The magnificent Suleymaniye Mosque has been located on one of the hills which is one of the seven hills of Europe side. It had been constructed by the architect Mi mar Sinan by the commands of Kanuni Sultan Suleyman in the years between 1550 -1557. This mosque has 4 minarets and has 10 §erefe (balcony […]
The construction of the small lodges of the palace had been started in 1462 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and the largest portion of the palace had been finished in 1578. This palace have been composed of a huge complex. There are two big towers on both two sides of Babusselam which constitutes the second gate […]
Across from Hagia Sophia stands the supremely elegant Imperial Sultanahmet Mosque with six minarets. Built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet, the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles. During the summer months an evening light and sound show both entertain and inform […]
The Fact and Fiction Surrounding the 4000 Year Old Ancient City Troy existed more than 4000 years as the center of ancient civilization. For many years, it was commonly believed that Troy was a myth, the product of fertile imaginations such as Homer’s, who made Hector, Helen, Achilles, Paris, Agamemnon and Priam so famous. […]
THE MARMARA REGION A fast highway connects Istanbul with Izmit, the capital of Kocaeli province. An important city in Roman times known as Nicomedeia, it is now a prosperous industrial center. The restored Saatci Efendi Konak, a typical 18th-century Ottoman mansion, now serves as theEthnography Museum. Pismaniye, the local sweet, consists of thousands of thin layers of drawn sugar. Hereke, […]
Istanbul embraces two continents with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe. Through the city’s heart -the Bosphorus- run the waters of the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. Sunset, Istanbul The former capital of three successive empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Istanbul today honors and preserves the legacy of […]
MOSQUES Hisar Mosque is the largest and oldest in Izmir. Built in the 16th century, and restored in the 19th century, it has a delightful interior with an interesting mimber (pulpit) and mihrab (niche showing the direction to Mecca). Yali Mosque in Konak Other mosques in Izmir are Salepcioglu (20th-century), Sadirvan (17th-century with 19th-century restorations) and Kemeralti (17th-century). All these […]
Kutahya is one of the oldest Turkish cities, with many old Turkish traditions still being practiced today. It is home to important Ottoman architectural monuments, including a castle, mosques, medreses, baths, complexes, mausoleums, and mansions. One of the finest mosques is the 14th century Ulu Mosque. Kutahya Castle offers a wonderful, panoramic view of the […]
Hisar Mosque is the largest and oldest in Izmir. Built in the 16th century, and restored in the 19th century, it has a delightful interior with an interesting mimber (pulpit) and mihrab (niche showing the direction to Mecca). Yali Mosque in Konak Izmir’s other mosques are Salepcioglu (20th-century), Sadirvan (17th-century with 19th-century restorations) and Kemeralti (17th-century). All are situated […]
Ayasofia, is the first large church of Christian universe. After the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottoman Empire, it had been used as mosque and it has kept its value among all important mosque of Islam universe. This church which is still standing as hard as nails today, have been started to be constructed by […]