Discover Istanbul, Capital of Culture

Istanbul, one of the oldest cities in the world, is an important center that has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires.

The city, which has been transformed from the first settlement traces of 400,000 years ago into today's metropolis, is home to the cultural heritage of many ages as well as the lifestyles of many different cultural groups.

Especially, many architectural works from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods ensure that the city maintains its national and international charm at all times.

Must See Places

Hagia Sophia Museum

Hagia Sophia is the largest church built by the Eastern Roman Empire in Istanbul and was built three times in the same place. When it was first built, it was called Megale Ekklesia (Great Church) and from the 5th century it was defined as Hagia Sophia (Sacred Wisdom). Hagia Sophia served as a cathedral as the capital's largest church, where the rulers were crowned during the Eastern Roman Empire.

Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque when Fatih Sultan Mehmed conquered Istanbul in 1453. Immediately after the conquest, the building was strengthened and preserved in the best way and continued as a mosque with the additions of the Ottoman Period. The structure, which has been damaged by various earthquakes since the date it was built, was built with pillars (pillars) to support the building in both the Eastern Roman and Ottoman periods. The minarets built by Mimar Sinan also serve as supporting buttresses.

The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the decision of the Council of Ministers and opened on February 1, 1935 as a museum to local and foreign visitors. According to the title deed dated 1936, Hagia Sophia is the title deed in the name of as Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque Sheriff which consists of Tomb, Akaret, Muvakkithane and Madrasah “in the name of Fatih Sultan Mehmed Foundation in 57 plots, 57 islands, parcel 7.

This structure, which is sacred for both Muslims and Christians, has been one of the most important works of Istanbul since its construction. Apart from its religious meaning, it has a significant contribution to the architecture of the world and it is also the largest domed structure built up to Mimar Sinan. The mosaic decorations and calligraphy plates added after being converted into a mosque make Hagia Sophia one of the important centers in terms of handicrafts.

Summer Season - 15 April - 25 October 09.00 - 19.00

Box Office Closing Time: 18.00

Winter Season - October 25th - April 15th from 09.00 to 17.00

Box Office Closing Time: 16.00

Entrance Fee: 40 TL.

Hagia Sophia Museum, according to the winter timetable, the last entry to the museum is from 16.00 to 09.00 to 17.00; According to the summer schedule, the museum can be visited between 09.00 and 19.00, the last entrance to the museum being 18.00. The Museum Card can be obtained from the toll booths.

Topkapi Palace

After the conquest of Istanbul in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the construction began in 1460 and completed in 1478; It is situated on an area of 700,000 square meters on the Eastern Roman acropolis in Sarayburnu, at the tip of the historical Istanbul peninsula between the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was used as the administration, education and art center of the empire for approximately 400 years from Fatih Sultan Mehmed to 31st Sultan Abdülmecid and it became the house of the sultan. Although it was abandoned in the mid-19th century when the dynasty was moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace, it has always maintained its importance.

After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey April 3, became a museum in 1924 and is the first museum in the Republic of Topkapi Palace Museum, Fatih by land make the Sur-i Sultani, by the sea, then it is separated from the city by the Eastern Roman walls. It is one of the largest palace-museums in the world with its architectural structures, collections and nearly 300,000 archival documents.

Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance: 40 TL

Harem Department: 25 TL

Winter Season: 30 October to 15 April

Museum, Harem and Hagia Irene can be visited between 09:00 - 16:45.

Ticket booths close at 16:00.

Summer Season: 15 April to 30 October

The Museum, Harem and Hagia Irene can be visited between 09:00 - 18:45.

Ticket booths close at 18:00.

Dolmabahçe Palace

Besiktas is located on Dolmabahce Street. Dolmabahçe Palace, which was built by Sultan Abdülhamid in 1843 and opened for use in 1856; In addition to 6 sultans, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our republic, is also one of the oldest historical buildings in Istanbul. Harem-i Hümâyûn, which is the private living area of the Sultan and his family , is the palace consisting of the Ministry of Public Affairs (Selamlık), which is reserved for the administration of the state, and the Examination Hall (Ceremonial Hall) used for the feasts and state ceremonies. The Turkish History Congress hosted important events such as the Turkish Language Congress.However, the most important event in the palace is the death of Atatürk. The last passage of respect was made by placing catafalga in the room of Atatürk's body, which died in room 71 of the palace. The Palace, which was partially open to protocol and visit between 1926 and 1984, has been opened as a “museum-palace gez since 1984.

Museum pricing is as follows:

Greetings Full 30 TL

Selamlık Discount 15 TL

Harem-Glass Pavilion-Clock Museum Full 20 TL

Harem-Camlı Köşk-Saat Museum Discounted 10 TL

Selamlık-Harem-Glass Pavilion-Clock Museum Full 40 TL

Selamlık-Harem-Camlı Köşk-Saat Museum Discount 20 TL

Palace Collections Museum Full 5 TL

Palace Collections Museum Discount 2,5 TL

Student trip ticket 5 TL

Palace Collections Museum 2 TL

Dolmabahçe Palace is closed to visitors on Mondays and Thursdays and is open from 09:00 to 16:00 on other days of the week. As in all National Palaces, the museum card is not valid in Dolmabahçe Palace.However, there is no charge for disabled visitors and their accompanying persons.

Atatürk Museum

Returning from the Syrian Front after the war, Atatürk lived in this building for about 1.5 years before going to Samsun. The building, which was later taken over by Hasan Tahsin Uzer, was purchased from Uzer in 1927 and turned into a museum. Atatürk's personal belongings began to be exhibited with a collection of historical documents and portraits.

The museum is located on Halaskargazi Street in Şişli, Istanbul. Free of charge between 09:00 and 16:00 except Sundays and Thursdays

Florya Atatürk Marine Mansion

The building, which is placed on the piles on the sea floor, is connected to the land by a wooden pier. It has been used as a summer work office by Atatürk since August 14, 1935.

The mansion also hosted important invitations and scientific meetings.

The pavilion, which has been connected to the National Palaces since 1988 and serves as a museum, can be seen between 09.00-15.00 in winter and 09.00-16.00 in summer, except on Mondays and Thursdays.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Blue mosque in glorius sunset, Istanbul, Sultanahmet park. The biggest mosque in Istanbul of Sultan Ahmed-Ottoman Empire.)

The Ottoman Sultan I The mosque, built by Ahmed Sedefkar Mehmed Aga between 1609-1917, is known as the “Blue Mosque” in Europe because of the more than 20.000 white-blue and green Iznik tiles.

After the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a museum, Sultan Ahmed is accepted as the main mosque of Istanbul. Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a complex of buildings, but some of the buildings in the complex have not survived. Turkey is Istanbul's first six minarets and mosques.

Hagia Eirene Museum

Topkapi Palace I. Located in the courtyard.

The Hagia Eirene Church, which was built in the 4th century, was rebuilt by the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinianus in 548 after the fire in 532. Since it was not converted into a mosque after the conquest of Istanbul, there were not many changes inside and outside of the place. ”. The structure, which continued to serve as a warehouse under the name of “Harbiye Warehouse 19. in the 19th century, was built in 1846 with the initiative of Tophane Counselor Fethi Ahmed Pasha. it was turned into a museum in sections. The building, which later became a warehouse, was used as a Military Museum between 1908-1940.

Süleymaniye Mosque

The mosque, built by Mimar Sinan in Istanbul between 1551-1557 in the name of Suleiman the Magnificent, is one of the most important examples of Classical Ottoman Architecture.

There is a graveyard on the Qibla side of the mosque where Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Hurrem Sultan.

Suleymaniye Mosque, which is described as the work of Mimar Sinan's journeyman period, was built as a part of Suleymaniye Complex, which consisted of madrasahs, library, hospital, medical school, Turkish bath, imaret, graveyard and shops.

Istanbul Archaeological Museums

The Istanbul Archaeological Museum Complex, which is located on the Gülhane, Osman Hamdi Bey Hill in Fatih district of Istanbul, is one of the most beautiful and magnificent examples of Neo-Classical architecture in Istanbul. The tiled mansion, which was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and exhibited the examples of Turkish tiles and ceramics, is the historical building which was used as the Academy of Fine Arts and was later organized as the Museum of Ancient Oriental Works, the main museum building consisting of the northern and southern wings, and the new exhibition. Due to the need for the halls between the years 1969-1983 annex added to the complex consisting of most of the complex's design of the famous architect of the time Alexandre Vallaury.

The Archeology Museum, which was opened on 13 June (1891), is still celebrated as a museum in Turkey. At the entrance floor halls, there are currently antique statues from the Archaic Period to the Roman Period, and the world famous unique works such as the Sarcophagus, the Weeping Women Sarcophagus, and the Tabnit Sarcophagus from the Sidon King Necropolis. On the upper floor of the two-storey building, there is a Treasury Department, Non-Islamic and Islamic Coin Cabinets and a Library. In the annex building on the basement floor, the works uncovered during the excavations were exhibited. section, Th Thrakia-Bithynia and Byzantium #. consists of parts. On the ground floor of the annex building is the & # 34; Children's Museum & # 34; exhibits. On the 1st floor of the annex building & # 34; section, & Anatolia and Troia through the ages 2. on the 2nd floor, and Çevre Environmental Cultures of Anatolia: Syria, Palestine and Cyprus & on the top floor. chronological order.

Open Hours: 09:00 - 19:00

Ticket Sales Hours: 09:00 - 18:00

You can visit the museum every day except Monday.

Star Palace

Yıldız, which covers an area of 500,000 m2 between Beşiktaş, Ortaköy and Balmumcu, dominating the Bosphorus, is a grove that dates back to the Byzantine period. III. Selim, his mother Mihrişah Valide Sultan for the "Star" was built with the name of this mansion began to be called.

Sultan II. Abdülhamid (1876-1909) period, taking the name of the Stars Palace, the Empire's Old Palace, Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace was the fourth administrative center.

Apart from these important buildings, Kariye Museum in Istanbul, Istanbul Modern, Egyptian Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Eminonu Yeni Mosque, Ortakoy Mosque, Galata, Maiden's Tower, Rumeli Fortress, Yedikule Dungeons, Golden Horn, Pierre Loti Hill, Istiklal Street, St. Antuan Church, Kadikoy Bull Statue, Taksim Square, Beyazit Square, Emirgan and Fethi Pasa Grove, Ataturk Arboretum, Basilica Cistern, Buyukada (Aya Yorgi Church), must also be seen.

Eating And Drinking

Meatballs in Sultanahmet, Kurufasulye in Süleymaniye, dessert in Baylan Patisserie, baklava in Karaköy, fish bread in Eminönü, lahmacun in Kadıköy Borsam, tiramisu in Beyoğlu Ara Cafe, kumpir in Üsküdar Zeki Usta You can eat in Bostancı Nalia, nesting in Beyoğlu Historical Republic Tripe Hall, tripe in Develi, Hamdi, Kaşıbeyaz, kebab in Kanlıca, yoghurt in Kanlıca, and pie in Sarıyer. Don't forget to try Turkish delight from Hacıbekir, Turkish coffee from Mehmet Efendi and boza from Vefa. They are the best advice in their own lane, all of which are identified with Istanbul.

 

THİNGS THAT MUST BE MADE

• Enjoy the most beautiful baths in the world, Cağaloğlu Hamam.

• See the world's oldest love poem in the Museum of Ancient Oriental Art.

• Witness the Hıdrellez celebrations in Ahırkapı.

• Visit the works of Balyanlar, one of the best examples of the craftsman family tradition.From Yıldız Palace to Dolmabahçe Palace, from Selimiye Barracks to Galatasaray High School, the Balyan Family has many touches from the Ottoman period onwards.

• Drink Boza in Vefa Bozacısı.

•  Have a taste of Ottoman cuisine in Asitane Restaurant in Edirnekapı.

 Source: Turkey also need to do before you die than 101 Well, Akdoğan Özkan

Transportation

Istanbul has two airports and two major bus terminals. “Turkish Airlines gerçekleştirmek operates domestic flights from Kurtköy Sabiha Gökçen Airport and international flights from Yeşilköy Atatürk Airport .You can search for “cheapest flights domestic” or “cheap flights orum from go.com and you can find the ucuz cheapest flights göre according to your budget. A “Pegasus ticket” or “thy flight ticket bulunabilir can easily be found with gitorum.com.

Two bus terminals, one in Harem and the other in Esenler, are among the main points of transportation in Istanbul. Again, you can search for your “bus ticket dan from google.com.

Accomodation

Among the hotels in Istanbul, you can find the most suitable hotels and apartments for your budget at gitorum.com, you can benefit from early booking advantages.