Istanbul is happening. In recent years it has witnessed an upsurge in its tourism industry, as people from around the world flock to the vibrant city to enjoy the bourgeoning art galleries, museums, restaurants and marvelous historic sites.
Much has been said about the beauty and historic charm of Istanbul, the only city that lies on two continents, linking East and West, present and past. Established in the 7th-century BC, the city’s cobblestones and alleyways bespeak a rich historic narrative spanning different emperors and cultures.
I began my tour from the famous square of Sultan Ahmed district. The district lays in the heart of old Istanbul in the midst of historic sites such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi palace and is a walking distance from the Egyptian spice bazar, the Grand Bazar, Gullhana Park and the archaeological museum.
Our first stop is the Hagia Sophia, (the Holy Wisdom) a masterpiece of architecture constructed on the orders of the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the early 6th century AD. Initially it was an Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque and now a museum. This great monument is known for its massive dome, which is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and continues to dominate the skyline of old Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia remained the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years thereafter until Seville Cathedral was completed in 1520. In 1453, the former Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmet the second, who subsequently ordered the building converted into a mosque.
Our next stop is the Hippodrome, a sporting and social center during the time of the Byzantine Empire. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek ‘hippos’ which mean horse and ‘dromos’, path or way. Today, the square is named Sultanahmet Meydani (Sultan Ahmet Square), and has a few remnants of the old structure still standing, including an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi.
From there, our tour bus passes by the famous Gullhana Park, which is part of Topkapi palace, a rose garden where many cultural activities took place during the Ottoman Empire. This huge garden encompasses a special museum containing important inventions and relics of Islamic history.
Passing by different places on the streets of Istanbul, we come across Istanbul’s historic railway station, which was completed in 1870 and was the last stop of the oriental express from Paris, servicing passengers until 1967. The train featured in one of the famous novel mysteries written by Agatha Christie entitled “Murder on the Orient Express.”
Istanbul’s Bosporus Bridge is the only bridge that connects the two continents of Europe and Asia. The bridge was opened in 1973 on the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic and measures 1,560 meters in length and goes up to 64 meters from sea level.
As we continue, we stop at the spice bazar and are immediately taken in by colorful and exotic bustling attractions that feast our senses. The narrow alleyways contain countless shops selling herbal remedies, spices, housewares, nuts and numerous other delightful products.
A few blocks westward from the bazaar is the Rustem Pasha mosque, another historic attraction, in the city of 800 mosques.
Rustum Pasha mosque is situated on a busy intersection of the bazar. It challenged the Byzantine Church, built in 1564, and it is another masterpiece of Islamic architecture. The mosque is famous for its beautiful and distinct tile work, set in a wide variety of floral and geometric shapes.
From the mosque we moved to the vibrant Taksim Square, the famous commercial and leisure hub of modern Istanbul, with its appealing variety of shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The Independence Monument (Istiklal Aniti) is located in the southern end of the square and commemorates the Turkish Republic’s founder, Kemal Ataturk, in both his military and statesman roles.
Along the Golden Horn, the tour guide ushers us into the old city where the shrine of Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari is situated in the courtyard of Sultan Abu Ayob Ansari mosque. Built in 1458, it was the first mosque constructed by the Ottoman Turks following their conquest of Constantinople in 1453. After the conquest of Constantinople a türbe (tomb) was constructed above Abu Ayyub’s purported grave and a mosque was built in his honor. The area is now known as the locality of Eyüp and has become a sacred locality for many Turkish citizens.
The last stop of the tour bus is Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also popularly know as the Blue Mosque, because of the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. Built by Sultan Ahmed the first in the early 17th century and designed by a pupil of Sinan, the greatest of Ottoman architects, the Blue Mosque is the only imperial mosque with six minarets. The mosque is illuminated with 260 windows and decorated with more than 21,000 handmade ceramic blue tiles in floral and abstract designs.
Modest dress is required for both male and female visitors and upon entering the north gate of the mosque, visitors are requested to remove their shoes.
Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. with the exception of prayer times and Fridays.
Southeast of the Blue Mosque is Sultanahmet Square, which is home to a historic bazar that dates back more than 300 years. Arasta Bazaar contains more than 70 shops, offering a wide range of souvenirs, such as handmade carpets, rugs, Turkish tiles, leather products, precious stones and fine jewelry. The rent from these shops provides money for the maintenance and repair of the mosque.
Arasta Bazaar is the last standing example of the historical open bazaars in Istanbul. The shops were empty and derelict for many years until the tourism boom of the late 1980s and 1990s. Now, Arasta Bazaar is among Istanbul’s most-visited tourist markets.
Istanbul a tale of present and past, east and west
Istanbul a tale of present and past, east and west
