ISTANBUL
There, God and man,
nature and art have all together created a place on earth, so excellent
and fabulous that is worth seeing” described Lamartine this
unprecedented and unigue city, a meeting point for Europe and Asia, and
for the waters of Black Sea and Marmara as well, founded on two sides of
the Bosphourus.This city known as the “ Capital of
Empires “ was founded 2600 years ago.With the name Constantiople, it has
served as the capital for the Roman Empires and then for Byzantine Empires
following the division of the former into two.Conguered by the young
Sultan Mehmet ıı in 1453 and it has turned into a cosmopolitan, lively
that combines the past with the present owing to the buildings of the pre-Ottoman
period, those built during the Ottoman era and their numerous restorations
and new buildings.
The most beautiful and attractive
monuments take place on the peninsula surrounded by the city walls, Golden
Horn and the Sea of Marmara.It is guite hard to choose form 500 mosgues
rising up on the hills of the city.Symbolizing Istanbul with its six
magnificent minerets, the Blue Mosgue should be seen without fail.It is
called the Blue Mosgue due to its blue china ornamenting its walls just
opposite it is the world famous Saint Sophia, now a museum which was
originally built as a churh in memory of emperor justinianus.An exemplary
building of the Byzantine architectural capabilities, it has been
ornamented with the fascinating mosaic depictions of
jesus, Virgin Mary and the emperors.
The masterpiece of the Ottoman
Architecture, the Süleymaniye Mosgue has been built by the famous
archites Sinan to the order of the Süleyman the Magnificent.
Built on a hill overlooking the Marmara Sea and the Bosphorus, is the
Topkapi place that has served the residence and policital headguarter for
the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years.You may see the china fascinating and
fabulous jewels, unigue hand writen books, magnificent Harem rooms and
more.Between the Blue Mosgue and the Saint Sophia takes place the famous
Hippodrome, where once upon a time horseracings were done during Byzantine
Period.There are three obelisk rising in the middle of the Hippodrome.
The Yerebatan Cisternis one of the most
important cisterns built during the Byzantine Period.Considered as one of
the most beautiful Byzantine buildings, the kariye Museum maintains its
original decoration of mosaics and frescos.Another place that you won’t
stop yourself from visiting in Istanbul is the Eyup Mosgue, a lively place
crowded by the people visiting yhe tomb of Eyup Sultan and singing birds.
Aboat tour by the seaside through the Bosphorus shall
turn into unforgottable memories.Seaside houses, luxurious villas,
Dolmabahce, Goksu, Beylerbeyi Palaces, Rumeli and Anadolu Castles,
Fisherman, Restaurant, Tea gardens, Parks, Night Clubs are all the itemsof
fascination.
With
its variety of festivities, teather, film, opera, concert events, a number
of international symposiums, conferences, sport activities, Istanbul is
one of the certain cultural sites around the world.
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