The City of Empires, İstanbul

İstanbul embraces two continents, one arm stretching towards Asia, the other towards Europe. In between stretches the Bosphorus, a strait which gives access to the Sea of Marmara, the Black Sea and the Golden Horn. Successive Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires have made İstanbul their capital. While it protects the treasures of its past with pride, it also looks towards the future.

The variety to be found in İstanbul is indeed magical. It seems as though its museums, churches, mosques, market places, palaces and natural beauties are inexhaustible making it impossible not to feel that Istanbul is one of the most important cities in the world.

The innumerable attractions of its historic past and cultural heritage together with its modern hotels, speciality restaurants, night clubs, cabarets, historic bazaars and shops make İstanbul a very active centre for many kinds of tourism.

The Bosphorus
The waters of the Bosphorus reflect the great splendour and true beauty of İstanbul in a synthesis of past and present. Here one may see new hotels cheek by jowl with old waterside mansions, stone castles juxtaposed with rustic palaces and modern complexes by the side of fishing villages. To take a trip along the magnificent Bosphorus observe its incredible beauty is to take an enchanted journey through time. Such a trip might begin in front of Dolmabahçe Palace and continue past the green park of Yıldız Palace with its splendid pavilions.

In front of Yıldız Palace is the former Çırağan Palace now restored for use as a luxury hotel. Next comes Ortaköy where every Sunday the streets are like an open-air gallery full of artists exhibiting their works. One can also say that Ortaköy with its juxtaposition of church, mosque and synagogue gives a typical example of the age-old tolerance towards religion. Here, too, can be found the Bosphorus Bridge, a modern suspension bridge, one of the longest such bridges in the world, which joins Europe to Asia as it passes over the head of buildings more traditional in their architecture. After passing under the bridge one comes to Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side behind which rises Çamlıca, the highest hill in the environs of İstabul.

On the other shore the Ottoman wooden houses of Arnavutköy followed by the modern luxury apartments of Bebek create a striking difference. A few kilometres further up the fortresses of Rumeli Hisar and Anadolu Hisar stand opposite each other like guardians of the city. On the shore near Anadolu Hisar is Göksu Palace. After passing these fortresses a second bridge joining the two continents, that of Mehmet the Conqueror, can be seen straddling the two shores. Next come Emirgan on the European side and on the Asian Kanlıca and Çubuklu, leading to Beykoz famous for its woods. On the European side at Tarabya moored yachts seem to dance in consort the length of the bay. Fish restaurants and tavernas can be found along the road from Tarabya to Büyükdere and Sarıyer, the farthest points from the city itself. A little further on from Sarıyer the Straits open out into the Black Sea.

Only in İstanbul:
The marvellous yalis lined on both sides of the Bosphorus are the elements of the embroidered silhouette of İstanbul

İstanbul, City of Palaces
Topkapı Palace, the former home of the sultan and his family, was used as the seat of government by the Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and the 19th centuries. Open to the public, Topkapı Palace contains galleries in which there are wonderful displays of crystal, silver, Chinese porcelain, and priceless medieval miniatures, and the Harem where costumes of the former sultans and their families are on exhibition, as well as the treasury where there is a famous collection of jewels. Dolmabahçe, built by Sultan Abdulmecid I in the 19th century, fronts the Bosphorus on the European side while on the Asian side opposite is the Beylerbey Palace, built by Sultan Abdulaziz and used as a summer palace. Other splendid buildings are Yıldız Palace, the small palace at Küçüksu, the pavilions of Aynalıkavak and Ihlamur
and the sea pavilion at Florya.

İstanbul, City of History
The Hippodrome, today Sultan Ahmet Square, was once the scene of Byzantine chariot races From those times all that remains of its adornments are the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Snakes Column and the Column of Constantine. The wooden houses around the Hippodrome, in particular the 18th century ones in Soğukçeşme Sokak, are worth looking at. These houses have been pleasingly restored, and apart from one which is used as a library, have become small hotels. The Fountain of Ahmet III is to be found at the entrance to Topkapı Palace. Beyazıt Tower built by Mahmut III in 1729 was used as a lookout for fires. The Aqueduct of Valens, constructed in 368 A.D. brought water to the Byzantine and later Ottoman palaces. Leander's Tower, known today as the Maiden's Tower, has many stories connected with it and is an attractive symbol of İstanbul. The forst construction on the site was built in the 12th century.

The once unbreachable walls of İstanbul stretch for 7 kilometres along the shores of the Marmara and the Golden Horn. These walls are the remains of the ones built by Theodosius II in the 5th century. The walls and surrounding area have been designated part of the worlds cultural heritage by Unesco. Above the Golden Horn is the Galata Tower, 62 metres in height, which was built by the Genoese in 1348. The panoramic view from the top of the tower, now used as a nightclub, is breath-taking.

İstanbul, City of Mosques
Opposite Aya Sofia Sultan Ahmet Mosque with its 6 elegant minarets was built between 1609 and 1616. On account of the incomparable beauty of the blu-and white tiles of its interior, which are mainly from İznik, it has become known as the Blue Mosque. In the summer months it is the scene of a sound and light performance which takes place in the evenings. Occupying a commanding position on the Golden Horn is another wonder of İstanbul, the Mosque of Suleiman, built by Sinan between 155 and 1557, ackowledged to be the most beautiful of the Imperial mosques in İstanbul. The Mosque of Fatih, named after the Conqueror, is a good example of a religious complex with ise theological school, hamam, hospital, caravanserai and library. Eyüp Mosque along the Golden Horn and the mosque at Ortaköy together with those of Mihrimah Sultan create the best of İstanbul's famous silhouettes.

İstanbul, City for Shopping
One can come to İstanbul simply to shop. The first place that comes to mind for this is the Covered Bazaar, the labyrinthine streets of which contain more than 400 shops. At one time each trade had its own special area as is shown by the names Jewellers' Street, Street of the Rug Sellers, Skullcap Street or Street of the Basket Weavers. As well as being the market for the old city the Covered Bazaar also stocks wares of Turkish cultural origin. Here one can find Turkish handicrafts such as embroidery, the world-famous Turkish rugs, hand painted articles, brightly coloured ceramics, copper and brass utensils and articles made of meerschaum One may also buy goods in leather or suede, and one may come across rare antiques in the Old Bazaar.

The Egyptian or Spice Bazaar at Eminonü has an oriental atmosphere and the scent of spices and herbs fills the air. The old quarter of Sultan Ahmet is also a shopping area today. In the İstanbul Crafts Market in the 18th century Mehmet Efendi Medrese and the Cafer Ağa Han built by Sinan it is possible to buy handicraft products and even watch them being made. The Arasta Bazaar behind the Sultan Ahmet Mosque is a picturesque place for shopping. The elite shops in the Taksim, Nişantaşı and Şişli areas offer world famous brand-name goods. Some of the smartest shops in İstanbul are to be found in the Galleria at Ataköy and at Akmerkez in Etiler. It is possible to buy surprising bargains in the old flea markets of İstanbul. You ca find old books at the Sahaflar Market, old furniture in Horhor and antiques in Çukurcuma.

İstanbul, City of Museums
Aya Sofia, first built as a church by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, was later turned into a mosque in Ottoman times and is now a museum. With its splendid appearance and the Byzantine mosaics and carvings which adorn the interior, its effect is overwhelming The Archaeological Museum contains artifacts from Roman and Byzantine eras while the Museum of Near Eastern Antiquities contains works from the Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Hittite empires.

St. Irene, now also a museum, is one of the first churches to be built in İstanbul, like St. Sofia. The IIth century church of St Saviour in Chora is one of the most important Byzantine works in İstanbul after Aya Sofia, with its architectural features, and interior frescoes and mosaics dating from the 14th century. The cultural fabric of İstanbul is enriched further by the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, the Turkish Carpet Museum, the Underground Cistern and the Mosaic Museum.

İstanbul, City of Culture and Art
İstanbul is an international art and culture centre. The International Art and Culture festival, in which performers from all over the world participate, takes place every summer. Lovers of classic music, jazz, opera, operetta, ballet and film enjoy the rich tapestry of culture as well as the exhibitions and confereces which take place at this time. Around Taksim Square can be found all kinds of contemporary entertainment including cabarets, discos and jazz clubs. Restaurants situated in restored Byzantine and Ottoman buildings have an atmosphere of historic splendour. Kumkapı is an atttractive neighbourhood with its typical small restaurants, bars and fish-restaurants.

A good choice for sampling rakı and traditional Turkish dishes are the restaurants in Nevizade Sokak and the Çiçek Pasajı. İstanbul's night life can be found at its liveliest in the clubs, jazz clubs and sea food restaurants along the Bosphorus.

İstanbul, City for Congresses
İstanbul is one of the cities participating in the the swiftly rising market in congress tourism as, side by side with its history and cultural heritage it has an international airport as well as first-class hotels and moreover it possesses the Lutfi Kırdar Congress Centre which can hold 2000 people and has 21 assembly rooms. The area is surrounded with hotels and the cultural and trade complex at Harbiye is an additional advantage which brings tourist activitiy to life.

Yachting
In İstanbul yachting is a popular activity. While setting sail for the past on a an excursion into Roman, Byantine and Ottoman history, this is the only place in the world where one can simultaneously have a marvellous view and pass by fortresses, palaces and mosques. One can set sail from the North Sea in Europe and via the Rhine and Danube rivers reach the Black Sea which gives access to the Bosphorus and the marinas of İstanbul. After sailing under the bridges which link two continents one can take one's fill of sailing around the beautiful island bays. The two largest marinas in the area which give a 24 hour service to yachtsman are Ataköy on the European side and Kalamış on the Asian. Every year an international yacht race is organized in İstanbul.

İstanbul’s Surroundings
The islands in the Marmara, the largest of which, Büyük Ada, used to be a place of exile for the Byzantine dynasty, are today more like popular suburbs of Istanbul. Favourite islands are Kınalı, Sedef, Burgaz and Heybeli. 25 kms outside İstanbul, Kilyos with its beaches fills up with tourists in the summer months. Inland from the Black Sea is the Belgrade Forest, the largest forest in the vicinity of İstanbul. Here there is a Golf Club and a Riding Centre.

25 km. from İstanbul Polonezköy on the Asian side was founded by immigrant Poles in the 19th century. The rural atmosphere makes it ideal for walking or horse-riding as well as for tasting Polish food. Şile on the Black Sea Coast is a pleasant holiday resort with beaches and restaurants.

65 kms from İstanbul is Silivri, suburban in atmosphere, a great holiday centre with the Klassis Golf Club, restaurants, sports and health centres. It is a good place to escape to from the busy city with its conferece mix of business and shopping.