ISTANBUL
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 its past while looking forward to a modern future.
It is Istanbul’s endless variety that fascinates visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, grand mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem innumerable.
Reclining on the western shore of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows of the opposite shore, you may suddenly understand why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At such times you can see why Istanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.
Fishermen, Istanbul
PALACES
On a finger of land, at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara stands, the Topkapi Palace, the maze of buildings that was the focal point of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. In these opulent surroundings the sultans and their court lived and governed. A magnificent wooded garden fills the outer, or first, court. In the second court, on the right, shaded by cypress and plane trees, stand the palace kitchens, which now serve as galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain. To the left is the Harem, the secluded quarters of the wives, concubines, and children of the sultan, charming visitors with echoes of centuries of intrigue. Today the third court holds the Hall of Audience, the Library of Ahmet III, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. In the center of this innermost sanctuary, the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle enshrines the relics of the Prophet Muhammed brought to Istanbul when the Ottomans assumed the caliphate of Islam. (Open every day except Tuesday).
Topkapi Palace , Istanbul
The facade of the Dolmabahce Palace, built in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit I, stretches for 600 m along the European shore of the Bosphorus. The vast reception salon, with its 56 columns and four-and-a-half ton crystal chandelier with 750 lights, never fails to astonish . At one time, birds from all over the world were kept in the Bird Pavilion for the delight of the palace’s privileged residents. Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, died in the palace on November 10, 1938. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday).
In the 19th century, Sultan Abdulaziz built the Beylerbeyi Palace, a fantasy in white marble set amid magnolia-filled gardens, on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. Used as the Sultan’s summer residence, it was offered to the most distinguished foreign dignitaries for their visits. Empress Eugenie of France was among its residents. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday).
In addition to the State Pavilions at the Yildiz Palace complex, the compound includes a series of pavilions and a mosque. It was completed by Abdulhamit 11 at the end of the 19th century.
The Sale, the largest and most exquisite of the buildings, reveals the luxury in which the sultans lived and entertained. Set in a huge park of flowers, shrubs and trees gathered from every part of the world, the palace grounds offer one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Bosphorus. Because of restoration work, only the Sale and park are open to the public. (Open every day except Tuesday).
Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul
The Goksu Palace, also known as Kucuksu, takes its name from the streams which empty into the Bosphorus near the tiny palace. Built by Abdulmecit I in the middle of the 19th century, it was used as a summer residence. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday).
Originally built in the 18th century and later restored by various sultans, the Aynali Kavak Summer Pavilion assumed the name, Mirrored Poplar, when its famed mirrors, a gift from the Venetians, were installed in 1718. This palace on the Golden Horn is one of the most beautiful examples of traditional Turkish architecture. (open every day except Monday and Thursday).
Topkapi Palace , Istanbul
The 19th-century lhlamur Pavilion is named for the linden trees that grow in its gardens. Now in the heart of metropolitan Istanbul, when it was originally constructed, the pavilion lay in the rolling countryside that surrounded the city. The Merasim Pavilion was used for official ceremonies while the Maiyet Pavilion sheltered the sultan’s entourage and, on occasions, his harem on their excursions out of the palace confines. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday).
Interior Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul
The Maslak Pavilions on a shady green hill were conceived by Sultan Abdulaziz as hunting lodges. These are particularly noteworthy as superb examples of the late 19 thcentury Ottoman decorative style. The Malta Pavilion is presently a casual restaurant while both the Maslak Pavilion and Limonlu Gate are open as cafes. (Open every day)
The Florya Ataturk Sea Pavilion served as a summer residence for Turkish presidents, beginning with Ataturk Built in 1935 in a T-shaped design on land jutting out over the Sea of Marmara, this building serves as a showcase for some of the loveliest examples of early 20th century furnishings. (Open weekdays except Monday and Thursday).
HISTORICAL SITES AND MONUMENTS
The ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, stood in the area that now fronts of the Blue Mosque. The area is now named for the mosque,Sultanahmet. Of the monuments which once decorated it only three remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Remains from the curved end of the Hippodrome wall can be seen on the southwest side of these three monuments. Today the square forms the center of Istanbul’s historical, cultural and touristic pursuits. Take particular note of the surrounding wooden houses, especially the 18th century homes on Sogukcesme Street. Delightfully restored, they have a new lease on life as small hotels; one houses a fascinating library of books on Istanbul.
The Ahmet III Fountain, built in 1729, stands at the entrance to Topkapi Palace. A generous roof shades the water spouts where the thirsty can stop for a cup of refreshing water. This highly ornate, free-standing fountain is a superb example of the late Ottoman Style.
Mahmut II built the Beyazit Tower (85 m high) in 1828 as a fire tower. Today it is included in the grounds of Istanbul University.
Galata Tower, Istanbul
The Bozdogan-Valens Aqueduct, built in 368 A.D., supplied the Byzantine, and later the Ottoman palaces, with water. Today part of the remaining 900 m of double-tiered arches straddle the major highway that runs through the old part of town.
The Istanbul city walls, once an impenetrable fortification, stretch seven km from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. Recently restored, as also many times before, these walls date from the fifth century and the reign of Emperor Theodosius 11. UNESCO has declared the walls, and the area which they enclose, one of the world’s cultural heritage.
The Galata Tower, a Genoese construction of 1348, rises 62 m above the Golden Horn. From the top there is a marvelous panorama of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. In the evening you can enjoy its popular restaurant, nightclub and bar.
Rumeli Hisari, Istanbul
Rumeli Hisari, or European Fortress, was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to his capture of Istanbul. Completed in only four months, it is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture in the world. In the castle is the Open-Air Museum amphitheater, the site for some events of the Istanbul Music Festival. (Open every day except Wednesdays).
Kiz Kulesi, also known as Leander’s Tower, is one of the most romantic symbols of Istanbul. On a tiny island at the entrance to Istanbul’s harbor, the first tower was constructed in the 12th century. The present building dates from the 18th century.
Kiz Kulesi, Istanbul
ISTANBUL BOGAZI (THE BOSPHORUS)
A stay in Istanbul is not complete without a traditional and unforgettable boat excursion up theBosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendor and simple beauty. Modern hotels stand next to yali (shorefront wooden villas), marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses, and elegant compounds neighbor small fishing villages. The best way to see the Bosphorus is to board one of the passenger boats that regularly zigzag along the shores. You embark at Eminonu and stop alternately on the Asian and European sides of the strait. The roundtrip excursion, very reasonably priced, takes about six hours. If you wish a private voyage, there are agencies that specialize in organizing day or night cruises.
Rumeli Hisari , Istanbul
During the journey you pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace; farther along rise the green parks and imperial pavilions of the Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of the parks stands theCiragan Palace, refurbished in 1874 by Sultan Abdulaziz, and now restored as a grand hotel. For 300 m along the Bosphorus shore its ornate marble facades reflect the swiftly moving water. At Ortakoy, the next stop, artists gather every Sunday to exhibit their works in a streetside gallery. The eclectic mix of people creates a lively scene. Sample a tasty morsel from one of the street vendors. In Ortakoy, there is a church, mosque and synagogue that have existed side-by-side for hundreds of years – a tribute to Turkish tolerance at the grass roots level. Overshadowing Istanbul’s traditional architecture is one of the world’s largest suspension bridges, the Bosphorus Bridge, linking Europe and Asia.
The beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace lies just past the bridge on the Asian side. Behind the palace rises Camlica Hill, the highest point in Istanbul. You can also drive here to admire a magnificent panorama of the city, as well as the beautiful landscaped gardens. On the opposite shore, the wooden Ottoman villas of Arnavutkoy dramatically contrast with the luxurious modern apartments of neighboring Bebek. A few km farther along stand the fortresses of Rumeli Hisari and Anadolu Hisari facing each other across the straits like sentries guarding the city.
Kucuksu Kasri, Istanbul
The Goksu Palace sometimes known as Kucuksu Palace graces the Asian shore next to the Anadolu Hisari. The second link between the two continents, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge straddles the waterway just past these two fortresses.
From Duatepe Hill, on the European side, you can admire the magnificent panorama of the bridge and the Bosphorus. Below Duatepe, the beautiful Emirgan Park bursts with color when its tulips bloom in the spring. On the Asian shore is Kanlica, a fishing village, now a favored suburb for wealthy Istanbulites. Crowds gather in the restaurants and cafes along its shores to sample its famous yogurt. Shortly after Kanlica and Cubuklu is the Beykoz Korusu (Ibrahim Pap Woods), a popular retreat. In the cafes and restaurants there, you can enjoy the delightful scenery and clear, fresh air. Back on the European side, at Tarabya Bay, yachts seem to dance at their moorings. The coastal road bustles with taverns and fish restaurants from Tarabya to the charming suburbs of Sariyer and Buyukdere. Sariyer has one of the largest fish markets in Istanbul and is also famous for its delicious varieties of milk puddings and borek (pastries). On past Sariyer the narrow strait widens and opens into the Black Sea.
Golden Horn (Halic), Istanbul
HALIC (THE GOLDEN HORN)
This horn-shaped estuary divides European Istanbul. One of the best natural harbors in the world, the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests were centered here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line the shores where the setting sun casts a golden hue on the water. At Fener and Balat, neighborhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets full of historic wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy resides here at Fener. Eyup, a little further up, reflects Ottoman architecture. Cemeteries dotted with dark cypress trees cover the hillsides. Many pilgrims come to the Tomb of Eyup, in the hope that their prayers will be granted. The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill overlooking the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquility of the view.
YACHTING
Yachting is very popular in Istanbul. This is the only place in the world where you can enjoy the beauty of a mystical landscape while sailing back through history to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times, and view magnificent castles, palaces and mosques.
From the North Sea through the European interior, yachters can cruise down the European canal system and the Rhine and Danube Rivers into the Black Sea harbors and to theIstanbul Bogazi and Istanbul marinas. A safe water-born shortcut.
Yacht Races
Sail on the Istanbul Bogazi under the enormous bridges spanning two continents and around the Princes’ Islands to their beautiful bays, where you may anchor and enjoy the serenity of the area. After enjoying all of the sights return to one of the two large marinas. Atakoy Marina with a blue flag rating is on the European side and Kalamis Marina is on the Asian side. Both offer 24-hour service. International Offshore Yacht races are held in Istanbul every summer.
Moving on from Istanbul through the Sea of Marmara you come to Canakkale and the famousDardanelles, site of an historic World War I campaign that annointed Mustafa Kemal as a man of destiny. Continue on into the Aegean Sea for fine cruising and end up along the golden sands of the Mediterranean.
GOLF
Istanbul offers lovely opportunities for golf enthusiasts:
The Klassis Golf and Country Club, 65 km from Istanbul in Silivri, is one of the area’s largest golf clubs, with an 18-hole course and a 9-hole course.
The Kemer Golf and Country Club, 18 km from Istanbul in the Belgrad Forest near the town of Kemerburgaz, offers a formidable test of golf skill on its 9-hole course.
The Istanbul Golf Club in the Ayazaga district of Istanbul also has a 9-hole course.
Hunting
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