Istanbul is one of the most popular cities in Europe. Millions of tourists come here to see the best attractions of the country lying on the shores of the Bosphorus. The city is considered very beautiful and fabulous. This place is considered a confluence of two cultures - western and eastern. The capital of Turkey is the real heritage of all mankind.
Due to the fact that Istanbul is quite well located, he managed to see the whole dawn of civilization. By the way, completely different settlements lived in this place for so many years and centuries. Remember, once there was a majestic Constantinople, ancient Byzantium, and now the capital of Turkey shines - the city of Istanbul. The names are completely different, but the territory is one.
Istanbul Attractions
As you know, in this city there is an opportunity to see the beauties of several empires - Ottoman and Byzantine. Blue Mosque, oriental bazaars, Topkan Palace. All this is the same noisy, alluring Istanbul.
In this article we will tell you in detail about the most famous sights of Istanbul in Russian.
Saint Sophie Cathedral
This historical monument is considered the most popular attraction of Istanbul. Hagia Sophia is a true masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It is considered a certain symbol of the fall of the empire and the beginning of a new Christian life of the city.
The cathedral was built in the sixth century, when Justinian ruled the empire. For such a long time, he was repeatedly attacked, destroyed, and also ruined.
After the city was renamed to Constantinople, the temple began to bear the status of a mosque, and Christian values were exterminated.
In the first half of the twentieth century, the country's authorities decided to give the mosque a new status. The landmark of Istanbul (photo above) has become a museum. The cathedral also has this status in modern times.
Address: Ayasofya Meydanı, Sultanahmet Fatih.
Blue Mosque
This famous temple was erected under Sultan Ahmed at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Interestingly, very rare types of stones, including marble, were used in the construction. As for the architecture of the historical building, here you can see a combination of the Byzantine style, as well as the Ottoman. The famous Khoja Mimar Sinan Aga was engaged in this project, the locals love him very much, because he created more than one famous project. By the way, people deservedly called him Jeweler.
Many tourists wonder why the mosque was named that way. Everything is very simple here. The thing is that the structure was decorated with a large number of Iznik stones of heavenly color. It is also worth noting that the Blue Mosque is one of the main attractions of Istanbul.
Address: Sultan Ahmet Mh., Torun Sk, 19.
Suleymaniye Mosque
No less famous historical building. The author of this majestic landmark in Istanbul is the rather popular architect Sinan. This mosque has become a kind of symbol of the power of the Ottoman Empire.
Interestingly, after the construction was completed, the architect said that this cathedral would stand forever. The prophecy of the author of the construction is still being realized, because the mosque has been here for more than four centuries. As you know, in Istanbul there were a lot of natural disasters, terrible events, and the mosque resisted.
This architectural structure is the largest in Istanbul. In addition, there are a bathhouse, a library, a prayer room and more.
Address: Süleymaniye Mh. (located in the old part of Istanbul, in the district of Vef).
Golden Horn Bay
This is a strait in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Formed a long time ago. In the seventh century BC, the Greeks decided to locate the first settlement, which later turned into a whole Byzantine empire.
By the way, the bay got such a name due to its interesting shape in the form of an animal horn. In addition, there are beautiful landscapes. Previously, the bay was the most important strategic and defensive object. In history, it is mentioned that the bay had a different name earlier - the Byzantium Horn.
Bosporus strait
We mentioned the Bosphorus Strait at the beginning of this article. This place is considered a certain border between the Asian and European parts of Turkey. Many citizens and travelers like to call this territory the soul of Istanbul.
Several large bridges are laid across this famous strait; on the banks you can see many beautiful Turkish mosques and palaces.
Istanbul simply could not have been imagined without the beautiful Bosphorus, because here once clashes between different states took place.
Bosphorus Bridge
The bridge is quite modern. It passes through the entire Bosphorus. It was inaugurated in 1973 in the presence of the president of the country. The length of the bridge is more than one and a half kilometers.
Galata Tower
The most popular tower of Istanbul. It is considered a Byzantine building, was built in the sixth century AD during the reign of the famous Justinian.
After the country was conquered by the Turks in the fifteenth century, the Galata Tower began to function as a lighthouse, prison, and also a fire tower.
It is located on a hill, so it is very noticeable among the streets. In modern times, there is an opportunity to see the city from a height by climbing this wonderful tower.
Address: Bereketzade Mh., Galata Kulesi, Beyoğlu.
Topkapi Palace
One of the most popular attractions of Istanbul. It is considered the most famous and famous palace in Istanbul. This building has seen a lot of events, and it is very difficult to count them.
Until the nineteenth century, it was considered the residence of the Ottoman rulers. Once there was a palace of the Byzantine empire, and it was on the remaining ruins that a new structure was built in the fifteenth century, which we can see in modern times. By the way, the new palace was built by order of Mehmed the Conqueror.
After the Ottoman Empire fell, the palace was turned into a historical museum. By the way, it is considered one of the largest in the world. Inside the building there are more than sixty thousand exhibits available for general viewing. Of course, this is not the whole collection. Many tourists emphasize the wealth of the palace. There are quite luxurious interiors.
It is also interesting that the palace has four courtyards and each of them has a separate entrance.
Address: Sultanahmet District.
Dolmabahce Palace
This palace complex was built during the reign of Abdul Majid the First. It is noticeable that this structure has a fairly European look. As you know, the Sultan thus wanted to surpass European palaces in luxury and scale.
Of course, the ruler did it, so the palace turned out to be truly huge. The walls of the structure stretch along the Bosphorus. The area of this complex is forty-five thousand square meters.
Address: Vişnezade Mh., 34357 Beşiktaş.
Beylerbeyi Palace
No less famous landmark of Istanbul. Located in the Asian part of the city. The palace was erected in the nineteenth century. Then he served as the residence of the Ottoman ruler in the summer.
As for the inside of the building, it is made in several styles at once: Eastern and European. It is easy enough to make out this feature. This is what makes the decoration very original.
But the layout of the structure is made in the Turkish style. This is proved by the courtyards of the complex, the harem pavilion, as well as the bathhouse, which is called a hamam in Turkey.
Address: Beylerbeyi Mh., 34676.
Basilica Cistern
The famous underground reservoir. It can often be seen in modern cinema. For example, in the movie "Inferno."
It was built in the fourth century AD. Previously, this place served as a kind of water reservoir for the townspeople. According to the aqueduct system, water was delivered here through the Belgrade forest. The tank is located in the city center, so this landmark of Istanbul is easy to see on your own.
As for the ceiling of the tank, it is supported by a huge number of columns made of marble. Previously, they were part of ancient temples.
It was used only during the reign of the Byzantine Empire, when the Ottomans came to replace it, the reservoir was no longer used at all. In 1987, the tank was cleaned, after which a museum was opened on the construction site. At the moment, the landmark of Istanbul (Turkey) is considered one of the most interesting to visit.
City walls of Constantinople
As you might guess, this fortress was once a defensive system of the Byzantines. The wall was built in the fifth century AD in order to protect the city from the attacks of barbarians. The construction has survived to our time in perfect condition, since the Ottomans were rather reverent about the city walls. They reconstructed them several times and introduced something new.
In the twentieth century, the government decided to dismantle the building, but in the eighties the wall was reassembled, and in modern times we can see it. It is interesting enough to look at this ancient landmark of Istanbul. In addition, it is located within the central part of the city.
If you will be in this wonderful city, we definitely advise you to see the city wall, because it is considered one of the most popular attractions in Istanbul.
Rumelihisar Fortress
A fairly powerful fort located on the banks of the Bosphorus. It was built in the fifteenth century, when Mehmed Fatih ruled this land.
By the way, the walls of the fortress were built in just a few months, since this structure was made specifically for the assault on the city of Constantinople. The goal was to cut it off from the strait.
After the great Byzantine empire fell, the fortress began to be used as a customs point, and only in the twentieth century did restoration take place.
Address: Yahya Kemal Caddesi 42, Bosphorus Rumeli Hisarı.
Egyptian Bazaar
A popular place among citizens and tourists. This market is rightfully one of the real traditional oriental bazaars.
Here sellers communicate with visitors in many languages of the world, and this is what impresses tourists. Once upon a time in this place they sold most of the goods delivered from the East. Including various spices, medicines, souvenirs and more. Previously, only the locals visited the Egyptian bazaar, but now it focuses on buyers from other countries, so now there are more souvenir shops here.
In addition, you can buy carpets, traditional dishes, fabrics and decorations. There are a lot of different things.
Hippodrome Square
One of the most famous sights of Istanbul (photo above). More than two thousand years ago, horse races were organized in this place.
While the Ottoman Empire owned this territory, the amphitheater was dismantled, and most of the materials went to the construction of the famous blue mosque.
In modern times, on this square there are obelisks of the once ruling Byzantine emperors. Among them, Konstantin Bagryanorodny, as well as Theodosius. In addition, the square has a serpentine ancient Greek column.
Conclusion
Istanbul is one of the oldest and sunniest cities in the world. Once upon a time, settlements and peoples were born here, the empire fought for existence, the authorities were replaced and not only. The remains of an ancient civilization we can observe in modern times. By the way, we advise you to see the sights of Istanbul in the winter, this has some special atmosphere.
We hope that the article was interesting for you, and you managed to find answers to all the necessary questions. In addition, we decided to write an article with the addresses of the sights of Istanbul, so that it would be easier for you to navigate.