Sights of Istanbul
Istanbul is not only a major trading center of Turkey, an important port with developed industry and trade, but also the cultural heart of this country. Therefore, it is excursions, entertainment and architectural monuments that should be given special attention here.
A tourist who flew here for the first time almost immediately finds himself in a very popular square. Two monuments of religion and history were built on it. Of course, this is the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Once, namely in 1452, the Sophia Cathedral was turned into a mosque by the people of the Ottoman Empire. But until now, ancient mosaics, minarets and panels from Arabic script have remained in it. In the mid-30s of the last century, there was an appeal that it was simply necessary to preserve the cathedral-mosque as a unique museum. It is located near Sultanahmet metro station. You can get inside quite inexpensively, from half past nine to half past five in the evening.
The mosque named after Sultan Ahmet is located on the same square, literally opposite. This mosque, which is still active today, is one of the main mosques in Istanbul.
IstanbulOf the architectural merits, you should definitely admire the Topkani Palace. It consists of a complex of buildings with four huge courtyards. Among the parts of the palace, the rooms for the sultans’ harem and the church are of particular interest. The complex is located at the same station as this special square with two temples – “Sultankhmet”. The palace is always open to visitors, except Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sights such as the Galata Tower, Dolmabhche and the ugly head of the Gorgon on the Basilica Cistern make a lasting impression. You can also walk along the old fortress wall, which is as much as 22 kilometers.
Tourists believe that in Istanbul you need to do the following:
Before climbing to the top of the Galata Tower and looking at the whole city, which is seemingly in the palm of your hand, be sure to count all the steps you have passed.
Visit the Anadolu fishing district. More precisely, this is a very compact village in the suburbs. Here they prepare very appetizing and tasty dishes from freshly caught seafood.
Relax in the Princes’ Islands. This is a quiet, cozy place to relax on the beach. One of the four islands is usually reached by ferry.
Walk along the Bosphorus. Basically, if you don’t see it, you won’t see Istanbul either. Choose the time for the tour during the day, hours at 3-5 days, then there are much fewer people.
Admire the very edge of Europe, because it is a city on two continents. Take a walk here, drink coffee or wine, admire the beautiful strait.
Look the Gorgon in the eyes and be sure to make a wish. Near the Blue Mosque there is a place that is simply a must for any tourist to visit. Yerebatan-Saray is an underground reservoir surrounded by hundreds of columns. The support for two of them is the huge head of Medusa. Looking into her eyes, make a wish, the most intimate, perhaps even unrealistic. It must come true.
Discover Paris in Turkey. Cezayir Sokak is a neighborhood that is practically no different from the lanes of Paris. Flowerpots with geraniums, outdoor summer cafes, gas lamps.
Confuse the parts of the world. An amazing feature: clothes from Europe are much better and more diverse in the Asian part of the city.
Refute the terrible fallacy. Know: the birthplace of tulips is NOT Holland, but the Ottoman Empire, that is, Turkey. But do not go to the flower market in Istanbul – everything is sold here, but not the bulbs themselves.
