Turkey- Where the Old Blends with the New
Turkey is a city where the old and the new blend together harmoniously to make it one of the most fascinating place in the world. It can be easily said that Turkey, which is located between Europe and Asia, celebrates the amalgamation of not just these two continents but also both the eras, that is the old and the new.
Blue Mosque and Obelisk in Sultanahmet Istanbul Old City
While the history and the origin of this ancient city dates back to nearly 4000 years ago, its freshness and beauty is not only still retained but is unmatched. The city was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire and saw many wars. But, it does not have any wounds of any wars.
The Bosphorus divides the European and the Asian part of Istanbul. Taking a voyage, you will discover the beauty of the Dolmabahce and the Topkapi palaces, and the Bosphorus bridge as well as the Golden Horn bridge adorning the European side of Istanbul. On the Asian side lies the ancient Anadoluhisari fort. The road facing the ocean is a hot summer spot where you can enjoy your favorite food at any of the eating places situated there.
The Sultanahmet area in Istanbul happens to be the most happening place which is always bustling with activity. The best thing about this area is that it is centrally located and one can just walk to any of the nearby historical sites and monuments easily. A number of shops welcome you as you walk by, selling just about everything from carpets to even the tickets of the Sufi shows.
The first tourist stop visited by us was the Blue Mosque or the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Its interior walls are made of blue tiles and hence its name, the Blue Mosque. Built in 1600s, this national mosque of Turkey has won itself a coveted position of being the most famous tourist spot.
The next stoppage was the renowned monument of the Ottoman era known as Hagia Sofia. It was a basilica in the Byzantine period but was later converted into a mosque in the Ottoman period.
Just located at a short distance is the most ancient monument belonging to the 15th century BC. It happens to be the Hippodrome Obelisk. The structure that we see today was re-erected following its destruction by the Byzantine Emperor belonging to Egypt.
Next famous tourist spot is the Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest and most ancient covered bazaars in the world. This 450-year-old market has nearly 1,200 shops and about 58 covered streets selling everything under the sun.
You cannot resist the charm of Topkapi palace which is live example of the colorful and rich past of the Ottoman Empire. From the thrones and daggers studded with jewels to some exotic pieces of antique jewelry, everything is a reminiscent of the rich history of Istanbul.
If you want to explore more, you can take a tour to Troy, the ancient spot of the Trojan War. This place is almost a two-hour drive from the city of Istanbul. You can see a horse made of wood which reminds of the war that took place here. Another famous place worth visiting is the Ottoman capital of Bursa. It is nearly a four-hour drive and is a famous tourist spot. You must eat Iskender kebab, a famous cuisine of Bursa.
The fact is that Turkey has so much for any tourist that even a week’s time might prove insufficient to explore various famous places. There are the beautiful beaches of Turkey, the city of Ephesus known for being the town of Virgin Mary.
Turkey is a living example of a country where the old is not conquered by the new but presents a beautiful intermingling of both. You can catch a flight from Europe for Istanbul. There are a number of affordable and established hotels for staying. You can enjoy shopping as well as sight-seeing in this beautiful city.