9Istanbul Archaeological Museum
One of the most important museums in Turkey, the Istanbul
Archaeological Museum is actually three museums: the Archaeological
Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum and the Tiled Kiosk Museum. The three
museums combined contain more than 1 million objects from civilizations
around the world. Founded in 1891, it was the first Turkish museum, and
was located on the Topkapi Palace grounds. The Tiled Kiosk dates back to
1472. The museums contain thousands of precious artifacts, including
the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great.
8Chora Church
The Chora Church may be a little bit off the beaten tourist path, but
visitors say the beautiful Byzantine art is well worth the effort to
get there. Magnificent mosaics and frescoes depict the life of Jesus and
his mother, Mary. Known as the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, it
has been described as one of the most beautiful surviving works of
Byzantine architecture. Dating back to the days of Constantine, the
Chora was a monastery in its early years; a few centuries later, it
became a mosque, and in 1948, it was converted to a museum.
7Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern has been providing Istanbul residents with water
since the sixth century when it was ordered built by the Roman Emperor
Justinian I. A visit leaves travelers raving about the technology the
ancient Romans used to build this architectural wonder that was very
advanced for its day. The underground cistern, just a few steps away
from the Blue Mosque, was built on the site of a basilica that was
constructed in the third century. Known as the Sunken Palace, the
cistern can hold up to 2.8 million cubic feet of water. The cistern is
one of the locations used in From Russia with Love, a James Bond
thriller filmed in 1963.
6Dolmabahce Palace
Luxurious, plush and beautiful are just some of the adjectives used
to describe the Dolmabahce Palace, which has been compared to the Palace
of Versailles. Built in the 19th century using 14 tons of gold leaf,
Turkey’s most glamorous palace blends traditional Ottoman architecture
with the European styles of Neoclassical, Baroque and Rococo. Home to
six sultans from 1856 to 1924, it also is home to the world’s largest
Bohemian crystal chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria. The Dolmabahce
Palace’s setting is stunning: It was built along the Bosphorus
coastline.
5Suleymaniye Mosque
Visitors to the Suleymaniye Mosque say its beauty and peacefulness
gives them an inspiring sense of spirituality. Located on the Third Hill
of Istanbul, the mosque was ordered built in 1550 by the Sultan
Suleyman the Magnificent. The mosque, indeed, is magnificent, blending
the best of Islamic and Byzantine architecture. The mosque was
extensively damaged over the years, including during World War I when a
fire broke out while the gardens were used as a weapons depot. It was
restored in the mid-20th century. The mosque is marked by four minarets,
indicating it was built by a sultan. When it was built, the dome was
the highest in the Ottoman Empire.
Travelers who love to shop shouldn’t miss out on a visit to the Grand
Bazaar, with 5,000 shops making it one of the largest indoor
marketplaces in the world. Receiving more than a quarter-million
visitors a day, the bazaar features such items as jewelry, carpets that
may or may not fly, spices, antiques and hand-painted ceramics. The
bazaar dates back to 1461 and today is home to two mosques, four
fountains, two hammams or steam baths, and the Cevahir Bedesten, where
the rarest and most valuable items have been found traditionally. Here
is where shoppers will find old coins, jewelry with precious gems,
inlaid weapons and antique furniture.
3Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is one of the must-see attractions in Istanbul that
combines history and stunning scenery in an experience that is not to be
rushed. Rich in the history of the Ottoman Empire, the Topkapi Palace
is surrounded by five kilometers (3.1 miles) of stone wall with 27
towers. Topkapi, which dates back to the 15th century, is situated on a
hill overlooking the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
At one time it was an official royal residence of the Ottoman Empire
sultans and seat of Turkish government, but is now a museum that is
considered the largest and oldest palace in the world. Visitors can get a
glimpse of the harem’s quarters, where the government worked, a
collection of old weapons used by the sultans, the palace kitchens with a
huge porcelain collection, and the treasury with its collection of
jewels and clocks.
2Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, built in the early 17th century, remains an active
house of worship today. This means visitors need to time their visits
carefully, as the mosque is closed to sightseers during the five daily
prayer times for Muslims. All visitors must remove their shoes and women
must cover their hair. This is a small price to pay for seeing its
priceless treasures that include 20,000 ceramic tiles in various tulip
designs and 200 stained glass windows, all with intricate designs. The
mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet, takes its name from the blue tiles on the
dome and the upper levels of the interior.
1Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia was once a house of worship that served several
religions well over the centuries. It started out as a Greek Eastern
Orthodox basilica that was home to the Patriarch of Constantinople when
it was built in 537. For almost six decades in the 12th century it was a
Roman Catholic church. It became a mosque in 1453, remaining that way
until 1931, when it was closed. It reopened as a museum in 1935. At one
time, it was the largest cathedral in the world at one time, and served
as the inspiration for other mosques, including the Blue Mosque, as it
was such a great example of Byzantine architecture. It is most famous
for its mosaics depicting various religious scenes.
At 67 meters (219 feet) high, the Galata Tower rules over the Istanbul
skyline, offering great views of the old city and its surroundings. The
medieval stone tower, known as the Tower of Christ, was the tallest
building in Istanbul when it was built in 1348. It still stands tall
over Istanbul today. The tower has been modified over the centuries, at
one time being used as an observation tower to spot fires. Today, its
upper reaches include a café, restaurant and a night club, both reached
by elevator in the nine-story building, where one can find the stunning
vistas
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