Sultanahmet – The Ultimate Tourist Destination
Sultanahmet is regarded as a favorite tourist destination in the world. This famous district of Istanbul has renowned sight-seeing places, cheap accommodation and ancient houses in its vicinity. Istanbul is, no doubt, quite a big city, and a favorite place which any visitor cannot afford to miss is Sultanahmet because one can go on sight seeing without any need of any means of transportation, whatsoever.
One of its prominent and distinguishing features that make it the favorite destination is its location which makes it quite easily accessible from the airport. Moreover, apart from its easy accessibility, some of the other factors that increase its credibility as a most sought after place are its historical places and monuments and affordable accommodation with all the facilities. Moreover, it’s the beginning point for various boat excursions.
There are a number of attractions for a first time visitor to Sultanahmet. So, he feels confused where to begin from. On one side is the magnificent Hagia Sophia that invites every visitor to stop by while on the other side, there is the Blue Mosque that looks dazzling with its six minarets. Walk just a mile or so and you will find the museum of the Topkapi Palace among several other buildings asking you to have a look into what lies inside.
Walking towards the sea, you will come across some of the most ancient wooden houses of Istanbul while you may still be feeling mesmerized by the uniqueness of ancient Hagia Sophia. You will witness some of the old houses being restructured into big hotels and eating places.
The best thing about Sultanahmet is that it is very easy to locate any particular place or site because there are clearly visible landmarks at various places. Moreover, the road signs are also displayed on the rails of the streetcars in Sultanahmet.
The district of Sultanahmet houses a plethora of cafes, hotels and restaurants that can be found along the Divan Yolu and many of the side streets. The variety of mouth watering dishes is simply amazing and inviting to resist. The accommodation in the hotels is quite affordable and the hotels offer best views from their rooms.
A great attraction of Divan Yolu is a shop that sells books and is aptly named “Bookshop”. The shop has some of the greatest selection of various books on Turkey ranging from cookery, history, art to travel guides. There is another shop that sells various miniatures as well as book illustrations.
One can go on sight seeing walking. However, transportation in Sultanahmet is also available easily like taxis and the trolley cars. You can also take a trolley car for going to Cihangir or you can enjoy a boat ride at Kenedy Caddesi and have a gala time.
So, now you have various reasons for visiting and staying in Sultanahmet where you can enjoy sumptuous good food, enjoy various sights and relax in the comfort of cozy and affordable hotels. That’s why it’s a favorite destination of many tourists.
Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet
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