Istanbul

Date of publishing: 3/5/2012

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Destination: Istanbul | Date of publishing: 3/5/2012

Introduction, Travel Guide, Landmarks and Historic sites, Museums, Streets, Squares and Neighbourhoods, Other attractions, Getting around, Bars, Tours, Parks and gardens, Nightlife, Travel tips, Safety and Warnings

About
Introduction
- Introduction

arts, entertainment & shopping, extraordinary mix of everything! But, not to forget are the many cultural initiatives organized throughout the year like: the opera & the ballets, theatres & musicals, jazz & rock concerts, and classical music, too! It is eventually interesting to know that Kurban Bayrami, with its fou days celebrations, is one of the greatest religious events in Turkey! Istanbul,is not only a beautiful city but boasts long historical traditions, based on both ottoman and byzantine cultures. Istanbul, widely considered an interesting melting pot of cultures and traditions, covers an area of nearly 100 km2 and ha a rich historical background, whose first traces date back to the Roman Empire, though Byzantine and Ottoman evidences are in its inctredible past, too! Instanbul is a city in whose past history and high cultural traditions are the fast and the propsperity of both Byzantium and Constantinople: at present it stands as the thrilling pulsing cultural heart of the whole country! Turkish cousine is a real specialty and if never tried before, just try it now! Good quality of the ingredients and and scrupolous preparation the secrets! From quick snacks to vegetarian and sea food cooking, but international cousine is there, too! Istanbul is characterized by cold winters with some heavy falls and hot, humid summers. Temperatures vary from 4C to 8C along the cold season and 24C 28C in the summer, and snow between december and march.

A cosmolpolitan and modern metropolis, Istanbul, Byzantium its original name, on the Bosphorous strait, is the economic and cultural heart of Turkey. Located on the Bosphorous, a true cosmopolitan city where live nearly 15,000 people, still estimated as one of the most ancient centres in the whole world, it acts and actually is the economic, politic and cultural heart of all Turkey. Istanbul, between Europe and Asia, is a lively and frenetic city, characterized by commerce & trade, culture & tourism, education &

Attractions
Travel Guide
- Travel Guide

May to June and September to Novembre are nice periods for touring Instanbul, as temperatures are milder, varying between 18C and 24C, and thanks to a better degree of

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wetness. Istanbul offers lots of interesting historical and cultural sights, though, like synagogues and mosques, churches, monuments and museums, a sole opportunity to get in touch with such a magic atmosphere! Better on foot! Just immagine the extrordinary mosqes, supreme witness of Islamic architecture and the multicolured always crowded Grand Bazar! How impressive! Among its most important venues are the Topkapi Palace, Saint Sophia Museum, and Sultanahmet, not to mention the numerous sights widespread throughout the city.

in Istanbul you are struck by the many and beautiful minarets (the tall spires of Islamic mosques), that spring up between houses. Whilst you are similarly struck by theregal Byzantine churches and palaces of the 18th century. You can take ten days to visit the city but you can also do it in only two! Depending of course on how long yo linger at each beautiful builing. The most important monument is the Saint Sophia, formerly the Cathedral of Constantinople. You can't leave the city without seeing it!

- Topkapi Palace

Landmarks and Historic sites

- Istanbul the gateway between continents

Topkapi Palace was home to many Ottoman Sultans unti the Abdulmecid I reign, in a period of four centuries. The construction of the palace was by Mehmed II in 1453. This palace was then an ancient olive grove and covered an area of 700 square meters. It was enclosed with walls that were 1400 meters long length. This historic building is worth visiting. Istanbul is a beautiful city that stands on two continents. One part of the city in Europe, the other in Asia. In this city two different cultures, Muslim and Byzantine,coexist and infuse tocreate a unique athmosphere. When you arrive

- Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque is the imperial Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I o Istanbul. It is known as the Blue Mosque for its interior tiles, which are on the upper level and is difficult to see unless one is right up there. This mosque was built in the

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year 1603 to 1617 and is an amazing masterwork of Ottoman architect, Sedefkar Mehmet Aga and is on the southeastern part of Hippodrome.

- Beylerbeyi Palace
Constructed between 1861- 1865 by Sultan Abdulaziz, the Beylerbeyi palace situated on the Asian side of Istanbul is a popular tourist magnet. Built in a lavish neoclassic style, the palace was used for the summer dwelling of the kings as well as housing the foreign heads of state who visited the Ottoman capital. The current structure has six staterooms and twenty six smaller rooms. Address:&nb sp; Abdullah Aga Caddesi Istanbul, Turkey Telephone: +90.216.321.9320

Sinan and his hands were cut off by Sultan because he failed to surpass the height of the church. The mosque complex has a hospital, caravansary, the kitchens, a school which can accommodate around 1.000 students at any given time. It is located at the highest hill in Istanbul. I has one central dome whose diameter is 26 meters and is supported by four semi domes on each axis. The tombs of Fatih Mahomet II and his wife are located outside the Mihrab wall.

- Sultan Ahmed Mosque

- Fatih Mosque

Sultan Ahmed Mosque is located in Istanbul and is it is a historic mosque. It is the largest mosque in Turkey. This mosque is also known as Blue Mosque because of the blue miles carved on the interior. This mosque was built in the year 1609. This mosque has o tomb of the founder, madrasah and a hospice. It is a popular tourist attraction. The architecture of this mosque is a combination of Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church. There is a heavy iron chain that hangs in the upper part of the court entrance. It is considered to be one of the master pieces o art.

- Suleymaniye Mosque

The Fatih Mosque was built between 1462 and 1470 by Sultan Fatih Mahomet but after an earthquake in 1765 it was almost completely rebuilt. It was designed by Atik

Sulemaniye Mosque is located in Istanbul, Turkey on the Third Hill. It is the second largest mosque in the city and th best-known sights of Istanbul. It was built on the order of Sultan Suleyman. The construction for this mosque began in 1550 and completed on 1558. This mosque is a blend o Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements. The structur of the mosque is very beautiful with tall, slender minarets with large domed building. It references the Dome of the Rock. Its architecture is designed by the Ottoman architecture. This mosque is preceded by a monumental courtyard on its west side. There are four minarets at the four corner of the mosque. It is beautifully designed and a place to worship.

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- New Mosque
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE New Mosque is located in Eminonu district of Istanbul, turkey. It is also known as Mosque of the Valide Sultan or Yeni Camii. It is situated on the Golden Horn at the southern end of Galata Bridge. It is one of the most popular monuments in Istanbul. The exterior of the mosque itself boasts sixty-six domes and semi domes in a pyramidal arrangement, as well as two minarets. The main dome measures thirty-six meters in height, and is supported by four flanking semi-domes. The mosque has beautiful interiors which is the main attraction of Istanbul. It is a place for worship for all the believers.

collection of books, calligraphies and miniature writings including Korans from the 7th and 20th century.

- Istanbul Archaeological Museums

Museums
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts located at Meydam 46 in Sultanahmet in Istanbul is open daily from 10 to 5 except on Mondays. It displays all types of Islamic art and has a collection of more than 40, 000 artifacts. There are seven sections in the museum representing different form of art. The Wooden Works section has a variety of Anatolian wood art, mother of pearl, Koran part cases, tortoiseshell ornamented wooden work from the Ottoman Empire, Anatolian Seljuks art work and more. The Carpet Section has a collection of some of the oldest carpets and rugs belonging to the 15th and 17th centuries.The Ceramic and Glass section has ceramic art samples and glass collections of the Ottoman and Anatolian principalities. The Stone Art section has figures of dragon, sphinx and gryphon belonging to the Abbasi, Ottoman, Emevi and Memluk periods. The Metal Section has metal art samples on silver, tombac, brass, rose water cans, candles and more. The Ethnography section has wool painting techniques, house goods and handmade art items. Hand Writings and Calligraphy displays a rare

Istanbul Archaeological Museum is situated in the Eminonu district of Istanbul and it consists of 3 museums. The museum is open daily from 9.30 to 17.00 hours excep on Monday and lies on Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu Sultanahmet. This includes the archaeological museum which is in the main building, the museum of ancient orient and the museum of Islamic Art also known as Tiled Kiosk. The museum houses more than one million objects which represent different eras and civilizations. The museum was founded by Osman Hamdi Bey in 1891 and was the 1st on to feature Turkish art. In 1991 the museum received the European Council Museum Award for making renovation and including new displays in the other buildings of the museum. The museum has a great collection of Roman, Greek and Hellenistic artifacts. The other collections include statues of ancient times, a Lycian tomb, and parts of statues from temples, coins, medals, seals and decorations

- Mosaic Museum

The Mosaic Museum also known as the Great Palace Mosaic Museum is situated near the Sultanahmet Square at Arasta Bazaar in Istanbul in Turkey. This historical museum lies on the south east of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The museum is open daily from 9 to 4.30 except on Mondays. The museum has an evocative collection of mosaics and one cannot help but get enchanted with the vivid colors and various scenes depicted in them. The collection represents an earlier artistic era and is absent o religious motifs but shows scenes from mythology and hunting scenes. The museum has some of the best Byzantine mosaics from the 6th century showcased in the galleries, which are also the largest and most magnificent ones discovered anywhere else. The museum displays the remains of the Great Palace complex, the emperors residence and setting of

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the Byzantine court.

- Ayasofya Museum
The Ayasofya Museum also known as Hagia Sophia which means Holy Wisdom was previously a basilica which was converted to a mosque and now into a museum. The museum is situated at Aya Sofya square in Istanbul and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 5 daily. The museum is considered as the embodiment of Byzantine architecture and is popular for its massive central dome which is 56 meters high and 31 meters wide. This circular dome which is set on a rectangular base is carried on four triangular sections of masonry. The interior of the museum is covered with polychrome marble with gold and colored mosaics. Light enters through the crown formed by the forty windows and ribs covering the entire interior of the museum. There are 8 calligraphic discs inside which bear the names of Allah and Mohammed and others. The apse, side aisles, semi-domes and main nave are covered with frescos and mosaics which depict imperial and religious motifs or other attractive designs. In the south gallery one can see some of the best mosaics in the church such as that of Deesis.

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- Sultanahmet District

Sultanahmet District is situated in the heart of historic place of Old Istanbul and called as Stamboul by the 19th century travelers. One can find Topkapi Palace, the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and many other historic places at this district. This district is the best base for sightseeing in Istanbul. There are many hotels which are a few minutes stroll from some major sights.

- Besiktas

- Istanbul Modern Museum

The Istanbul Modern Art Museum is a contemporary art museum located in Istanbul. This first of its kind museum of the country is situated in Tophane district on the Bosphorus. It is conveniently accessible by tram. The permanent exhibition of the museum is placed on the top floor whereas the temporary exhibitions are positioned on the lower floor. The museum is also features a restaurant and a library. Website:& nbsp; www.istanbulmodern.org/ Address:&nbs p; Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi Istanbul, Turkey Telephone: 90.212.334.7300 Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday:

Besiktas is a municipality in the city of Istanbul, Turkey. It is situated at the European shore of the strait of Bosphorus It is a popular destination for the tourists visiting the city for the first time because it provides them with an opportunity to get the real Istanbul experience. The municipality is home to a number of prominent sites such as the famed Dolmabahe Palace and Bebek, which is one of the richest neighborhoods of the city. Due an influx of fashionable apartments, international brands and boutique and stylish cafes, the municipality has quickly transformed into one of the trendiest areas of the city. It also feature a huge number of cafes, fine dining restaurants as well as some popular hotels and resorts.

- Fatih

Fatih is located in the district of Istanbul, Turkey. It is an ancient Constantinople. Places like Golden Hom and Sea of Marmara is situated on the north and south side at the borders of Fatih. The Mayor for Fatih is Mustafa Demir. The name Fatih got its origin from the Ottoman emperor Fatih Sultan Mehmed and it means Conqueror in Arabic language. At present, Fatih contains areas including Aksaray, Findikzade, apa, and Vatan

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Caddesi that are more cosmopolitan than the extreme conservative image which the district has in the eyes of many people because of the religious community. [paragrafo018]

terminal and a few popular hotels like Marriott Renaissance, Sheraton, Radisson SAS and Holiday Inn also lie in close proximity. There are Gloria Jeans coffee shops, 3 Burger King outlets, a unisex barber shop, book shops, 2 Starbucks outlets, free wireless LAN an several other facilities provided at the airport.

- Valens Aqueduct
Rising grandly over Atatrk Bulvaris busy traffic, Valens Aqueduct is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Istanbul, Turkey. Constructed in AD 378, the monument was commissioned by the famous Emperor Valens. It was part of a comprehensive system that sourced water from the northern city and linked over 250 km of water channels, 30 bridges and more than 100 cisterns within the walls of the city. It is considered as one of the biggest hydraulic engineering achievements of the old times. Today it is counted among one of the most prominent landmarks of the city of Istanbul and remains a must-see for the tourists.

Eating & Drinking

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- Cheers Bar
Cheers Bar is yet another lively hang out for party lovers. [capitolo021][paragrafo021]

- Archaeological Tour

Getting Around
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- Atatrk International Airport

Atatrk International Airport is situated in Yeilky to the south west of the city. The airport is named after the 1st president of the Republic of Turkey, namely Mustafa Kemal Atatrk.The airport is owned by the General Directorate of State Airports and is operated by the TAV Airport Management.This airport is projected to be among the top 40 airports in terms of passenger traffic which is estimated to be as huge as 26 million in the year 2008.The airport has 2 passenger terminals for domestic as well as international flights.The various flights operating from here include Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Delta Airlines, Czech Airlines, Gulf Air, Thomas Cook Airlines and many more. There is an airport hotel connected to the

In the footsteps of Alexander the Great is the flagship tour of Peter Sommer Travels, a specialist tour operator offering scheduled, expert led cultural and archaeological tours in Turkey, Greece and Sicily. This tour is a great adventure spanning all the way from Istanbul to Antioch. Rated one of the worlds Top Ten Learning Retreats, and one of The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to

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Enrich Your Life by National Geographic, it is a true voyage of discovery. This archaeological tour retraces Alexander the Greats route and his journey in Turkey, from Troy to the battlefield of Issus. In 1994, British archaeologist, filmmaker, and tour guide, Peter Sommer, walked 2,000 miles across Turkey, retracing the route of Alexander the Great, and in the process fell in love with the country, its ancient civilizations, and the Turkish people. Now you can join him on this extraordinary adventure spending time at the sites of once glorious but now ruined classical cities; immersed in the sights,sounds and people of Alexanders ancient world. During this archaeological tour, youll discover the history and architecture of the most important cities on his route, visiting Istanbul, Troy, and beautifully preserved Ephesus. The Tour starts in Istanbul with a welcome drink and dinner and a full day visit of the city which includes the Archaeological Museum, home to the Alexander Sarcophagus, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the beautifully eerie underground cisterns believed to have been built between the 3rd C and 5th C AD and constructed using columns taken from nearby ancient ruins. Crossing the Marmara Sea at the Hellespont where Alexander made sacrifice to Poseidon, youll move on to the plain of Troy where, at Achilles tomb, Alexander ran naked, anointed with oil to pay homage to the hero. Exploring the ruins youll visit great temple of Athena where the fabled shield of Achilles was presented to Alexander. At monumental Ephesus youll arrive just as the tourist buses depart allowing you time to roam its marbled paved streets and visit its villas, agoras and beautiful archaeological museum. The tour moves on to Didyma and here youll visit the colossal oracular temple of Apollo, one of the most breath-taking monuments in the country. In Bodrum there is a chance to relax and shop before visiting the site of the celebrated Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the ruins of the fortifications of the ancient city and finally the Crusader Castle of

St. Peter now home to the Bodrum Museum of Underwate Archaeology. The tour heads east to Xanthus and then on to Kalkan where youll board a traditional Turkish gulet, and sail along the calm coasts of Lycia relaxing and swimming in the bays and harbours of its ancient coastal cities. Cruising into Phaselis, the city in which Alexander was crowned with golden wreaths on his arrival we visit the Antalya Museum and its collection of Roman Sculpture, Aspendos with its stunning theatre and Termessus Our tou moves on from the colonnaded streets of Perge to Sagalassos, once a vast ancient city captured by Alexander; to Gordion, the capital of ancient Phrygia and then on to the fairy chimneys, rock-hewn churches, and underground cities of Cappadocias amazing geological landscape. We finish our journey at the battlefield of Issus and then to the breath-taking displays of mosaics at the Antakya museum Peter will escort you all the way, giving you the benefits of his great knowledge of Alexander the Great, as well as the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. It truly isa oncein a lifetime kind oftrip.

- Mediterranean Tour

Turkey is a country full of history and brilliantly preserved archaeological sites.Exploring it ona cultural guided tour, led with expertise and passion, can be a fascinating experience for every traveller. Peter Sommer Travels is a specialist tour operator based in Britain thatprovides its customers with a great variety of tour options,includingarchaeological toursand gulet cruises along the coast of Turkey and through the Greek islands. Each tour is organized to give travellers an indepthhistorical journey, escorted by expert guides archaeologists and specialists who know the country and i history, and are also good communicators. Guides include Peter himself, an archaeologist who has walked 2,000 miles across the country retracing the route of Alexander the

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ofAlexander the Great. The trip has been rated one of the top ten learning holidays in the world by National Geographic, and is led by Peter, the owner of the company Starting inIstanbul, travellers will see a great number of sites linked with Alexander's campaign and hislife, such a Troy, whereAlexander paid homage to the tomb of Achilles by running around it naked, and Ephesus, where one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world once stood. Tours are designed for small groups only and follow a responsible travel policy that helps support the local economy. [paragrafo023]

- Glhane Park

Glhane Park is a renowned historical urban park located in the city of Istanbul, Turkey. It is situated in the Eminn district on the grounds of the famous Topkapi Palace. The southern entrance of the park features one of the bigger gates of the palace. The park is considered as the oldest park in the city. It is also among the most expansive park in Istanbul. At the center of the park, there is an avenue o huge oriental plane trees. The park also features planes, oak, elm, ash, ilex, terebinth as well as wild pear that belong to the forests of the well known Gulf of Izmit. [img023] Great; Michael Metcalfe, an archaeologists who speaks Turkish, Greek, and Italian; and Nigel Spivey who has presenteda number ofBBC TV series and written a great many books on ancient history. The gulet cruises are designed to be relaxing, with swim stops aplenty, and fresh Turkish food prepared by the onboard chef. They allow you to travel without the need to pack and unpack, and give you the opportunity to see the country from a maritime perspective - the way the ancients would have approached the land. On land they have a number of cultural tours including an epic 19 day adventureIn the footsteps [capitolo024][paragrafo024]

- Babylon

Live music club that offers music from the international jaz world music and electronica scene

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[sparagrafo025]Turkish bar specialized in fruit juices[sparagrafo026]High class restaurant since 1888 offers Ottoman kitchen.

Sophia is a popular church in the city. [capitolo030][paragrafo030]

- Milk Disco
Another upper end disco is Milk, which remains open till the small hours during the weekends.

- Safety and Warnings

- Ghetto
Situated in the heart of Beyoglu, Ghetto is an immensely popular music lounge with a striking architecture that contrasts its name. It was established in Feb, 2007 by the transcontinental saxophonist, Ilhan Ersahin. In a short span of time, Ghetto has created a niche for itself in the city of Istanbul. Focusing on the local and indie bands, the place is also well-known for hosting some of the popular international musicians. It also features and bar and serves Turkish food. Address:&nbs p; Ghetto Istanbul, Kalyoncu Kulluk Caddesi, 10, Beyoglu 34440, Istanbul Telephone: 90.212.251.7501 [capitolo029][paragrafo029]

While in the Yerebatan Saray Sarnici, remember that the steps are quite slippery and one can easily lose ones balance. Therefore, if you are in a group or with a tourist guide, always make it a point to stick together.The temperature drops drastically in Istanbul even in summe so expect unpredictable weather. Temperatures can be expected to drop by fifteen degrees, even on a very hot day. So, if you are not comfortable with sudden weather changes, ensure that you have the proper accessories. Also, the sudden change in weather may induce headache and vomiting in some people, so be prepared and bring any medicines that you may need under these circumstances.These are just some of the warnings for tourists going to Yerebatan Saray Sarnici. Other than tha one should always travel light, travel in groups and keep medicines handy in case they are needed urgently.

- A Brief Tourist Guide

Istanbul is a place where one can enjoy food, nightlife, sight seeing and natural beauty.The day time can be spent experiencing the scenic beauty and architectural wonders in the city. The city holds some famous food joints where lip smacking delicacies are served.Haci Abdullah is the best place for having lunch. This restaurant serves traditional food at low prices. However, alcoholic beverages are not served in this restaurant.Tourists hang out at the Cicek Pasaji. Here, enormous numbers of fast food stalls are gathered together. One can experience mouth watering local recipes at these stalls. Shopping freaks can visit the shopping malls or market places in the city.Some of the shop owners offer attractive discounts on various local goods. Open markets are places for bargains as well. Tourists can visit the museums and churches in the city. Hagia

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