list comes the Arasta Bazaar that sits quietly on the left of the Blue Mosque. You can go shopping in this Bazaar of Sultanahmet even on Sunday. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of the Grand Bazaar, then you must shop in the calmer atmosphere of the Arasta Bazaar. Want to take a small break from your shopping? Visit the nearby eateries for relaxing and sipping a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Many of you might feel a bit confused about which shops to go in or how to strike the right deal with the shopkeepers. There is no need to worry because you can get a personal shopper by browsing the related sites through the internet. With the help of a personal shopper, you can get rid of all worries regarding where to go and how much to pay.
Now let us come to some of the famous and best shopping centers of Sultanahmet. The city of Istanbul is known for having some of the best carpets, kilims and sumacs that any home decorator cannot afford to miss. You can find a good variety of bed sheets, tablecloths and pillow covers in the E & S Textile Arts and Rugs store.
Fatih Gallery is the best place for buying souvenirs at almost half the price at any other shop in Istanbul. If you are ready to walk a little out of the way, then do visit the Corlulu Alipasa Medresesi for buying some best carpets at best prices.
For those having a craze for jewelry in gold or diamonds, a visit to Vieri shop is a must. It is located down the Blue Mosque across the street. And for those who want to buy some exquisite silver jewelry, go straight to Silverado, a small shop having huge variety at affordable prices.
And if you want to take home some of the handcrafted textiles of Turkey, its advisable to go to the Lodos Fashion Line, a shop that stocks designer purses, hats and shoes in silk and kilim.
So, go shopping in the shopper’s paradise called Istanbul and make the best of your visit.
Arasta Bazaar in Sultanahmet Istanbul
The Historical Importance of Firuzaga Mosque
Firuzaga Mosque in Sultanahmet Istanbul
For having so many mosques in its map, Istanbul, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is very aptly called the city of mosques. And Firuzaga mosque happens to be one of the famous mosques of Istanbul of the Ottoman era. Firuz Aga Camii is located on Divanyolu, the main street overshadowed by the long queue of trees. It was build by the head treasurer of Sultan Beyazit II, Firuz Aga in 1491.
Unlike other mosques, Firuzaga Mosque has the minaret placed to the left side of the wall while usually, minarets had to be on the right side on the wall. Although, the exact reason behind the minaret being placed on the left is still unknown, there are a number of stories relating different reasons for this.
This mosque was built during the first few years after Sultan Mehmet II conquered Constantinople. The mosque was located in the neighborhood of Sultanahmet which was considered to be the heart of Constantinople. Nearly 80 percent population living in the area was Greeks. The reason why the minaret of the mosque was built on the left of the wall was that the majority of Greek population living near the mosque should not get disturbed with sound of the prayer.
However, according to another account, the Firuzaga Mosque had been built to excel the first mosque built in Mecca by the Muslims. According to Dogan Kuban, a professor of art history, the common tradition during the 14th century and a few years later was that minarets should be located on the left side of the mosques. It was only during some what later that the tradition to place the minarets on the right side became common.
History of the Firuzaga Mosque---
The Firuzaga Mosque has an interesting history to boast about. The Sultan Ahmet used to go for various expeditions accompanies by the treasurer of the Ottoman Palace. One of the main duties of the treasurer was placing a prayer rug, known as seccade, to be placed before the beginning of the Friday prayer. Apart from this, the treasurer would always sit on the ground, before the Sultan, to lay his forhead there and ensure that there was no danger to the life of the Sultan.
Beyazid II, the son of Mehmet II, was ascended to the throne after the death of his father. It was only after a gap of 10 long years that Firuz Agha, the treasurer of the period, built a mosque at the entry point of the famous street of the Byzantine Empire. The treasurer died in 1512 and his tomb, having engravings of rose figures on the marble, is located in the yard of the Firuzaga Mosque.
The Firuzaga Mosque, with a square design of 13.5 m by 13.5 m, is built in the Bursa style and has a dome with eight sides. According to a famous story, this mosque was built at a place which was once a famous spot of horse races being watched by the Roman emperors.
Firuzaga Mosque in Sultanahmet Istanbul 2
