Old Istanbul

Topkapı Palace
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Topkapı Palace Byzantine Constantinople was conquered in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II. Sultan Mehmed II ordered, in 1459, Topkapı Palace to be built. From 1465 to 1853 Topkapı Palace has been the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. In 1853 Sultan Abdülmecid decided to move the court to Dolmabahçe Palace. The constraction of Dolmabahçe Palace was ended that year. In 1921 the Ottomon Empire has became Turkish Republic and in the year 1924 Topkapı Palace has been transformed to an Imperial Museum by Turkish Government.

Important places in the Palace are The Harem of the Sultan where his family lives and the Treasury part. In the treasury, Kasikci Diamond which is one of the most valuable diamonds in the world is open to public visit. More than that, Relics of the Islamic world is on exhibit. From the palace, there is the best view of Golden Horn and Bosporus, which the Sultans of Ottoman watched. There are a lot more to that in the palace. If you are lucky, you should watch the show of the Mehteran, which is the military orchestra of the Ottoman and counted as the first military orchestra in the world. That show is a tradition, performed once a week for centuries, in the past for the Sultan, now for everyone.

Topkapı Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. On other days, the museum is open between 9.00-17.00 hours. Entrance fee is 10 YTL and to enter the Harem section you have to pay extra 10 YTL. Harem section is open between 9.30-15.30. No extra fee charged for the treasury section.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkap%C4%B1_Palace
http://www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr/eng/indexalt.html
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=349
Gülhane Park
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Gülhane Park The name of the park means “The house of flowers” and is located beside the Topkapı Palace. It is one of the oldest and biggest public parks in Istanbul. Gülhane Park was as the garden of the Imperial. Now all parts of the park are open to public. There are lots of coffee houses at the Golden Horn side of the park. You can drink your tea beneath the Bosporus and Golden Horn view.

Gülhane Park is open to public everyday and there is no entrance fee.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BClhane_Park
Hagia Sophia
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Gülhane ParkHagia Sophia was built in between 532 and 537 as a church with the order of Byzantine Emperor Justinian. For about 1000 years Hagia Sophia was the Eastern Orthodox Church. After Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1453, Sultan Mehmed II ordered the building to be converted into a mosque. Until 1935, Hagia Sophia remained as a mosque, and then it was converted into a museum by Turkish Government.

Hagia Sophia Museum is closed on Tuesdays. On other days, the museum is open between 9.00-17.00 hours. Entrance fee is 10 YTL.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=343
Hagia Irene
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Gülhane Park Hagia Irene is a former Eastern Orthodox Church. It is located in the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace. The church was built by the Byzantine Emperor Lustiniaus I in the year 360.

Hagia Irene Museum is closed for public visits. You can visit Hagia Irene Museum by special permission taken from the Hagia Sophia Museum.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Irene
Blue Mosque
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Blue Mosque The real name of this mosque is Sultan Ahmet Mosque, yet it is known as Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built in between 1609 and 1616 and named after the time’s Sultan. It is still being used as a mosque and it is the best place to see a historical mosque and see the Muslims worshipping.

You can visit the mosque everyday and every time except the times Muslims praying all together. Five times a day Muslims pray in the Mosque all together, the time of the pray change according to the position of the sun.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Ahmed_Mosque
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=308
Süleymaniye Mosque
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Süleymaniye Mosque Süleymaniye Mosque was built in between 1550 and 1557 with the order of the time’s Sultan, Suleiman I (Suleiman the Magnificent). Süleymaniye is still being used as a mosque and you should see Muslims worshipping.

You can visit the mosque everyday and every time except the times Muslims praying all together.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCleymaniye_Mosque
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=312
Basilica Cistern
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Süleymaniye Mosque Basilica Cistern was built during the reign of emperor Justinian I in the 6th century. The aim of the cistern was to supply water to the nearby Palaces.

Basilica Cistern is open everyday between the hours 09:00 – 17:30; entrance fee is 10 YTL.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerebatan_Sarn%C4%B1c%C4%B1
http://www.yerebatan.com/english/index.html http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=307
Grand Bazaar
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Süleymaniye Mosque The Grand Bazaar is one of the biggest covered markets in the world. It has more than 58 streets and 4.000 shops. Up to 400.000 people are visiting Grand Bazaar a day. The Bazaar has been contracted in between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

The Bazaar is open except Sundays. You can shop for jewelry, pottery, carpet and traditional stuff in the Bazaar.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bazaar%2C_Istanbul
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=313
Spice Bazaar
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Spice Bazaar The construction of the Bazaar has been finished in 1660. Also it is named as Egyptian Bazaar because during the old times the spices being sold in the Bazaar where imported from Egypt.

The Bazaar is open except Sundays. In the Bazaar you can shop for lots of kinds of spices, jewelry and most importantly you can find several kinds of Turkish Delights also some desserts named as Turkish Viagra.

For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_Bazaar%2C_Istanbul
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=365