The Museum of Ancient Orient Arts: 12. Exhibits Akkadian, Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, old Arabian, Hittite, and Egyptian works of art dating from 4.000 B.C. to 400 A.D.
The Mosaic Museum: 13. Recreate the lives of the great Byzantine emperors as you study the display of striking mosaics, which were once used to cover their palace floors.
The Municipal Museum of Istanbul: 14. Situated next to Aqueduct of Valens in old Istanbul, this museum is renowned for its collection of Karagöz characters. (The Karagöz figures of the Turkish shadow play are cut from camel skin).
The Naval Museum: 15. Sultan’s caiques and naval vessels highlighting Turkey’s maritime history are dis played in the museum at Beşiktaş, a five-minute drive from the hotel.
The Topkapi Palace Museum: 16. Built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century, Topkapi Palace housed the sultans and their exotic entourages in its countless rooms and corridors. Tourists are now free to wander in the courtyards and many wings, where once men feared to tread.
From the 15th century on, sultans lived in this ram bling palace, adding and pulling down rooms and build ings until it has become rather like a small town. One may see here a truly fabulous and priceless collection of jewelry and Chinese porcelain which give one an idea of the Ottoman dynasty’s weath.
The Museum of Painting and Sculpture: 51. It exhibits paintings dating from the 19th century onwards. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts: 18. Located in the recently-restored Ibrahim Paşa Palace, one can see the richest collection of Turkish Islamic Arts. Those who are interested in carpets will be delighted to see the oldest Seljuk carpets existing. Its coffee house is worth visiting.
Çinili Köşk: 19. (The Museum of Tiles): Erected in the 15th century, this kiosk, or small palace is the oldest building constructed by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. It is of great interest as a museum of tiles and the Seljuk tiles which decorate the entrance door are noteworthy.
Castles
Rumeli Hisar (European Castle): 24. Seen from any angle, this imposing military structure is impressive as its towers and walls twist and turn to follow the contours of the hill. Built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror to launch the conquest of Constantinople (which was renamed Istanbul). The fortress is now open to the public as museum. In summer months, the State Theater stages Shakespeare’s plays in this unusually dramatic setting.
Anadolu Hisar (Asian Castle): 25. Standing across the Bosphorus at its narrowest point, this fortress on the Asian side was built some fifty years before Sultan Mehmet constructed the European castle.
Fountains
The large number of fountains still left in Istanbul are a glorious reminder of Ottoman art and public service. In the old days, they were the main source of drinking and household water.
Fountain of Ahmet III: 26. This 18th century mas terpiece may be seen at the entrance to the Topkapi Palace.
The German Fountain: 27. Built for the visit of Ger man Emperor Wilhelm, it is located in the hippodrome, which runs along in front of the Blue Mosque.
Towers
Leander’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi): 28. The legends con nected with this tower mistakenly give it a romantic appeal as Leander’s Tower where Hero's lover Leander drowned while swimming to see her. Said to have been constructed in the 330's A.D. during the time of Emperor Constantine, it is now used as a light tower.
Galata Tower. 29. Rising above Istanbul this interest ing old structure gives the tourist a wonderful view of the city. Originally built by the Byzantines in the 6th century to serve as a watch tower, then captured by Genoese in the 13th century, it was finally used by the Ottoman Turks as a fire tower. It has been recently restored. An elevator carries the public to the top where one may enjoy the view, a drink or a meal in the restaurant.
Byzantine
Monuments
Saint Sophia: 10. (Please See Museums)
Kariye (St. Chora) Museum: 30. The restorations carried out on the St. Chora Church have made it possi ble to see some of the finest examples of 14th century Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
The Hippodrome: 31. There are few more pleasant places in Istanbul to sit under the trees and watch the world go by than while musing on history at the hippo drome - originally Greek and Roman, and now occupied by the shoe-shine boys and the picture postcard-sellers. The Obelisk of Theodosius, (brought from Egypt) the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the Plated Column (originally it was covered with gilded bronze) in the Hip podrome, once the largest race track in the world, are all worth seeing.
The Aqueduct of Valens: 32.1600 -year old Roman water conduit on Atatürk Boulevard.
The City Walls: 33. It is an amazing fact that we are still able to see the remains of the city walls which sur rounded Constantinople in the early 400's A.D. The res tored Topkapi Gate is still in use as an entrance to the city and its ancient charm is enhanced by the orange lights illuminating it at night.
Yerebatan (Cistern): 34. This fascinating, under ground cistern was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century for use in wartime. It has 336 columns which support the mammoth water storage chamber.
Saint Irene (Museum): 35. The biggest church after Saint Sophia Cathedral, Saint Irene has a simple dignity. Unlike other churches, it was not converted Into a mosque but used until recently as a military museum.
Saint Serge and Bacchus: 36. Emperor Justinian constructed this church which takes its name from two saints. Upon conversion to a mosque, the Turks named it "Küçük Ayasofya" or Little St. Sophia.
Saint Mary Panmakaristos: (Fethiye Mosque): 37. The exquisite beauty of late Byzantine art is reflected In this church now used as a museum.
‘Saint Savior Pantocrator (Zeyrek Mosque): 38. Another example of a church converted to a mosque-the mosaic work is excellent.
Bazaars
The Covered Bazaar: 39. This world-famous covered market encloses a vast area and its some 4,400 shops have fascinated tourists for centuries. It contains
all sorts of wares and goods for daily needs but for tourists with imagination it can be an exotic and thriling place, particularly when one realizes it was originated in the middle of the 15th century by the order of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror.
The Spice Bazaar: 40. It is well worth taking the time to wander through this bazaar built in the 17th century. One, may find all variety of foods there including of course, the spices which give it its name.
Bazaar: 54. Offers tourists - interest items.
Excursion places
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Hidiv’s Villa: 52. In Çubuklu on the Asian Side. This imposing mansion surrounded by green woods on the slopes overlooking the Bosphorus is open to public as restaurant, hotel, tea house and beer garden.
The Bosphorus: 45. Follow by boat or car the course of one of the world's loveliest stretches of water, which separates Europe and Asia.
Çamlıca: 46. A visit to this hiltop on the Asian side and to the newly restoredTea House will reward you with a beautiful view of the Bosphorus and the Princes’lslands in the Marmara Sea.
Pierre Loti Coffee House: 47. Named after the French author, Pierre Loti, who liked to walk to this spot to watch the sunset and dawn over the Golden Horn.
Princes’lslands: After Istanbul’s hurrying masses, the Princes' Islands with their sandy beaches, pine woods, horse-drawn carriages and charming old houses offer the sightseer relaxation.
Emirgan Park, 48. Also overlooks the Bosphorus. In the park the White House offers concerts during the weekends, music library and a coffee house. The Pink House exhibits a traditional Turkish home and has a library of books on the Bosphorus. The Yellow House is a favorite place for tea and coffee.
Yıldız Park: 49. Overlooking the Bosphorus, It houses the Malta Pavilion (built in late 19th century), Pink and Green Conservatories and the Çadır Pavilion for leisurely tea, coffee and cocktails. Open from 9.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Maslak Pavilions: 53. The hunting lodge for the sultans in the 19th century offers also park and a green house where one may enjoy a pleasant cup of tea.
İhlamur Pavilions: 54. Built in a linden grove, these royal lodges reflect the 19th century taste in ornate decoration.
Aynalikavak Pavilion: 55. This 18th century building reflects the traditional Ottoman way of living when the Golden Horn was lined with such charming palaces.
Special Events
¡S H I
The Sultan Ahmet Sound and Light Show in the evenings: The story of Istanbul and Sultan Ahmet, the mosque regarded as one of the most outstanding exam ple of Turkish architecture. Shows in English. French, German and Turkish. Please contact Bell Captain for program.
ADMISSION: FREE
International Istanbul Festival: The annual Interna tional Istanbul Festival is part of the prestigious Confed eration of International Music Festivals of Geneva and takes place every year between June 15 July 31. The festival program comprises symphonic concerts, chamber music, recitals, vocal music, traditional music, folklore, opera, ballet, theater, Turkish traditional arts, con ferences and exhibits.
Kişisel Arşivlerde Istanbul Belleği Taha Toros Arşivi
