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Best Places to Visit Country Facts Tourism Information Other Countries |
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Turkey Travel Guide:Best Places to Visit in Istanbul |
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Overview Topkapi Palace The Grand Mosques Hagia Sofia The Yerebatan Cistern and Hippodrome Area The Bazaars Dolmabahaçe Palace The Bosporus |
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| Overview | Top of Page |
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| Istanbul Climate
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Istanbul,
Turkey's largest city, is divided by the Bosporus, an 18 mile, narrow channel that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Mamara. The
western shore of the Bosporus marks the eastern edge of Europe while its
eastern shore marks the beginning of Asia, the world's largest continent.
The majority of Istanbul's population resides on the European side of the
city, as do the attractions of interest to most travelers. Istanbul is a city of aliases. It was known as Constantinople when it was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, although originally called Byzantium. In1453 Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and renamed Istanbul. It became the capital of the Ottoman Empire, which was the most powerful Islamic empire in world history. The Ottoman Sultanate slowly deteriorate in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was abolished in 1922 after the war of Turkish Independence. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who led the victorious forces in the War of Intedpendence, is regarded as the “father of modern Turkey” and remains a popular historical figure for the Turkish people to this day.
The majority of the celebrated antiquities of Istanbul are found on the “European” or western side of the Bosporus and concentrated to the south of the famous "Golden Horn", an 8 km (4.8 miles) freshwater estuary. There is some debate as to whether the name of the Golden Horn derives from the shape of the estuary or the fertile soil and abundant fishing that was associated with this area in the past. Although modern boats can dock here with ease, in Byzantine times, the entrance to the Golden Horn was blocked by a chain that was used to deny access to enemies or those in disfavor with the emperor. The Golden horn separates the Old City (Sultanahmet) from the more modern Beyoglu. You will want to spend the majority of your time in the Old City, but you will find that major shopping areas, many great restaurants and the Dolmbahce Palace are to the north across the Galata Bridge in Beyoglu. Travel using conventional taxi’s or water taxis. Istanbul is a great town for walking but the different sections of the city are far apart. Do not hesitate to grab a taxi when the day grows hot or the distance to walk back to your hotel is too long. Eventually you are going to want to see the eastern side of the city and a water taxi is just the ticket. Arriving in Istanbul provides sensory overload, as it is truly the place where East meets West. If you arrive by boat, the view from the docks is a feast for the eyes, as the combinations of architectural styles assault the sense. While one expects mosques to abound in Istanbul, the profile of the Old City, dominated by massive domes and minarets reaching for the sky, is spectacular. It is hard to arrive in Istanbul by boat, without feeling that you have arrived at a place of significant historic importance. |
When docking in Istanbul you will see the beautiful Süleymaniye Mosque |
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| Topkapi Palace | Top of Page | |||||
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If you are interested in finding out more about Turkey, its people, history, economy and geography, visit our section Turkey Country Facts
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Topkapi Sarayi (Topkapi Palace) dates from 15th century and was the primary royal palace for the duration of the Ottoman Empire. Topkapi Palace, sits on the edge of the old city overlooking both the Bosporus and the Golden Horn. The Topkapi was extended and rebuilt several times during the Ottoman reign but the architecture is pleasing and the site is one of the most popular in Istanbul. The Palace complex, which is surrounded by over 5km of walls, was established when the capital of the Ottoman Empire was moved here following the conquest of the city in 1453. The Palace was abandoned in 1853 when the Dolmabahce Palace was constructed. The Palace was converted to a museum in the 1920s, shortly after the War of Turkish Independence.
The palace was used for state occasions but was also the private residence of the sultans and their harems (their wives and families). Because of this relationship, Topkapi offers the visitor several spectacular opportunities. It houses fine collections of Ottoman artifacts including imperial jewels, porcelain, armor and weapons (although some are so jewel encrusted it is doubtful they were used for fighting, especially the Topkapi Dagger). In addition, the palace includes holy relics of the Prophet Mohammed that are revered throughout the Islamic world. Finally, there is a great interest in the Harem and, if you are interested in visiting the Harem, you must buy a ticket for the Harem tour. Entry to the Harem is limited and you should attempt to make a reservation to visit as soon as you arrive in Istanbul. Topkapi is open from 19:00 to 17:00 every day except Tuesday. As noted above, the Harem is a separate tour and ticket. Telephone 90 0210512 04 80.
If you need information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web |
Looking toward the "New City" from Topkapi Palace
Another view of the warren of rooms that comprise the interior of the Harem
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