Istanbul is one of the most popular cities in Europe. Millions of tourists come here to see the best sights of the country lying on the banks of the Bosphorus. The city is considered very beautiful and fabulous. This place is considered a confluence of two cultures - Western and Eastern. The capital of Turkey is the true heritage of all mankind.
Because Istanbul is well located, it was able to see the entire dawn of civilization. By the way, completely different settlements lived in this place for so many years and centuries. Remember, once there was the majestic Constantinople, ancient Byzantium, and now the capital of Turkey, the city of Istanbul, shines. The names are completely different, but the territory is the same.
Sights of Istanbul
As you know, in this city there is an opportunity to see the beauty of several empires - the Ottoman and Byzantine. Blue Mosque, Oriental Bazaars, Topkana Palace. All this noisy, alluring Istanbul.
We will tellyou in this article in detail about the most famous sights of Istanbul in Russian.
Hagia Sophia
This historical monument is considered the most popular attraction in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia is a real masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It is considered a kind of symbol of the fall of the empire and the beginning of a new Christian life in the city.
The cathedral was built in the sixth century, when Justinian ruled the empire. For such a long time, it has been repeatedly attacked, destroyed, and ruined.
After the city was renamed Constantinople, the temple began to have the status of a mosque, and Christian values were destroyed.
In the first half of the twentieth century, the country's authorities decided to give the mosque a new status. The attraction of Istanbul (photo of it above) has become a museum. This status of the cathedral is in modern times.
Address: Ayasofya Meydanı, Sultanahmet Fatih.
Blue Mosque
This famous temple was erected under Sultan Ahmed in the early seventeenth century. It is interesting that very rare types of stones, including marble, were used in the construction. As for the architecture of the historical building, here you can see a combination of the Byzantine style, as well as the Ottoman one. The famous Khoja Mimar Sinan Agha was engaged in this project, the locals love him very much, because he created more than one famous project. By the way, the people deservedly nicknamed him the Jeweler.
Many tourists wonderwhy the mosque was named that way. Everything is very simple here. The thing is that the building was decorated with a large number of sky-colored Iznik stones. It is also worth noting that the Blue Mosque is one of the main attractions of Istanbul.
Address: Sultan Ahmet Mh., Torun Sk, 19.
Suleimaniye Mosque
No less famous historical building. The author of this majestic landmark in Istanbul is the rather popular architect Sinan. This mosque has become a kind of symbol of the power of the Ottoman Empire.
Interestingly, after the construction was completed, the architect said that this cathedral would stand in place forever. The prophecy of the author of the construction has so far come true, because the mosque has been here for more than four centuries. As you know, there were quite a lot of natural disasters, terrible events in Istanbul, but the mosque survived.
This architectural structure is the largest in Istanbul. In addition, there is a bathhouse, a library, a prayer room and more.
Address: Süleymaniye Mh. (located in the old part of Istanbul, in the Vefa area).
Golden Horn Bay
This is a kind of strait in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Educated a long time ago. In the seventh century BC, the Greeks decided to locate the first settlement here, which later turned into the whole Byzantine Empire.
By the way, the name of the bay was due to its interesting shape in the form of an animal horn. In addition, there are beautiful landscapes. The bay used to be the most importantstrategic and defensive object. The history mentions that earlier the bay had a different name - the Horn of Byzantium.
Bosphorus Strait
We mentioned the Bosphorus at the beginning of this article. This place is considered a kind of border between the Asian and European parts of Turkey. Many citizens and travelers like to call this area the soul of Istanbul.
Several large bridges have been laid across this most famous strait, and many beautiful Turkish mosques and palaces can be seen on the banks.
Istanbul would simply be unimaginable without the beautiful Bosphorus, because clashes between various states once took place here.
Bosphorus Bridge
The bridge is quite modern. It passes through the entire Bosphorus. It was solemnly opened in 1973 in the presence of the President of the country. The bridge is over one and a half kilometers long.
Galata tower
The most popular tower in Istanbul. Considered a Byzantine structure, it was built in the sixth century AD during the reign of the famous Justinian.
After the country was conquered by the Turks in the fifteenth century, the Galata Tower began to function as a lighthouse, a prison, and a fire tower.
It is located on a hill, so it is very noticeable among the streets. In modern times, it is possible to see the city from above by climbing this wonderful tower.
Address: Bereketzade Mh., Galata Kulesi,Beyoğlu.
Topkapi Palace
One of Istanbul's most popular attractions. It is considered the most famous and famous palace in Istanbul. This building has seen so many events that it is very difficult to count them.
Until the nineteenth century, it was considered the residence of the Ottoman rulers. Once there was a palace of the Byzantine Empire, and it was on the remaining ruins that a new structure was built in the fifteenth century, which we can see in modern times. By the way, the new palace was built by order of Mehmed the Conqueror.
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the palace was turned into a historical museum. By the way, it is considered one of the largest in the world. Inside the building there are more than sixty thousand exhibits available for public viewing. Of course, this is not the whole collection. Many tourists emphasize the richness of the palace. There are quite luxurious interiors here.
It is also interesting that the palace has four courtyards and each of them has a separate entrance.
Address: Sultanahmet area.
Dolmabahce Palace
This palace complex was built during the reign of Abdul Mejid the First. It is noticeable that this building has a fairly European look. As you know, the Sultan wanted to surpass European palaces in luxury and scale in this way.
Of course, the ruler succeeded, so the palace turned out to be truly huge. The walls of the building stretch along the Bosphorus. The total area of this complex is fortyfive thousand square meters.
Address: Vişnezade Mh., 34357 Beşiktaş.
Beylerbeyi Palace
No less famous landmark of Istanbul. Located in the Asian part of the city. The palace was built in the nineteenth century. Then it served as the residence of the Ottoman ruler in the summer.
As for the interior of the building, it is made in several styles at once: oriental and European. It is easy enough to see this feature. This is what makes the decoration very original.
But the layout of the building is made in the Turkish style. This is proved by the courtyards of the complex, the pavilion for the harem, as well as the bathhouse, which is called a hammam in Turkey.
Address: Beylerbeyi Mh., 34676.
Basilica Cistern
The famous underground reservoir. It can be seen quite often in modern cinema. For example, in the movie "Inferno".
It was built in the fourth century AD. Previously, this place served as a kind of water reservoir for the townspeople. Water was delivered here through the Belgrade forest through a system of aqueducts. The cistern is located in the city center, so it’s very easy to see this attraction of Istanbul on your own.
As for the ceiling of the cistern, it is supported by a huge number of columns made of marble. Previously, they were part of ancient temples.
It was used only during the reign of the Byzantine Empire, when the Ottomans came to replace it, the reservoir stopped altogetheruse. In 1987, the cistern was cleaned, after which a museum was opened on the territory of the building. At the moment, the attraction of Istanbul (Turkey) is considered one of the most interesting to visit.
City Walls of Constantinople
As you might guess, this fortress was once the defensive system of the Byzantines. The wall was built in the fifth century AD in order to protect the city from barbarian attacks. The construction has come down to our time in perfect condition, since the Ottomans were quite reverent about the city walls. They reconstructed them several times and brought in something new.
In the twentieth century, the government decided to dismantle the structure, but in the eighties the wall was reassembled, and in modern times we can see it. It is quite interesting to look at this ancient landmark of Istanbul. In addition, it is located within the central part of the city.
If you are in this wonderful city, we definitely advise you to see the city wall, because it is considered one of the most popular attractions in the city of Istanbul.
Rumelihisar Fortress
A fairly powerful fort, located on the banks of the Bosphorus. It was built in the fifteenth century, when Mehmed Fatih ruled this land.
By the way, the walls of the fortress were built in just a few months, since this structure was made specifically for the assault on the city of Constantinople. The goal was to cut it off from the strait.
After the greatThe Byzantine Empire fell, the fortress began to be used as a customs point, and only in the twentieth century did restoration take place.
Address: Yahya Kemal Caddesi 42, Bosphorus Rumeli Hisarı.
Egyptian Bazaar
Popular place among citizens and tourists. This market is rightfully one of the real traditional oriental bazaars.
Here sellers communicate with visitors in many languages of the world, and this is what impresses tourists. Once upon a time, most of the goods delivered from the East were sold in this place. Including various spices, medicines, souvenirs and more. Previously, the Egyptian Bazaar was only visited by locals, but now it focuses on buyers from other countries, so now there are more souvenir shops.
In addition, you can buy carpets, traditional dishes, fabrics and decorations. There are quite a lot of different things here.
Hippodrome Square
One of the most famous sights of Istanbul (photo above). More than two thousand years ago, horse races were held in this place.
While the Ottoman Empire owned the area, the amphitheater was dismantled, and most of the materials went to the construction of the famous blue mosque.
In modern times, obelisks of the once ruling Byzantine emperors are located on this square. Among them are Constantine Porphyrogenitus, as well as Theodosius. In addition, there is a serpentine ancient Greek column on the square.
Conclusion
Istanbul is one ofthe oldest and sunniest cities in the world. Once upon a time, settlements and peoples were born here, empires fought for existence, authorities changed and not only. We can observe the remains of an ancient civilization in modern times. By the way, we advise you to see the sights of Istanbul in winter, there is some special atmosphere in this.
We hope that the article was interesting for you, and you were able to find answers to all your questions. In addition, we decided to write an article with the addresses of Istanbul attractions to make it easier for you to navigate.
