Treasures in i̇stanbul turkey

Treasures in Turkey

IstanbulIt was the capital city of Ottoman

Empire. And there are lots of historical places in Istanbul. These are

the some of them.

Topkapi was the first Ottoman palace to be built (1466-1478) in the newly conquered capital of the Empire by Mehmet II. Located on the spot where the foundations of the city were first laid in ancient

times by Megarian Chief Byzas in the 7th century BC, the palace boasts one of the most beautiful views of Istanbul, incorporating the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the two shores and the sea of Marmara.

• Dolmabahce palace• Dolmabahçe was built in neo-baroque style between

1843-1856 in the rapidly growing northern section of the city, at the Marmara outlet of the Bosphorus, to replace the Topkapı Palacewhich was out fashioned. The architect was Karabet Balyan, head architect of Sultan Abdulmecit. It has 3 floors including the basement with a symmetric design, with 285 rooms, 43 halls.The pier is 600 meters long and the palace has two beautifully decorated monumental gates giving access to its courtyard. The huge ballroom has a 4,5 tons crystal chandelier hanging from its 36 meters high ceiling.

Dolmabahce palace

Ciragan PalaceThe name Ciragan comes from the word "cerag" which means torch in Persian. The area in which the Palace is located was called Ceragan because of the famous Ottoman parties which were held in tulip gardens with torches. The palace was built during the reign of Abdulmecit and was designed by the armenian architect Serkis Balyan. The building was constructed using the financial loans that were obtained for restructuring the water system of ıstanbul and the construction of a new railway. The construction took 12 years. This is the last palace built by the Ottoman Empire for the royal family.

Çirağan Palace

Yildiz Palace• Yildiz, one of the last residences of the

Ottoman Sultans, was completed by Abdulhamit II at the end of the 19th century. The Sale (Chalet), the largest and most exquisite of the buildings, reveals the luxury in which the sultans lived and entertained.

Major mosques of Istanbul

• Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque) This 17th century mosque, facing the

Haghia Sophia, is famous for its beautiful blue tile work ornamenting its interior walls.

• Suleymaniye (the Magnificent)• This outstanding piece of architecture was built in

the 16th century by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificient. Standing on a hilltop of the ancient city over the Golden Horn, it contributes gracefully to the city's skyline. The tombs of the Sultan, his wife Hürrem and Mimar Sinan are found within its compounds. It is the largest mosque of Istanbul with four minarets.

Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower)

Kiz Kulesi (Leander's Tower - Maiden Tower)

Yerebatan Sarayi (Cistern Basilica)