City of white mosques and aromatic spices: Must-visit places in Istanbul

Сontents

• Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia
• Basilica Cistern
• Topkapi Palace
• Galata Tower
• Süleymaniye Mosque
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Maiden's Tower
• Rumelihisarı
• Colorful Balat district

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is, without exaggeration, one of the main symbols of Istanbul. The mosque has six minarets 64 meters high, huge domes 24 meters in diameter, and more than 400 years of history.

It is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Islamic and world architecture. The mosque is located on the shores of the Sea of Marmara in the historical center of Istanbul in the Sultanahmet district.

The Blue Mosque is built of stone and marble with a large number of windows, which makes it light, as if breathing, and impresses with the delicacy of shades of white and blue handmade tiles.

The decor includes gold and Arabic inscriptions. In the very center of the mosque, there is a huge chandelier with lamps. Such a sight will not leave anyone indifferent.

Blue Mosque (photo from the web)

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is a former Patriarchal Orthodox Cathedral built in 537. For more than 86 years it was a museum and only in 2020 it became a mosque again.

Decorated with mosaics, frescoes, and huge Ottoman medallions, the mosque is breathtakingly beautiful. On sunny days, Hagia Sophia is illuminated by the bright rays of the sun, which flood the room with the light of the golden domes.

The 55-meter-high structure with a dome diameter of 31 meters has held the title of the largest church in the Christian world for more than a thousand years.

An unusual attraction of the cathedral is a copper-covered column. It is said that if you touch its surface and make a wish, it will come true. It blows cool from one of the windows of the cathedral even on a hot day, which is why it is called the "cold window".

Hagia Sophia (photo from the web)

Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient underground reservoirs in Constantinople, looking like a palace complex. It was used to store a reserve of drinking water in case of drought or siege of the city.

The Basilica Cistern is located in the historic center of Istanbul in the Sultanahmet district opposite Hagia Sophia.

The ceiling of the building is supported by 336 columns, standing in 12 rows of 28 each. The most interesting of them are two columns, the bases of which are decorated with huge heads of Medusa Gorgon.

Photo: Basilica Cistern (wikipedia.org)

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi was the main palace of the Ottoman Empire until the mid-19th century. In the old days, it was the residence of the sultans, including the well-known Suleiman the Magnificent and his concubine Roksolana.

The palace keeps the former luxury of sultanic life and elements of everyday life of those times. Especially memorable is the terrace, which offers an amazing view of the Bosphorus Strait and the whole of Istanbul.

Topkapi Palace interior (photo from the web)

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is one of the city's most striking historical and architectural monuments, located in the European part of Istanbul on a high hill in the Galata district. It is visible from almost all points of the city center.

It is one of the tallest and oldest towers in Istanbul, 63 meters high and 9 meters in diameter. It offers a stunning panoramic view of the city and the Bosphorus Strait.

Galata Tower (photo from the web)

Süleymaniye Mosque

The Süleymaniye Mosque is known for the fact that the famous Sultan Suleiman and his wife Roksolana are buried there.

The incredible beauty of the balconies and minarets, and the graceful forms of the mosque - Süleymaniye is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful architectural structures in Türkiye and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The area around the Süleymaniye offers a beautiful view of the Bosphorus and the Galata Tower. The courtyard of the mosque has long been a favorite photo spot for tourists.

Photo: Süleymaniye Mosque (wikipedia.org)

Dolmabahce Palace

Dolmabahce Palace is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Türkiye. Built in the Baroque style, the palace is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus and was the residence of Turkish rulers until 1938.

Thousands of tourists come to Istanbul every year to see Dolmabahce with its crystal staircase and Bohemian glass chandelier.

Dolmabahce Palace (photo from the web)

Maiden's Tower

The Maiden's Tower is a lighthouse on a small island in the Bosphorus, within the Üsküdar district of Istanbul. The floating tower is one of the most romantic symbols of the city and is associated with many legends.

Throughout its history, the Maiden's Tower has been used for various purposes - it has served as a place to collect taxes from merchant ships, a defense tower, a prison, a lighthouse, and a radio station.

Photo: Maiden's Tower (photo from the web)

Rumelihisarı

Rumelihisarı is a medieval fortress located on hills on the Bosphorus. Its walls offer a breathtaking view of the strait and the Asian part of Istanbul.

The fortress was built in 1452 as a strategic structure for the siege of Constantinople. 2,000 builders and 1,000 designers made powerful walls and towers in 4.5 months to cut off the city from the sea.

After the city was surrendered, the fortress was used as a checkpoint. Later, a prison was located on its premises.

In the 50s of the last century, the fortress was restored, and the Artillery Museum and the Summer Theater were organized and opened to the public.

Photo: Rumelihisarı Fortress (wikipedia.org)

Colorful Balat district

Balat is definitely the most colorful place on the southern shore of Istanbul and one of the oldest districts of the city. Here you can see a completely different Istanbul - charismatic, hipster, contrasting.

The district has long been inhabited by Jewish, Greek, and Armenian communities, so you can find many historical sites, churches, and synagogues here.

The main highlight of the neighborhood, which attracts tourists, is the colorful houses on the cobblestone streets, surrounded by stylish cafes, battlements, galleries, and antique shops.

Balat district in Istanbul (photo from the web)

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Sources: Wikipedia, official websites of Dolmabahce Palace, and the Basilica Cistern.