These days, Hippodrome is known as Sultanahmet Square for the new generation. Around this square, some beautiful museums and mosques multiply Hippodrome’s glory. This is a great chance to discover the ancient character of this city and see the original face of Turkey. Several hotels have been built around the Hippodrome, so you can admire the greatness of it from your room’s window every day.
Chora Church is one of the most distinguished historic sites in Istanbul, Turkey. The Church of Chora is very old, and it has experienced many incidents and has been rebuilt several times. One of the most costly renovations to the church took place in the 12th century after an earthquake almost completely destroyed it. The last renovations of this church have been done to turn it into a mosque for Muslims. In Byzantine times, this church was one of the most important churches, and people came from different places to watch and worship in it.
The Princes’ Islands are a cluster of 9 islands southeast of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara., known for its horse-drawn carriages (phaetons). Among these islands, Büyükada is the biggest and most famous one, attracting millions of tourists annually.
Out of all the cities in the world, Istanbul is known to have the most cisterns. And it’s not just about quantity! The cisterns laying under the streets of this city each have their own unique story and structure. But if you only want to visit one cistern in your life, we recommend this breathtaking underground palace, named Basilica Cistern. It won’t disappoint!
Topkapi Palace Museum is located between the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea in Istanbul in the region of Sultan Ahmed and has a great view of the Bosphorus Strait. The palace has three gates, the Imperial gate (Bab Humayoon), Bab Selam, and Bab Sa’ada. The palace has four courts and 17 exhibitions. Get the map to decide about your tour.
The Istanbul Aquarium is placed in the Aqua Florya mall, located near Yesilkoy. Since it’s close to the Ataturk Airport, you can plan on visiting there right after you land in Istanbul or before you jet out. You would be able to watch planes flying over the mall.
Süleymaniye Mosque is the second biggest prayer complex in Turkey. This mosque is really big with different entrances and halls and is viewed as a significant landmark. Suleymaniye Mosque is an ideal combination of simple and affected structures.
About 7,000 people are living in Büyükada. They speak the Turkish language, the same as other cities in Turkey. Büyükada is located in the Sea of Marmara. However, there are no gas-powered vehicles on the island. That is why the weather on this island is delightful and clear. Büyükada literally means big island. There are two peaks on the Büyükada, from which you can see the surrounding scenery.
Galata Bridge has become the symbol of Turkey over the years as it gives you the chance to encounter the local life. You can see the image of the Galata bridge on magazines, T-shirts, and handicrafts due to its popularity. After the 19th century, it became an essential part of the poems, stories, paintings, and engravings.
The original building of Pammakaristos Church is believed to belong to the 11th century; however, several things have changed since then, and some parts are either destroyed or built later. For example, in the south part of the church, a chapel named Parekklesion was structured in the 14th century and nowadays functions as a museum. After the conquest of nowadays Istanbul, the Pammakaristos church was turned into a mosque. Afterward, some inner walls were removed to make a bigger space for the prayers. Also, its name was changed to Fethiye mosque, which means the mosque of conquest.