TURKEY ISTANBUL - FROM KARAKOY TO ORTAKOY

FROM KARAKOY TO ORTAKOY

The route from Karakoy to Ortakoy is accompanied with the scenery dominated by the Istanbul Strait, which makes it one of the most enjoyable excursions in Istanbul.

After the Karakoy ferry terminus, the Meclisi Mebusan Street will lead you to a well-known place of Istanbul, Tophance (gun foundry). Tophance takes his name from the imperial workshops dedicated to gun making. There used to be other military buildings around the workshops.

Along the shores of Karakoy id the first museum of Turkey dedicated to modern art, Istanbul Modern Art Museum. In the museum permanent exhibitions as well as frequent temporary exhibitions are available for visitors. The Café at the museum offer a wide panorama of the Istanbul Strait including Sultanahmet. You may view the works of Turkish and foreign artists or enjoy a refreshing drink at the café to prepare yourself for the rigours of the next phase of the route.

On this route mosques and palaces   are in close proximity along the shore. One of the most interesting mosques here is just past the Kabatas Pier- Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque, also known as Dolmabahce Mosque. Its architectural style and clock tower reflect European architecture and it was built in 1853 by Bezmialem Valide, the mother of Sultan Abdulmecit.

The secondary name of the mosque, Dolmabahce, is also the name of the palace here. It is the first example of palaces set along the shores of the Istanbul Strait. Once Topkapi Palace was abandoned, the sultan and his family never returned there and settled instead in European-style palaces. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic spent last days of his life here.

When you visit Dolmabahce Palace, which came into use after the Topkapi Palace ( which had been the seat of the Ottoman dynasty for 400  years) was abandoned, you will notice how palace life had changed.

The DENI MUZESI (NAVAL MUSUEM) is situated on a significant site. It is next to the Tomb of Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, the most famous Grand Admiral of the Ottomans. The museum exhibits documents and objects related to Ottoman naval history as well as models of warships. There are a few examples of royal rowing boats and ensigns from the important victorious battles such as Battle of Preveza.

Barbaros Hayrettin whose tomb is next to the museum was a significant figure in world naval history. He was the first Grand Admiral of Ottoman navy and fought against piracy in Medoterranean and won one of the largest and most important Turkish naval engagements, the Battle of Preveza ( an ensign from this battle is on view at the museum).

 There is certain poignancy in the fact that such an important mariner lies in his resting place within earshot of waves and with a commanding seascape before him. Since his burial in the tomb, the general staff of the naval armadas leaving port always paid a visit to his tomb. The tomb which was designed paid a visit to his tomb. The tomb which was designed and built by the legendary architect Mimar Sinan is available for public viewing on 4 April and 1 July, but is closed to visitors at all other ties.

After Topkapi was abandoned new palaces were built along the shore. However, the YILDIZ PALACE was different as it was built on a hill dominating Istanbul. Today the palace gardens, which are known as Yildiz Park, are a haven of peace in Istanbul. The largest building in the palace complex is he Mabeyn (Interval) Kiosk which was built during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz .The most interesting part of the Kiosk is the crystal balustrade made up of more than 3000 separate parts, each of which has its own tune when tapped.

If you proceed from Besiktas through Ciragan Street, lined with old trees, you come to the next palace building, Ciragan Palace. This was built by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz in 1871, and it is used as a hotel nowadays. After passing along the Ciragan Palace, you arrive at the buildings of Galatasaray University and Kabatas Boys’ High School.These buildings, used to be the ancillary buildings of the palace and known as Palaces of Feriye, were used by the Sultan’s children as well as high ranking officers working at the Palace.

One you have completed this enjoyable route you will have reached Ortakoy, one of the entertainment centres of Istanbul. The Ortakoy Mosuqe is identified with the district and shows the influence of European architecture. It was commissioned by Sultan Abfulmecit in 1853 on one of the prime locations of the Istanbul Strait on a silver of land jutting into the sea. Its first patron and his successor, Sultan Abdulhamit , were known to come to this mosque for Friday prayers and then return to the Beylerbeyi Palace on the opposite shores of Istanbul Strait.

Following your excursion to Ortakoy you can rest in one of the tea gardens around the Ortakoy Mosque and enjoy the scenery of the Istanbul Strait, the Bogazici Bridge draped in the colors of the last sunrays. You may also wish to taste the famous kumpir (baked potatoes)