Istanbul embraces two continents with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe. Through the city's heart, the Bosphorus, course the waters of the Black Sea, the sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. The former capital of three successive empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Istanbul today honors and preserves the legacy of its past while looking forward to a modern future. It is Istanbul's endless variety that fascinates its visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, grand mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem innumerable. Reclining on the western shore of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows of the opposite shore you may suddenly and profoundly undersatnd why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At such times you can see why Istanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.
Kiz Kulesi/Leander's Tower
is one of the most romantic symbols of Istanbul. On a tiny island at the entrance to Istanbul's harbor, the first tower was constructed in the 12th century. The present building dates from the 18th century.
Ortakoy
Artists gather every Sunday to exhibit their works in a streetside gallery. The variety of people create a lively scene. Sample a tasty morsel from one of the the street vendors. In Ortakoy, there is a church, a mosque and a synagogue that have existed side by side for hundreds of years - a tribute to Turkish tolerance at the grass rootss level. Overshadowing Istanbul's traditional architecture is one of the world's largest suspension bridges, the Bosphorus Bridge, linking Europe and Asia.
Ayasofya/Hagia Sophia
Ayasofya adds a different kind of beauty to Istanbul.They are face to face with Sultan Ahmet mosque. Its used as museum at the moment.It is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. Linger here to admire the building's majestic serenity as well as the fine Byzantine mosaics.
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