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.
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.