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Istanbul Maps & Attractions Guide
Istanbul maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Istanbul
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Istanbul
Attractions - Things to do
1. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)
Sultanahmet Square
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What is it? Famous for its impressive size, remarkable
architecture and beautiful mosaics and frescoes, the massive
ochre-coloured domed structure known as Hagia Sophia is one of
Istanbul's most popular attractions. It was commissioned as a
cathedral in the 6th century and remained the most important church
in Christianity for over 900 years. In the 15th century Mehmet II
conquered the city and converted it into a mosque, adding the
minarets and fountains. It functioned as such for the next 481
years until the founding of the secular Turkish Republic in 1934
when it was declared a museum. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest
Byzantine buildings in the world, and the vast interior, with its
huge soaring dome, is extraordinary. The interior contains
different features from its time as a cathedral and then as a
mosque, including incredible Byzantine mosaics, icons and marble
columns, a mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca), and
Islamic calligraphy inscriptions on the dome from the Ottoman
period.
Hours of Operation: Open daily except Mondays from 9.30am to
4.30pm
Phone:(212) 518 1802 |
2. Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Hippodrome, Sultanahmet
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What is it? The Sultan Ahmet Camii, commonly known as the
Blue Mosque, with its tiers of magnificent domes and six graceful
minarets is one of the most striking and immediately
distinguishable structures on the Istanbul's skyline. Constructed
as an Islamic rival to the Hagia Sophia in 1609, it is one of the
finest examples of Ottoman architecture and is still used by
hundreds of worshippers. The interior is splendidly decorated with
thousands of blue and white Iznik tiles embellished with
traditional Ottoman flower patterns, and it is this special feature
that gives the mosque its name. Its design of successively
descending smaller domes, soaring columns and 260 stained glass
windows leaves a lasting impression of graceful accord and open
space. At the back of the mosque is a Carpet and Kilim Museum
exhibiting antiques from all over Turkey.
Hours of Operation: Open daily, access restricted during prayer times,
especially at midday on Fridays. The museum is open from Tuesday to
Saturday between 9am and 4pm
Phone:(212) 518 1319 or (212) 518 1330 (for museum
information) |
3. Topkapi Palace Museum
Topkapi Sarayi, Sultanahmet
www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~history/topkapi.html |
What is it? The Topkapi Sarayi, built by Mehmet the
Conqueror as a Sultan's Palace, consists of a sprawling collection
of buildings arranged around several interconnecting courtyards.
Magnificently situated on one of the seven hills of Istanbul with
uninterrupted views over the Bosphorus River and the Golden Horn,
it was the seat of the Ottoman Empire for almost four centuries.
Home to nearly 3,000 people, it served as royal residence, harem,
state administration and military barracks. One of the most popular
sections is the harem, once the quarters of about 300 women who
were the sultans' wives and concubines, and their children.
Visitors can view the apartments, halls and terraces of the harem,
and see the lavish royal bedchamber and Imperial Hall. No expense
was spared in decorating the palace and exquisitely designed rooms,
intricately detailed fountains and gateways, and the splendid
Treasury, housing one of the greatest collections of treasure in
the world, afford insight into the opulent lifestyle of the sultans
of the Ottoman Empire.
Hours of Operation: Open daily except Tuesdays from 9am to
5pm
Phone:(212) 512 0480 |
4. Turkish and Islamic Art Museum
Ibrahim Pasa Sarayi, Atmeydani 46, Hippodrome,
Sultanahmet
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What is it? The grand 16th century palace of the sultan's
Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasa, today houses the Turkish and Islamic
Art Museum, containing what many consider to be the finest
collection of Islamic artefacts in the world. The palace itself was
the finest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. From
its supreme position overlooking the Hippodrome, the sultan could
enjoy excellent views of the celebrations in the square below. The
museum is well laid out and contains more than 40,000 examples of
Selçuk, Mamluk and Ottoman Turkish art, including ceramics, Koran
cases, calligraphy, textiles, metalwork and illuminated
manuscripts. Its antique carpet exhibit is renowned; the carpets,
kilims and prayer rugs forming one of the richest and oldest
collections in the world.
Hours of Operation: Open daily except Mondays from 9.30am to
5.30pm
Phone:(212) 518 1805 |
5. The Covered Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi)
Kapali Çarsi, Beyazit to Eminönü Harbour
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What is it? The oldest and biggest enclosed bazaar in the
world, also known as the Grand Bazaar, is one of the most enticing
and mesmerizing attractions in Istanbul. Consisting of a vast
labyrinth of 65 twisting streets crammed with more than 4,000
shops, teahouses, hamams (Turkish baths), mosques, storehouses and
fountains. It is a fascinating experience to wander around the
alleyways, looking and enjoying, or bargaining and purchasing. Here
you can find almost anything, from meerschaum pipes, carpets and
jewellery, to Turkish Delight, textiles, spices, clothing and
hand-painted ceramics. Protracted bargaining over a cup of tea is
an important institution. Built during the rule of Sultan Mehmet
the Conqueror in 1461, the bazaar grew by covering an increasingly
large area of shops and streets with roofs, arches and domes, and
it became the centre of trading during the Ottoman period. Caravans
of silk traders traditionally stayed here and rested their camels
while selling their merchandise, and many of these 'hans' or
caravanserais still exist as storehouses
today.
Hours of Operation: Open daily except Sundays from 8.30am to
7pm
Phone: |
Istanbul Holidays guide
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Transport -The best and easiest way to explore the
old city is on foot, but to get to other areas there is a cheap
public transport network consisting of buses, taxis or dolmuses
(shared minibus taxis), tramways and a new metro system that
relieves the pressure on Istanbul's endless traffic jams.
More information at the |
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