Constructed in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinianus, the most prosperous period of the East Roman Empire, the Cistern Basilica is 70m in width and 140m in lenght and supported by 336 marble columns. In 1985 the municipality of Istanbul undertook the restoration of the cistern.
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The Blue Mosque is a prominent landmark in Istanbul. It was founded by Sultan Ahmed the First in 1609. The dome of the Mosque is is 23.5 in diameter and 43m high. It has six minarets, and has a decorative fountain in front.
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Famous Ottoman waterside residences and Palaces along the Bosphorus, also known as Yali or Yalisi. Mostly build from wood. Take the ferry, and enjoy a day on the Bosphorus.
Thracian Castle |
Went to this dinner show. Food was ok, entertainment ok. Nothing great, but good enough for an evening out. Beware, they put a flag with your nationality on your table...
Turkish Belly Dancing |
The Galata Tower is about 65 meters high and offers great views over Istanbul and the Golden Horn. It was built as the Christea Turris in 1348 in then, Constantinople. It was opened to the public in the 1960s and has a restaurant on top. Go there in the morning for the best views, not, like me, in the afternoon. You can get hazy pictures...
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The Grand Bazaar is Turkey's largest covered market offering nice shopping. Turkish carpets, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brass ware, apparel made of leather, cotton and wool.
Istanbul Spice Market |
The Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn is crowded with fishermen. Hundreds of fishermen.
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Hagia Sophia of Theodusius was burned down in the fire of Nika Revolt in 532 A.D. during the reign of Justinian. The same year Justinian ordered to build a new basilica the one we can see today, and only 5 years later, 537 A.D. it was opened to the public. Hagia Sophia, the legacy of both Christian and Muslim culture, was opened for visits as a museum according to the order of Atatürk in 1935. See here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia. Also known as Aya Sofia.
Frescos in Hagia Sophia |
The Topkapi Palace is one of the world famous palaces, and a must if you visit Istanbul. It has many beautiful rooms with marble and mozaics. See the Harem and the Imperial treasury.
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The Hippodrome was where chariot races were held in the time when Istanbul was still called Constantinople. On the Hippodrome you can find three monuments, an Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi, and the Column of Constantine.
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The Istanbul Archaeological Museum is actually a complex of three museums. Museum of Oriental Antiquities, Archaeological Museum, Tiled Pavillion. The museum is one of the largest collections of classic artifacts. It shows sculptures, relics and treasures dating from the Archaic age upto the Roman Empire period.
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There are very many small and cozy restaurants in the Kumkapi area with similar food and attractions. You can find gypsies perform music. Very lively and touristy place, especially enjoyable with a big group.
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Students of Istanbul University chant slogans against the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) and Iraq as they hold national Turkish flags during a protest in Istanbul in 2007.
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Just pictures that didn't find their own category
Men with Carts, Istanbul People |
There are many Orient Express routes, but the one from Istanbul to Paris is one of the famous ones. A trip to Budapest via Romania and Bulgaria takes about 3 days.
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