Istanbul has a glorious history, some of it acquired under its previous names of Byzantium and Constantinople. The ancient city was founded by a man named Byzas, from the prompting of the oracle at Delphi, around 657 B.C. Today Istanbul is a huge metropolis connecting continents, cultures, and religions and is home to around eleven million people and is one of the greatest business and cultural centres in Turkey. Managing to evoke the past with traditional bazaars but still offering modern facilities, Istanbul is a fascinating place to visit.
Different events are held throughout the year in Istanbul, notably the International Istanbul Film Festival in April and the Conquest of Constantinople celebrations in May. Music lovers may enjoy June's International Istanbul Music Festival and International Istanbul Jazz Festival. The Topkapi Sarayi was the residency of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years after its construction in 1453. Its ornately gilded and marbled interior was the perfect setting for the dramas of the Ottoman Empire, and there appears to be a room for every event and every occasion, from a Circumcision Room to a cloakroom for Prophet Mohammed's cloak. Topkapi Palace Sultanahmet, Istanbul Now one of Istanbul's leading museums, the Topkapi Palace was the Imperial residence of the Great Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years until the reign of Abdülmecid. The palace was subjected to many changes as it passed from sultan to sultan, but today houses a spectacular museum famed for its large collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. Haghia Sophia Sultanhmet, Istanbul Considered the eighth wonder of the world, this Byzantine Church is one of the largest ancient buildings to be found anywhere. It is the most significant masterpiece of Byzantine art and Eastern Christian church architecture and was completed in 532 during Justinian's reign. The church covers a surface of 7,570 square meters and its dome is 55.6 meters high and 32 meters wide and is carried by 107 columns. The vast building, with its range of architectural styles, is one of Istanbul's best known landmarks and few visitors to the city miss a trip to view its extraordinary interior. Blue Mosque Sultanhamet, Istanbul Dating from the 17th century, this is one of the largest Mosques in Istanbul and is one of the principal features on the city's skyline. The only mosque in the world with six minarets, its real fame derives most from its beautiful interior tiles with flower and tree motifs. On the east side of the mosque is the Arasta, a bazaar for the various tradesmen guilds. Suleymaniye Camii Istanbul The mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent is yet another of the city's great landmarks set in a complex of surrounding buildings capped by over 400 domes. Its design represents an important development in Ottoman mosque architecture. Kariye Camii (St-Savior inChora) Istanbul Worth seeing for its famous mosaics which constitute one of the world's most important examples of early Byzantine pictorial art. The mosaics tell the story of the New Testament from the birth of the Virgin Mary to a scene showing the Resurrection of Christ. The building was turned into a mosque during the reign of Bayezit II. The surrounding neighbourhood has many old Ottoman wooden houses. Yerebatan Sarayi (Sunken Palace) Istanbul A walkway just above the water allows you to view the forest of stone pillars that support this vast under ground cistern. Built in 532 AD it was at one time supplied by the Valens aqueduct. Eski Sark Eserleri Muzesi (Archeological Museums) 1st Court of Topkapi, Istanbul Contains the Museum of Antiquities and the Museum of Oriental Antiquities, both of which contain incredible artifacts. Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar) Istanbul A vast labyrinth of little streets lined with over 4000 shops selling rugs, pottery, jewellery and countless other goodies. Agora Café Restaurant Hyatt Regency Istanbul, Taskisla Caddesi, Taksim 80090, Istanbul Tel: +90 212 225 7000 Fax: +90 212 225 7007 Tugra Ciragan Caddesi 84, Besiktas, Istanbul Tel: +90 212 258 3377 Korfez Korfez Caddesi 78, Kanlica, Istanbul Tel: +90 216 413 4314 Borsa Lokantasi Yalkoku Caddesi, Yalkoku Han 60-62, Eminonu, Istanbul Tel: +90 212 522 4173 Hacibaba Istiklal Caddesi 49, Taksim, Istanbul Tel: +90 212 244 1886 Le Select Manolya Sokak 21, Levent, Istanbul Tel: +90 212 268 2120 Develi Restaurant Balkpazar, Gumuyuzuk Sokak 7, Samataya, Istanbul Tel: +90 212 585 1189Arts and Events
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