Sultanahmet Full Day
(Old City)
Blue Mosque:
Its magnificent series of domes and semi-domes, its six
slender minarets sprouting from the corners of the mosque,
its spacious courtyard, and its grandiose yet elegant
proportions, make the Blue Mosque one of the architectural
marvels of the world.
Hippodrome and Obelisks: The ancient Hippodrome, the
scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civil
life, stood in the open space in front of the Blue Mosque.
Haghia Sophia Museum: Haghia Sophia was built at the
command of Emperor Justinian in the years 532 to 537. The
courtyard of Haghia Sophia harbors a number of minor but
fascinating Ottoman structures.
Grand Bazaar: The Grand Bazaar was built at the
command of Fatih Mehmet shortly after the Conquest. It
contains 4399 shops, 2195 workshops, 497 stalls and 18
fountains.
Topkapi Palace:
As the administrative center, for nearly 400 years, for the
Ottoman Empire, which was one of the greatest empires of the
world, Topkapi Palace is certainly the most important
historical site to be visited in Istanbul. That is the
reason why Topkapi Palace is one of the most frequently
visited museums of Europe with a number of more than 2,5
million visitors per yerar.
In 1461, less than ten years after the Conquest, Fatih
Mehmet ordered the construction of Topkapi Sarayi a palace
that would be known as Dar-us Saadet, the “House of
Felicity”. Topkapi Sarayi remained the seat of the Ottoman
Sultans until 1868, when Abdülmecit I moved to the
European-style Dolmabahçe Palace farther up the Bosphorus.
Suleymaniye Mosque: Suleymaniye is without question
one of the greatest works of its architect, Sinan. Begun in
1550, the mosque was completed in 1557, with two more years
required in order to finish the entire complex (kulliye).
Spice Bazaar: This
covered market is the attractive L-shaped building to the
southwest of the Yeni Cami. Its English name survives from
the time when the market specialized in the sale of spices
and herbs, as well as medicinal plants and drugs.
For information and contact e-mail.info@turkeyephesustour.com
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