Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Located on
both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara
Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both literally and figuratively. Istanbul's population
is variously estimated between 12 and 19 million people, making it also one of the
largest cities in Europe.
Founded by Constantine the Great in 324 AD on the site of ancient Byzantium (going back
to 650 BC), Istanbul was the capital, successively, of the Eastern Roman Empire (324-
476), the Byzantine Empire (476-1453) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922) - this
almost unrivalled heritage, as well as its dynamic modern existence, makes Istanbul a
fantastic destination for many travellers.
Expanding the ancient Greek colony of Byzantium by the order of the Roman Emperor
Constantine the Great, the imperial city of Constantinople was for nearly a thousand years
the last remaining outpost of the Roman (later termed Eastern Roman or Byzantine)
Empire before finally falling to the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in May 29th,
1453, an event often taken to mark the end of the Middle Age. It was the nerve center for
military campaigns that were to enlarge the Ottoman Empire dramatically. By the mid
1500's, Istanbul, with a population of almost half a million, was a major cultural, political,
and commercial center. Ottoman rule continued until it was defeated in WWI and Istanbul
was occupied by the allies. When the Republic of Turkey was born in 1923 after the War
of Independence, Kemal Ataturk moved the capital to the city of Ankara. But Istanbul has
continued to expand dramatically; today its population is approximately 13 million and
increases at an estimated 700,000 immigrants per year. Industry has expanded even as
tourism has grown. It continues to be a city that creates its own history at the intersection
where both Continents meet.
The city has many architecturally significant entities. Throughout its long history, Istanbul
has acquired a reputation for being a cultural and ethnic melting pot. As a result, there are
many historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers to visit in
the city.
PLACE TO VISIT
Serpentine Column - a monument built originally to honor Apollo for the victory
over the Persians at Plataea in 479 BC. The column was moved by Constantine the Great
when Constantinople became the new capital, and has stood at the Hippodrome ever
since. A member of the Polish Embassy visiting in 1700 damaged the top of it severely,
breaking off the serpent heads. Today the heads are preserved at the Archaeological
Museum in Istanbul.
Maiden's (Leander's) Tower - one of the symbols of Istanbul, was originally
built by the ancient Athenian general Alcibiades in 408 BC to control the movements of the
Persian ships in the Bosphorus strait. Back then it was located between the cities of
Byzantion and Chrysopolis. The tower was later enlarged and rebuilt as a fortress by the
Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus in 1110, and was rebuilt and restored several
times by the Ottoman Turks, most significantly in 1509 and 1763. The most recent facelift
was made in 1998. Steel supports were added around the ancient tower as a precaution
after the 17 August 1999 earthquake.
Column of Constantine - which was erected in 330 by Constantine the Great for
marking the declaration of the new capital city of the Roman Empire and contained
several fragments of the True Cross and other artifacts belonging to Jesus Christ and
Virgin Mary, the Mazulkemer Aqueduct, the Valens Aqueduct, the Column of the Goths at
the Seraglio Point, the Milion which served for calculating the distances between
Constantinople and other cities of the Roman Empire, and the Hippodrome of
Constantinople which was built following the model of the Circus Maximus in Rome.
Walls of Constantinople - are a series of stone walls that have surrounded and
protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul in Turkey) since its founding as the
capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions
and modifications during their history, they are one of the greatest and most complex
fortification systems ever built. Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls
surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land.
As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th
century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, when well manned,
they were almost impregnable for any medieval besieger, saving the city, and the
Byzantine Empire with it, during sieges from the Avars, Arabs, Rus', and Bulgars, among
others (see Sieges of Constantinople). Only the advent of gunpowder siege cannons
rendered the fortifications obsolete, resulting in the final siege and fall of Constantinople
to the Ottomans on May 29th 1453.
Hagia Sophia - Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the
Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Byzantine engineering, the huge 30 m
diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the
world. The basilica was looted in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque
in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in
1930's. Don't miss the excellent mosaics, including those in the gallery, reached by a
stone ramp to the left of the entrance.
Topkapi Palace - The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three
centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court
in the entrance to the Harem (admission extra, only by joining a guided tour) and the State
Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. The
views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular.
Sultanahmet Mosque - With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the
Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside. Unlike Haghia Sophia, this is
still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side. No shorts or bare
shoulders (shawls are provided) and you will need to remove your footwear.
Basilica Cistern -. It doesn't sound like much, but this giant underground cistern
built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later
consacrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A
wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie
atmosphere. Bring some type of fish food as you'll see enormous fish swimming below
your feet.
Hippodrome - adjacent to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. This
was the center of Roman and Byzantine Constantinople, and is a great place to begin
one's tour and to people watch. The building no longer stands, but the obelisks and
sculptures that have been collected here since Theodosius' time in the fourth century
remain
Galata Whirling Dervish Hall - A dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut
down in 1925 along with all other 'reactionary' movements in Turkey. Today the building
houses the Museum of Divan Literature, but the best time to come Sundays between 3 to
5 pm when sema dervish ceremonies are staged. (Buy tickets in advance, as space is
limited.) Also check out the small graveyard next door, where the carved fez perched upon
the gravestone indicates the occupant's rank in the dervish hierarchy.
Dolmabahce Palace - See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the
Dolmabahce shore. Build on 110.000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls
where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years. Guided tours in major
spoken languages available
Galata Tower - Ride an elevator to the top, then walk the parapet for a 360 degree
view of Istanbul, including the entire Sultanahmet peninsula: crowned by Topkapi
Palance, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. A beautiful spot for using up a lot of film
Chora Church - a 1000 year old Byzantine church, with precious mosaic frescoes
and a captivating mood inside. The early church frescoes had been covered with plaster
for nearly 500 years, as the building had been converted to a mosque, but were
uncovered in the mid-twentieth century and have been partially restored.
Beylerbeyi Palace - Lying under the legs of the Bosphorus Bridge, the palace was
built between 1861-1865 by Sultan Abdulaziz. Guided tours in major spoken languages
available.
Camlica Hill - is one of the highest hills of Istanbul (268 metres high) and almost
major broadcasting antennas are located on this hill, since the hill dominates a great part
of the city. On the top of the hill, a public park with cafes remind the visitors of an Ottoman
atmosphere.
The Princes' Islands - lies on the southeast of Istanbul, and consists of 8 islands,
Buyukada being the largest of them all. Buyukada is also the highest island among the
others; its peak reaches to 202 mt (Yucetepe) where the ruins of a monastery remains.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Planes arrive at Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST), 20 km west of the city
centre. From the airport, there are various options for getting into Istanbul: you can take a
taxi (about $20 which equals approx. 30 Turkish Lira), the express bus service (run by the
local airport service called "HAVAS", half-hourly, about $5 to Taksim), or by metro to
Aksaray and a tram on to Kabatas, which also passes through Sultanahmet, Eminönu
and Tophane, among others for 1.3-2.6 YTL (0.88-1.74$).
Foreigners arriving in Istanbul will need to purchase tourist visas. This can be done upon
arrival before queuing for passport control, but you must pay using foreig n currency - no
Turkish money or credit cards are accepted. In early 2008, the fee was 15 Euros or 10
pounds. Dollars are also accepted.
By train - International trains from across Europe arrive at the station in Sirkeci, close
to Sultanahmet. Asian trains arrive at Haydarpasa station. To get between the two, catch a
ferry across the Bosphorus (see Get around). Marmaray, the Rail Tube Tunnel and
Commuter Rail Mass Transit System is being built, and is being projected as one of the
most challenging infrastructure projects in Turkey.
By bus - Buses and coaches terminate at the colossal Esenler Otogar, about 10 km
east of the city center, located on the European side. Courtesy minibuses or taxis will
easily get you into the center. The metro also stops at the Otogar.
"Harem" is the major hub for the buses on the Anatolian (Asian) side, which can be
reached easily from the European side with a Ferryboat.
By boat - International ferries, carrying tourist groups from outside Turkey stop at
Karakoy Port. The port is ideally located close to Sultanahmet and Taksim.
