Istanbul sight seeing Part VIII

Galata Tower | Istanbul sight seeing

Galata Tower : It had been known as the Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) through the Genoese and also the Megalos Pyrgos (The Truly Amazing Tower) through the Byzantines. It features a modern restaurant and coffee shop on its upper flooring having a stunning look at Istanbul. You can see in the classic guide book to the city HERE! 

 

Galata Tower

 image credit: eofor.deviantart.com

Galata Tower History

Galata Tower has dominated Beyoğlu's skyline since 1348 and still offers the best panoramic views of the city. Above, the Golden Horn, Seraglio Point and Old Istanbul as seen from Galata Tower (looking south).

Originally named the Tower of Christ, it was the highpoint in the city walls of the Genoese colony called Galata. Most of the walls are long gone, but the great tower remains.Until the 1960s it was a fire lookout tower. Now the upper floors hold a restaurant, and a panorama balcony.The panorama balcony, encircling the highest row of windows, is narrow, open to the weather, and not recommended for anyone suffering from acrophobia (fear of heights). If you want the full effect, be here at the time of a call to prayer, preferably the sunset call.The balcony is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (7 pm in summer). There's an admission fee.

Credit: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Beyoglu/GalataTower.html

Istanbul sight seeing Part VII

Blue Mosque | Istanbul sight seeing

Blue Mosque : Even though it is commonly referred to as Blue Mosque, its real title is Sultan Ahmet Mosque. It is known for the gorgeous blue tiles and glass work ornamenting its walls.

 

Blue Mosque in sunset

image credit: monosuites.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Blue Mosque (Called Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish) is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design. Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I . just like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a Madrasa and a Hospice. Besides still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul. Besides being tourist attraction, it's also a active mosque, so it's closed to non worshipers for a half hour or so during the five daily prayers. Best way to see great architecture of the Blue Mosque is to approach it from the Hippodrome. (West side of the mosque) As if you are non-Muslim visitor, you also have to use same direction to enter the Mosque.
Credit: http://www.bluemosque.co

 

Blue Mosque

 

image credit: http://www.bluemosque.co

Istanbul sight seeing Part VI

Grand Bazaar | Istanbul sight seeing

The Grand Bazaar : The earliest and biggest covered bazaar (in Turkish Kapali Carsi) on the planet can be found in the middle of the town. Within the Grand Bazaar you may enjoy shopping and discover great deals in 5,000 shops.

 

 

image credit: www.flickr.com

The Grand Bazaar History

The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, and attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewellery, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather, gold jewellery and the like. The bazaar has been an important trading centre since 1461 and its labyrinthine vaults feature two bedestens (domed buildings), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The bazaar was vastly enlarged in the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and in 1894 underwent a major restoration following an earthquake.

 

The complex houses two mosques, four fountains, two hamams, and several cafés and restaurants. In the centre is the high domed hall of the Cevahir Bedesten, where the most valuable items and antiques were to be found in the past, and still are today, including furniture, copper-ware, amber prayer beads, inlaid weapons, icons, mother-of-pearl mirrors, water pipes, watches and clocks, candlesticks, old coins, and silver and gold jewellery set with coral and turquoise. A leisurely afternoon spent exploring the bazaar, sitting in one of the cafés and watching the crowds pass by, and bargaining for purchases is one of the best ways to recapture the romantic atmosphere of old Istanbul.

Credit: http://www.grandbazaaristanbul.org/The_Grand_Bazaar.html

Benefits of Booking Flight Tickets Online

Benefits of Booking Flight Tickets Online

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On these airport terminal sites you will get quality info on the 1000's of international airports, maps and directions towards the airport terminal and chief points of interest, brief good reputation for the international airports and lots of other activities. You are able to become familiar with something more important that you simply always felt the necessity of.

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Istanbul sight seeing Part V

Hagia Sophia | Istanbul sight seeing

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) : Certainly one of Istanbul's illustrious landmark, the Hagia Sofia would be a former chapel, mosque and today a museum. It is an essential achievement of Byzantine architecture. 

 

Hagia Sophia

 

image credit: blogcritics.org

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hagia Sophia Museum (St.Sophia , Ayasofya) was former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul City. From the date of its dedication in 360 until the year of 1453 it served as a Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople. Following by Ottoman Empire, building turned in to a mosque on 29 May 1453 and remained until 1931 when it was closed to the public for four years. It was re opened in 1935 as a museum by the Republic of Turkey. You can get information with professional analysis of Turkey – its politics and history, economic, social, military, and national security systems and institutions, written by the experts at the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress at Here!

With its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture as it is changed the history of architecture.It was also the largest cathedral in the world for almost thousand years until Seville Cathedral built, which was completed in 1520.

The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 with the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It was the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site. The previous two churches been destroyed by rioters. Church was designed by the Greek scientists Isidore of Miletus, a physicist, and Anthemius of Tralles, a mathematician. Hagia Sophia is contained a large collection of holy relics including a 49 foot (15 m) silver iconostasis. It was the seat of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the religious focal point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for almost one thousand years.

In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmed II. Sultan Mehmed II (Fatih Sultan Mehmed) is subsequently ordered the building converted into a mosque.Many items such as bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels were removed and many of the mosaics were plastered over and Instead Islamic features like the mihrab, minbar, and four minarets were added while in the possession of the Ottomans.

As an almost 500 years the principal mosque of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia (St.Sophia, Ayasofya) served as a model for many other Ottoman mosques, such as Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque and others.
Credit: http://www.hagiasophia.co