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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These flight booking www.onetravel.com deal directly using the air travel companies which assist them to offer attractive discount rates and deals on ticket booking. If you need to fly frequently because of business travel, then you need to make sure to join up together. You are able to become their privilege customer and explore advantageous deals. You'll be also titled towards the discount rates throughout peak seasons too. Probably the most favorable a part of coping with online travel ports is information. For example, if you're searching for plane tickets to San Francisco you don't just get status of flight and follow-up information, but additionally directions, parking status, places to go to and all you would use while traveling. The authority to information might have never been so significant!

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.

Just one website can provide you with info on various air carriers and back and forth plane tickets. Regardless if you are a weight leisure trip and searching for plane tickets to Miami, or wish to go La to satisfy a company connect, you receive the entire control and control over your vacation.

Search for the Best Airline Ticket Deals

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

Istanbul sight seeing Part IV

Suleymaniye Mosque | Istanbul sight seeing

Suleymaniye Mosque : It's the biggest and many imposing mosque as being a definite architectural masterpiece within the city. The aesthetic supremacy of their exterior and interior and it is perfect proportions happen to be captivating the site visitors for hundreds of years.  

 

The Suleiman Mosque

 image credit: www.visit2istanbul.com

History

The Suleiman Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and constructed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The construction work began in 1550 and the mosque was finished in 1557.

The mosque is modeled in part on the style of a Byzantine basilica, particularly the Hagia Sophia, which was perhaps a conscious move on the part of the sultan to create a continuity and a symbolic connection with the city's past.

The Suleiman Mosque was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored on the command of Sultan Mehmed IV by architect Fossatı. The restoration, however, changed the mosque into a more baroque style, damaging the great work severely.

The mosque was restored to its original glory during the 19th century but during World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited, the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it restored again. Today, the Suleiman Mosque is one of the most popular sights in Istanbul.
Credit: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-suleiman-mosque

Istanbul sight seeing Part III

Istanbul Archeology Museum | Istanbul sight seeing

Istanbul Archeology Museum : It's among the world's wealthiest assortment of historic items and treasures. It really includes three museums: the Museum of Oriental Antiquities, the Historical Museum and also the Tiled Pavilion. I name it "Istanbul, The Imperial City"

İstanbul Archaeological Museums

image credit: www.tripadvisor.com

About the Museum

The İstanbul Archaeological Museums, a museum affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is located in İstanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood, on the Osman Hamdi Bey slope connecting the Gülhane Park with the Topkapı Palace. Its name is plural, since there are three different museums under the same administration: The Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum (Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesi) and Tiled Kiosk Museum (Çinili Köşk Müzesi).

During an İstanbul Archaeological Museums tour, it is possible to visit the extraordinarily beautiful garden of the museum and the three different buildings inside this garden.

The İstanbul Archaeological Museums, which is housing various artifacts from civilizations that had left their traces to different periods of the history, is one of the 10 most important world-class museums designed and used as a museum building. Additionally, it is the first institution in Turkey arranged as a museum. Besides its spectacular collections, the architectural aspects of its buildings and its garden are of historical and natural importance.

The İstanbul Archaeological Museums is welcoming all visitors who want to make a journey in the corridors of the history and to trace the remains of ancient civilizations.
Credit: http://www.istanbularkeoloji.gov.tr/about_the_museum

Istanbul sight seeing Part II

Topkapi Structure | Istanbul sight seeing

Topkapi Structure : It had been the place to find all of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries. This splendid structure is really a museum now. The Treasury from the Museum of Topkapi Structure is recognized as probably the most celebrated treasuries on the planet. Find Lonely Planet travel guide Here! 

 

Topkapý

 image credit: news.searchcheapflights.co.uk

History of the Topkapi Palace

Topkapý Palace was not only the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. Initially constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, and expanded upon and altered many times throughout its long history, the palace served as the home of the Ottoman sultans and their court until the middle of the 19th century. In the early 1850s, the palace became inadequate to the requirements of state ceremonies and protocol, and so the sultans moved to Dolmabahçe Palace, located on the Bosphorus. But despite this move, the royal treasure, the Holy Relics of the Prophet Muhammad, and the imperial archives continued to be preserved at Topkapý, and—since the palace was the ancestral residence of the Ottoman dynasty as well as the place where the Holy Relics were preserved— Topkapý continued to play host to certain state ceremonies. Following the abolishment of the Ottoman monarchy in 1922, Topkapý Palace was converted into a museum on 3 April 1924, on the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

After the conquest of Constantinople, Sultan Mehmed II (r. 1444–46, 1451–81) had a palace built in what is modern-day Istanbul’s Beyazýt district, on the spot where the University of Istanbul stands today; this first palace subsequently became known as the Old Palace (Eski Saray). Following the construction of the Old Palace, Mehmed II then had the Tiled Kiosk (Çinili Köþk) built, followed by Topkapý Palace itself, to which the court relocated when construction was complete. Mehmed called this place the New Palace (Sarây-ý Cedîd). The palace received its current name when Sultan Mahmud I (r. 1730–54) had a large wooden palace constructed near the city’s Byzantine walls, in front of which were placed several ceremonial cannons; this seaside palace was named the Cannon Gate Palace by the Sea (Topkapusu Sâhil Sarâyý), and, when this palace was destroyed in a fire, its name was transferred to Mehmed II’s New Palace.

Topkapý Palace, which developed and grew over the centuries, had a design that itself played an important role in Ottoman governmental philosophy and in the relations between the palace and its subjects. When Topkapý was first built, its plan was influenced by the splendor of the Edirne Palace located on the Tunca River, which had been constructed by Mehmed II’s father, Sultan Murad II (r. 1421–44, 1446–51) but very little of which survives today. The basic design of the palace is centered on various courtyards and gardens, around which are arranged offices devoted to state business, the buildings and pavilions serving as the residence of the sovereign, and the buildings set aside for the court employees who lived in the palace.
Credit: http://www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr

Istanbul sight seeing Part I

Istanbul sight seeing

Istanbul is really a mega-city, along with the cultural, economic, and financial center of Turkey and it is the biggest city in Turkey. Istanbul is mainly noted for its Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, nevertheless its structures reflect the different peoples and empires which have ruled its forerunners. Genoese, Roman, as well as Greek architecture remain visible in Istanbul alongside their Ottoman counterparts. Aside from to be the biggest city and former political capital of the nation, Istanbul happens to be the center of Turkey's economic existence due to its location like a junction of worldwide land and ocean trade routes. Istanbul can also be Turkey's biggest industrial center.

Nowadays, you will find more happening restaurants, bars, art galleries and clubs out and about than you will find exquisite Ottoman mosques (and that is a great deal). The city's over-abundance of important historic structures and exciting new galleries and museums provides site visitors using more than enough to determine throughout your day, but it is during the night the place shifts into high-velocity, mega-stylish action. Local people are scrambling to determine and become seen in an ever-growing variety of bars, clubs and restaurants, getting together a contagious feeling of Joie de vivre along with a discerning capability to judge these places on their own standard and services information, drinks, music and food in addition to their position within the what's-hot-and-what's-not stakes.

Using its lengthy history in the center of empires, Istanbul offers an abundance of historic and religious places to take. The majority of these typical monuments, dating back Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods can be found here and a few of the must see sights in Istanbul are 

Dolmabahce

Dolmabahce Structure : The architect Garabet Balyan handled to mix the Oriental and Western styles and built the structure through the order of Sultan Abdul Mecid between your many years of 1843-1856. The structure is lavishly decorated with luxurious furniture, deposits and carpets.

image credit: en.structurae.de