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Istanbul, which was known as capital of the capital cities, and created
huge peace geographies with reigning to first Roma, and then Eastern
Roman (Byzantium) Empire and continents, and was the capital city of
Ottoman Empire, is going to a modern future with preserving magnificence
of history with proud. Variety in Istanbul is really charming the
visitors. It is serving infinite nuances with its museums, churches,
palaces, mosques, bazaar places and natural beauties. When you lean
against backside at the coast of the strait, you feel Istanbul as "center
of the world" and understand why people select this extraordinary place
centuries before with watching the reflection of the red at sun set from
the houses at the coast.
Most beautiful monuments of the city are
in the peninsula between Goldern Horn - Marmara Sea - Ramparts.
Silhouette of mosques exceeding 500, rising at the hills of the city,
creates a magnificent atmosphere. One feels himself / herself nearly in
a dream between past and today! You should see Sultanahmet Mosque, which
is also named as "Blue Mosque" due to its blue tiles, used in its
decoration, and which become the symbol of Istanbul with its six
minarets. Famous Hagia Sophia Museum, which is constructed as a church
during Emperor Justinien, is at the opposite of it; this architectural
master of art structure is adorned with excellent mosaic panels,
describing Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and emperors. Süleymaniye Mosque,
which is watching these two monuments on another hill, is the peek point
of Ottoman architectural art. It is constructed by Mimar Sinan due to
the request of Magnificent Süleyman.
On a finger of land at the
confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara
stands the Topkapi Palace, in which the sultans and their court lived
and governed the empire for 400 years. You can see Chinese porcelain
collection, golden adorned and jewelry decorated thrones, sultan
costumes, jewelries remembering the tales, rare manuscript books, and
harem halls which draw attention for centuries in Topkapı.
There are Byzantine Period famous
Hippodrome, where cart races are performed, and three obelisks from that
period in the middle of the hippodrome between Hagia Sophia and
Sultanahmet Mosque.
Yerebatan Palace is one of the most
important water cisterns, constructed during Byzantine period. Kariye
Museum, which is deemed as one of the most beautiful Byzantine era
pieces of art, is preserving its mosaic and frisks adorned original
décor. Another place you should see in Istanbul is also Eyüp Mosque.
Here serves an infinite lively ambient with pigeon noises to the moral
pleasure searchers with visiting Eyüp Sultan.
Istanbul is a city where historical
structures are met with modern ones, and become new, and while Kapalı
bazaar is insisting on holding the signs of dreamy days of history with
its labirent like structure, at the same time serves the new products of
the modern world; impressive jewelry, copper objects, carpets, various
leather and suet clothing... Once you have drawn by its attraction, you
can travel for hours in this bazaar without resting. |
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