Istanbul is the
only city in the world located on two continents and it is connected to two
seas: Black Sea and Marmara Sea. The old city was called Constantinople
and was the house of the Patriarch of the Eastern Christians until the Muslims
conquered it. The city lies at the confluence of several cultures.
1. Hagia Sophia
It was
originally a Christian-Orthodox church and was converted into a mosque in 1453
and then into a museum in 1953. It is covered by a dome that is 56 meters tall,
supported by pendants. Hagia Sophia is one of the most important examples of
Byzantine architecture that remains to this day. For 1,000 years, it was the
biggest Orthodox cathedral.
2. Blue Mosque
It was built
between 1609-1616 by Sultan Ahmet I to compete with Hagia Sophia. It is the
largest mosque in Istanbul and one of the most
famous, the only mosque in Turkey
3. Topkapi Palace
This palace
housed all the Ottoman sultans until the king Abdulmeid I (1860). The palace
was built by Mehmet II after the conquest of Constantinople ,
has an area of 700,000 square meters and a wall of 1400 meters, on which there
are three main gates: Otluk, Demir and Bab-i Hamayun. The palace is a complex
of buildings and annexes that are constantly being developed.
4. Basilica
Cistern
This huge
cistern was founded by Emperor Justinian I and was a venue for artistic and
scientific activities. At the entrance there are 52 steps that you need to
climb down in order to reach the wonderful, 9 meters tall columns set on 12
rows. The wall is 4,8 meters thick and the bricks were plastered with a thick
layer of mortar Horasan to be waterproof.
5. Grand Bazaar
This is one of
the largest covered markets in the world, with 60 streets and 5,000 shops and
is known for its jewelry, hand painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries and
antiques. The Grand Bazaar has been an important commercial center since 1461
and is located at the end of the two main streets.
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