Istanbul is a city that wears culture and history, with blending them into an exciting city has a lot to offer for travelers from all over the world. Founded during the Neolithic period.
Today Istanbul is a modern city with historical heritage through mosques, basilicas and cathedrals, and ancient bazaars. Standing between East and West, the largest city in Turkey offers an aura of excitement and magic that attracts all visitors. Here is an overview of the most important tourist attractions in Istanbul:
Galata Tower
The tower is about 67 meters (219 feet), in the Istanbul skyline, and offers a wonderful view of the ancient city and its surrounding areas. There is a stone tower from the Middle Ages, known as the Tower of Christ, it was the tallest building in Istanbul when it was built in 1348. It still stands tall in Istanbul today. The tower has been modified over the centuries, earlier being used as a control tower in the fire. Today, includes the upper reaches of a cafe and a restaurant and nightclub, both reached by elevator in the building, the nine-story, where one can find the stunning vistas.
Archaeological Museum in Istanbul
One of the most important museums in Turkey, and the Archaeological Museum in Istanbul is actually composed of three museums: the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient Museum and tiled stall. Three museums combined to contain more than 1 million of civilizations around the world. Founded in 1891, and was the first Turkish museum, and was located on the basis of the Topkapi Palace. And tiled booth back to 1472. Museums containing thousands of precious artifacts, including the Ark of Alexander the Great.
Church of Chora
Cora or Chora Church is located off the tourist path, and is characterized by catching Al Zoura to enjoy the beautiful Byzantine art so it ended well worth the effort to get there. Magnificent mosaics and frescoes depicting the life of Jesus and his mother Mary. Known as the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, has been described as one of the Business boiled alive beautiful Byzantine architecture. For dating back to the days of Constantine, was the monastery of Chora in its early years, and after a few centuries, it became a mosque, and in 1948, it was converted into a museum.
Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern provide water to the population of Istanbul since the sixth century, which was the order of the Roman Emperor Justinian I built for a visit and leaves for travelers rave about the technology used by the ancient Romans to build this architectural marvel that was very advanced for its day. Well underground, just a few steps from the Blue Mosque, was built on the site Cathedral, which was built in the third century. Known as the Sunken Palace, and the tank can hold up to 2.8 million cubic feet of water.
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace is characterized as a luxurious mansion, and stately and beautiful. Built in the 19th century, using 14 tons of gold leaf, more glamorous palace of Turkey that blends traditional Ottoman architecture with European styles from neo-classical, Baroque and Rococo. It is also home to six sultans of 1856-1924, it is also home to the largest in the wealthy world of Bohemian crystal, a gift from Queen Victoria. It was built along the coast of the Bosphorus.
Süleymaniye Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque visitors say a lot about the beauty and tranquility and a sense of spirituality and inspiration. Located on the third hill of Istanbul, where the order was issued the mosque, which was built in 1550 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Mosque, in fact, is gorgeous, and is characterized by combining the best of the Byzantine and Islamic architecture.
Grand Bazaar
Travelers who love shopping should not miss a visit to the Grand Bazaar, with 5,000 shops, making it one of the largest indoor markets in the world. To receive more than a quarter of a million visitors a day, and the bazaar features such as jewelry, carpets, spices, antiques and hand-painted ceramics.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is one of the attractions you must see in Istanbul, which combines history and scenic in this unique experience. The rich in the history of the Ottoman Empire, which surrounded the Topkapi Palace before five kilometers (3.1 miles) from the stone wall with 27 towers. Topkapi back to the 15th century, and is located on a hill overlooking the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, built in the early 17th century, is still home to an active worship today. This means that he is still accepted by the visitors, as the mosque is closed for hikers during the five daily prayer times for Muslims. And all visitors must remove their shoes and women must cover their hair.
Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia is a house of worship that has served several religions well over the centuries. Began as the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the East, which was home to the Patriarch of Constantinople when it was built in 537. For nearly six decades in the 12th century, and was the Romanian Catholic Church. Became a mosque in 1453, and remained as such until 1931, and then shut down. Even re-opened as a museum in 1935. Earlier was the largest cathedral in the world, while served as inspiration for other mosques, including the Blue Mosque, and this was a great example of Byzantine architecture.