ISTANBUL
The most populous city in Turkey offers the
traveller virtually everything under the sun, be it history, architecture,
nature, art, adventure, culture, food, shopping or relaxation. What makes
Istanbul so special? Historically it has been the melting pot of cultures and civilizations
of the East and West, as it sits on the Bosphorus River, which is marked as the
border dividing the two halves of the globe. As such, cultural integration has
made Istanbul today a very unique society found nowhere else.
Istanbul is home to many famous monuments
and landmarks from its illustrious and rich history.
From grand palaces to
mosques, churches and fortresses built in different eras by different rulers,
they stand today to form a unqiue identity in this enigmatic city.
A key landmark in Istanbul, the Topkapi
Palace is one of the many cultural heritages found throughout the city. It was
the centre of the Ottoman Empire that ruled Turkey from the 15th
century up to the early 20th century. Commissioned by Sultan Mehmed
the Conqueror , the palace is made up of many smaller buildings, surrounded by
4 larger courts and magnificent wooded
gardens. It is now open to the public , who can catch a glimpse of the Ottoman
days in the palace’s impeccably maintained galleries , featuring royal costumes
, treasures , medieval arts and much more.
Located in the first court of the Topkapi
Palace are the Archaelogical Museums, which houses treasures of antiquity,
notable among all being the Alexander Sarcophagus and the façade of the Temple
to Athena from Assos. Standing in front of the Topkapi Palace is the Ahmed III
Fountain,built in 1729, where the thirsty can stop for a refreshing drink. Its
high ornate design is a superb example of Ottoman artistry.
Another world famous attraction in Istanbul
is the Imperial Sultanahmet Mosque. It is better known as the Blue Mosque due
to its intricate and magnificent blue iznik interior. Mecca, the holy site of
the Muslim world, inspired the design of this place of worship.With its 6
minarets standing tall against the Turkish sky, The Blue Mosque stands to this
day as one of the most recognized architectural wonders in the world.
In front
of the Blue Mosque is the site of the ancient Hippodrome, where chariot races
once took place during the ancient Roman rule. Of the many monuments once
decorating the arena, only the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine
Column and the Column of Constantine are
left standing today .
The design of Hagia Sophia is most notable
in its domes, particularly the main and largest dome. Supported on 40 windows,
which allow natural light to illuminate the vast interior, the dome appears to
“float”. The interior holds mosaic designs from Christian and Muslim eras, most
of which are still in place. Today, the famous domes of Istanbul hold a museum,
which is open to public.
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