Where to go in Istanbul

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Fairytale Castle: Red School, Fener Greek Boys High School
2007-03-08 12:36:00
A School from 1454 to the present day - Red School, Fener Greek Boys High School , Megali Scholio, Great School, Great School of the NationHigh on the steep hillside overlooking the Golden Horn is a large red brick building reminiscent of a fairytale castle. This building is the Fener Greek Boys High School, but whenever I see it, I half expect to see Rapunzel letting her hair out of one of the tower windows.The district of Fener is one of the most ancient in Istanbul, known to the Byzantines as Fanarion and to the Ottoman Greeks as Fanaraki. In the 19th century it was famous for its masonry houses with richly decorated interiors in Turkish style and for its taverns.It is thought to have been named after the lantern (fener) which during Byzantine times was lit at night in the tower next to Fener Gate so that ships sailing up the Golden Horn would not be wrecked on the rocky shores of the inlet.The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate moved to its new site in the district of Fener in 1601, and...
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Istanbul Toy Museum
2007-03-07 21:30:00
The Istanbul Toy Museum is a small museum dedicated to toys. This very sweet museum was founded by Turkish novelist and poet Sunay Akin in 2005. Consists Sunay Akin's collection of 4,000 toys and miniatures from Turkey and abroad.Meanwhile Sunay Akin has made serious efforts to convert the historical wooden kiosk, belonging to his family, into a cozy museum but really very beautiful. You certainly must see. Adress: Omerpasa Avenue Dr. Zeki Zeren Street No:17 Goztepe/Istanbul (anatolian side) View MapTel: +90 216 359 45 50 - 51Web site:www.istanbuloyuncakmuzesi.com/enen.a spVisiting Hours : 09.30-18.00 (Week Days) 09.30-19.00 (Week Ends) Closed Monday

Taksim Square
2007-03-03 12:00:00
Taksim Square situated in the European part of Istanbul, is a major shopping, tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, and is the location of the Taksim Republic Monument, which was built in 1928 and that commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic.Taksim was originally the point in Istanbul, where the main water line from north of Istanbul collected, and branched off to other parts of the city. This use for the area was established by Sultan Mahmut I. The Square takes its name from the stone reservoir that is located on the side of the square.Taksim is a popular destination for both tourists and natives of Istanbul. Istiklal Caddesi ends at the square, and a nostalgic tram runs from the square along the avenue, ending near the Tünel. Surrounding Taksim Square are numerous hotels, as well as restaurants, pubs, travel agencies, etc. Included in these restaurants, are American chains such as Pizza ...

Mosaics Museum
2007-02-27 20:15:00
This museum, opened to the public in 1953, consists of the remains of the Great Palace of the Byzantine Empire built by Constantine the Great (324-337).Excavated in 1935, these remains consist of mosaics, columns and other architectural pieces which had once been part of the Great Palace. Part of the bazaar of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque Complex is also exhibited in this museum.Mozaik MüzesiArasta Carsisi, Sultanahmet (212) 518 12 05Open daily 9.00 - 17.30 except Tuesday
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Istanbul City Museum
2007-02-27 19:20:00
First opened in 1939 in the Beyazit Medrese, this museum was moved in 1988 to its present site in the Fine Arts Hall of Yıldız Palace. The museum portrays the life of Istanbul through a collection of 18th and 19th century paintings, as well as historical and ethnographic objects such as glassware, china, textiles and metalwork.Şehir MüzesiBarbaras Bulvan, 80690 Yildiz (212) 258 53 44Open daily 9.00-16.30 except Thursday
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Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski Istanbul
2007-02-26 23:10:00
Residence of the last Ottoman sultans, the hotel that you see today is actually two buildings: the faithfully restored stone-and-marble sultan's palace (housing 12 VIP suites) and the modern five-star deluxe hotel, both standing majestically on the shores of the Bosphorus and presiding over a collection of sculpted lawns, marble gates, a waterside swimming pool, and even a putting green. Hard to believe that a little over a decade ago, the Çiragan was a burnt-out shell of its current and former splendor. The guest list reads like a who's who of international royalty, including American's own late and great John and Carolyn Kennedy; but remember, these guys book suites with Bosphorus views, while plebeians get stuck with the drearier and noisier park-facing rooms. (Specify a Bosphorus view when making your reservation, and avoid rooms at the center of the hotel, which sit above the restaurant, which sends food odors and smoke up through the vents.) Already-spacious rooms, made to...
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Miniaturk Istanbul
2007-02-23 19:44:00
Miniaturk, a modern open air museum where the most beautiful samples of the Turk ish and Anatolian history are displayed is situated at Sütlüce on the Golden Horn. This museum, named Miniaturk has been established in order to give both to Turkish people and the tourists an understanding of history in an entertaining way. There are many similar places in European countries. Miniaturk, the construction of which started in June 2001 was completed in 22 months. Here one can see the reflections of many civilizations such as the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilizations. Some of the works displayed in the Miniaturk are Stone Houses of Mardin, Fairy Chimneys, Safranbolu Houses, the German Fountain, Divriği Grand Mosque, Celsus Library, Çanakkale Martyrs Monument, Atatürk’s Mausoleum, the Church of Virgin Mary, Pamukkale, İzmir Clock Tower, Hagia Sophia, Mount Nemrut , The Castle of Anatolia , Bergama Zeus Altar, the Temple of Artemis. In this ...
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Sultanahmet
2007-02-21 11:33:00
Sultanahmet is the Istanbul of postcards and history. This small peninsula was the seat of power for two of the world’s most important empires and has witnessed more history than most continents. Sultanahmet Square (Ayasofya Meydani) is the obvious place to begin exploring, as most of the city’s major monuments are just a few minutes’ walk from here. The square acts as a forecourt for what was, for close to 1,000 years, the greatest church in Eastern Christendom, the Haghia Sophia (Sultanahmet Square, 0212 522 1750). The existing structure was first dedicated on 26 December 537 by Emperor Justinian. Years later, after the Turkish conquest, it was to serve for five centuries as the chief mosque of the Ottoman Empire; it is now open to all as a museum.Directly north of Haghia Sophia are the walls shielding the imperial enclave of the Topkapi Palace. Part command centre for a massive military empire, part archetypal pleasure dome, the palace was the hub of Ottoman pow...
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Istanbul International Ataturk Airport, Turkey
2007-02-21 11:03:00
Airport CodeISTFull Airport Name(Istanbul ) Atatürk Intern ational AirportAddressAtatürk International Airport, Bas Mudur, Ataturk Dhmi, Istanbul Yesilkoy 34830, Turkey Country Code90Telephone(0)212 663 6400 or 663 2550Fax(0)212 663 6250E-mailbilgi@dhmiata.gov.tr or info@tav.com.trWebsitewww.tav.aeroNumber of Terminals2Time ZoneGMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October)LocationThe airport is located 24km (15 miles) west of IstanbulTransfer between TerminalsA walkway with escalators and travelators connects the two terminals.Driving DirectionsFrom central Istanbul, take the E-5 or O-1/O-2 motorways to the airport; the airport is signposted.Car ParkingThere is a car park located at each terminal; with space for 7,200 cars at the International Terminal. A valet service is available (tel: (0)212 465 4433).Car HireCar hire companies include Airport Tours, Avias, Avis, Budget, Hertz, National Car, Sixt and Ülger. Counters are located in t...
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Kalenderhane Musque | Theotokos Kyriotissa
2007-02-19 23:44:00
(On 16 Mart Sehitleri Street, Vezneciler Neighborhood of Eminönü District, Istanbul)Located next to the Bozdoğan aqueduct at Vezneciler in Eminönü, the mosque was originally a church. Dating from the late Roman period, it was modified several times and used for different purposes. Used initially as a lavish palace bath, it then became a rich Kommen church, a mosque, a shanty house and finally a mosque again. Originally, during the Latin occupation of the 12th century, the mosque was a Catholic Italian church. It was later used as a religious establishment by the Kale nderi sect after the conquest of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror. Babüssaade Ağası Maktul Beşir Ağa converted it into a mosque in the first half of the 18th century. A fire caused extensive damage in the 19th century, and it was renovated in 1854. Lightning struck the minaret in 1930 it was then abandoned. It was later researched and excavated by Harvard University and İstanbul Technical University be...
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Huber Pavilion
2007-02-18 18:49:00
Located on the Rumeli side of the Bosphorus, just south of Tarabya Bay, the Huber pavilion is a former residence of the arms merchant and Krupp Corporation executive, August Huber. Although the exact date of its construction is not known, it is surmised that the structure was the work of Italian architect, D'Aranco.When the Huber family left İstanbul prior to the conquest, the real estate passed into the hands of various proprietors until the government took over the residence to be used as a presidential retreat in 1985. The pavilion is magnificent with respect to its sprawling acreage and palatial architecture. The grounds consist of a barn, garage, dwellings for the employees, vast gardens, and 160 acres of surrounding woods
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Saint Antoine Church
2007-02-18 18:42:00
Located in İstiklal Street in Beyoglu, the Saint Antoine Church is on the left side of the street if you are facing from Galatasaray towards Tunel. Construction began in 1906 and the church was completed in 1912. Its architect, Giulo Mongeri, who was born in Istanbul, gave it an Italian Neo-Gothic style. Today it is Istanbul's largest church with the busiest congregation and is run by Italian priests. The Church was built in a courtyard. The entrance of the church in on the main street between two apartments which were built to earn money for the church.

Valide Mosque
2007-02-18 18:33:00
The Vali de Mosque is located on the north-west side of Aksaray Square in Fatih. It was built at the behest of Sultan Abdülaziz's mother, Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, between 1869-1871 and was designed by the architect, Sarkis Balyan. It is also known that Agop Balyan made a contribution to the project. The mosque is actually part of a complex made up of a school, tomb, clock room and public fountain. During the reorganization of Aksaray Square in 1956-1959 the other parts of the complex were either destroyed or, as in the case of the public fountain, moved elsewhere. The Neo-Gothic style of the Valide Mosque differentiates it architecturally from the more classic mosques. The single dome is quite high, but small. The mosque's main body and front are different from any other mosques built up to that period. The neo-gothic embellishments, in particular, reinforce the mosque's unique beauty. The interior of the mosque also boasts an array of rich and beautiful embellishments. The int...

Obelisque | Dikilitas
2007-02-18 17:01:00
The Obelisque is found in Sultanahmet Square but was originally erected in Egypt by Pharaoh Tutmosis III. It was brought to Istanbul by Theodosius I in 390.The Column is 19.59 meters high, made of pink granite and illustrates the battle victories of the Pharaoh on its four sides. The western face of the pedestal contains a representation of Theodosius I seated on this throne, his wife and children at his side, receiving ambassadors.

I am Listening to Istanbul
2007-02-18 16:35:00
TurkishIstanbul 'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapaliOnce hafiften bir ruzgar esiyor;Yavas yavas sallaniyorYapraklar, agaclarda;Uzaklarda, cok uzaklarda,Sucularin hic durmayan cingiraklariIstanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali.Istanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali;Kuslar geciyor, derken;Yukseklerden, suru suru, ciglik ciglik.Aglar cekiliyor dalyanlarda;Bir kadinin suya degiyor ayaklari;Istanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali.Istanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali;Serin serin KapalicarsiCivil civil MahmutpasaGuvercin dolu avlularCekic sesleri geliyor doklardanGuzelim bahar ruzgarinda ter kokulari;Istanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali.Istanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali;Basimda eski alemlerin sarhosluguLos kayikhaneleriyle bir yali;Dinmis lodoslarin ugultusu icindeIstanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali.Istanbul'u dinliyorum, gozlerim kapali;Bir yosma geciyor kaldirimdan;Kufurler, sarkilar, turkuler, laf atmalar.Birsey dusuyor elinden yere;Bir gul olmali;Istanbul'u dinliyorum, go...
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Istanbul Not Constantinople
2007-02-18 15:55:00
Istanbul (not Cons t antinople)by They Might Be GiantsLyricsIstanbul was ConstantinopleNow it's Istanbul, not ConstantinopleBeen a long time gone, ConstantinopleNow it's Turkish delight on a moonlit nightEvery gal in ConstantinopleLives in Istanbul, not ConstantinopleSo if you've a date in ConstantinopleShe'll be waiting in IstanbulEven old New York was once New AmsterdamWhy they changed it I can't sayPeople just liked it better that waySo take me back to ConstantinopleNo, you can't go back to ConstantinopleBeen a long time gone, ConstantinopleWhy did Constantinople get the worksThat's nobody's business but the TurksIstanbul (Istanbul)Istanbul (Istanbul)Even old New York was once New AmsterdamWhy they changed it I can't sayPeople just liked it better that wayIstanbul was ConstantinopleNow it's Istanbul, not ConstantinopleBeen a long time gone, ConstantinopleWhy did Constantinople get the worksThat's nobody's business but the TurksSo take me back to ConstantinopleNo, you ca...
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Süleymaniye Mosque
2007-02-17 13:02:00
The complex is located in Süleymaniye, the neighbourhood of Eminönü named after it. It was built by Sultan Süleyman, the Magnificent in 1557 and designed by Architect Sinan. The Süleymaniye Complex represented the second and most important stage in an architectural tradition which began with the Fatih Complex, namely a symmetrical grouping and use of geometric shaping among the layout of the complex buildings. Of unprecedented size and architectural design, the Süleymaniye Complex includes a mosque, medresse, hospital, lunatic asylum, infirmary tombs, a hamam, a market and a primary school.The Süleymaniye Mosque is an awesome work of art, dating from a time when the Ottoman state was at its most splendid. Grandeur symbolised the period. The mosques, which were the most important feature of the silhouette of Istanbul, were not just places of worship. The complexes and neighbourhoods which surrounded them made them into focus of social and cultural life, an institution which ch...

St. Stephan Bulgarian Church | Iron Church
2007-02-17 12:42:00
This church belongs to the Bulgari an minority and is the most interesting church in Istanbul. The Bulgarian minority of the Ottoman Empire used to pray at the churches of the Fener Orthodox Patriarchy. Due to the nationalistic movements, Bulgarians were allowed to build their own church in the 19th century. First, a small wooden church was built on the shore of the Golden Horn between Balat and Fener squares where the current church is located, but later this was developed into a larger building. An iron frame was preferred to concrete reinforcement due to the weak ground conditions.The construction plans were prepared by Hovsep Aznavur, an Armenian of Istanbul origin. An international competition was conducted to produce the prefabricated parts of the church. An Austrian firm, R. Ph. Wagner, won the competition.The prefabricated parts were produced in Vienna and transported to İstanbul by ship through the Danube and the Black Sea. After one and a half years work, it was completed ...
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Maiden's Tower | Kız Kulesi
2007-02-17 12:37:00
Built on a small rocky island in the middle of the sea near Uskudar, where the Marmara Sea meets the Bosphorus, the Kiz Kulesi (Maid en's Tower , also called Leander's Tower) has been used for a variety of purposes since its first construction. First, this small island was used to control the navy traffic and as a custom's office in 411 B.C.. In the 12th century, the Byzantines used it to project the Bosphorus and they built a defence tower on the island. Although the Ottoman Empire continued to use it for the same reason after the conquest of Istanbul, Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror replaced the old tower with a new one. During the golden years of the Ottoman Empire, the tower was used as a lighthouse, and, on special occasions, was used to salute the guests of the Sultans with gun shots. The tower was completely destroyed by a fire in 1716. The Prime Minister Nevsehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha built today's tower in 1725-25, through in 1943 its wooden walls were replaced by concrete. ...
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Beyazit Tower | Beyazit Kulesi
2007-02-17 12:30:00
Beyazit Tower is located in the garden of Istanbul University in Beyazit and was used as a watch tower of sighting the outbreak of fires.Built of wood in 1749, it was damaged, paradoxically, by fire and then torn down. It was rebuilt in 1878 by the edict of Sultan Mahmud II. The architect was Senekerim Balyan.The 85 meter tower has a roof made of stone and a wooden staircase. It is still used as a watchtower today as well as for gathering meteorological data.
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Fethiye Mosque
2007-02-16 01:13:00
Fethiye Mosque is located in the Fethiye neighborhood of Fatih. It was originally a church (Pammakarasistos) , built in the 13th century by one of the notables of the Byzantine state, Mikhail Glabas Tarkaniotes. It was used as the Patriarchate in 1454 after the conquest of Constantinople. In 1590, to commemorate the conquest of Gerorgia and Azerbaijan in the Iranian wars, the church was converted to a mosque. During the conversion a part of the apse was removed and a niche (mihrap) built showing the direction of Mecca. A minaret and medresse were also added. With the beginning of the Republic era the mosque became a museum and the American Byzantine Institute uncovered the frescoes and mosaics inside in 1955. The arch built by the Turks was replaced by columns as originally found. In the 1960's the mosque was once again opened for worship. The walls of the mosque are a mix of stone and bricks. The Greek inscriptions on the exterior walls and interior mosaics are particularly eye-ca...

Fatih Mosque Complex
2007-02-16 00:58:00
The complex extends along the Golden Horn side of Fevzi Paşa Street in Fatih . Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror had the complex constructed by the architect, Atik Sinani in the years 1463-1470. It was the largest example of Turkish-Islamic architecture to that date and represented an important stage in the development of classic Turkish architecture.The complex includes a set of well-planned buildings constructed around a mosque. They include: a medresse, a library, a hospital, a hospice, a caravanserai, a market, a hamam and various tombs which were added at a later date. The original mosque at the center of the complex no longer stands today. Fatih Mosque you now see was built near the end of the 18th century. The first mosque was badly damaged in the 1509 earthquake, repaired, but was then damaged again by earthquakes in 1557 and 1754 and repaired yet again. In the earthquake of 1766, however, the main dome collapsed and the walls were irreperably damaged. Sultan Mustafa III had a ne...
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Eyup Sultan Mosque Complex
2007-02-16 00:46:00
The complex is located in Eyüp on the shores of the Golden Horn. The mosque, mausoleum and hamam of the complex still stand today, but the medresse and soup kitchen for the poor no longer survive. The first structure built in the complex was the tomb of Ebu Eyyub El-Ensari a "sahabe", or companion of the Prophet Mohammed. He is said to have hosted Mohammed the first time he journeyed to Medina. Known among the people as "Eyüp Sultan ", he is believed to have been martyred during the siege of İstanbul by the Umayyad people in 668-669. It is believed that after the conquest of İstanbul by the Ottomans, the site was revealed to Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror's teacher, Akşemseddin, in a dream. The Conqueror had a mausoleum built on the site. In 1459 Sultan Mehmed, The Conqueror went on to build a mosque, a medresse, a soup kitchen and a hamam, so that the site became a full complex. The first mosque built on the site was so badly damaged in the earthquake of 1776 that Sultan Selim ...
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Dolmabahce Mosque
2007-02-16 00:40:00
The Dolmabahçe Mosque is located on the Bosphorus in the southern part of Dolmabahçe Palace. Construction of the mosque began at the behest of Sultan Abdülmecid's mother, Bezmialem Valide Sultan, but when she died, Sultan Abdülmecid took over. It is completed in 1855, and the architect was Karabet Balyan. It was one the highly decorated Baraque-style mosques. Being part of the palace complex, the mosque contains a front section in which the sovereign and state officials could worship and a two-storey section for the sovereign suitable for the public procession of the Sultan to the mosque on Fridays. The circular arrangement of the windows which resembles a peacock's tail, is an unusual sight relatively unknown among the architects of mosques. The two minarets both have a gallery. The inner door is decorated in a mixture of the Baroque and Empire styles. A valuable chandelier hangs from the alcove. The niche (mihrap) and pulpit of the mosque are made of prophyry marble.

Beylerbeyi Mosque
2007-02-16 00:29:00
Beylerbeyi Mosque is found on the Anatolian shore of the Bosphorus next to the Beylerbeyi quay. It was built by Sultan Abdülhamid I in 1778 in memory of his mother, Rabia Sultan and designed by the architect Tahir Ağa. The mosque is in the Baroque style constructed of cut stone. It is octagonal in shape with two minarets and 55 windows. There is just one dome with the area in front of the mosque niche covered with a half-dome. The interior is decorated with inscriptions and engravings. The mosque is covered with both Ottoman and European glazed tiles. It is a fine example of the meeting and merging of different cultures.(See also: Beylerbeyi Palace)

Ayasofya (Haghia Sophia) Museum
2007-02-12 18:23:00
Haghia Sophia Museum is located in Sultanahmet across from Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Considered one of the finest architectural works in the world, it was originally built as a church. Construction began during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine I, but was only completed in AD 360 during the reign of Constantine II.The first Haghia Sophia was partially burnt during an uprising. It was repaired by Theodosius II and opened to worship in 415, but was burned to the ground during another public uprising in 532. After the revolts, Emperor Justinian determined to build an unparalleled place of worship and entrusted two architect-engineers from Anatolia, Isidores and Anthemios, with the task. Building materials were brought in from all the Mediterranean countries. In addition, the columns of a number of Pagan temples in Anatolia, including the Temple of Artemis, were dismantled and used in the building. The construction lasted five years, and Haghia Sophia was once again open to wors...
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İstanbul Archaeological Museum
2007-02-12 16:27:00
Located between the Gülhane Park and Topkapi Palace, the Archaeological Museum houses a remarkable collection of Greco-Roman antiquities. Osman Hamdi Bey, an important Ottoman painter, was appointed in 1881 as the first director of this museum, which has the distinction of being the first building in Turkey to have been built for the sole purpose of housing a museum. Osman Hamdi Bey spent thirty years collecting antiquities for the museum until his death in 1910, Some of the most important objects housed in this museum are the Sarcophagus of Alexander and the Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women (dated ca. 350 BC), excavated by Hamdi Bey'in Syria in 1887. The museum was opened to visitors in 1896. As the collection grew, new wings were added to the museum in 1902 and!908. It presently consists of thirty-six halls, twenty on the lower floor and sixteen on the upper. This museum was recognized as The "Museum of the Year "by the European Council in 1992. Opposite the Archaeological Muse...
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