Blue Mosque - Istanbul / TURKEY

Blue Mosque - Istanbul / TURKEY

A large portion of the mosque is roped off for those wishing to pray. The area for tourists is comparatively small, but there’s still enough space for photo opportunities. You won't need a lot of time to enjoy the Blue Mosque and, frankly, you won’t get it, as there is a constant stream of tourists wishing to enter.

The courtyard of Sultan Ahmet is open all day, including prayer times. It’s approximately the same size as the mosque and is surrounded by a stunning vaulted arcade, with a small hexagonal fountain in the centre. The ground is paved with large uneven stone slabs that occasionally tilt underneath the weight of passing tourists. The perimeter is lined with stone steps which are the perfect place to have a quick rest or wait for the mosque to open.

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Hagia Sophia - Istanbul /TURKEY

Hagia Sophia - Istanbul /TURKEY

In addition to its architecture, the museum is world renowned for its well-preserved mosaics, completed under the reign of Emperor Justin II (565-578], These elaborate mosaics depict the Virgin Mary, Christ, saints, emperors, and empresses.

Immediately after the 1653 Conquest of Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet had Hagia Sophia converted into a mosque. After this, many of its mosaics were covered with plaster. However, during restoration in the mid-19th century, with the permission of Sultan Abdülmecid, many of the mosaics were uncovered by Swiss- Italian brothers, Gaspare and Giuseppe Fossati. After careful documentation, the mosaics were painted over. Many of the mosaics we see today were uncovered in the 1930s by the Byzantine Institute of America.

In 1935, the first Turkish President and founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, transformed the building into a museum. Today, it is strictly prohibited to use Hagia Sophia as a place of worship.

Upon entering Hagia Sophia, you'll hear the sounds of camera shutters and the constant chatter of visitors reverberate throughout the museum. Every direction you turn, you'll see delicate and masterful detailing and artwork. Parts of Hagia Sophia’s painted ceilings are chipped and faded, but it doesn't diminish the museum's enduring beauty.

Ayasofya Hagia Sophia Hotels - Istanbul

Beylerbeyi Palace – Istanbul / Turkey

Beylerbeyi Palace – Istanbul / Turkey

The interior design and architecture of Beylerbeyi are a combination of Western and Eastern styles, whereas the layout of the palace has the characteristics of a traditional Turkish house, complete with a harem and mabeyn (state apartments] section. Its schema is made of three parts: the Sultan’s bedroom apartment, the Imperial Mabeyn, and the Valide Sultan’s apartment.

The main Elements, belonging to the sultan’s wives and favorites, was constructed apart from the main building and unfortunately no longer exists.The facade of the Imperial Mabeyn exhibits an apparent Neo-baroque design.

Other indoor arrangements in the palace are shaped in diverse patterns. Sultan Abdulaziz’s infatuation for all things nautical is apparent in the decorations, art, and details throughout the palace. Frescos of ships on treaturous waters, naval themed candle sticks, and even carved sailing knot window frames can be seen.

Sehzade Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey

Sehzade Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey

The Şehzade Mosque, located in the Fatih district, was named for Süleiman the Magnificent’s favorite son, Şehzade Mehmed (1521 - 1543], whose tomb is located next to the mosque. It is sometimes referred to as Prince’s Mosque in English. Construction began in the same year as Şehzade Mehmed’s early death and was completed in 1548. Some believe that the mosque was first intended for Süleiman, but part way through construction, architect Mimar Sinan realized that he could build a larger dome more befitting the sultan. This greater mosque, known as Süleymaniye Mosque, is located nearby.

The largest dome is 19 meters in diameter, with a height of 37 meters. The Şehzade Mosque was the first of Sinan’s great mosques, which he regarded as a part of his apprenticeship period. Some architectural historians regard this mosque as the first of his many masterpieces. The mosque is one of Sinan’s unique works, in that it’s perfectly symmetrical. Sinan did not repeat this design in later works, but all future monumental Ottoman mosques followed this plan.

Istanbul Archaeological Museums - Istanbul / Turkey

Istanbul Archaeological Museums  - Istanbul / Turkey

In between the major attractions, be sure to spend a leisurely hour or two at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. This lesser known, but essential attraction is often compared to the British Museum. Visitors are granted access to the main museum, the Ancient Orient Museum, and the Tiled Kiosk Museum.

The museum’s most outstanding piece is the marble Alexander Sarcophagus. Built in the late 4th century BC Hellenistic period, it was once believed to have held the remains of Alexander the Great due to its carvings depicting his life. However, historians now believe that its true occupant was Abdalonymus, the king of Sidon.

Dolmabahce Palace - Istanbul / Turkey

Dolmabahçe Palace 

Dolmabahçe Palace is located in the Beşiktaş district on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait. It served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922, with the exception of a 22-year period (1887-1909), in which Yıldız Palace was used.

Formerly, the Sultan and his family lived at Topkapi Palace, but it was lacking in contemporary luxury and style. Dolmabahçe Palace was ordered by the empire's 31st Sultan, Abdülmecid I, and built between 1863-1856. The construction cost the Empire a whopping five-million Ottoman mecidiye gold coins, the equivalent of 35 tons of gold.

Fourteen tons of gold leaf were used in the construction of the palace. It has an area of 65,000 m2 (11.2 acres), and contains 285 rooms, 66 halls, 6 baths (hammams), and 68 toilets.

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Eyüp Sultan Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

Built in 1458, the Eyüp Sultan Mosque (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan Camii] has the honor of being the first mosque built by the Ottomans after the 1453 Conquest of Istanbul. It’s situated in the Eyüp district near the Golden Horn and Pierre Loti Hill.

The mosque was constructed next to the supposed burial ground of Abu Ayyub al- Ansari (Turkish: Eyüp Sultan], a close companion of the prophet Muhammad. He came to the city and died in the first attempt to take Istanbul. His grave wasn't discovered until the fall of the city seven centuries later. His tomb is revered by many Muslims and attracts many pilgrims. It also contains some of Muhammad’s personal belongings, including a stone that is said to bear his footprint.

Eyüp Sultan Mosque

After the addition of such relics, the area surrounding the mosque became a sacred place. Many Ottoman officials and princes are buried in the nearby cemetery. The mosque was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1766, but was restored by Sultan Selim III. If you visit the mosque, be sure to walk or take a cable car up to Pierre Loti Hill for one of the best views in Istanbul.

Directions:

Buses 399B, 399C, 399D
Take the Haliç ferry line from Eminönü or Karaköy to Eyüp

Little Hagia Sophia - Istanbul / Turkey

Little Hagia Sophia

Little Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Küçük Ayasofya Camii] is situated in the Sultanahmet district, southwest of The Blue Mosque and north of the Sea of Marmara.

It was originally named for Saints Sergius and Bacchus and built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 527 AD. The story goes that Justinian I was accused of plotting against his uncle, the then reigning emperor, Justin I. The night before Justinian I’s execution, Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before Justin I and testified that his nephew was innocent. The next day, Justinian was pardoned. As a token of gratitude to the saints, he built the church in their name when he became emperor.

In 1505, during the reign of Sultan Bayezid II, the church was converted into a mosque. Many changes were made to the interior, including the replacement of Christian ornaments with Islamic ornaments. Many windows of various dimensions were opened and others closed in the Ottoman architectural style.

Little Hagia Sophia

Like so many structures in Istanbul, earthquakes took their toll on Little Hagia Sophia. However, the railways, built 1870-1871, in close proximity to the mosque caused the most damage. To protect the mosque, the Ottomans built a retaining wall in 1877. Further damage was caused during the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), when the mosque was used as a shelter for fugitives. The mosque underwent extensive restoration in the early 2000s and was reopened to the public in 2006.

Although Little Hagia Sophia is, indeed, smaller than Hagia Sophia (the larger and slightly younger), the architecture and interior are quite different. The inside of the mosque is cool and airy. The ornaments are done mostly in bright blue, with red, grey, and brown detailing. Calligraphed verses from the Koran and other holy symbols are aesthetically placed throughout the mosque. It’s a little out of the way, but guaranteed to be beautiful and far less busy than other major mosques.

Tips:

• There are headscarves available for female visitors, but no robes.
• Try and plan yourvisit around prayer times.

Rustem Pasha Mosque - Istanbul / Turkey

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque [Turkish: Rüstem Paşa Camii], can be found in the Eminönü district, situated near the Golden Horn. In 1560, Rüstem Pasha, Grand vizier and son-in-law to Süleiman the Magnificent, commissioned imperial architect, Mimar Sinan to build this small, but exquisite mosque. Rüstem Pasha died in 1561 before the mosque's completion in '1563. His tomb is located near Şehzade Mosque.

Rüstem Pasha Mosque is a rare example of Mimar Sinan's work that includes shopsı inns, and fountainsı whose rent was used to support the mosque. The mosque is also noted for its vast adornments of Iznik tiles in stunning floral and geometric patterns; in particular, the use of the tomato-red color, which was new and in vogue at the time. Due to earthquakes and fires over the years, the mosque underwent major repairs from 1962 to 1968.

The Rüstem Pasha Mosque

The entrance to the mosque is a little hard to spot, but anyone working in the area will happily point you in the right direction.

Narrow, winding flights of stairs will lead you to the mosque`s courtyard, where you can see some of the most beautiful Iznik tiles in Istanbul.

The mosque is very close to the Spice Bazaar, New Mosque, and Süleymaniye Mosque.

Notes:Scarves and robes are available for women to cover their arms, legs, and heads.
Men should wear trousers instead of shorts.