Istanbul... One of the magnificient cities
of the world. Istanbul is an open museum with its 8000 years
history. One can continously find different historical sites
from different periods at each footstep. Let's discover this
magnificient city with us!
The BOSPHORUS (The ancient name of "Bosphorus"
means "Cow Passage".)
In the 2,500 year history of Istanbul, the Bosphorus, its
extension the Golden Horn and the historical
peninsula have always been coveted places, and they witnessed
numerous military campaigns and mass migrations. The earliest
mention of the Bosphorus in mythology is in the story of the Argonauts who sail through the strait to
the Black Sea. It is known that in 6th century
BC the Persian armies tied their boats together
for easier passage.
The fabled channel linking the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara
measures 30 kms in lenght. As little as 700 meters wide at
its narrowest point, it flows between Asia and Europe. Today
two modern suspension bridges span this waterway which was,
according to Herodotus, first crossed in 512 BC by King Darius
when he marched his army from Asia into Europe over a pontoon
bridge of ships. After the 18th century, it became a fashionable
venue for the Ottoman sultans and members of their courts
who had elegant palaces and mansions of stone and wood erected
along it.
At Sariyer on the European side stand two wooden mansions
built in the 19th century that today house the Lady
Sadberk Musuem. This was the first privately-owned
museum in Turkey and has fine collections of Anatolian antiques
and ethnographic works. The oldest wooden structure still
standing on the Bosphorus today is the Yali
of Amcazade Huseyin Pasha. Located in Kanlica on the Asian side, it was built in 1699. Not far way on the
Asian side is the modest fortress called Anadoluhisari. Standing
at the mouth of a creek, it was built in the 14th century
by Bayezid I. Its more imposing counterpart on the European
side, known as Rumelihisari, was built by
Mehmed II. Erected in only three months' time just before
the fall of Constantinople. Today Rumelihisari
is a museum and in summer it is frequently used in the evenings
for outdoor concerts and theatrical performances. Further
down the Bosphorus on the Asian side is Beylerbeyi
Palace, an elegant palace built in 1865 by Abdulaziz.
Opposite it on the European side is Ortakoy,
whose cafes, restaurants, abrs, art galleries, and flea-market/bazaar
have become popular calling-places for Istanbul intelligentsia
in recent years. The elegant mosque standing by the waterside
in the lively and entertaining district of Istanbul was built
in 1854 by Sultan Abdulmecit. Proceeding on we come to Besiktas
where there is a seaside Musuem of Naval History with a fine collection of imperial caiques, maps, and other
items documenting the 700-year history of the Turkish navy.
Close by is the Musuem of Fine Arts, in which
are exhibited outstanding examples of late 19th and 20th century
Turkish painting and sculpture. This museum stands almost
next to the magnificent Palace of Dolmabahce, the first great
Ottoman palace to be erected on the shores of the Bosphorus
in 1848.
THE NAME OF ISTANBUL AT 9 LANGUAGES
in ancient Greek language: Vizantion |
| in Latin: Bizantium, Antoninya, Alma Roma, Nova Roma |
| in Romaic: Konstantinopolis, Istinpolin, Megali Polis, Kalipolis |
| in Slavic: Çargrad, Konstantingrad |
| in Vikings: Miklagord |
| in Armenian: Vizant, Stimbol, Esdambol, Eskomboli |
| in Arabic: Bizantiya, el-Mahsura, Kustantina el-uzma |
| in Seljukian period: Konstantiniyye, Mahrusa-i Konstantiniyye, Stambul |
| in Ottoman period: Dersaadet, Deraliyye, Mahrusa-i Saltanat, Istanbul,
Islambol,Darü's-saltanat-i Aliyye, Asitane-i Aliyye, Darü'l-Hilafetü'l Aliye, Payitaht-i
Saltanat, Dergah-i Mualla, Südde-i Saadet |
|
BAZAARS
SPICE MARKET (EGYPTIAN BAZAAR)
-
Located next to the “New Mosque”
at Eminonu, transports you to fantasies of the mystical
East. The enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron,
mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice fill
the air, with street sellers enticing the visitors to purchase
“remedies for all kinds of problems”.
- GRAND COVERED BAZAAR
It was built in the 15th century, right after
the conquest of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmet. Its extends over
65 streets, covering an area of 30.702 square meters. It contains
a mosque, 21 inns, two vaulted bazaars, seven fountains, a
well and 3300 shops. It possesses 18 gates, eight of them
large, ten of then smaller. The shops sell leather, gold,
silver, jewelry, garments, copper and a variety of tourist
souvenirs. The Old Bedesten still specializes in the sale
of antiques.
(The Bazaar is open 08:30/19:00 everyday except on
Sundays
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The palaces from Ottoman period. The buildings where sultans
spent their lives. On every step you'll feel the history that
dates back to centuries ago. 
The religious places for Moslems: Mosques... Most of them
decorated with Iznik tiles, each of them is a masterpiece... 
