Culture of Istanbul. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces
Istanbul is home to numerous old buildings and religious sites. Hagia Sophia Cathedral is one of the most popular places of interest among tourists. It was built in the beginning of the 6th century. After the capture of Constantinople the great cathedral was converted into a mosque. In 1934 the building of the cathedral was turned into a museum. Nowadays visitors can see here priceless collections of art objects.
Istanbul is an ideal city for lovers of shopping. It is full of luxury shopping malls, colourful markets and original stores. Osmanbey area is a perfect place for purchasing new clothes and … Open
Discovering the architecture of Istanbul from bird's eye view! Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Maiden Tower, New Mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, all those monuments are defining the image of Istanbul … Open
The number of historic landmarks in the Pearl of the Bosphorus can be compared with the number of skyscrapers in Hong Kong (although the number of tall buildings in Istanbul itself is also amazing). The city is full of fascinating museums, among which we have; the Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum for lovers of luxury cars, the Atatürk Museum for getting acquainted with the history of the New Time, and Vakıflar Halı ve Kilim Müzesi, introducing visitors to the traditional craft of Turkey. There is also the Madame Tussauds Museum, among whose wax figures you can make out those of both international and local cult-heroes. Another interesting museum is called the Hisart Canli Tarih Muzesi, a kind of paradise for lovers of military history.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Eyup Sultan Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace, Grand Bazaar, Beylerbeyi Palace, as well as many others, they all become the world's cultural heritage objects and remain as iconic monuments for Istanbul … Open
Basilica Cistern, or Yerebatan Sarnıcı, is probably one of the most amazing places in Turkey’s largest city. It became famous among the general public thanks to the movie “Inferno”. However, it is worth noting that this is one of the most interesting buildings for the exploration of the culture and history of Istanbul. The mystical atmosphere so typical of the place is simply mesmerizing – it is the dim light, the head of the Gorgon Medusa, the water illuminated by red lights, and numerous columns that contribute a lot to this effect. There is a beautiful legend connected with the place, which is still a big mystery.
East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet... wrote Rudyard Kipling in one of his poems. However, there is a place on Earth, where this wise statement simply doesn’t … Open
City tours, excursions and tickets in Istanbul and surroundings
Plan your own excursion through Istanbul: churches, museums and castles
Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul
Location on the map: Facts:
» Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the largest and one of the most beautiful mosques of Istanbul. The name ‘Blue Mosque’ it owes to a huge variety of blue and white ceramic tiles used in interior decoration. » Construction of the mosque has being carried out for 7 years and was completed in 1616.
» The most unusual part of the Blue Mosque is a niche for prayers carved from a huge piece of marble with a black stone, which was brought here from Mecca.
» The mosque has a separate entrance for the Sultan, who came here on a horse. Before the entrance there was a low-strained chain for the passage, so he had to bend down. Thus, he gave praise to God and demonstrated the insignificance of the Sultan before the Almighty.
» When construction of the Blue Mosque was completed, it was found that the most sacred mosque in Islamic world, Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, was caught up in the number of minarets (there were six of them) by Sultan Ahmed Mosque. It was treated as sacrilege, so it was decided to attach another minaret to the Masjid al-Haram to make it to surpass all existing facilities once again.
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
Location on the map: Facts:
» Topkapi Palace can be considered the whole city located on the territory of Istanbul, because the total area of the palace is more than 700 thousand square meters, and the length is about 5 kilometers. » Topkapi Palace houses a vast collection of treasures including jewelry, costumes, weapons and sacred artifacts. Major exhibits include cape and sword of the Prophet Mohammed and his collection of porcelain, which is the third most important in the world.
» The fifth largest diamond in the world, which is set in silver and surrounded by 49 smaller diamonds, is kept in the Treasury of the Palace.
» One of the main attractions of the Palace, Harem, is a protected and prohibited place. Only people, which were very close to the Sultan, including his family, wives, concubines, eunuchs and servants had access there. Entrance to the Harem was strictly forbidden to outsiders; all inside was run by the mother of the Sultan.
» The Palace has being the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years.
Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Location on the map: Facts:
» While constructing this mosque, architect Sinan uttered the famous phrase, "The mosque will stand for eternity." » Lamps in the mosque are made of ostrich eggs. They became home to a huge family of spiders, which are bred because of herbs, incense and spices in an oil lamp.
» There are many legends associated with the Suleymaniye Mosque. It’s said that a piece of black stone of the Kaaba was placed inside its dome. According to another legend, gems could be found in the minarets of Suleymaniye. Persian Shah has sent gems as a sponsorship to build the mosque; those were meant to gode Sultan Suleiman. The Sultan in anger has ordered to lay these treasures in the masonry of one of the minarets.
» Previously Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul was not only a religious institution, as there were hospital, madrassa, shelter, baths, and a caravanserai.
» Suleymaniye Mosque also houses the tomb of Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife Roxelana.
Eyup Sultan Mosque, Istanbul
Location on the map: Facts:
» Eyup Sultan Mosque is built on the place of burial of the standard-bearer of the Prophet Muhammad, Eyup Ansari, who was killed at the siege of Constantinople. » There is a tradition concerning the throne succession. According to it, the future ruler certainly must visit Eyup Sultan Mosque, where he will wear the legendary blade once belonged to the founder of the dynasty of Osman Gazi and, only then, he will be declared the ruler of the Muslims.
» Today, the holy Muslim relics are carefully preserved inside the mausoleum; the footprint of the Prophet Muhammad stands among them.
» It’s simply impossible not to notice shadyrvan, the ritual ablutions fountain, at the entrance of the mosque. It’s intended for the girdling the sword ceremony.
» The mosque was often subjected to destruction and reconstruction. The most devastating was an earthquake of 1766. Sultan Selim the Third decided to demolish the almost destroyed mosque and rebuild it anew.
Galata Tower, Istanbul
Location on the map: Facts:
» Galata Tower was built in the mid-14th century. Then, it had a different name, the Tower of Christ, and its structure was designed to perpetuate the expansion of the Genoese colony of Constantinople. » During the reign of Sultan Selim II, Galata Tower was used as an observatory tower.
» Since 1874, it was used as a watchtower. The tower, which was called Big Bastion by the Byzantines, and the Tower of Jesus by the Genoese, has changed its appearance several times during Ottoman era.
» On the seventh floor, you can see the relief image of Hazerfena Ahmet Celebi. He was the first person who managed to fly using homemade wings.
» Galata Tower provides the best view of the Golden Horn, the historic peninsula, the Bosphorus and the Asian coast.
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What to visit during two-day excursion in Istanbul
Turkish Baths
Where: Vezirhan Cad. No, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 522 79 74;
Where: Vezirhan Cad. No, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 522 79 74;
Topkapi Palace
Where: Babihümayun Cad., Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 512 04 80;
Where: Babihümayun Cad., Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 512 04 80;
Aya Sofya
Where: Ayasofya Meydani, Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 522 17 50;
Where: Ayasofya Meydani, Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 522 17 50;
Sultanahmet Or The Blue Mosque
Where: Hippodromen, Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 518 13 19;
Where: Hippodromen, Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 518 13 19;
Süleymaniye
Where: Prof Siddik Sami Onar Cad. Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 514 01 39;
Where: Prof Siddik Sami Onar Cad. Sultanahmet, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 514 01 39;
Chora Monastery / Kariye Camii
Where: Kariye Camii Sok. Edirnekapi, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 631 92 41;
Where: Kariye Camii Sok. Edirnekapi, Istanbul; Telephone: +90 212 631 92 41;
Boat trips
Reference information
Public palaces near Istanbul
♥ Palace 'İbrahim Paşa Palace' , 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Tophane Palace' , 1.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Topkapı Palace' , 1.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Aynalıkavak Palace' , 2.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Dolmabahçe Palace' , 3.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Ihlamur Palace' , 4.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Çırağan Palace' , 5.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'İbrahim Paşa Palace' , 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Tophane Palace' , 1.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Topkapı Palace' , 1.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Aynalıkavak Palace' , 2.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Dolmabahçe Palace' , 3.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Ihlamur Palace' , 4.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Palace 'Çırağan Palace' , 5.2 km from the center. On the map Photo
Art galleries in Istanbul and around
♥ Art museum 'Rezan Has Museum' Istanbul, 0.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'SALT (institution)' Istanbul, 0.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Turkish Calligraphy Art' Istanbul, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Tiled Kiosk' Istanbul, 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum' Istanbul, 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Rezan Has Museum' Istanbul, 0.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'SALT (institution)' Istanbul, 0.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Turkish Calligraphy Art' Istanbul, 1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Tiled Kiosk' Istanbul, 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum' Istanbul, 1.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
Cathedrals and basilicas near Istanbul
♥ Ayatriada Rum Katoliki Kilise, Istanbul, 2.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Esprit, Istanbul, 3.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Ayatriada Rum Katoliki Kilise, Istanbul, 2.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Esprit, Istanbul, 3.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
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Photogallery of cultural heritage of Istanbul
Landmarks of culture on Istanbul map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc
Culture guide to Istanbul. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Istanbul: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Istanbul. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!