Istanbul historically known in English as Constantinople, is Turkey‘s most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. The city covers 25 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located at 41° N 28° E, on the Bosphorus strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents.
The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The "Historic Areas of Istanbul" were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. The city has had many names through its history and according to the culture, language and religion of its rulers. Byzantium, Constantinople and Stamboul are examples that may still be found in active use. The etymology of the names and an extended list of old names can be found under Names of Istanbul. It has also been nicknamed "The City on Seven Hills" because the historic peninsula (the oldest part of the city) was built on seven hills, also represented with seven mosques, one at the top of each hill. Istanbul became the last capital of the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
The Grand Bazaar and Topkapı Palace were erected in the years following the Turkish conquest. Religious foundations were endowed to fund the building of mosques such as the Fatih and their associated schools and public baths. The city had to be repopulated by a mixture of force and encouragement. People from all over the empire moved to Istanbul, and Jews, Christians and Muslims lived together in a cosmopolitan society. The city was modernized from the 1870s onwards with the building of bridges, the creation of a proper water system, the use of electric lights, and the introduction of streetcars and telephones. When the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923, the capital was moved from Istanbul to Ankara. In the early years of the republic, Istanbul was overlooked in favour of the new capital Ankara but, however, Istanbul underwent great structural change. In the 1950s the new roads and factories were constructed throughout. Wide modern roads were built in Istanbul but some, unfortunately, were at the expense of historical buildings within the city. The city‘s once numerous and prosperous Greek community, remnants of the city‘s Greek origins, dwindled in the aftermath of the 1955 Istanbul Pogrom with most Greeks in Turkey leaving their homes for Greece.
Today, Istanbul is one of the most important Tourism spots of Turkey. There are thousands of hotels and other tourist oriented industries in Istanbul catering to both vacationers and visiting professionals. It is also one of the world’s most exciting conference destinations and is an increasingly popular choice for the world’s leading international associations. Furthermore the city of Istanbul is a fantastic place to visit monuments which are split into the three main district of the city: the historic peninsula, the areas north of the Golden Horn, and the Asian side are parts of it exceptional itsitage from it different empires. The church ‘Hagia Sophia’, ‘the blue mosque’, ‘the palate of Dolmabahçe’, ‘the mosque of Soliman the Magnificent’,’ Valens Aqueduct’, ’The Hippodrome of Constantinople’, ‘The Walls of Constantinople’ and much more are very important tourist places and also strong symbols of Istanbul Identity.
GO THERE FOR
History: Europe & Asia, Istanbul is the Historic crossroads between East and West, a city of minarets and palaces looking resolutely to the future. Climbing the Hills around the Golden Horn and overlooking the Bosphorus, the city is filled with the wonders of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires.
Art: The wonderful mosque Hagia Sophia famous all over the world for it specific architecture regularly considered one of the greatest and most beautiful buildings in Europe. Since 1935 the mosque has been converted into a magnificent museum.
Monuments: one of the most important is The Blue Mosque, The Sultan Ahmed Mosque also calls ‘The Blue Mosque’ because of the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior dominates the skyline of the old part of the city and can be seen from the sea. Smaller than ‘Hagia Sophia’ the blue mosque is even more luxurious and represent the will of ‘Sultan Ahmet Camii’ on building the most beautiful place of Islamic worship in the world.
Food & Drink: Istanbul's culinary scene is equally edgy, with a rash of new openings from modern reinterpretations of Turkish/ Ottoman cuisine and refined Turkish fish restaurants to Italian, Vietnamese and Japanese - and an emphasis on stylish decor. At the vanguard of the new gastro-cool scene are Tarik Bayazit and Savas Ertunc, owners of the award-winning Changa (listed in Zagat Europe's Top Restaurants guide 2005) which opened five years ago in consultation with Peter Gordon of London diner The Providores.
DON’T MISS
The most traditional of Istanbul’s eateries are the taverna-style meyhane where you can sample tapas-like meze. Asmalimescit in Taksim Beyoglu is the right place to go if you want to try meyhanes.
Take a ferry up the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavagi. The village is surrounded by wooded hills and there are great views from the Byzantine Yoros castle which once controlled the Black Sea approaches.
Have a bath in Turkish hamams. There’re historical hamams in Sultanahmet. (Les Ottomans on Muallim Naci Caddesi offers a luxurious, modern take on the Turkish bath using Caudalie products and has couples treatments. Cagaloglu Hamam near the Grand Bazaar If you’re so inclined you can relax further with a nargile (hubbly-bubbly pipe) at the cafés off Tophane Iskelesi near the Nusretiye mosque.
Robinson Crusoe is a great bookshop located in Beyoglu. There are lots of international books and magazines in this designer bookshop.
And, of course, you must try Turkish coffee and Turkish delight. The City offers some of the coolest bars and clubs, as well as a treasure trove of shopping and delicious sultan cuisine.
GETTING AROUND
The ferries and water taxis on the Bosphorus are one of the most attractive ways to get around the city. Boats can transport you from Europe to Asia in a matter of minutes, or whisk you from the city centre out to the peaceful Princes’ Islands. Hotel A’jia has its own private launch which will chauffeur guests around in style.
TRANSPORTATION
As the driver starts the meter it will flash the rate type: Gündüz means Daylight (06:00 am to 24:00 midnight); Gece means Night (24:00 midnight to 06:00 am). Gece (Night) is 50% higher than the daytime rate. The Gündüz fare for the 15-minute ride between Sultanahmet and Taksim Square is about US$5.
WHAT TO SEE
Palaces
Topkapı Topkapi was the first Ottoman palace to be built (1466-1478) in the newly conquered capital of the Empire. Located on the spot where the foundations of the city were first laid in ancient times by Megarian Chief Byzas in 7th Century BC, the palace boasts one of the most beautiful views of Istanbul, incorporating the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the two shores and the sea of Marmara. Open daily between 9.30am-5pm (except Tuesdays).
Dolmabahce Dolmabahçe was built in 1853 in the rapidly growing northern section of the city, at the Marmara outlet of the Bosphorus, to replace the Topkapi Palace which was pulled down for the purpose. It housed Sultans and their families before the Republic, and it was then used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his visits to Istanbul. Atatürk died here on the 10th of November, 1938. The palace now serves as a museum and a guest-house used for receptions for foreign statesmen. Open daily between 9am-4pm (except Mondays and Thursdays).
Yıldız Yildiz, one of the last residences of the Ottoman sultans, was completed by Abdulhamit II at the end of the 19th Century. The Sale (Chalet), the largest and most exquisite of the buildings, reveals the luxury in which the sultans lived and entertained. Set in a very large park of flowers, tulips, plants and trees gathered from every part of the world, the palace grounds offer one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Bosphorus. Open daily between 8.30am-5pm (except Mondays and Thursdays)
Beylerbeyi Beylerbeyi was initially the residence of the Governor General in charge of Anatolia, but was rebuilt in the style of Dolmabahce and Çiragan palaces as a royal palace in the mid-19th Century on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and served as the summer residence of the sultans. It was formed by two sections; Selamlik and Harem. Open daily between 9am-5pm (except Mondays and Thursdays).
Ciragan The name Ciragan comes from the word "cerag" which means torch in Persian. The area in which the Palace is located was called Ceragan because of the famous Ottoman parties which were held in tulip gardens with torches. This is the last palace built by the Ottoman Empire for the royal family. Unfortunately the main building was destroyed by fire on January 6th 1910. Only the exterior walls remained from the structure. The main building has been renovated and with the addition of a modern hotel building the site has been converted to a hotel. The other surviving buildings in the complex are being used as schools. Open everyday, it's a hotel now (Ciragan Palace Kempinski).
Ihlamur Kasri Lovely imperial rest house built in the midst of Linden trees, where you can have a cup of coffee or, as the Turkish word ihlamur implies, a cup of Linden tea. Open daily between 9am-5pm (except Mondays and Thursdays).
Sultanahmet Meydani (Hippodrome) Scene of chariot races and the centre of Byzantine civic life. There is an Egyptian Obelisk, a stone obelisk and the Serpentine Column which were originally brought by the emperors and used for the decoration of the Hippodrome. Today it's a nice area for picnics and meetings.
Kapalicarsi (Grand Bazaar) Built in the 15th Century as a complex of 3,000 shops selling raw materials to be used in clothes manufacturing, the Covered Bazaar fulfills a viable commercial function to this day. The Bazaar's fine shops and exotic atmosphere, mingling the ancient and new, make it a "must-see" in Istanbul. It's divided into many sections such as leather, rugs, souvenirs, copper, antiques, textile etc. There are 18 gates and 60 streets inside. Open everyday (except Sundays and National Holidays).
Misir Carsisi (The Egyptian Spice Bazaar) Built in the 17th Century next to the Golden Horn, the Spice Bazaar is the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul. Originally housing shops selling medicine and spices, the Spice Bazaar continues to fulfill its original function. This distinguished example of Ottoman architecture continues to sparkle with life even today. Open every day (except Sundays and National Holidays).
The Hagia Sophia It was the great cathedral of Byzantium for over a thousand years and was the greatest mosque in the Ottoman Empire for five centuries. Now a museum, it’s still one of the most fabulous buildings in the world. Keep an eye out for the shallow pits in the stone floor either side of the massive central doorway, created by the shuffling feet of the guards stationed there over the ages.
Castles and Towers
Anadoluhisari (Anatolian Fortress) A 14th Century relic of the Ottoman's first attempt to conquer Istanbul, Anatolia Fortress is located on the Asian shore at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. Sultan Yildirim Bayezit built this fortress in 1393 on the ruins of a Byzantine temple dedicated to Zeus. It's much smaller in size when you compare with Rumelihisari on the European side of Istanbul.
Rumelihisari (Rumeli Fortress) Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror built Rumeli Fortress in four months only and directly opposite to Anadoluhisari in 1452 in preparation for the final attack on Constantinople (Istanbul), which led to the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. Today, the fortress hosts many concerts and dramatic performances in its amphitheatre usually during the summer months. The fort is open to the public as a museum as well (except on Mondays).
Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower) A 55 metre tower providing a panoramic view of the old town, Galata Kulesi was built by the Genoese as part of the wall surrounding their district of Galata directly opposite Byzantium (Constantinopolis). The tower now houses a restaurant and a night club.
Kiz Kulesi (Leander's Tower - Maiden Tower) A 12th Century stone tower erected on a rock at the entrance of the Bosphorus. This tower, which has served as a prison and a lighthouse, became the source of many legends in ancient days. It's now open to the public as a cafeteria and elegant restaurant which hosts concerts and meetings as well. Transportation to the Tower is made by private shuttle boats from both shores of the Bosphorus.
Neighbourhoods
Beyoglu This is where everyone will find themselves after work. Full of beautiful shops, design cafes, restaurants, and wide screen cinemas, Beyoglu is one of the most incredible atmospeheres of Istanbul. You can window-shop while streetcars pass behind you.
Ortakoy On the banks of Bosphorus, Ortakoy is full of antique and handcraft shops. There are lots of boutiques selling silver accessories. You should definetely eat kumpir and gözleme.
Nişantası This the design street of Istanbul where you can find brands like Armani, Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent and Dice Kayek. There’re hip design cafes and restaurants. You should definetely go there if you like fashion and design.
Islands
The Prince’s Islands in the Sea of Marmara to the south of Istanbul have historically been a place of exile and of refuge; they make a wonderful retreat from the city, particularly in summer.
Burgazada Island, with its horse-drawn carriages and its Greek Orthodox Church of St John the Baptist is particularly charming. Ferries depart regularly from Eminönü’s Adalar pier, taking 90 minutes.
DON’T COME HOME WITHOUT
- Turquoise magic eye coasters to ward off any impending doom.
- Fresh Mulberries when in season.
- Pure Turkish honey from the Egyptian Bazaar.
- A Burhan Ocal or Tarkan CD to dance around your lounge to back at home.
- Delicate rose petal jam from Uc Yildiz in the fish market in Istiklal Street.
- A Carpet. it may be a cliché but a must, the best quality and designs in the world.
- Leather. it’s always fashionable and frightfully cheap.
