Istanbul main historical attractions of the city. Sights of Istanbul - three exciting routes around the city. About the Anatolian part of Istanbul

Amazing and fabulous Istanbul is a bridge between two continents, a meeting place of Western and Eastern cultures and an invaluable historical heritage of all humanity. The location of the city is so favorable that human settlements flourished here long before the advent of our era. Ancient Byzantium, pompous Constantinople and brilliant Istanbul - all these are the names of one city lying on the picturesque banks of the Bosphorus.

In the city, tourists will be able to see the treasures of two cultures at once - Byzantine and Ottoman. The incomparable Hagia Sophia competes in beauty with the Blue Mosque, the centuries-old secrets of the Topkana Palace are safely kept behind powerful walls, and the city's oriental bazaars add color to the busy streets. This is all Istanbul: noisy, diverse and incomparable.

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What to see and where to go in Istanbul?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

This unique historical monument is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, a symbol of the heyday of Christianity and a witness to the death of the Byzantine Empire. The cathedral was founded during the reign of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD. Over the 14 centuries of its existence, it was destroyed and devastated several times. After the conquest of Constantinople, the temple was converted into a mosque, destroying many Christian values. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Turkish authorities decided to assign Hagia Sophia the status of a museum.

A Muslim temple built under Sultan Ahmed I at the beginning of the 17th century. Rare and precious types of marble were used during construction. The architecture of the Blue Mosque is a harmonious combination of Ottoman and Byzantine styles, a brilliant project of Khoja Mimar Sinan Agha, who was deservedly nicknamed “the jeweler” by the people. The building is decorated with a large number of sky-colored Iznik ceramic tiles, which is why it received the name “Blue Mosque”.

Another masterpiece of the architect Sinan, which became a symbol of the power of the Ottoman Empire. After construction was completed, the master predicted that the temple would stand forever. So far his prophecy is true - over four centuries the building has survived several dozen serious earthquakes and survived. Suleymaniye Mosque is the largest temple in Istanbul. This is a whole complex consisting of madrasahs, baths, a library, an observatory, and prayer rooms.

A strait on the Mediterranean Sea, where back in the 7th century BC. A small Greek settlement was formed. Over time, it turned into the city of Byzantium, and later into Constantinople. The bay got its name due to its shape, similar to an animal horn, and the incredible beauty of the coastal landscapes. The works of ancient Greek scientists also mention the name “Horn of Byzantium”. In past centuries, the bay was considered an important strategic site.

The Bosphorus Strait is the maritime border between the Asian and European parts of Turkey, it is often called the “soul of Istanbul”. Several picturesque bridges span the strait; magnificent Sultan's palaces, fortresses and ancient quarters stand on the banks. Istanbul cannot be imagined without the Bosphorus. This narrow strip of water has more than once become the subject of dispute between states and the arena of military clashes.

The prototype of the modern stone tower was a wooden Byzantine structure of the 6th century, built under Emperor Justinian. After the Turks conquered Byzantium in the 15th century, the tower was used as a lighthouse, fire tower and prison. The building is located on a hill, so it is clearly visible from the streets of Istanbul. From the observation deck of the tower you can admire the picturesque architecture of the city.

The Maiden Tower (Kyz Kulesi) was built in the waters of the Bosphorus on a small rocky island. It is believed that fortifications on this tiny piece of land dates back to 400 BC. during the war between Athens and Sparta. During Ottoman rule, a lighthouse was built on the island. The Maiden Tower managed to serve as a prison, an isolation ward, utility room for military and sailors, and an exhibition gallery. Since the end of the 20th century, there has been an observation deck and a restaurant here.

A palace complex built during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecid I. The ruler wanted to surpass European rulers in luxury and size, so the palace turned out to be truly huge: its walls stretch 600 meters along the Bosphorus Strait, with a total area of ​​45 thousand m². After the formation of the Turkish Republic, Ataturk settled on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire in Dolmabahçe. After his death, the palace became a museum.

The most famous and famous palace in Istanbul. Until the mid-19th century, it was the main residence of the Ottoman sultans. The complex was built on the ruins of the palace of the Byzantine emperors by order of Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century. Topkani is divided into four parts. Each of them has separate entrances: the Gate of the Lord (service and official premises), the Gate of Greeting (office and treasury, the meeting room of the divan), the Gate of Bliss (inner chambers and harem).

A Baroque palace in the Asian part of Istanbul, built in the mid-19th century. The building was used as a summer residence for the Ottoman sultans. The interior decoration of the palace premises uses a mixture of Eastern and European traditions, which makes the interiors quite original. The layout is made in a typical Turkish style - courtyards, a separate pavilion for the harem and rooms for the hammam.

A powerful fort on the picturesque shore of the Bosphorus, built in the 15th century under Sultan Mehmed II Fatih. The defensive walls of the fortress were erected in just a few months. Rumelihisar was built specifically for the assault on Constantinople in order to cut off the city from the strait. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the fortress was used as a customs point. The restoration was carried out in the middle of the 20th century.

A picturesque palace and park complex on the coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara. First, on the site of the modern palace, a villa was built for the mother of Sultan Selim III. Yildiz is a building that embodies several architectural styles: European classics, baroque, oriental style. The palace is surrounded by a magnificent flowering park. Since 1994, a museum has been located on its territory.

A place where horse racing was held even during the Roman Empire 2 thousand years ago. During the era of Ottoman rule, the amphitheater on the square was dismantled, many of its fragments were used for the construction of the pearl of Istanbul - the Blue Mosque. On the square there are obelisks of the Byzantine emperors Constantine Porphyrogenitus and Theodosius, as well as an ancient Greek serpentine column.

The central square of the historical Beyoğlu district. It separates the old quarters of Istanbul from the new and serves as an important transport hub of the city. In the center of the square there is a monument erected in honor of the formation of the Turkish Republic. It consists of sculptures of military leaders Kemal Atatürk, Fevzi Çakmak, Mustafa, İsmet İnönü and other revolutionaries who contributed to the fall of the monarchy.

Pedestrian street connecting Taksim Square and Galat district. Once upon a time this alley was the central avenue of Constantinople. The name "Istiklal" is translated from Turkish as "independence". The spirit of freedom and independence truly reigns on the street. It is overrun with strolling tourists, nightclubs, restaurants and inexpensive eateries. Here, temples stand one meter apart from each other and street performers perform, and modern bars coexist with traditional Turkish shops.

An ancient temple in the Sultanahmet district, located in the historical center of Istanbul. It is believed that the church was built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Aphrodite in the 4th century AD. e., thus, this temple is older than Hagia Sophia. Before the appearance of the Cathedral of St. Sophia, the Church of St. Irene was the main temple of Constantinople; the meeting of the Second Ecumenical Council under the leadership of Emperor Theodosius I took place here.

The Byzantine Church of Christ the Savior, also known as the Chora Monastery. The temple was founded in the 4th century AD. e., at that time he was outside the city wall of Constantinople. Inside the building, original Byzantine mosaics and frescoes from the 11th century have been preserved, which are of great cultural value. The Kariye Museum is located in an ordinary residential area, away from the main attractions.

A museum where unique archaeological finds telling about the history of human development are stored. Many exhibits were preserved thanks to the ban on the export of historical monuments from the Ottoman Empire, which was introduced in 1884. The museum houses the very first peace treaty recorded in history. The complex includes three large buildings housing more than 1 million exhibits.

Istanbul cannot afford to lag behind European capitals, and therefore, like many of them, it has its own museum of modern art. The gallery was opened in 2004. This place hosts all kinds of exhibitions, author meetings and celebrations of contemporary artists. The room is equipped with the latest technology, so you can often see fashion installations here.

The park is located on the shore of the Golden Horn Bay. On its territory there are models of Turkish and world attractions, made in a ratio of 1:25. In total, Miniature contains more than a hundred different figures, including the Blue Mosque of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, the Greek Temple of Artemis, and Topkani Palace. The park also has a miniature railway, an airport and a seaport.

A surviving part of the ancient water supply system of Constantinople. The approximate date of construction of the aqueduct is 375 AD. The total length of the stone water pipeline was more than 550 km; the Valens aqueduct was a small section of 1.5 km that connected two neighboring city hills. In the 7th and 8th centuries. the structure was repaired. The aqueduct operated successfully until the 12th century, after which it was abandoned. Under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, it was again repaired and began to be used to deliver water to Topkapi.

An underground reservoir in the historical center of Istanbul, equipped at the beginning of the 4th century. The cistern served as a city water reservoir. Water was delivered here from the Belgrade Forest through a system of aqueducts. The ceiling of the reservoir is supported by rows of marble columns that were previously part of ancient temples. During the Ottoman rule, the cistern was not used; in 1987 it was cleaned and a museum was opened on the territory.

The defensive system of the Byzantine capital, preserved from the 5th century AD. It was built to protect the city from attacks by barbarian tribes. The walls have survived to this day in good condition, largely thanks to the Ottoman conquerors. After the conquest of Constantinople, they restored all the buildings. In the first half of the 20th century, the walls began to be dismantled, but in the 80s. a decision was made to restore.

Bridge over the Golden Horn Bay. The structure was built in the middle of the 19th century under the ruler Abdulmecid I. Another common name for the structure is “Valide Bridge”, since the Sultan’s mother took an active part in the construction. The bridge has gone through five reconstructions; in 2005, tram tracks were laid across it.

A modern suspension bridge over the Bosphorus, inaugurated in 1973 in the presence of the President and Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic. The structure is supported by two metal towers located approximately 1 km away. from each other. The total length of the bridge is 1560 meters. In the evening, multi-colored lights turn on, painting the bridge in bright colors. During the busiest hours, the structure sags by 90 cm.

A grandiose project by German architects of the early 20th century. The station was supposed to become a major railway junction connecting the Ottoman Empire with Damascus, Cairo, Jerusalem and Medina. But History decreed otherwise - the empire fell, and Haydarpaşa was destined for a more modest role. Now the station serves internal eastern routes to the borders with Iran, Armenia and Syria.

A city park designed for walking and relaxing from the summer heat of Istanbul. It is famous for its large number of pink flower beds, which have been preserved since the times of the Sultan. Gülhane was once part of the palace complex; only the ruler and courtiers had the right to walk in the park. At the end of the 19th century it was open to everyone. On the territory there is a large children's playground, a cafe, a small zoo and an aquarium.

The best place for shopping and the sixth largest shopping center in the world. There are about 400 shops, dozens of cafes and restaurants on 6 floors. As in leading European capitals, here you can find products from all the world’s most famous and popular brands, from affordable brands to designer houses. There is an amusement park in the underground part of the building.

A traditional oriental bazaar where sellers can communicate with buyers in many languages. Previously, goods brought from the East were sold here: spices, herbs, medicines. Nowadays, the bazaar is more oriented towards tourists, so a significant part of its area is occupied by souvenir shops. You can also buy interesting jewelry, dishes, fabrics and carpets, and oriental sweets here.

The largest indoor market in the world, covering an area of ​​3.7 thousand m². This is a whole “city within a city” with its own way of life, rhythm of life and laws. The bazaar consists of 66 streets and 4 thousand stalls and stores. There are mosques, a school, a bathhouse, a cafe, currency exchange offices and numerous warehouses. Every day the bazaar is visited by several tens of thousands of people. The trading platform appeared in the 15th century immediately after the capture of Constantinople on the site of the old Byzantine market.

Today we will have a busy and very exciting walk through one of the most beautiful cities in Turkey. We will tell you about the most popular attractions of Istanbul, which will tell you better than any guide about the history of this unique city. The walk promises to be eventful and very exciting.

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The starting station of the Istanbul-Baghdad railway. It is located in the Kadikoy district, on the Asian side of Istanbul. Construction of the station building began on May 30, 1906 and was completed on August 19, 1908. The official opening took place on November 4, 1909.

The complex was built by a German company in the neo-Renaissance style. In addition, the Germans built a breakwater transshipment complex, where wagons from Asia were reloaded onto merchant ships and ferries. The structure was a gift from Emperor William II to Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Haydarpaşa Station was damaged and repaired three times. The first time was in 1917, when a fire broke out at an ammunition depot. On November 15, 1979, a dry cargo ship and a tanker collided 800 meters from the station. The explosions and fire that occurred as a result of the accident caused serious damage to the train harbor building. Its renovation was completely completed in 1983. On November 28, 2010, a fire broke out on the roof of the structure and it collapsed. Restoration work after this incident lasted about a year.

Due to preparations for the Istanbul-Ankara express train, the Istanbul-Eskisehir railway and Haydarpasa Station were not operating from February 1, 2012 to February 1, 2014. The operation of the harbor for trains at this time was supported by the station's technical services. Near the station there is a mosque of the same name for railway workers. It was built on the site of a Gregorian church destroyed in 1874. The temple is decorated in Baroque style and is decorated with 2 minarets. Boats that carry passengers across the Bosphorus dock at the pier near the station. Car ferries on the Ilyichevsk-Istanbul line are also unloaded at the pier. You can get to Hadarpasa Station by boat from the Bostanci, Yenikapi and Kadikoy piers, as well as by metro line M4 (stop “Ayrılıkçeşme”).

The Galata Tower is a landmark that can be seen from anywhere in Istanbul. It was built on the hill of the same name in the 14th century. The building was built by the Genoese, who inhabited one of the districts of Constantinople. At the time of completion, the Galata Tower was the largest building in the Byzantine capital. At the beginning of the 16th century, Galata was used as a prison for Christian prisoners of war, and in the middle of the century, an astronomical observatory was located on its upper platform. In 1578 the latter was closed. In 1632, the scientist Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi made wings similar to those of an eagle and jumped from the tower. He flew across the Bosphorus Strait and landed on the ground in the Asian part of Istanbul. The Sultan first rewarded the daredevil, and later sent him to Algeria. The flight generated enormous interest in Europe. It was repeatedly painted by the best artists of the Old World.

The tower was repaired in 1791, 1832 and 1875. It housed an observation post from which soldiers monitored the occurrence of fires and unrest in the European part of Istanbul. In 1964-1967, Galata underwent restoration and acquired a modern appearance; a dome was erected on its top. In the early 2000s, an elevator was built in the building. Several dozen people committed suicide from the walls of the tower.

Features of the structure:

• Height – 69.9 meters
• Wall thickness – 3.75 meters
• Outside diameter – 16.45 meters
• Weight (according to calculations) – about 1000 tons

The following people work in the Galata Tower:

• Museum
• Night club
• Restaurant

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost of visiting the institution is 25 liras ($8). It includes ascent and descent by elevator to the observation deck of the building. Within a radius of 100 meters from the building there are several dozen accommodation and catering establishments. You can get to the Galata Tower on foot or by car. A funicular runs from the old town of Sultanahmet to Meshrutiyet Street (200 m from the building). The Sishane station of the M2 line of the Istanbul metro is also located there.

Or, as it is also called, the mosque of Sultan Akhmet. It was built in 1609-1616 by order of the 14th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He allocated money for the construction from his treasury. To build the mosque, several palaces of the highest dignitaries of the state and a large palace of the Byzantine emperors were destroyed. The architecture of the temple is a combination of the best features of the Ottoman and Byzantine styles. The domes of the mosque are decorated with sky-colored tiles. For this design it is called blue. Special details of the temple are 6 minarets. 4 of them are oriented to the cardinal points, and 2 are located in the outer courtyard of the building. More towers were built only near the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca.

The interiors of Sultanahmet are decorated with floral patterns. The central hall of the structure is 53 meters long and 51 meters wide. The dome above it has a diameter of 23.5 meters. In a niche of the wall, which faces Mecca, a black stone from the holy city for Muslims is kept. In the western part of the mosque there is a special entrance for the Sultan with a chain. The bow that the ruler made in order to pass under it symbolized his insignificance before God. A mosque is a whole complex of buildings. Its buildings house a temple, primary and religious schools, a nursing home, the tomb of Sultan Ahmet, baths, shops, and fountains. Part of the premises of the building is rented out to private enterprises.

Over its 400-year history, the mosque has repeatedly suffered damage from fires and civil unrest. Each time, the rulers of Turkey allocated money for its restoration. In 1826, the temple housed the headquarters of the Grand Vizier, who suppressed the Janissary uprising and liquidated the Janissary corps. The mosque is open to the public from 8:30 to 12:30, from 14:00 to 16:45 and from 17:45 to 18:30 daily. On Fridays (a day off for Muslims) the mosque is closed. The rest of the time, Sultanahmet functions as a temple. Entrance to the mosque is always free. You can get to the building by high-speed tram line T1. You need to get off at the Sultanahmet stop.

A complex of buildings that for 380 years was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the residence of its powerful rulers. 25 sultans lived in it. In 1854, Sultan Abdulmecid I moved to Dolmabahce Palace. In 1923, by order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the residence of the head of state was moved from Topkapi to Yildiz Palace. At the same time, a museum was created in the complex. The total number of its exhibits exceeds 600,000 items. Construction of the palace began in 1465 by order of Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Istanbul. Each ruler who lived in the residence rebuilt it and added new elements and decorations to its design. The palace is a mixture of several architectural styles that developed in the 15th-19th centuries.

Topkapi consists of 4 gates and courtyards, each of which represents a separate complex of structures. In the first of them - the overlord's gate - there were service premises. In the second, the gate of welcome, there was a divan (cabinet of ministers) and the treasury, in the third, the gate of happiness, there was a harem, the Sultan’s bedchamber and an elite school of leaders, in the fourth, religious and auxiliary buildings were erected - a mosque, a circumcision pavilion, a dressing room. Tickets to the palace and harem cost 40 liras ($13). Only for the harem - 25 liras ($8). The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer (April 15–October 30) and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the winter (October 30–April 15). Ticket sales end one hour before the establishment closes. There are 2 cafes and 1 restaurant on the complex. There are several bookstores near the building. They sell scientific works and works of art that are dedicated to Topkapi. The palace is located on Cape Sarayburnu, at the junction of the Golden Horn Bay with the Sea of ​​Marmara. The T1 tram line runs to the Gulhane stop, which is 100 meters from the museum entrance. Sikerdzhi railway station is 1 km from the complex.

The most famous building in Istanbul. Architects of Kievan Rus and the Russian Empire tried to copy it several times. The architectural solutions used in the construction of the cathedral are still used today. Since 1985, Hagia Sophia has been included in the UNESCO heritage list. The temple was erected in the middle of the 6th century AD by order of Emperor Constantine. To build the structure, the best materials were brought from all over the Byzantine Empire. Marble and columns were taken from the ruins of ancient cities in Syria, Egypt, Mount Athos and North Africa. At the Council of St. Sophia, in 1054, the legates of the Pope announced the deposition of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Kirularius, which split the Christian Church into Orthodox and Catholic.

Until 1204, the Shroud of Turin was kept in the temple - a piece of cloth in which the body of Christ was wrapped after the crucifixion. After the sack of Constantinople in 1204, the shrine disappeared without a trace and was found only 150 years later. In 1453, after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, the cathedral was turned into a mosque and for about 100 years it was the main temple of the capital of the Ottoman Empire. In accordance with the Islamic prohibition on depicting people, the frescoes and mosaics were covered with plaster. It is thanks to this that they have survived to this day and now delight the eyes of visitors to the building. A small room for Muslim prayers still operates there.

In 1935, Hagia Sophia was declared a museum. From April 15 to October 25 it is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; from October 25 to April 15, the institution is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance ticket costs 40 liras ($13). Ticket sales close one hour before the museum closes. It is better to queue for the museum in advance, since tens and hundreds of thousands of tourists want to see the attraction. To get to Hagia Sophia you need to take the T1 tram and get to the Sultanahmet stop. From there, walk about 200 meters to the temple.

The main square of the second most important city in Turkey. Since the 4th century AD, it has housed a hippodrome - a place for horse racing, chariot races, athletic competitions and gladiator battles. Its length was 400 meters and width 150. The structure could accommodate about 100,000 spectators. The stadium was decorated with a quadriga made of gilded bronze. After the sack of Constantinople by the knights in 1204, it was taken to the Cathedral of Santo Marco in Venice, where it is still kept. Among other ceremonial events, the circumcision of the sons of Suleiman the Magnificent and Roksolana Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska took place at the hippodrome. The hippodrome was finally destroyed in the 17th century. The structure was depicted on the 500 lira banknotes, which were in circulation from 1953 to 1976.

There are 3 monuments on the square: the snake column, the obelisk of Constantine and the German fountain. The first is a symbol of the victory of the Greeks over the Persians in the 5th century BC. The second was erected in honor of Emperor Basil I by his grandson Constantine VII. The column has a height of 21 meters. According to the chronicles, it was lined with sheets of copper that were stolen by the crusading knights. The fountain is a gift from the German Emperor Wilhelm. The inside is decorated with golden mosaics and monograms of the rulers of Germany and Turkey. In 1826, the Janissaries were executed on Sultanahmet Square, who, like the Streltsy in Russia, rebelled against the reforms of their ruler. It was also the site of the uprising that led to the overthrow of Sultan Abdul Hamid II in 1909. In 1950-1951, excavations were carried out on the territory of the former hippodrome. During the research, many exhibits from the Byzantine and early periods of the Ottoman empires were found. You can see them in the museums of Istanbul. Sultanahmet Square is located in the district of the same name, in the historical center of Istanbul. Near it there is a tram stop on the T1 line.

It was built in 1861-1865 by Armenian architects Agop and Sarkis Balyan. The name of the building translated means “lord of the lords.” The title Beylerbey was awarded only to the best commanders, naval commanders and governors of Turkey. Beylerbey was designed by Sarkis Balyan in the style of the second French empire. The palace seems quite modest compared to the chambers of Dolmabahce or Kucuksu. One of the most beautiful decorations of Beylerbey is the reception hall with a swimming pool and fountain. Cold water in it plays the role of a thirst quencher, a natural air conditioner and an interior detail. Egyptian reed mats and hereke-type carpets were used as floor coverings. The palace is equipped with Bohemian crystal chandeliers. Along the alleys of the garden there are Japanese, Chinese, and Turkish porcelain vases.

It is better to look at the palace from the Bosphorus during a boat ride. From there you can see 2 bathing pavilions of the complex: women's and men's. They are decorated with floral designs in Turkish style. The palace was used to accommodate guests of the rulers of Turkey. In 1869, the Empress of France Eugenie visited it. She was delighted by the elegance of the building's interiors and how skillfully the architects and designers created a replica of her bedroom from the Tuileries Castle. In the building, the Empress met with the Valide (mother of the Sultan). The Duke and Duchess of Windsor also visited Beylerbey. Sultan Abdul Hamid II was held and died in the castle in 1912-1918.

The palace is open every day except Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance ticket to the complex costs 20 liras ($7). Near the palace there is a pier to which Bosphorus line 1 ferries run.

It was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire in 1853-1889 and 1909-1922. Dolmabahce is the first Sultan's palace built in European style. It took 11 years to build, from 1842 to 1953. The main architect of the structure is Armenian Karabet Balyan. The cost of the palace was equal to the price of 35 tons of gold (approximately 1 billion 180 million dollars in modern money). For construction, materials were brought from all over the world. Marble - from the island of Marmara, alabaster - from Egypt, porphyry - from Pergamon. The total area of ​​the structure is 45,000 m2. It contains 285 rooms, 46 corridors, 6 baths, 68 toilets and 1427 windows.

The main decoration of the palace is a huge crystal chandelier with 750 candles weighing 4 tons. It was presented by the English Queen Victoria. The palace houses the world's largest collection of candle chandeliers.

There is also a Russian trace in Dolmabahce. On one of its walls hangs a polar bear skin, which the Turks painted brown to protect it from dust. Ivan Aivazovsky painted 40 Bosphorus landscapes for the palace. In addition to money, the artist’s reward was the Order of Osman, the highest award of the empire. 8 sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived and worked in Dolmabahce Palace. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk also lived there. The bed on which the reformer died on November 10, 1938 is still kept in the building. She is an object of worship for most Turkish citizens. All chronometers in the building show the time of his death - 9 hours 5 minutes in the morning. In 1887, German Emperor Wilhelm II visited Dolmabahce Palace.

The palace is open to the public every day except Mondays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of a ticket to visit all premises of the structure is 40 liras (13 dollars), for a visit to the harem - 20 liras (6.5 dollars), to enter individual pavilions - 5-10 liras (1.7-3.3 dollars). You can get to the palace by funicular (Macka station) or by ferry (Bes?ktas pier).

The building is on a small island in the Bosphorus, near the Uskudar district of the Asian part of Istanbul. It is one of the symbols of the city. There are legends associated with both tower names. According to one of them, the young man Leander swam across the Bosphorus every night and found his way through the fire that the girl Gero lit. One day the wind blew out the flame and Leander died. In the morning, Gero saw his body and jumped from the tower so that she could always be with her beloved. According to a Turkish legend, there once lived a good sultan who performed 5 obligatory and 5 additional prayers every day. A dervish who appeared in a dream told the ruler that his beloved odalisque would soon give him a daughter and the girl would be bitten by a snake. The wanderer advised the Sultan to build a tower in the Bosphorus, on which his daughter would be safe. The Persian prince, who wanted to marry her, turned to the flower seller. The Sultan agreed to show the plants to the girl, on the condition that he deliver them to the merchant’s daughter. The prince changed into women's clothes and presented a bouquet to the beauty. But a snake crawled out of the flowers and bit the girl. The Persian fell to his beloved's wound and sucked out the poison. As a reward, he received permission from the Sultan for the wedding.

The Maiden Tower is depicted in Aivazovsky’s painting “View of the Leander Tower in Constantinople” and the 10-lira banknote, which was in circulation in 1966-1981. The Maiden Tower was built during the Byzantine Empire as a small fort at the entrance to the Golden Horn harbour. Over its long history, it was used as a lighthouse, a prison, and an isolation ward for the sick. More than once the building burned out and was destroyed by earthquakes. But there was always a nobleman who gave money to restore the building. In 1999, the tower was reconstructed and opened to tourists. Now it houses a restaurant, an observation deck and a souvenir shop. Boats run from the Katabash and Yusküdar piers to the tower.

A majestic and beautiful mosque on the third of the seven hills of Istanbul, the first in area and the second in importance in the city. It was erected in 1550-1557 by order of the 10th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman the Magnificent. The mosque was named after him. The construction was supervised by the best architect of his time - Sinan-aga. As a reward for the construction of the building, he received a golden key - a symbol of the ruler’s trust. The mosque is surrounded by 4 minarets. They show that Suleiman is the 4th sultan after the conquest of Istanbul. 10 balconies were built on the towers, since Suleiman is the 10th sultan in the Ottoman dynasty. According to one legend, the Persian Shah Tahmasp sent precious stones for the construction of the mosque, but Sinan embedded them in the base of one of the minarets.

The mosque is 57 meters wide and 60 meters long. Its total area is 4500 m2. This is enough to accommodate more than 5,000 people during prayer. The complex of temple buildings includes a hammam, a theological school, a caravanserai, and a medical school. On the south (facing Mecca) side of the mosque there is a fountain for ablution before prayer. Inside the mosque there is a mihrab, a marble niche for singers and plaques with the names of prominent Muslims. The temple has excellent acoustics and the voice of the imam, who leads the sermon, can be clearly heard in any corner of the temple.

At the rear of the complex of buildings there is a cemetery. The nobles of the Ottoman Empire are buried there. The most beautiful tombs of the necropolis are the sarcophagi of Suleiman the Magnificent, his wife Roksolana and their daughter Mikhrimah. The tombs were decorated with emeralds, Roksolana’s favorite stones, and forgotten rubies, Suleiman’s favorite crystals. The mosque is open for tourists from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 13:45 to 15:45 on all days of the week except Friday. For Muslim believers, the temple is open daily from 9:00 to 17:30. Entrance to the building is free. A 5-minute walk from the temple is the “Eminonu” stop on the T1 tram line.

Hammam Hurrem Sultan

The traditional bath complex of Turkey is built according to the classical requirements of Ottoman bath architecture. The attraction is considered the most popular bath complex in Istanbul. It was built in 1557 by order of Sultan Suleiman to his beloved wife Hurrem (Roksolana). The building has three departments: hot room (hararet 50° with gebektashi marble floor), rest room, massage rooms, VIP rooms. Two departments function independently: men's and women's, with separate entrances (they are a mirror image).

The interior decoration of the hammam amazes with its beauty and luxury. After restoration (the bathhouse served for a long time for other, unusual purposes), anyone can visit it by reserving a place in advance (in the future, this money will be included in the payment for the procedures). You can get to Hurem Hammam by tram to the Sultanahmet stop.

Ibrahim Pasha Palace

The palace, reminiscent of an ancient defensive structure, amazes with its grandeur, mystery, permeated with the historical spirit of the Ottoman Empire, the life of the famous Sultan and his vizier Ibrahim Pasha. Initially, the building belonged to Suleiman, who owned colossal wealth and power. Suleiman's closest childhood friend, the husband of Suleiman's sister, was worthy of a priceless gift. The fate of the chief vizier led to a change in the owners of the palace and its purpose (prison, sewing workshops, barracks).

The building was restored in 1983. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art is located here. The exhibitions include ancient manuscripts, treasures, and handicrafts (carpets, clothing, jewelry). Household items made of ceramics, wood, precious metals. The palace is located at Sultanahmet district, At Meydani, 46.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque

In this building, the love of the great Sultan, the beauty, the greatness of the spiritual qualities of an amazing woman (second only to the famous Roksolana) were frozen forever. On the highest point of Istanbul (Sixth Hill) a building appeared, built by the famous architect Sinan (who was in love with Mihrimah). It became a symbol of medieval architecture, reflecting the “golden age” of the empire. The mosque, penetrated by the sun, amazes with its lightness and grace created by numerous stained glass windows.

The ensemble includes the main building, a madrasah, a hammam, several shops, a turbe, a courtyard with a fountain for ablution, and a single minaret. Opposite the mosque there is a building of the same name in Usküdar. Once a year (on Mihrimah's birthday on March 21), at the moment the sun sets behind the minaret of the mosque, the moon appears, rising from behind another minaret. There is a health center here, and the tombs of the sons of Mikhrimah have been preserved. You can get there by bus or metro.

Shehzade Mosque

This amazing building is often called an architectural perfection created by the famous Sinan. In beauty and grandeur it is not inferior to the Blue Mosque of the city. For the first time during the construction of a mosque, the idea of ​​a composite dome was realized. The building stands on four pedestals, covered with a dome supported by other (smaller) four domes. The goal of architectural innovation was to create a room flooded with bright sunlight. A new technique for decorating a mosque was the use of facial painting.

The mosque rises on one of the hills of the city. The front facade of the mosque faces the Golden Horn. Two minarets are decorated with patterns. Under the foundation there is a swimming pool, which helps create the desired temperature in the building. The interior decoration is made of tiles in beautiful light colors. The mosque (a symbol of grief) was built in 1548 and is located in the historical center of Istanbul.

Basilica Cistern

Among the attractions of Istanbul, the buildings left by the Turkish invaders of Constantinople, the rulers of the Ottoman Empire, are famous for their wealth and beauty. You can plunge into the ancient atmosphere of the city, created before this period, in the amazing underground kingdom of the Basilica Cistern. In ancient times, the Greeks created more than 100 underground water reservoirs, the lifeblood of their cities. Now 40 of them have been restored near Istanbul. The Basilica Cistern is located at a depth of about 12 m on the site of the ancient Basilica of Hagia Sophia (built in 532).

Water entered the tank through ancient aqueducts. Many times the storage facility is forgotten. It has always been revived, and the latest restoration in 1987 turned it into an interesting museum in the city. Here you can plunge into the secrets of Byzantine architecture, feel the magical power of an amazing dungeon, make a wish, look at the strange heads of the Gorgon Medusa and many other excursion offers. Address: 13 Yerebatan Cad., Sultanahmet.

Golden Horn Bay

An amazing creation of nature (created by the Alibey and Kagytkhan rivers as a result of the merger with the waves of the Bosphorus Strait), in the form of a natural harbor, divides the city into two parts. The harbor is considered one of the most beautiful and largest in the world. The convenient location and natural beauty of this place have been valued since ancient times. The Byzantines and representatives of the Ottoman Empire built palaces, churches, synagogues, villas, summer residences, and fortresses here.

The bridges connecting the two shores of the bay are amazingly beautiful and make you want to walk across them. Previously, merchant ships and warships stood in the bay. Now there are beautiful parks and recreation areas here. The name of the bay (its length is 12,200 m, width 122 m, depth 47 m) is associated with local legends and the extraordinary play of the sun during sunset, giving a golden color to the waters of the curved (like a horn) bay.

Rustem Pasha Mosque

Despite the simple appearance of the majestic building, the mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Europe. The central dome, decorated with 24 windows, fills the interior with sunlight, creating an extraordinary tenderness of beauty against the backdrop of the unique blue tiles. Perhaps this is due to the great love between Rustem Pasha and Mihrimah, who was engaged in decorating the mosque after the death of her husband. All tiles are created in the same thematic style (geometric design of their plants).

There is not a single piece of the walls, floor, or ceiling in the mosque without decorations. The luxury and richness of the interior decoration is comparable to the decoration of the Topkapi Sultan's palace. The mosque was intended for worship, prayers, and ritual activities. The atmosphere of Mirimah’s emotions, the energy of love, and bright tears of memory still live here. You can get to the mosque by tram line T1.

Gulhane Park

It's good here at any time of the year. Look at the extraordinary flower beds, painted with a flower carpet in accordance with their flowering period, hundred-year-old trees, admire the view of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, Topkapi Palace. A fabulous oasis of the city center appeared on the basis of the garden surrounding the palace. If you see this green kingdom from above, then thoughts arise about the complexity, almost impossibility of caring for such a kingdom of flowers, shrubs, and trees.

Unusual patterns, figures of flowers scattered under trees, near convenient alleys, appear in any place. The cheerful music of the fountain, the laughter of children near it, and cozy benches for relaxation attract tourists and local residents to the “Rose Park.” Starting from early spring (tulip festival), the flower beds are always blooming in different shades (hyacinths, violets, pansies, lilies, roses). You can get to the park by high-speed tram.

Snake Column

Almost in the center of the Hippodrome square is the oldest monument, brought to Constantinople from the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi in 324. The column was originally cast from the bronze shields of the dead Persians (a symbol of the victory of the Greek cities at Plataea in 479 BC). According to another version, a sacrificial tripod was made from Persian weapons. At the top of the 8-meter column stood three snake heads, on which a golden cauldron was attached.

Legends have been preserved about the disappearance of heads that protected the city from poisonous snakes and scorpions. Now the column does not have a golden cauldron or snake heads. Of interest is the technique of making the “sfirelatos” column. Its main idea was the possibility of creating large hollow statues. On the trunk of the column there are rings of intertwined snakes corresponding to the list of Greek cities. The Byzantine artifact is perceived ambiguously and evokes a philosophical mood.

Bayezid Mosque

This is the oldest mosque built during the Ottoman Empire (the reign of Sultan Bayezid). The massive ancient building reflects the architectural style of the Ottomans during the Middle Ages. The entrance to the fashionable domed structure is decorated with gates with original ornaments and ancient inscriptions. The semi-domes are supported by powerful columns, shaped like an elephant's foot. In total, the building contains 25 domes and 20 antique columns. The two minarets of the mosque are located at a distance of about 100 m from each other. They are decorated with interesting brick ornaments.

In the courtyard of the mosque, trees have been preserved, adding special beauty to the ensemble. The mosque serves as a funeral building, but the tomb (turbe) is located at the back. The mausoleum of Bayazid is also located here. The ensemble consists of a mosque, an imaret (a dining room for ministers), a school, a hospital, a hammam, and a caravanserai. Now the mosque houses a medical museum. The “Pigeon Mosque” (named after interesting legends) was built at the end of the 15th century in the image of the Hagia Sophia temple. Located in the historical center of Istanbul.

Rumeli Fortress Hisary

The need to build a fortress arose to protect Constantinople and control the passage of enemy ships through the Bosporus. On the opposite side (Asian) the walls of the Anadolu Hissary fortress already rose. It was impossible to sail past these fortifications. The fortress is located on the European side of the Bosphorus, in a narrow part. The fortification has three main towers and 13 intermediate ones. Inside the fortress there was a mosque, barracks, and a reservoir.

After the fall of Constantinople, the fortress began to serve as a prison. The restoration of the fortress took place in 1953, an artillery museum, a summer theater, a park, and an amphitheater with stone seats and high steps were opened. Access is provided to any scene. Everywhere you can admire the extraordinary views of the surrounding area. You can get there by bus from the bus station next to the Kabatas stop.

Walls of Constantinople

The famous landmark of the Byzantines was built in 413 during the reign of Emperor Theodosius II (that's why they are called the Theodosian walls). Their length is almost 6 km. The inner side (its height was 12 m) was fortified with polygonal towers standing at a distance of 55 m. There were about 100 of them. 10 towers had a passage. The Golden Gate, consisting of three triumphal arches, was considered the ceremonial gate.

A protective ditch was built in front of the outer wall (an additional wall stood in front of it). The Ottomans captured the city through the Middle Walls. Then they built the Seven Tower Fortress with the Marble Tower (Mermekule) here. The walls are located on the territory of Istanbul from the Golden Horn to the Sea of ​​Marmara. The best place to see them is in the area of ​​the Yedikule fortress. You can get to the walls by train coming from Sirkeci station (Yedikule stop).

Yedikule Fortress

Having captured Constantinople, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror continued to build fortifications for the city. At the end of the Feodosian walls, additional towers grew, strengthening the new Yedikule fortress. Its purpose changed many times. It was a prison, a girls' school, the location of the state treasury, and a zoo. In a small courtyard there was a mosque and a fountain. Now the names of seven towers have been preserved: Prison, Watchtower, Treasury, Armory, Osman, Akhmet, Bloody Well.

Kings, sultans, and ambassadors served their sentences in cells with varying levels of comfort in the prison tower. In the Bloody Well, the cruel invaders stored the heads of dead soldiers. Since 1895, the fortress has served as a museum. Attraction address: Yedikule Mahallesi, Yedikule Meydanı Sokak, Fatih/İstanbul. You have to go by train.

Grand Bazaar

Construction of one of the largest markets in the world began in 1453 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the conqueror. Now the market has about 70 streets (which have retained their historical names), 4,000 shops. It has everything: carpets, textiles, cosmetics, jewelry, food. Ceramics, wood products, souvenirs, etc. On an area of ​​31,000 m² there are many restaurants, mosques, an ancient cemetery, and several residential premises. Almost 100 million tourists visit the market every year.

The oldest buildings of the Covered Market (Kapaly-charshi) are two badestans with domed ceilings. There are 18 gates to enter the market. Above the main “Nuruosmaniye” there is the inscription “God has mercy on the one who devotes himself to trade.” The Covered Market is located in the Beyazit area. Its buildings occupy the area between the Bayazid and Nurusmaniye mosques. You can travel by tram, bus or walk from Aksarey station. The market is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm (closed on Sundays).

Egyptian bazaar

You can know when you are approaching the famous oriental bazaar by the extraordinary aroma of spices, sweets, and fresh coffee. Since antiquity, Istanbul has been considered the center of world trade. In this market (which is smaller in area than the Grand Bazaar) you can buy everything. There are no such amazing sweets anywhere else. The spice market (entrance to it is possible through six gates) began its history in 1660. The Egyptians traded spices from India in a small wooden bazaar. Now there are about 100 stores here. They are filled with spices, perfumes, medicinal herbs, dried fruits, tea, coffee.

Their range amazes visitors. Spices can be purchased by weight or in bags. The first shops with medicinal herbs appeared in this market. Essential oils, the best henna, rose water, olive oil soap are offered in the cosmetics and perfume departments. On the top floor of the covered market is the famous Pandeli restaurant, open since 1901. The Egyptian Bazaar is located in the Eminonu district of the European part of the city. You can get there by tram.

Pertevniyal Valide Mosque - Sultan

The mosque is considered one of the last buildings of the Ottoman period. It was built on the orders of Pertevniyal Valide Sultan in 1871. The mosque is made in different architectural styles (Gothic, Renaissance, Rococo, Ottoman style). It is decorated with a small dome and two beautiful minarets. The external and internal walls of the building are decorated with marble with patterns and ornaments.

The interior decoration is dominated by blue shades with gilding. Above the entrance gate there is a golden monogram belonging to Sultan Abdul-Aziz, made on a green background. The building houses the tomb of Valide Sultan. She was the last mistress of the chambers of the Topkapi Palace. Building address: Gureba Hüseyinağa Mh., Atatürk Blv. 1.

Church of St. Irene

In the Topkapi courtyard there is a Christian basilica, made in the shape of a cross. Previously, on this site (the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite at the beginning of the 4th century) there was another basilica, which was considered the main temple of Constantinople before the construction of Hagia Sophia. Inside the church you can see a mosaic from the Justinian period, a sarcophagus with the remains of Constantine. During Ottoman times, the church was not converted into a mosque. The only church in the city that has an initial atrium or high hall at the entrance to the church.

For a long time there was an armory there. In 1846, the Archaeological Museum operated in the church. Since 1869, the church began to serve as the Imperial Museum. In 1875, its exhibits were moved to another room. Since 1980, music concerts and festivals have been held on the main site of the church. A small church dedicated to the “Holy World” is considered a unique monument of the ancient period of the city. Church address: Sultanahmet, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul. You can get to it through the territory of the Topkani Palace.

Sinan Pasha Mosque

The mosque was erected by the architect Sinan by order of the vizier's brother Rustem Pasha in honor of the Ottoman admiral Sinan Pasha. It was built in 1555. The mosque has a rectangular shape, a dome, and a minaret. The walls are decorated with floral patterns and poems. The large and small domes of the mosque are covered with lead. The floor of the mosque is made in an original way. Accidental rainfall through a hole in the roof caused great damage to the interior of the church.

Some paintings were destroyed and the plaster was damaged. External facades suffered from weathering processes. Nearby there are three Istanbul Museums (marine, painting, sculpture, rare palace collections). Mosque address: Sinanpaşa Mahallesi, Beşiktaş Caddesi No:73, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul. You need to go by bus to the Besiktas pier, taxi, tram from the central part of the city.

Emirgan Park

One of the most beautiful park areas of the city is located on the site of wild forests. presented to the Persian prince Emirkhan for surrendering the city of Yerevan without a fight. Each subsequent owner of the park introduced his own original elements into its structure. Here fountains began to rustle, gardens bloomed, and flower arrangements were painted in different shades. Beautiful, rich villas (now pavilions) appeared. They now house museums and institutions. There are many cafes and restaurants in the park. Every spring, the park hosts the famous tulip festival.

More than 100 types of noble flowers (a symbol of wealth among the Ottomans) are used in the design of complex designs and ornaments. Flowerbeds located along winding paths, on hills, under trees are never without flowering plants. They replace each other throughout the season. Depending on the time of travel, you can admire the beauty and inhale the aroma of many rare flowers. Address: Emirgan Park is located at Emirgan Mh., 34467 Istanbul. Open from 7 am to 11 pm. You can go to the park by bus from Taksim Square.

Miniaturk Park

A wonderful place, the open-air museum consists of miniature replicas of famous Turkish landmarks. Conventionally, it can be divided into two parts: Istanbul Türkiye in miniature (scale 1:25). The similarity of the completed models completely coincides with the originals. This makes it possible to see many famous sights at once and outline a plan for a trip to real buildings. Walking along the long winding path, you can view the exhibits from all sides. (No ratings yet)

Istanbul is a city with an unrivaled historical and architectural heritage. The meeting of peoples, religions and civilizations contributed to the transformation of this city into a real wealth. We will tell you which attractions of Istanbul you can visit in 2-3 days literally on foot.

Before you go on excursions in Istanbul, we recommend purchasing a museum card. Paying for it 85 liras ($24), you can visit the main attractions within 5 days. Afterwards it will be invalid. Its advantage is that you have access to 12 historical places without queues. The validity of the Museum Pass İstanbul begins with your first visit to the museum. Each card can only be used once in each museum. You can buy a map, for example, at the entrance to the Archaeological Museum.

On the official website of the Istanbul Museum Map you can find out the exact places of purchase and a complete list of places to visit.

The Hagia Sophia is the symbol of Istanbul and the building that best represents Byzantine art. Initially, the cathedral was a church, then for nine hundred years the residence of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, then a mosque. Now it is the Hagia Sophia Museum.

This majestic architectural work represents the harmony of Christian and Islamic art. Translated from Turkish, Hagia Sophia means “Divine Wisdom”. The Basilica of Hagia Sophia was born by the will of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine, then it was destroyed several times in fire.

Emperor Justinian decided to restore it, but with such size and beauty that it would eclipse the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem and be “the most luxurious since the Creation.” One hundred and eighty tons of gold were used to decorate the cathedral. The power and beauty of the Cathedral amazed the imagination of people, and they believed that the Hagia Sophia was built with the help of divine intervention.

The building has four huge minarets and a gigantic dome, the weight of which is supported by four columns of processed stones. The interior is very solemn: enormous size, harmony in proportions, abundance of columns (107 of them), height of the dome and richness of decorations. Among the most famous mosaics are Christ enthroned and the Virgin Mary with her child. Cost of visit - 40 liras ($11)

Topkapi Palace and Sultan Suleiman's harem

Welcome Gate in Istanbul

Topkapi Palace was built in 1453 by Mohamed the Conqueror and served as a fortress for 26 sultans for 400 years. The structure of the building is very complex with many buildings connected by tunnels and passages. In general, the building is one-story, has a rectangular shape and can accommodate up to 4 thousand people.

Four courtyards and a harem are adjacent to the main building. In the courtyards there were buildings of the treasury, court, library, and mosque. The harem was a private place and there was no access to it, it was surrounded by beautiful gardens with numerous fountains and views of the Sea of ​​​​Marmara.

Inside the harem

It consisted of three hundred rooms, several bathrooms, kitchens, mosques, wineries and an infirmary. About a thousand women lived here, including the queen - mother, the Sultan's favorites, ex-wives who gave him sons, and in addition nurses, tailors, musicians, dancers and eunuchs - the only people who were allowed entry into the harem.

One of the chambers of Sultan Suleiman's harem

The treasury of the palace is a famous treasure in the world; it occupies four rooms where you can admire the collection of furniture, books, and precious jewelry made of diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. As well as a collection of daggers, one of which is an invaluable item with a handle made of gold and diamonds. Entry price - 40 liras ($11), with a museum card - free.

Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet is the historical heart of Istanbul, a beautiful, huge square with numerous flower beds and trees. All events in the city's public life take place on it and the most famous monuments of Istanbul are located on it. There are many tourists here. In the center of Sultanahmet Square stands a huge and beautiful mosque known as the Blue Mosque.

This is the most visited mosque in Istanbul. Its construction began in 1609 opposite the Hagia Sophia Palace by order of Sultan Ahmet and was carefully described in eight volumes, which are now kept in the Topkapi Library.

The name Blue comes from twenty-one thousand ceramic tiles that are turquoise in color. Turquoise is the main color of the temple. The light coming from two hundred and sixty windows creates a surreal atmosphere in the mosque. The Blue Mosque has six minarets, each minaret has two or three balconies. Interestingly, the Sultan had his own loggia at the top, which could be reached directly by horse. The interior spaces are striking in their high ceilings and grandeur, with the floors being completely carpeted. Entrance to the mosque is free for everyone.

The square is also home to several small but famous landmarks. For example, the historical German fountain, erected in 1901. It is also notorious for the fact that there was a major terrorist attack in Istanbul near it in January 2016.

The Egyptian Obelisk or Obelisk of Theodosius rises nearby. It is considered the oldest building in Istanbul. It was constructed in the 16th century BC. e., and was brought to Constantinople from Luxor in 390.

Nearby you can see a small bronze snake column. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was cast from the weapons of fallen soldiers during the Persian battle. Most of the sculpture was destroyed or lost in ancient times.

One of the tallest and oldest towers in Istanbul is the Galata Tower. With a height of 67 meters and a wall thickness of 4 meters, it is a famous tourist attraction. The tower was built by the Genoese in 1348 and was called the Tower of Christ.

Over the years, it has had many purposes. At first it was a strategic observation post, then during the rule of the Ottoman Empire - a prison. At the end of the 16th century, one of the scientists turned it into an astronomical observatory. And also the Galata Tower served as the site of one very curious legend, which says that one aviator made a flight with the help of artificial wings across the Bosporus Strait.

Today, from the panoramic terrace of the tower you can admire the city and the Golden Horn Bay. The breathtaking views from the tower inspired many artists, for example the Frenchman Pierre Prevost painted a painting from the top floor “Panorama of Constantinople”. You can climb the tower using elevators. There is a restaurant on the top floor. Entrance fee to the observation deck: 25 liras ($7).

Suleymaniye Mosque

The mosque was built in the mid-16th century by Suleiman the Magnificent on the highest of Istanbul's seven hills, which offers incredible views of the Bosphorus. It was designed by the famous court architect Mimar Sinan, who was inspired by the Hagia Sophia. The mosque with adjacent buildings, including a school, a hospital, a canteen, and a hammam, is considered a kind of mini-city. On the territory there is a cemetery where Suleiman himself, his wife and daughter, as well as Mimar Sinan, are buried in mausoleums. Suleymaniye often appears in a number of Hollywood films:

The mosque has four impressive minarets and ten balconies. With these figures, Suleiman wanted to show that he was the fourth ruler of Istanbul and the tenth in the Ottoman Empire. The interior of the mosque is a rectangular room in which 24 columns of white marble and pink granite support a powerful dome. The mosque has impressive acoustics, where even the quietest sound can be heard in every corner. Decoratively, the interior of the mosque is simple, but the decoration is the mihrab, which is completely covered with man-made ceramic tiles from the Turkish city of Iznik. The mosque can simultaneously accommodate 5 thousand people. Entry to Sulaymaniyah is free.

Basilica Cistern

A visit to the Basilica Cistern will allow you to see another facet of tourist Istanbul. Cost of visit - 20 liras ($5.5). This underground complex or "sunken palace" is located in Sultanahmet Square with a magical atmosphere. The great underground work of building the Basilica was done by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century to collect and conserve water.

This architectural structure has impressive dimensions, 336 marble columns are located on an area of ​​one hectare. The reservoir contained more than 80 million liters of water, which was pumped into more than 19 aqueducts. The columns have different shapes, since they were brought from different ancient temples; two of them have the head of the Gorgon Medusa as their base.

Thanks to the special lighting, the atmosphere of this place is very unusual and the marble columns seem to be “suspended” on the water. It is noteworthy that it was here that the final scene of the film “Inferno” with Tom Hanks was filmed. Here are the shots:

Maiden's Tower

The Maiden's Tower (or Leandra Tower) is located 200 meters from the shore on a small island in a bay in the Usküdar area of ​​Istanbul. The time of construction of the Tower is uncertain, but according to some sources the architectural style corresponds to 340 BC. Previously, the Tower was used for a variety of purposes: it was a territory for collecting taxes from traders, a defensive structure and a lighthouse. During the cholera epidemic it was used as a quarantine hospital, then as a radio station. There are many different legends about the tower; a James Bond film was filmed here. Now the Maiden Tower is owned by a private company and operates as a restaurant with excellent 360-degree views.

Rumelihisar Fortress

Thousands of tourists cruising the Bosphorus see the impressive walls and towers from afar. This is the Rumeli Hisari fortress. Construction began in 1452 and, with the help of several thousand masons, was completed in record time, just four months. The Rumel Fortress was built by Sultan Mehmed II at the narrowest point of the strait at an altitude of about 700 meters and had a defensive purpose.

The fortress has three main towers and 13 secondary watchtowers. The main tower is 28 meters high and the walls are 7 meters thick. Now you can only admire the monumental remains of the fortress. The total area of ​​the fortress is more than 31,000 square meters. Entry price - 10 liras ($2.7), with a museum card - free.

Map of the main attractions of Istanbul:

– one of the most amazing cities in Turkey and the whole world. It is able to satisfy all cultural needs of both sophisticated travelers and its casual guests. What is the history of Istanbul attractions? An ancient and mysterious city, a former Greek colony, later the capital of the great Byzantine Empire - Constantinople, the formidable Ottoman Istanbul and was mentioned in the annals of Rus' as the legendary Constantinople - all this is a city that preserves the rich history of the past, combining fidelity to ancient traditions and the rapid development of technology and communications.

Istanbul is unique in that it is located simultaneously in two parts of the world and on two continents; it is called the “Golden Bridge from Asia to Europe.” The city is located on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, connecting three seas: the Black, Marmara and Mediterranean.

Like any metropolis, Istanbul attracts more and more new immigrants, both from the hinterlands of Turkey and other countries; in recent years, its population has been growing rapidly and in 2012 amounted to almost 14 million people. The city has a very favorable territorial and geographical location, which has a positive effect on economic development.

Due to its geographical location, colossal cultural heritage, architectural monuments and colorful interesting places, Istanbul is considered one of the largest tourist destinations in the world and a popular tourist center. This guide article will allow you to choose the most interesting attractions in Istanbul to visit.

The main attractions of Istanbul with descriptions:

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Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) photo unsplash.com

The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque) is probably the most important attraction of Istanbul. This unique building was built between 1609 and 1616. by order of Sultan Ahmed I, in order to gain the favor of God in the conduct of wars and perpetuate his name for centuries.

The Sultanahmet Mosque is the most majestic mosque in Istanbul, notable for the fact that it has six minarets, the number of which is unique in the world. There is a legend that the Sultan ordered the construction of a golden minaret (from the word “altyn” - meaning “gold”), but was misunderstood by the architects, who heard the word “alty” - “six” and they built six minarets.

The mosque was a complex of buildings that included: a hospital, a bathhouse, a market, a primary school, a secondary school and a seminary.
The style of the Blue Mosque is a synthesis of Ottoman and Byzantine architectural styles. It is included in the world heritage of architectural monuments.

• How to get there: high-speed trams going to the Sultanahmet stop.
• Address: Sultan Ahmet Mh., Torun Sk,19
• Operating mode: from 9.00 to sunset.
• Ticket price: free entrance.
• Additional recommendations: You should not visit the mosque during namaz (prayer); when entering the mosque you need to take off your shoes and wear closed clothes.

Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia) photo unsplash.com

Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia): the name of the attraction translated from Greek is “Wisdom of God.” The temple is the personification of several eras at once, a former Orthodox church that glorified the power of Byzantium, built by Emperor Justinian, then converted into a mosque, and now a museum and the brightest example of Byzantine architecture.

During the construction of this cathedral, enormous amounts of money were spent, the best specialists of the time were involved, innovations and expensive building materials were used, such as pink, green, red marble, gold, ivory, pearls and other precious stones.

A visit to Sofia makes you feel as if you have stepped into the Golden Age of Byzantium. It is interesting that the first stone churches in Rus', in Novgorod, Kyiv, Polotsk, were built exactly in the likeness of Sophia in Constantinople.

In restoring the interior of the temple, the restorers showed true talent, achieving the perfect balance between displaying and emphasizing both the Christian and Islamic details of the Hagia Sophia. Now the temple in Istanbul is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• How to get there: Take the high-speed tram to the Sultanahmet stop.
• Address: Ayasofya Meydanı, Sultanahmet Fatih.
• Working hours: from 9.30 to 19.00, except Mondays.
• Entry fee: about 3.5 euros.
• Note: You can take an audio guide in Russian for an additional fee.

Galata Tower photo unsplash.com

Galata Tower: the first thing worth climbing the tower for is the magnificent view of the city. The tower is located on the hill of the same name, its height is 61 m, thanks to which it can be seen from virtually anywhere in Istanbul. It was built in the 14th century and has been preserved in its original form.

The tower is visited by both lovers of medieval architecture buildings and tourists looking for aesthetic views for beautiful photographs and a good overview of the city. There is a cafe and restaurant at the top of the tower, and a popular nightclub at the bottom. This building is also one of the oldest in Istanbul.

• How to get there: from Sultanahmed Square you need to take a tram to the Karakoy stop (immediately after the Galata Bridge)
• Address: Bereketzade Mh., Galata Kulesi, Beyoğlu.
• Operating mode: from 9.00 to 19.00
• Ticket prices: about 8 dollars.

Basilica Cistern photo unsplash

Basilica Cistern: An ancient underground reservoir created in case of the siege of Constantinople, it could hold about one hundred thousand cubic meters of drinking water. This is a place often visited by tourists. It is located in the very heart of the city, in the Sultanahmet district. Walking along it you can not only listen to interesting stories from the guide, but also take a break from the heat of the city. This is a truly romantic, mysterious place, where the columns are illuminated in the twilight and quiet, beautiful music plays.

The cistern is located at a depth of 12 meters and is somewhat reminiscent of a palace, as it consists of almost 340 columns. All the columns are different from each other because they were removed from various buildings, there are two unusual columns with the heads of a gorgon medusa, and one of them is turned upside down, it is believed that this was done so that people would not look into her eyes, so as not to be petrified by the gaze of the Gorgon.

• How to get there: near the Hagia Sophia
• Address: 13 Yerebatan Cad., Sultanahme
• Operating mode: from 9.00 to 17.30 (winter), from 9.00 to 18.30 (summer).
• Cost of visit: approx. 6 dollars

Topkapi Palace photo unsplash

Topkapi Palace: The huge Topkapi palace complex is located on the shores of the Sea of ​​Marmara, was built by order of Sultan Mehmed and was the residence of the padishahs from the 14th to the 19th centuries.

The palace occupies an area of ​​approximately 700 thousand square meters. m, which once housed: the treasury, the Turkish government, an armory, bakeries, stables, gardens with fountains and flower terraces, a palace of concubines and much more.

Now the complex is a major attraction and functions as a museum and has one of the richest collections of artifacts in the world, including collections of magnificent porcelain, weapons, jewelry and furniture inlaid with jewels.

• How to get there: stop "Sultanohmet".
• Address: district Sultanahmet.
• Operating mode: from 9.00 to 19.00 (summer), from 9.00 to 16.00 (winter) Closed on Tuesday.
• Cost of visit attractions: approx. 8 euros.

Dolmabahce Palace photo unsplash

Dolmabahce Palace: the most “atypical” eastern palace, made more in the European Baroque style. It stands in a picturesque location on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, not far from the Katabash and Besiktas piers.

The area of ​​the palace is 45,000 square meters. m, it has almost 300 rooms, Turkish baths, about 70 bathrooms. Its furnishings and decor are made in the best traditions of Turkish luxury and oriental generosity, the floors are covered with parquet and bear skins, about forty tons of gold and sixteen tons of silver were spent on finishing the decorative elements of the palace.

The first president of Turkey, Mustafa Ataturk Kemal, beloved by all Turks, lived and worked in the Dolmahbahce Palace; all the clocks in the complex have the same time - this is 9.05 - the time when Ataturk’s heart stopped.

• How to get there: using the T1 light rail, which goes to the "Kabataş" stop.
• Address: Vişnezade Mh., 34357 Beşiktaş
• Operating mode: Dolmahbahce Palace is open from 9.00 to 16.00, the rest of the complex from 9.00 to 17.00 (except Tuesday and Thursday).
• Cost of visit: a comprehensive ticket is about 12 dollars.
• Note: The palace receives 3,000 visitors a day, so it is better to plan your visit in advance.

Suleymaniye Mosque

Suleymaniye Mosque - tomb of Roksolana and Suleiman photo

Suleymaniye Mosque: Istanbul's largest mosque, accommodating up to 5,000 worshipers, was built by order of the fourth Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent by the talented architect Sinan. Over the past few centuries, Istanbul has experienced dozens of earthquakes, but none of them caused damage or destruction to the mosque.

For many, this mosque is also a romantic symbol of the love of Sultan Suleiman and his concubine Roksolana, who later became his wife and the Sultan’s viceroy during his absence on campaigns. These famous people are buried in the Suleymaniye Mosque.

This is a whole complex where, in addition to the mosque, you can also see shopping arcades with artisans, a kitchen, a dining room, a hospital, fountains, a caravanserai for guests to relax and much more.

• How to get there: Using the light rail, get to the “Eminonu” stop, from there it’s a five-minute walk to the mosque.
• Address: Süleymaniye Mh. (in the old part of Istanbul, Vefa district).
• Operating mode: 9.00 to 17.00
• Price: the entrance is free.
• Note: follow the rules for visiting mosques; the mosque is closed to visitors during prayers.

Ortakoy Marina photo

Ortakoy Marina: A great place for a walk to experience the eclectic flavor of Istanbul, almost all boat trips around the city start from this pier. There are numerous restaurants, open-air stalls and braziers serving local cuisine, as well as silver jewelry and souvenir shops.

It is in this place that you will find one of the two significant bridges over the Bosphorus, one of the most interesting and longest suspension bridges in the world, built by European builders, its length is more than one km.

• How to get there: in the middle of the European shore of the Bosphorus, you can get there from Katabash - 22, 22RE; from Taksim – 40, 40T, 42T.

Sultan Eyüp Mosque photo unsplash

Sultan Eyüp Mosque: one of the most revered shrines in the Muslim world and the main Muslim shrine in Turkey. On the territory of the complex there is a tomb-mausoleum of the companion of the Prophet Mohammed - Abu Eyyup el-Ansari. There are always many tourists and pilgrims in the mosque. Nearby on a hill there is a cemetery of the same name; from the top of the hill there is a magnificent view of the Golden Horn Bay. This mausoleum houses several important Islamic relics, including the footprint of Mohammed.

• How to get there: from Sultanahmet Square to the Eminönü stop, then transfer to bus 99A and get to the Eyüp İskelesi stop
• Operating mode: every day during the daytime
• Cost of visit: the entrance is free.
• Note: follow the rules for visiting mosques in Turkey; the mosque is closed to visitors during prayers.

"Prince's Islands"

Princes' Islands - Istanbul beaches photo unsplash

"Prince's Islands": nine islands located 20 km from Istanbul and administratively belonging to the city, are one of its provinces. The name of the islands dates back to the era of the Byzantine Empire, when members of the aristocracy or royalty who had fallen out of favor were referred here.

Since the 19th century, rich Armenians, Greeks and Jews began to buy villas for their holidays and residence on the islands. But now the population is predominantly Turkish. Some live on the islands permanently, while others use their homes here as summer cottages.

Four of these islands are inhabited and open to tourists. To travel around the islands, only horse-drawn vehicles and bicycles are used, which can be rented for about 15 dollars.

• How to get there: from the Asian side of Istanbul - from the Kadikoy, Kartal and Bostanci piers, from the European side - from the Katabash pier.
• Price from 5 dollars up to 20, depending on the comfort of transport.

Taksim Square photo unsplash

Taksim Square: one of the most beloved and popular meeting places for Istanbulites, this is the heart of modern Istanbul, a bustling place in which there is always a dynamic movement, there are: a train station, cafes, first-class cafes, the Republic Monument and a small garden.

Taksim Square is the final stop for many buses, and the metro also runs through it. The huge building of the Ataturk Cultural Center rises on the square.

• How to get there: by bus or metro to the Taksim stop
• Address attractions: Yıldız Mh., 34349 Beşiktaş

Grand Bazaar ("Grand Bazaar")

Big Bazaar photo unsplash

Grand Bazaar (“Grand Bazaar”): exploring any eastern city would be incomplete without visiting a colorful oriental bazaar or market; there is one in Istanbul; at the moment this market is one of the largest in the world: there are over four thousand shops on 60 streets.

It was built at the end of the 15th century, once its goods included camels, expensive spices and even slaves, but now the choice is much richer: jewelry, fine leather, silk, souvenirs made of wood and ceramics. At the market you can try national cuisine, buy local alcohol and tobacco for hookahs.

• How to get there: Take the T1 light rail and get off at the Beyazıt stop.
• Address: in Old Istanbul, near "Divan Yolu."
• Working hours attractions: The market is open from 8.30 to 19.00, except Sunday.

Egyptian market

Egyptian Market: Another colorful attraction of Istanbul, built in the 17th century, this is one of the oldest markets in the city. It is located on the shores of the Golden Horn, not far from Sirkeci Station, the Galata Bridge and the Rustem Pasha Mosque.

On the territory of the bazaar there are about a hundred shops with Turkish sweets, herbs, spices, dried fruits, teas, oils and, of course, spices. There are jewelry and souvenir shops here.

The market is L-shaped and can be entered through six gates.

• How to get there: Take the T1 light rail and get off at the Eminönü stop in front of the Galata Bridge.
• Working hours: works seven days a week.

Turkish baths

Turkish baths Hamam photo unsplash

Turkish baths: direct heirs to the traditions of the Roman baths are Turkish baths, which provide relaxation to the soul and body. In Turkey, baths are called “hamam”. Since ancient times, hamams have been not only places for hygiene procedures, but also places where people communicated and discussed business. It is interesting that the men's parts of the baths were always lavishly decorated and larger in size than the women's hammam.

In public steam rooms, women were completely naked, while men were required to wear loincloths. Nowadays it is customary to wear a bathing suit or wrap a towel around your thighs.

In modern Istanbul there are more than a hundred baths open to visitors, the best of which are considered to be Çemberlitas, Cagaloglu Hamami, and Galatasaray Hamam.

• Address attractions: Kazim Ismail Gurkan Cad. No:34 Cagaloglu; Turnaibasi Sok. No:24 Galatasaray
• Working hours: works seven days a week, from morning to night.

Dervish dance: A truly unusual dance in the collection of world art is the dance of male dervishes. Initially, dervishes were wandering Sufi monks who, through their dance, wanted to gain the mercy of God and convey it to the earth.

The dance has a mystical message; it is believed that it symbolizes the rotation of planets in space and human souls around the Lord. A dervish can spin for about ten minutes without a break, which is impossible for an ordinary untrained person.

• Address: stop Sikerji station or Mevlesi Monastery: Galip Dede Cad. 15, Beyoglu
• Working hours: on Saturdays at the Mevlesi Monastery, three times a week at the Sikerji station.

Archaeological Museum in Istanbul: The museum is located between Gulhane Park and Topkapi Palace, it is Turkey's main historical museum, built in the Turkish neoclassical style and occupies three buildings.

In 1884, the Ottoman Empire introduced a ban on the export of historical property, thanks to which it was possible to preserve many valuable monuments and evidence of the rich Turkish history. The museum contains a unique collection of archaeological finds from the East, covering different eras, from ancient Egyptian to Assyrian and Ottoman. The museum's collection includes more than a million exhibits.

The museum has global significance and is especially famous for some of its exhibits; for example, it was long believed that the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great was kept there. But as it turned out later, it belonged to the Sidonian king Abdalonimus; the sarcophagus of a weeping woman, also discovered in the necropolis in Sidon, a bell from the Galata Tower of the 15th century and things that were found during excavations of the city of Troy are also interesting.

• How to get there: by tram to the Gulhane stop.
• Address attractions: Aldemar Cad. Osman Hamdi Bey Yoku Sk.
• Working hours: from 9.00 to 17.00, except Mondays.
• Cost of visit: approx. 5 dollars

Chora Monastery: Translated from the Greek "chora" meaning "outside the city", one of the best preserved churches from the Byzantine period in the history of Istanbul is the Church of Christ the Savior in Chora. It is interesting to explore it in order to imagine what the majestic city looked like when it was still called Constantinople in Rus'.

The specific date of the founding of the monastery is not known, but it was first mentioned in the fourth century; in the 6th century it was badly damaged by an earthquake, but was restored by Emperor Justinian, and at the same time a hospital was opened at the monastery.

In the 14th century, the church was decorated with colorful frescoes, mosaics and decorative stones, but when the Turks came to power, they were all plastered over. Restorers restored the original appearance of the decorations only in the middle of the 20th century.

Now the Chora Church is a museum of mosaics and the most richly decorated Byzantine church that has survived to this day.

Not far from the monastery there is another attraction - the fortress wall that once surrounded Istanbul.

• How to get there: by metro to the Edirnekapi station, by bus No. 38 to the Beyazıt stop.
• Attraction address: Kariye Cami Sk No:26, Edirneka.
• Working hours: from 9.00 to 19.00, except Wednesday.
• Cost of visit: approx. 7 dollars

Istanbul is an ancient city that still retains its proud and amazing heritage. The largest port, a cultural stronghold not only of Turkey, but of the entire Muslim world. It is located on the banks of the Bosphorus and is rightfully considered its main pearl. Without any guile, this city can be called truly huge. But here you will not find skyscrapers and tall buildings.

Istanbul carefully preserves its ancient history and is calm about the development of architecture, indifferently looking at progress from the outside. That's not the point here. All the buildings of the city skillfully preserve the hilly landscape of the area, and the sea views are mesmerizing: the reflections of the water surface of the Golden Horn Bay and the Bosphorus Strait attract citizens and tourists. Read about it here.

If you look at Istanbul from the sea, you clearly understand why this is one of the main centers of the Islamic world - on the top of each of the main hills of the city there are majestic mosques, piercing the blue Turkish sky with their high minarets.

It is not surprising that these mosques, each with its own special history, are the main attractions of Istanbul. This is an integral part of Turkish culture, which is admired by tourists from all over the world, and Muslims from different countries come here to touch the main temples of Islam.

The daily chorus of muezzins fills the air and creates a special atmosphere that evokes reverence and respect for the ancient culture.

Sultanahmet Square

Istanbul is one of those cities in which the main attractions are concentrated close to each other. Every tourist who wants to appreciate the local beauty certainly goes to the central square - Sultanahmet.

Here is the largest concentration of cultural attractions. And it is here that the two main attractions of the city – the Hagia Sophia Cathedral and the Blue Mosque – rise majestically.

Adjacent to Muslim temples is a completely non-religious place - a hippodrome. Founded back in the 13th century, it was not only a sports ground, but also an important meeting place and solutions to many public problems. Today you can see a beautiful octagonal fountain, the main decoration of which is a golden mosaic.

Against the background of other attractions on Sultanahmet Square, another monument stands out, or rather the obelisk, Feodosia. It was once transported from Egypt, but underwent changes: it was specially shortened and erected on a marble pedestal.

The series of antiquities continues with the famous column called the snake column. It was created by the Greeks using bronze from the shields of the defeated Persian army. Now the heads of the column’s snakes have been destroyed, but even in this form it deservesly takes its place in the main square of Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia Cathedral

Of course, the main attractions of Sultanahmet, as well as the entire city, are the mosques. And the Hagia Sophia built here is no exception. Its history dates back to the 4th century. Temples were repeatedly founded on this site, but due to various historical events, nothing remained of them.

And only the Hagia Sophia has stood here since 994 to this day. The mosque owes its “birth” to the Byzantine emperor Justinian. He sought to create a grandiose temple that would reflect all the greatness of the empire.

Here you can see that different colors of marble are used in the decoration of the walls and floor: white, pink, as well as red and green. In addition to expensive stone, ivory, carved gold friezes, natural pearls and many precious stones were widely used in decoration.

But it was not only the materials that amazed Justinian’s contemporaries with their high cost and beauty. For the construction of the temple, technologies that were innovative for that time were used: cement became more durable thanks to the addition of vegetable oil, and water for diluting lime was specially infused with barley grains.

Most of all attention was paid to the dome in the cathedral project. The design of bent triangular vaults used for the first time made such a large-scale detail visually completely light and weightless, and multiple arches fill the interior with daylight.

It cannot be said that history has treated the majestic building favorably. Most of the main valuables of the temple were looted or taken away and the main Christian relic of the Byzantine Empire became a Muslim mosque. But even this does not in any way detract from the dignity of the structure, and even today Hagia Sophia delights with its appearance.

The famous Blue Mosque does not lag behind its closest “competitor”. Today it is the main symbol of Istanbul, striking and surprising with its elegance and grandiose decoration.

The mosque begins its history during the time of Sultan Ahmed I. In those days, the country was losing its position and authority, because during the reign of the Sultan there was not a single victory in the wars. And then Ahmed I decided to offer a truly great temple as a gift to God.

Truly unique materials were used during construction. A rare black stone was brought especially for carving the makhrib from the distant and sacred Mecca. Construction work lasted seven years from 1609.

For the interior and exterior decoration, the best elements of the Byzantine style were borrowed, which, in combination with Ottoman classics, created a truly masterpiece ensemble.

Sultanahmet Mosque

It was not for nothing that it was nicknamed the Blue Mosque. The point is in its decor: the ceramic tiles used in construction were specially skillfully coated with blue and white paints. Their manufacturing production worked only for this project, refusing all their previous customers, and it was this arrogance that ultimately led to the ruin of the enterprise.

But, nevertheless, the tiles of the Blue Mosque are a whole work of art, the floral patterns of which are presented in more than fifty variations.

The main wall of the mosque, to which parishioners face during prayer, deserves no less attention. It is decorated with as many as sixty stained glass windows.

Today's glass is not “original”, as it was replaced due to many disasters that were merciless to the fragile colored material. But the previous stained glass windows were a match for the grandiose project: they were carried out by the best Venetian masters.

A separate feature of the mosque is its minarets. Here there are two more than the accepted number - six. History says that this was not a special move by the Sultan, but the fault of the architect, who mixed up the required quantity.

Istanbul is an amazingly beautiful city, attracting not only with its unique culture, but also with its stunning location. Advantageous positions throughout history have haunted foreign conquerors. And the Bosphorus Strait is to blame for it all.

According to the ancient Greek myth, Hera became angry with her husband’s next mistress, the beautiful Io, and then Zeus had no choice but to save her by turning her into a white cow. And then Io fled through the sea strait, giving it the name “cow ford”, or Bosporus.

Its length is 30 kilometers, and the widest part of the strait between Europe and Asia reaches 3500 meters. At the same time, the depth of the Bosphorus is quite modest, approximately 30-80 meters.

Once upon a time, these places were closely associated with ancient Greek legends and myths, but today times are completely different. Now the strait and Istanbul standing on it are completely different, but without losing some of their ancient attractiveness.

To fully appreciate the beauty of the city from the sea, you need to sail along the Bosphorus on one of the local pleasure boats. It is during such a voyage that one can understand that, with its constant contractions and expansions, the strait is very much like a series of small lakes.

The only thing that does not allow you to forget about the port status is the constant flow of ships plying along the Bosphorus.

Another iconic and recognizable landmark of Istanbul is its bridges - the name of Sultan Fatih and the Bosphorus. Now they are paid for travel and are strictly closed to pedestrians, since these main connecting highways of the city were once a favorite place for suicides.

While walking along the strait you can see another interesting place. Here, in the narrowest part of the Bosphorus, there are two high-rise towers. European Rumelihisar on one side and Asian Anadoluhisar on the other. Both of them were erected for the sole purpose of blocking access to the Black Sea, and were used to capture Constantinople. Today, the European tower houses the Artillery Museum.

If after a walk along the sea you want to see the whole of Istanbul at a glance, then you should definitely go to the Galata Tower.

This is one of the most ancient landmarks of the city, and its size is amazing: the 61-meter height of the tower itself is successfully complemented by its location on a hill. Such a scale makes Galata perfectly visible from all parts of the city. It is this advantageous location that has made it so popular among tourists.

They decided to use the good location of the hill back in the 5th century. Then the first local building was erected. What happened to it is unknown, but already in the 14th century the Genoese began the construction of Galata “from scratch.” They called it the Tower of Christ and built it in honor of the increase in the number of colonies.

In its subsequent history, it was used in completely different capacities: the tower was a fire tower, a starting point for air travel, and simply as a beautiful panoramic place overlooking the city.

And since the sixties of the last century, Galata has become accessible to visitors. Now there are restaurants and an observation deck from where there is a stunning view of Istanbul at night.

Haydarpasa Station

If you are not impressed by religious sites, then it is worth visiting Haydarpasa Station. This building is one of the iconic places of the Turkish city. Built in 1909, it has become a real symbol not only of Istanbul, but of the entire country.

The creators of the project were German architects Otto Ritter and Helmut Kohn. To implement the idea, the neoclassical style was chosen. The stone façade was the result of the hard work of renowned German and Italian craftsmen. The construction involved so many workers and engineers that they even settled nearby, populating an entire block.

In 2012, the fate of the building came under the supervision of the World Monuments Fund, as the station ceased to function. There were even ideas about turning the building into a hotel.

Be that as it may, in the Haydarpasa area there are many local attractions that are not as popular as mosques, but also attract the attention of tourists. For example, a museum named after the nurse Florence Nightingale was founded among the Selimiye barracks.

War Museum

Istanbul is a city with a definitely rich history. Over the past years, the city has repeatedly participated in sieges and wars, becoming a stumbling block for many armies. Therefore, when coming here, you should not forget about this part of the Turkish heritage and visit local museums. For example, Military.

Now his exhibitions are very popular and attract not only visitors, but also city residents. The museum is located in the former building of a military academy, and in terms of the number of halls and exhibits it ranks second in the world among military history galleries. Not only military elements are presented here, but also items closely related to Turkish history, which, undoubtedly, largely influenced the development of Western civilizations.

Once this museum was located in the Church of St. Irene, but after the capture of the city by the army of Sultan Mehmed II, a weapons warehouse was located in its building. And later it was restored and turned into a museum, which, unfortunately, did not last long. Everything was looted again and turned into a warehouse.

Thus, the building opened and closed its doors to the general public several times, and only in 1950 it finally moved to the building of the military academy. And already in 1993 the building acquired its current appearance.

One of the main elements of the museum is its military brass band Mehter, whose performances take place daily in the concert hall or in the open air area. The history of the orchestra is no less interesting: during the Ottoman Empire, it took part in campaigns, battles and official parades, performing military marches in an unusual minor key.

Istanbul has unique historical attractions: the center of power of the Ottoman Empire - Topkapi Palace; Dolmabahce Palace, stretching 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosphorus; palaces of Beylerbey, Yildiz, Geksu.

There are almost three thousand small and large mosques, the most visited of which are the Suleymaniye Mosque, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, the Rustem Pasha Mosque, and the Fatiha Mosque.

There are a great many museums in this metropolis; every traveler will find something to see. The most interesting are: the Museum of the Church of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient East, museums of Turkish ceramics, mosaics, aviation, Turkish carpets...

Rumelihisar Fortress

Thus, we can conclude that Istanbul rightfully occupies an honorable place among the most famous and significant cultural centers. Proudly located on the sea expanses of the Bosphorus, the city combines the features of Europe and Asia, the West and the East, but at the same time remains itself, without losing its individuality and without chasing progress.

Where to go in Istanbul – shops, cafes, entertainment

This amazing city will not disappoint food lovers either; for gourmets, this place is simply a paradise. Everyone will be able to experience new taste pleasures, because Turkish cuisine is considered one of the best in the world.

Many tourists go to Istanbul not only for the impressive landscapes and architectural masterpieces. Local cuisine has also become a unique symbol of the city.

And, what’s most interesting, you don’t need to go to luxurious and expensive restaurants to get it: as in all seaside ports, the best place to look for traditional cuisine is in small street eateries and cafes, where they prepare dishes from the freshest ingredients.

It is noteworthy that in local catering establishments it is customary to choose the fish for cooking yourself. Therefore, it is worth remembering that when assessing the famous “red mullet”, you need to carefully examine the scales and eyes - by these signs you can identify a freshly caught fish.

Another surprising fact for foreigners is that, despite the abundance of choice of dishes in seafood restaurants, it is quite difficult to find seafood for sale in stores and supermarkets.

This is due to the religiosity of the local residents, since the Koran prohibits eating “sea scavengers.” However, in the cafe this rule is neglected, which is definitely to the liking of tourists.

You should definitely try such traditional Ottoman dishes as kebab, dener, dolma and Turkish pilaf (pirinç pilyav), which are offered by countless Istanbul restaurants and cafes. While walking around the historical part of Istanbul, be sure to stop for a bite to eat at one of the restaurants located under the Galata Bridge. The freshest seafood, budget prices and a beautiful view of the departing boats are guaranteed to you.

Istanbul is recognized as one of the world's shopping centers. It's worth starting with a visit to the Covered Market (Kapalı Çarşı), where there are more than 4,000 shops.

Continue shopping in stores located in the areas of Taksim, Nisantasi, Sisli. For high-quality shoes and clothes, jewelry, you should go to boutiques located on Istiklal, Rumeli, Cumhuriyet avenues.

And the most fashionable departments are located in the Akmerkez shopping centers (the largest shopping center in Europe), Carousel, Capitol, and Atakei Gallery.

Istanbul is the place where you can get to know Turkey, its culture and history. An original city, colorful and alluring - this is what Istanbul has been like for centuries, and undoubtedly remains so to this day, attracting crowds of tourists from all over the world. And it’s definitely worth visiting at least once to breathe in this sea air, in which history and culture soar.

Visit Istanbul at any time of the year, it is always beautiful. But in the spring, when flowers bloom everywhere, the sun warms, but there is still no exhausting heat and influx of tourists, this fabulous city is simply breathtaking!

What you can see in Istanbul in one day

Read about it here.

Sights of Istanbul photo gallery