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| Istanbul Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Sultan Ahmet mosque and the flowers Sultan Ahmet mosque and the flowers Sezgin Aytuna I have been travelling around a bit and have seen quite a few big cities with a long history in and around old Europe: Berlin, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, Cairo and so many others. But there is one city that makes me coming back again and again - for more than 10 years now: Istanbul, the city on the straits, the city connecting two continents. Also as Frank Sinatra says " I would like to wake up a city which does not sleep" There are two cities fits that catagory in the world; New York and Istanbul. If you are in the town try to cross the Bosphorous bridge at midnight or drive along the Bosphrous see the traffic, the city indeed does not sleep. The population is 12 million and everybody is on the road!!!!!! No matter how and from which side you approach the city, from Yesilköy by the airport bus or taxi, by train to the European train station Sirkeci or by ship through the Dardanelles: the moment will come when on the horizon the scenery of the peninsula will raise, the skyline of the mighty mosques. Believe me when I say, this is a moment you will never ever forget! Or as the poet says: "Istanbulu dinliyorum, gözlerim kapali" - I am listening to Istanbul, while having my eyes closed. You need at least 1 full week to see the some main atractions; museums, parks, covered bazaar, old mosques and palaces etc.... The best time to visit the city between May- September time frame, and be sure you take a boat tour along the Bosphorus, zig zaging the cannel towards north, all the way to Black Sea Asia Site (Anadolu Kavagi). It is called a bagger ship, it stops every sea port (a total of 10) and enjoy watching the mensions/ palaces, castels on the way where you will pass under the two suspension bridges. www.exclusivetravelturkey.com for more details Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Sezgin Aytuna __________Sights Edit This A view from in the side Dolmabahçe Palace A view from in the side Dolmabahçe Palace Sezgin Aytuna Sights in Istanbul are so numerously that I decided to make subsections in different categories. Please choose them according to your interest. Display all or display just: Churches and Cathedrals Hotspots Mosques Other Sights Palaces Roman Time Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Sight] GALATA TOWER Edit This Galata Tower, Istanbul Galata Tower, Istanbul photo by: Svetlana Tikhonova As the stronghold of the Genoese defence system in Pera, in 1348 on the hill above the harbour the Galata Tower was errected (The Tower of Christ). You really should take the time to have a look at that and esp. from that tower. Don't mind the admission fee that is charged, it is really worth it. Try to be there at sundown and you will understand why I do think this is one of the most beautifull views in the world. type: Other Sights World66 rating: [rate it] Bosphorus Tours Edit This BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 00905357220175 openingHours: 08:15 url: www.bilsentravel.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@bilsentravel.com Chora / Kariye Edit This i The Church of St Saviour in Chora (Kariye Camii) is inside the the Theodosian Walls, in spite of the fact that "chora" means "in the country" or "outside". So it seems sure that the church (wich is a part of a monastry) was originally outside the ancient city and is therefore older than these walls. What makes the church today so popular are the mosaics and paintings from mainly 1325-21, when Theodor Metochides financed them. The church eas as many others in the early 16th century converted to a mosque, but the mosaics and frescos were never obliterated, although in different more.. type: Churches and Cathedrals World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0212/631-9241 openingHours: Thurs-Tues 9:30am-6:30pm url: www.sacred-destinations.com address: Camii Sok., Kariye Meydani, Edirnekapi, Istanbul Covered Bazaar Edit This Covered Bazaar, Istanbul Covered Bazaar, Istanbul photo by: Svetlana Tikhonova Kapali Carsi - The Covered Bazaar is one of the biggest of its kind in the world. In more than 3500 shops of various kinds, there are more than 20.000 people working. Together with numerous shops selling carpets, cloth and clothes, souvenirs, there are many cafés, tea-houses and restaurants (esp. those called "sofra" that offer special lunch for the business people in the neighborhood. The market is on its place since Mehmet II conquered the city. It has been rebuild several times since then, the reason for that were catastrophes like the earthquake in 1894 and the big more.. type: Other Sights World66 rating: [rate it] Suleymaniye Camii Edit This Suleymaniye Mosque Suleymaniye Mosque photo by: - One of the things you should not miss is of course the Suleymaniye Camii (i.e. Mosque), designed and build by Mimar Sinan, the most important architect of the Ottoman Empire. The inside is less decorated than you might expect, but the proportions and the total impression is breath-taking. The Suleymaniye Mosque is in fact a "külliye" which means more than just a mosque but also a hospital with insane asylum, a theological school (medrese), a public kitchen, a caravanserai, a public bath and the graves (türbe) of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and his wife Roxelana. The more.. type: Mosques World66 rating: [rate it] Haghia Sofia Edit This Hagia Sofia, mosaics. Istanbul Hagia Sofia, mosaics. Istanbul photo by: Svetlana Tikhonova Looking from the outside one might be disappointed: it looks little elegant. But don't miss to see the inside. There are only few churches world wide just as impressive as Haghia Sophia. The Haghia Sophia Church was erected and re-erected through the centuries many times. We know that there were a few wooden churches before at the same place and probably with the same name. Some of them burned down, some were destroyed by earthquakes, for which the region was famous for as we still can see today. It is likely that the first church from stone was built there somewhat in the more.. type: Churches and Cathedrals World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 0212/522-1750 openingHours: Open from Wed.- Mon. from 9:30h am - 4:00 pm url: www.sacred-destinations.com address: Aya Sofya Sq., Istanbul, Turkey Cisterns Edit This Cistern, Istanbul Cistern, Istanbul photo by: Svetlana Tikhonova The underground cistern "Yerebatan Saray" (Underground Palace") is the biggest of the today known cisterns. It is 139 meters long and about 65 meters wide. Inside it consists of 336 columns, 12 rows of 28 each, separated by 4 meters and with a height of 8 meters. The cistern has a capacity of about 80,000 m³ . It dates from the time of Justinian I. Adress: Yerebatan Caddesi, Sultan Ahmet. Daily from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm type: Roman Time World66 rating: [rate it] Dolmabahce Palace Edit This Dolmabahçe Palace Dolmabahçe Palace Dolmabahce Palace is the palace where Ataturk lived and worked in before the War of Independence. Atatürk is the founder of The Republic of Turkey and accepted as a great commander all through the world. Located by the great Bosphorus in the European side with a great view and a great architectural palace by itself apart from its historical meaning. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) Edit This Blue Mosque at Dusk Istanbul Blue Mosque at Dusk Istanbul photo by: Jonathan Harrison UK The Blue Mosque is impressive because of its size and the elegance of both its architecture and surroundings. It is less impressive from the inside and some actually say it is a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, with its six minarets it is a must see for Istanbul. The complex was erected in only nine years under the reign of Sultan Ahmet I (finished in 1616). The name "Blue Mosque" was given because of the 21.000 Iznik tiles inside the mosque. type: Mosques World66 rating: [rate it] tel: (0212) 518 1319 openingHours: 9am-6pm, except during daily prayer times and midday on Fridays url: www.sacred-destinations.com MARKET AT YENI CAMI Edit This Every Sunday there is market all around the Yeni Cami (the New Mosque) at the head of the Galat Bridge. The bridge itself is very nice to cross then, you can see from there both sides of the city, the ships and boats, people fishing etc.. The market is spread out all around the mosque and streched through several streets up to the covered bazar (kapali carsi) wich is closed on Sunday! The products are mostly for the locals but usually I do find some small things there as socks, shirts, batteries, spices, tea ... these things are much cheaper here than in Beyoglu. type: Other Sights World66 rating: [rate it] The City Walls Edit This Theodosius II (5th century), successor and son of Theodosius the Great, is the Emperor that gave the city walls his name: The Theodosian Walls. The Theodosian Walls, protecting the city landwards, are in many parts in the present time still visible. The main walls were about 5 meters thick at the base and rose up to 12-15 meters. The wall was guarded by ninety-six towers of about 20 meters height, errected at an interval of 50-60 meters. The walls were pierced by ten gates and a few small posterns. Five of these gates were open to public transportation more.. type: Roman Time World66 rating: [rate it] Rustem Pasha Camii Edit This Another small but very impressive mosque was erected in 1561 by architect Mimar Sinan in the market quarter of Eminönü down by the Golden Horn. The entrance is easy to miss, it is not much more than a door and some steps leading to a terrace above the shops of the market. The Rüstem Pasha Camii should not be missed because of its charming atmosphere and its superb tiles inside. type: Mosques World66 rating: [rate it] Church of Sergius and Bacchus Edit This One of the most important and oldest churches in Istanbul is the Church of SS. Sergius and Bacchus. Soon after Emperor Justinian came to the throne (527) he gave order to start with the constructions; the work was finished only 9 years later. Since 1503, when the church was converted to a mosque by Hussein Aga, the chief eunuch of Sultan Beyazit II's harem, it is known as "Kücük Aya Sofya Camii" (little Haghia Sophia Mosque), because of its resemblance to Haghia Sophia. type: Churches and Cathedrals World66 rating: [rate it] Ciragan Palace Edit This This palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1861, who ascended the throne after Sultan Abdülmecit. It was designed by Nikogos Balyan and the construction carried out by Sarkis and Agop Balyan. In 1876, Murat V was placed in house arrest at Ciragan on grounds that he was mentally ill and Sultan Abdülhamid took the throne. Murat lived at Ciragan Palace until he died in 1905. The palace was used as the house of parliament when it burned down in 1910. Today the restored Ciragan Palace is a luxury hotel. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] ____________History Edit This i nilgün1966 Byzantium was one of the many colonies founded from the end of the 8th century onward along the coasts of the Bosporus and the Black Sea by Greek settlers from the cities of Miletus and Megara. In 343 BC Byzantium joined the Second Athenian League, throwing off the siege of Philip II of Macedon three years later. The lifting of the siege was attributed to the divine intervention of the goddess Hecate and was commemorated by the striking of coins bearing her star and crescent. Byzantium accepted Macedonian rule under Alexander the Great, regaining independence only with the eclipse of Macedonian might. A free city under Italy, it gradually fell under imperial control and briefly lost its freedom under the emperor Vespasian. When, in AD 196, it sided with the usurper Pescennius Niger, the Roman emperor Septimus Severus massacred the populace, razed the walls, and annexed the remains to the city of Perinthus (or Heraclea, modern Marmaraereglisi), in Turkey. Septimus Severus rebuilt the city on the same spot but on a grander scale. Although sacked again by Gallienus in 268, the city was strong enough two years later to resist a Gothic invasion. In the subsequent civil wars and rebellions that broke out sporadically in the Roman Empire, Byzantium remained untouched until the arrival of the emperor Constantine I--the first Roman ruler to adopt Christianity. Overcoming the army of the rival emperor, Licinius, at nearby Chrysopolis, on September 18, 324, Constantine became head of the whole Roman Empire, east and west. He decided to make Byzantium his capital. Constantinople Within three weeks of his victory, the foundation rites of New Rome were performed, and the much-enlarged city was officially inaugurated on May 11, 330. Constantinople was to become one of the great world capitals, a font of imperial and religious power, a city of vast wealth and beauty, and the chief city of the Western world. Until the rise of the Italian maritime states, it was the first city in commerce, as well as the chief city of what was, until the mid-11th century, the strongest and most prestigious power in Europe. Culturally, Constantinople fostered a fusion of Oriental and Occidental custom, art, and architecture. The religion was Christian, the organization Roman, and the language and outlook Greek. The concept of the divine right of kings, rulers who were defenders of the faith - as opposed to the king as divine himself - was evolved there. Constantine's new city walls tripled the size of Byzantium, which now contained imperial buildings, such as the completed Hippodrome begun by Severus, a huge palace, legislative halls, several imposing churches, and streets decorated with multitudes of statues taken from rival cities. In addition to other attractions of the capital, free bread and citizenship were bestowed on those settlers who would fill the empty reaches beyond the old walls. There was, furthermore, a welcome for Christians, a tolerance of pagan beliefs, and benevolence toward Jews. In 1203 the armies of the Fourth Crusade, deflected from their objective in the Holy Land, appeared before Constantinople - ostensibly to restore the legitimate Byzantine emperor, Isaac II. Although the city fell, it remained under its own government for a year. On April 13, 1204, however, the crusaders burst into the city to sack it. After a general massacre, the pillage went on for years. The crusading knights installed one of themselves, Baldwin of Flanders, as emperor, and the Venetians - prime instigators of the crusade - took control of the church. While the Latins divided the rest of the realm among themselves, the Byzantines entrenched themselves across the Bosporus at Nicaea (now Iznik) and at Epirus (now northwestern Greece). The period of Latin rule (1204 to 1261) was the most disastrous in the history of Constantinople. Even the bronze statues were melted down for coin; everything of value was taken. Sacred relics were torn from the sanctuaries and dispatched to religious establishments in western Europe. Istanbul In 1452 Mehmed II, proceeded to blockade the Bosporus by the erection of a strong fortress at its narrowest point; this fortress, called Rumeli Hisari, still forms one of the principal landmarks of the straits. The siege of the city began in April 1453. The Turks had not only overwhelming numerical superiority but also cannon that breached the ancient walls. The Golden Horn was protected by a chain, but the sultan succeeded in hauling his fleet by land from the Bosporus into the Golden Horn. The final assault was made on May 29, and, in spite of the desperate resistance of the inhabitants aided by the Genoese, the city fell. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaeologus, was killed in battle. When Constantinople was captured, it was almost deserted. Mehmed II began to repeople it by transferring to it populations from other conquered areas such as the Peloponnese, Salonika (modern Thessaloníki), and the Greek islands. By about 1480 the population rose to between 60,000 and 70,000. Hagia Sophia and other Byzantine churches were transformed into mosques. The Greek patriarchate was retained, but moved to the Church of the Pammakaristos Virgin (Mosque of Fethiye), later to find a permanent home in the Fener (Phanar) quarter. The sultan built the Old Seraglio (Eski Saray), now destroyed, on the site occupied at present by the university, and a little later the Topkapi Palace (Seraglio), which is still in existence; he also built the Eyüp Mosque at the head of the Golden Horn and the Mosque of the Fatih on the site of the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. The capital of the Ottoman Empire was transferred to Constantinople from Adrianople (Edirne) in 1457. jkbbb After Mehmed II, Istanbul underwent a long period of peaceful growth, interrupted only by natural disasters - earthquakes, fires, and pestilences. The sultans and their ministers devoted themselves to the building of fountains, mosques, palaces, and charitable foundations so that the aspect of the city was soon completely transformed. The most brilliant period of Turkish construction coincides with the reign of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman the Magnificent (1520-66). The next major change in the history of Istanbul occurred at the beginning of the 19th century, when dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire was approaching. This period was known as the era of internal reforms (Tanzimat). The reforms were accompanied by serious disturbances, such as the massacre of the Janissaries in the Hippodrome (1826). In the first quarter of the 20th century, there were various disruptions marking the death of the Ottoman Empire and the birth of modern Turkey. In 1908 the city was occupied by the army of the Young Turks who deposed the hated sultan Abdülhamid II. During the Balkan Wars (1912-13) Istanbul was nearly captured by the Bulgarians. Throughout World War I the city was under blockade. After the conclusion of the Armistice (1918) it was placed under British, French, and Italian occupation that lasted until 1923. The Greco-Turkish War in Asia Minor, as well as the Russian Revolution, brought thousands of refugees to Istanbul. With the victory of the Nationalists under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the sultanate was abolished, and the last Ottoman sultan, Mehmed VI, fled from Istanbul (1922). After the signing of the Lausanne Treaty, Istanbul was evacuated by the Allies (October 2, 1923), and Ankara was chosen as the capital of Turkey (October 13, 1923). On October 29, the Turkish Republic was proclaimed. Because of Turkey's neutrality during most of World War II, Istanbul suffered no damage, although a German invasion was feared after the Balkans had been conquered by the Axis. The influx of automobiles brought acute traffic problems to Istanbul, and large tracts of the city were demolished or cleared to make way for modern highways. _____________Practical Information Edit This Just like any major city in the world, there is an ugly side to Istanbul, a city culture which thrives on picking off unsuspecting tourists. The European side of the City is a hell hole Around the Sultan Ahmet area, the most common thing you here is 'excuse me can I ask you one question'? These are hustlers who are on commission to a carpet or ceramic shop owner. They engage you conversation and pretend to be interested in what you are saying. The hustler pretends to be so interested in the conversation that he suggests you both continue over a tea or coffee. This tea or coffee is invariably provided in the shop they are working for and from the moment you walk in the door, the sales banter begins. And it's very hard selling, almost threatening. Don't go into any bars that don't have a price list readily available. There are many bars who will happily serve you all night without making it obvious that they charge $50 per beer. These bars, which are not confined to the red light district, normally have groups of women who turn out to be Eastern European prosititues. To the proprietors, ignorance of the tariff is no excuse. If you can't afford to pay they are very, very agressive. They will bodily search you for credit cards. Quite what they'd do if you refused to sign the credit card slip is hard to imagine - they would probably debit your card anyway. It would probably be best to sign the slip then contact the credit card company reporting it as stolen and stating your last purchase was at a time well before the extortion. Istanbul is not the place to wander aimlessly. Before going, make a plan of what you want to see. Stay away from Laleli and Aksaray (unless you need to use the Metro Station). If you can, book your accomodation in the Asian side. Don't expect any help from the Police, not even the Tourist Police. They resent anything that disrupts their daily routine of smoking and tea drinking. Keep excess money, credit cards and passport in the hotel safe. There is no need to carry much more than $40 in cash. ________History Edit This i nilgün1966 Byzantium was one of the many colonies founded from the end of the 8th century onward along the coasts of the Bosporus and the Black Sea by Greek settlers from the cities of Miletus and Megara. In 343 BC Byzantium joined the Second Athenian League, throwing off the siege of Philip II of Macedon three years later. The lifting of the siege was attributed to the divine intervention of the goddess Hecate and was commemorated by the striking of coins bearing her star and crescent. Byzantium accepted Macedonian rule under Alexander the Great, regaining independence only with the eclipse of Macedonian might. A free city under Italy, it gradually fell under imperial control and briefly lost its freedom under the emperor Vespasian. When, in AD 196, it sided with the usurper Pescennius Niger, the Roman emperor Septimus Severus massacred the populace, razed the walls, and annexed the remains to the city of Perinthus (or Heraclea, modern Marmaraereglisi), in Turkey. Septimus Severus rebuilt the city on the same spot but on a grander scale. Although sacked again by Gallienus in 268, the city was strong enough two years later to resist a Gothic invasion. In the subsequent civil wars and rebellions that broke out sporadically in the Roman Empire, Byzantium remained untouched until the arrival of the emperor Constantine I--the first Roman ruler to adopt Christianity. Overcoming the army of the rival emperor, Licinius, at nearby Chrysopolis, on September 18, 324, Constantine became head of the whole Roman Empire, east and west. He decided to make Byzantium his capital. Constantinople Within three weeks of his victory, the foundation rites of New Rome were performed, and the much-enlarged city was officially inaugurated on May 11, 330. Constantinople was to become one of the great world capitals, a font of imperial and religious power, a city of vast wealth and beauty, and the chief city of the Western world. Until the rise of the Italian maritime states, it was the first city in commerce, as well as the chief city of what was, until the mid-11th century, the strongest and most prestigious power in Europe. Culturally, Constantinople fostered a fusion of Oriental and Occidental custom, art, and architecture. The religion was Christian, the organization Roman, and the language and outlook Greek. The concept of the divine right of kings, rulers who were defenders of the faith - as opposed to the king as divine himself - was evolved there. Constantine's new city walls tripled the size of Byzantium, which now contained imperial buildings, such as the completed Hippodrome begun by Severus, a huge palace, legislative halls, several imposing churches, and streets decorated with multitudes of statues taken from rival cities. In addition to other attractions of the capital, free bread and citizenship were bestowed on those settlers who would fill the empty reaches beyond the old walls. There was, furthermore, a welcome for Christians, a tolerance of pagan beliefs, and benevolence toward Jews. In 1203 the armies of the Fourth Crusade, deflected from their objective in the Holy Land, appeared before Constantinople - ostensibly to restore the legitimate Byzantine emperor, Isaac II. Although the city fell, it remained under its own government for a year. On April 13, 1204, however, the crusaders burst into the city to sack it. After a general massacre, the pillage went on for years. The crusading knights installed one of themselves, Baldwin of Flanders, as emperor, and the Venetians - prime instigators of the crusade - took control of the church. While the Latins divided the rest of the realm among themselves, the Byzantines entrenched themselves across the Bosporus at Nicaea (now Iznik) and at Epirus (now northwestern Greece). The period of Latin rule (1204 to 1261) was the most disastrous in the history of Constantinople. Even the bronze statues were melted down for coin; everything of value was taken. Sacred relics were torn from the sanctuaries and dispatched to religious establishments in western Europe. Istanbul In 1452 Mehmed II, proceeded to blockade the Bosporus by the erection of a strong fortress at its narrowest point; this fortress, called Rumeli Hisari, still forms one of the principal landmarks of the straits. The siege of the city began in April 1453. The Turks had not only overwhelming numerical superiority but also cannon that breached the ancient walls. The Golden Horn was protected by a chain, but the sultan succeeded in hauling his fleet by land from the Bosporus into the Golden Horn. The final assault was made on May 29, and, in spite of the desperate resistance of the inhabitants aided by the Genoese, the city fell. The last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI Palaeologus, was killed in battle. When Constantinople was captured, it was almost deserted. Mehmed II began to repeople it by transferring to it populations from other conquered areas such as the Peloponnese, Salonika (modern Thessaloníki), and the Greek islands. By about 1480 the population rose to between 60,000 and 70,000. Hagia Sophia and other Byzantine churches were transformed into mosques. The Greek patriarchate was retained, but moved to the Church of the Pammakaristos Virgin (Mosque of Fethiye), later to find a permanent home in the Fener (Phanar) quarter. The sultan built the Old Seraglio (Eski Saray), now destroyed, on the site occupied at present by the university, and a little later the Topkapi Palace (Seraglio), which is still in existence; he also built the Eyüp Mosque at the head of the Golden Horn and the Mosque of the Fatih on the site of the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. The capital of the Ottoman Empire was transferred to Constantinople from Adrianople (Edirne) in 1457. jkbbb After Mehmed II, Istanbul underwent a long period of peaceful growth, interrupted only by natural disasters - earthquakes, fires, and pestilences. The sultans and their ministers devoted themselves to the building of fountains, mosques, palaces, and charitable foundations so that the aspect of the city was soon completely transformed. The most brilliant period of Turkish construction coincides with the reign of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman the Magnificent (1520-66). The next major change in the history of Istanbul occurred at the beginning of the 19th century, when dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire was approaching. This period was known as the era of internal reforms (Tanzimat). The reforms were accompanied by serious disturbances, such as the massacre of the Janissaries in the Hippodrome (1826). In the first quarter of the 20th century, there were various disruptions marking the death of the Ottoman Empire and the birth of modern Turkey. In 1908 the city was occupied by the army of the Young Turks who deposed the hated sultan Abdülhamid II. During the Balkan Wars (1912-13) Istanbul was nearly captured by the Bulgarians. Throughout World War I the city was under blockade. After the conclusion of the Armistice (1918) it was placed under British, French, and Italian occupation that lasted until 1923. The Greco-Turkish War in Asia Minor, as well as the Russian Revolution, brought thousands of refugees to Istanbul. With the victory of the Nationalists under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the sultanate was abolished, and the last Ottoman sultan, Mehmed VI, fled from Istanbul (1922). After the signing of the Lausanne Treaty, Istanbul was evacuated by the Allies (October 2, 1923), and Ankara was chosen as the capital of Turkey (October 13, 1923). On October 29, the Turkish Republic was proclaimed. Because of Turkey's neutrality during most of World War II, Istanbul suffered no damage, although a German invasion was feared after the Balkans had been conquered by the Axis. The influx of automobiles brought acute traffic problems to Istanbul, and large tracts of the city were demolished or cleared to make way for modern highways. ____________-Getting Around Edit This Travelling around in the city of Istanbul is a real adventure: the means of transport are innumerable. Taxi, Dolmus (shared private Taxi, also called "Minibus"), buses and trains, tram, subway train, ferry boats of all kind and age (to the Asian side and along the Bosporus). Buses are really cheap but even taxis, and especially minibuses offer reasonable prices. A hint for taxis: you should insist on using the counter (taximeter). It will always be cheaper! Take care: they have two tariffs: gündüz (for day) and gece (for night). Of course night tarif is more expensive... About the big city busses: You have to buy the tickets outside the bus at a kiosk. The driver does not sell tickets! In a dolmus or minibüs you just pay the driver, there are no tickets at all. It is not very common to hitchhike; sometimes from that results a misunderstanding and people expect payment. Contributors January 12, 2007 change by bluecruise [Add Local transport mode] Private Airport Transfer& Sightseeing Istanbul Edit This Transportation with English,Italian & Spanish speaking drivers. World66 rating: [rate it] ________Getting There Edit This i [Add Global transport mode] Budget Airlines Edit This i A number of budget airlines now fly to Istanbul. They include: Germanwings from Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart Corendon from Amsterdam and Eindhoven easyJet from London Luton and Basel Condor from a number of airports on Germany, France, Belgium and Austria. Most of the new low cost flights operate out of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport which is on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. Well you must have heard about "no frills" airlines that fly to destinations very remote from their stated destination. In this case they fly to a different continent! That said transfers more.. type: By Air World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.eurapart.com address: CH2 3AE email: john@eurapart.com ___________Turkish Language Edit This Learning Turkish as a yabanci (Turkish for stranger and foreigner) can be difficult, but it is much rewarded by many Turks who appreciate your efforts. If you want to learn basic words and phrases, pick up a beginner's or traveler's Turkish language book, available in almost any large bookstore on Istiklal Caddesi between Tünel and Taksim. If you're interested in short to long term guided study in Turkish, seek out one of Istanbul's two most respected Turkish language schools, Dilmer (http://www.dilmer.com/) or Tomer (http://www.tomer.ankara.edu.tr/). Luckily for most students of Turkish, Modern Turkish utilizes a modified Latin alphabet due to language reforms in the early 20th century. Even most Turks no longer understand the old Ottoman script. The letters Turkish does not use from the English alphabet are q, w and x. Turkish characters not used in English are i, ö, ü, g, s and ç. Turkish is a phonetic language. Here are some basic words and phrases that can be helpful during your traveling Greetings and basic words Hello merhaba ; selam What is your name? isminiz nedir? Nice to meet you memnun oldum. How are you? nasilsin(iz)? Good iyi Bad kötü So so söyle böyle Good morning günaydin Good afternoon iyi günler Good evening iyi aksamlar Good night iyi geceler What's up? ne haber? Goodbye güle güle (said to the person leaving) ; allahaismarladik See ya/So long görüsürüz Yes evet No hayir Thank you tesekkürler ; tesekkür ederim Thank you very much çok tesekkür ederim You're welcome bir sey degil Please lütfen Excuse me pardon Numbers one bir two iki three üç four dört five bes six alti seven yedi eight sekiz nine dokuz ten on Travel and Communication I do not understand anlamiyorum How do you say this in Turkish Bu [Türkce] nasil soylenir? Do you speak ... = (Insert language) biliyor musunuz; English = Ingilizce French = Fransizca , German = Almanca , Spanish = Ispanyolca, Chinese = Çince Where is the bathroom? tuvalet nerede? Family and People Wife karim ; esim Husband koca ; esim Child çocuk Daughter kiz çocuk Son erkek çocuk Mother anne Father baba Friend dost ; arkadas I = Ben, We = Biz, You (singular, familiar) = Sen, You (singular, formal) = Siz You (plural) = Siz, They = Onlar. __________Health & Trouble Shooting Edit This GECMISH OLSUN! as the Turks say to somebody who is ill, might it be gone! If you are on holiday usually you don't want to think about being ill or having a traffic accident. Nevertheless we all know that these things happen. Therefore some hints about emergency cases and health in Istanbul. Istanbul has good medical facilities and plenty of excellent doctors, many of whom are trained abroad. It is easier to get reliable help then you might expect. State hospitals are better equipped and cheaper than private hospitals, but very often they do not reach the standards Europeans and Americans are used to (you will see that it is quite common to have some family members around you for nursing!). Private hospitals are generally less crowded and give better service. If an emergency arises, have some cash or a credit card ready as hospitals expect you to pay immediately for their services. But don't hesitate to claim their service usually you will get the money back from your insurance (as long as you have one!) and it is not as expensive as in Europe or the States. If you are once sick insist on meeting a doctor or go to the hospital immediatly. People around you, even in the hotel, might trying to persuade you to take any medicine they heard of for not wasting any money! People in Turkey go very often to a Pharmacy, buy something and try to save the money for a real doctor. Pharmacists in Turkey are not qualified to provide medical services. For example, taking blood pressure, giving injections, cleaning, and bandaging minor injuries, or suggesting medication for common ailments. To make the diagnosis and advise the treatment is only allowed for registered medical doctor. Nearly all drugs can be bought without a prescription. Too often Pharmacists don't hesitate to sell heavy antibiotics with lots of side-effects without a careful diagnosis! The turkish word for pharmacy is "ECZANE". Here the names and addresses of some - in my opinion - better hospitals - of course there can't be any guarantee / warranty for the quality from my side: [Add New] American Hospital Edit This Address: Güzelbahce Sok. - Nisantasi Tel: (0212) 311 20 00 type: general World66 rating: [rate it] German Hospital DENTAL CLINIC Edit This German Hospital Dental Clinic Address: Siraselviler Cad. 119 - Taksim Tel: (0212) 293 21 50 REMARK: Modern dental hospital with special sections for children and orthodontics type: general World66 rating: [rate it] _________Museums Edit This Contributors October 14, 2006 new by svetico [Add Museum] Museum of Paintings and Sculpture Edit This The Resim-Heykel Müzesi is dedicated to paintings and Sculpture. You would probably not expect to find a Picasso in Turkey? You will be surprised then. This Museum houses a good collection of Modern art. Many of these are of course Turkish Artists, but this makes a visit even more interesting. We.- Su. 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] address: Dolmabahce Caddesi, Besiktas. Archaeological Museum Edit This The Arkeoloji Müzesi, or Archeological Museum is a must see, not only for those interested in turkish history itself but also for the former Ottoman empire, that stretched from Algeria to Vienna and comprisd hald of all countries on the Mediterranean. This means the museums has a great collection! The museum is located in the outer yard of Topkapi-Palace. Tu.-Su. 9:30 am - 4:30 pm type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] Mosaic Museum Edit This the Mozaik Müzesi or Mosaic Museum has a large collection of Byzantine mosaics in a very good shape. This is the number one place to come to when you are interested in mosaics. Very impressive. We.-Mo. 9:30 am - 5:00 pm type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] address: Kabasakal Caddesi, Sultanahmet. __________Day Trips Edit This i Turkey is an epic drama, an awesome land with a rich culture that forever charms & delights. Ayala Travel in Turkey offers you an exclusive way to discover the country's treasures. Whether you like sightseeing or archaeological sites, endless beaches or adventure, we share a vision of Turkey that differs from the mainstream. Our holidays celebrate the real culture of Turkey, its people, its extreme landscapes & its natural wonders. We pride ourselves on presenting a more authentic & lasting impression for all our guests with a touch of Turkish hospitality. www.exclusivetravelturkey.com [Add Day Trip] Istanbul Tours Edit This Day 01 HAGIA SOPHIA, now known as the Ayasofya Museum, was an early Christian Church, and later an Eastern Orthodox Church which was transformed into a mosque on 1453 by Turks, and converted into a Museum in 1935 is regularly considered one of the greatest and most beautifull buildings in history. BLUE MOSQUE, (Sultanahmet) The mosque is famously known with this name fort he blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built between 1609-1616 by order of Sultan Ahmed I, after whom its named. The mosque is located in the more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90535 722 0175 url: www.bilsentravel.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@bilsentravel.com Turkish Night Show Edit This Turkish Night Tour, Dinner & Dance Show Traditional music & dance evening - Istanbul After a scenic evening drive through this majestic city of illuminated palaces, mosques and bridges by night, savor the flavors of authentic Turkish cuisine with a special evening dinner in an oriental atmosphere, accompanied by live musical and dance performances from a variety of regional Folk Dancers, Belly Dancers and Turkish Musicians in traditional costume After breakfast join in second day tour of Cappadocia (lunch is included) after the tour transfer to Kayseri more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90535 722 0175 url: www.tourstravelturkey.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@tourstravelturkey.com Prince's Islands Tour Edit This Cruise in MARMARA SEA to PRINCES' ISLANDS , retreats for the Byzantine princes are famous for their beautiful pine woods and beaches. The largest and most enjoyable of the islands is Buyukada. There you can enjoy a ride in a horsedrawn carriage among the pine trees after relaxing on the beaches in the numerous coves of its coast. Evening return to Istanbul and transfer to hotels. INCLUDED Guidence, Boat Fees, Horsedrawn Carriage fee, Lunch, Transfer from/to hotels within city (European side only). GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS We more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90 535 722 0175 url: www.turkeytouristguides.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@turkeytouristguides.com Private Istanbul Tours Edit This Sultanahmet Tour (Private) Day 01 Visit The St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. Continue to the Topkapi Palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905357220175 url: www.istanbultourguides.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@istanbultourguides.com Bosphorus Cruise Edit This SPICE BAZAAR(Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice. BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905357220175 url: www.istanbultourguides.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@istanbultourguides.com Istanbul Taxi Tour Edit This Private City Tours in Istanbul and Excursions by Car For the free spirit with definite ideas about where to go and what to see for those who like to travel on their own, in peace with their families and/or friends, business partners, I will offer customized private tours in Istanbul and country. We specialise in arranging customised tours to suit your requirements. Our door to door service will take you where ever you want to go.......at the time and pace to suit you. Our personalised service gives you the ultimate freedom and flexibility without the worry of driving more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90 535 722 0175 url: www.istanbultourguides.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@istanbultourguides.com Bosphorus Tour Edit This Day 01 SPICE BAZAAR(Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice. BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90212 528 6365 url: www.packagetoursturkey.com.com address: Prof.K.IsmailGürkan Cd. No:2/ASulatanahmet email: info@packagetoursturkey.com Istanbul Airport Shuttle Edit This ISTANBUL AIRPORTS SHUTTLE SERVICE with the private cars. Istanbul airports shuttle provides a simple but efficient airport shuttle service operating 7 days a week between istanbul and Ataturk Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport. They use experienced English speaking drivers who are specialized in the door-to-door transport of passengers and who know their way around istanbul. Our fleet of mini-vans and cars offer a comfortable, reliable and economical transport into or out of istanbul. No need to queue for taxis with their uncertain rates, or drag your bags around searching more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90 212 516 77 01 url: www.istanbul-airport-shuttle.com address: sultan ahmet / Istanbul email: transferistanbul@msn.com Istanbul Travel Service Edit This Istanbul Tour Guide offers high quality private and group Turkey tours and hotel reservations in Istanbul and all regions of Turkey World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905357220175 url: www.turkeytravelservice.com address: sultanahmet Istanbul email: info@turkeytravelservice.com Istanbul Hop On Hop Off Tours Edit This Type: Day Tours in Istanbul Departs From: Istanbul Meeting Point: Saint Sophia at Sultanahmet Centre Departure Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm - Every 60 minutes Available: daily Hotel Pickup: Hotel pickup not available Itinerary: Sites seen on the European side include: * Hagia Sophia (Hop-on Hop-off point) * Blue Mosque * more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90 532 340 01 52 url: www.turkeytravelservice.com address: Sultanahmet email: info@turkeytravelservice.com Istanbul Daily Tours Edit This Istanbul Tour Guides understands that individual travelers like to create their own itineraries, choose their own schedules, and decide on their hotels... With Turkey Tours, nothing is impossible. We offer the widest choice of destinations, hotels & tours, covering the whole of Turkey. Our simple concept of mix-and-match, tailor-made holidays makes holiday planning easy and convenient. Just stay 2 nights or more in a hotel of your choice. Choose from over 200 flexible itineraries covering every corner of Turkey. Combine them to create an itinerary to suit you more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 00905357220175 url: www.istanbultourguides.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@istanbultourguides.com Istanbul Airport Shuttle Edit This Dear Sir/Madam We are a travel agency located in istanbul turkey and we organize private and shuttle transfers with reasonable prices from and to Ataturk Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport . we would like to work with your agency.If you interest please reply our mail than we will send you special prices . Please feel free to contact us for any further informations Best Regards Ramazan KOC Power Tourism Travel Agency Tel : 00 90 212 518 03 54 Cell: 00 90 536 335 62 11 E-mail : info@istanbulairportshuttle.com Address : Kucukayasofya more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +90 212 5180354 url: www.istanbulairportshuttle.com address: Küçük ayasofya mah kaleci sok no 18 Sultanahmet - Istanbul email: info@istanbulairportshuttle.com Istanbul Daily Tours Edit This Istanbul Tour Guides understands that individual travelers like to create their own itineraries, choose their own schedules, and decide on their hotels... With Turkey Tours, nothing is impossible. We offer the widest choice of destinations, hotels & tours, covering the whole of Turkey. Our simple concept of mix-and-match, tailor-made holidays makes holiday planning easy and convenient. Just stay 2 nights or more in a hotel of your choice. Choose from over 200 flexible itineraries covering every corner of Turkey. Combine them to create an itinerary to suit you more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 00905357220175 url: www.istanbultourguides.com address: Klodfarer Caddesi No : 3 Sultanahmet - Istanbul - Turkey email: info@istanbultourguides.com TurkeyTours Edit This Premium Tours operating Tours of Turkey, Tours of Istanbul, pamukkale Sightseeing, Ephesus Tours, Turkey Tour, Cappadocia Hotels, Troy flight Tickets. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905334670724 url: www.packagetoursturkey.com address: prof. k. ismail gurkan caddesi No:2/A Cagaloglu/Istanbul email: info@allclasshotels.com Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Istanbul Tours Edit This HAGIA SOPHIA, now known as the Ayasofya Museum, was an early Christian Church, and later an Eastern Orthodox Church which was transformed into a mosque on 1453 by Turks, and converted into a Museum in 1935 is regularly considered one of the greatest and most beautifull buildings in history. GRAND BAZAAR, is the one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets and 4000 shops. It is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice and carpet shops. TOPKAPI PALACE, literally the ( Cannongate Palace ) ; named after a nearby gate, was the administrative more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905334670724 url: www.packagetoursturkey.com address: prof. k. ismail gurkan caddesi No:2/A Cagaloglu/Istanbul email: info@allclasshotels.com Istanbul Tours Bosphorus Cruise Edit This SPICE BAZAAR, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaar in the city. It is so named because various spice types from the Orient were offered here in the past. BOSPHORUS CRUISE, by boat cruise on the Bosphorus the water way divides the both continents Asia & Europe, you will be able to take marvellous pictures of the palaces, wooden houses and lots of monuments on the boat. RUMELI FORTRESS (NO INTERIOR VISIT), was built by the conquerer of Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmet the Conquest on 1453 to protect and control the Bosphorus. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905334670724 url: www.packagetoursturkey.com address: prof. k. ismail gurkan caddesi No:2/A Cagaloglu/Istanbul email: info@allclasshotels.com Cappadocia - 2 Days 1 Night by Plane Edit This Devrent Valley: Walk through this amazing valley where different fairy chimneys formations can be seen. Zelve Open Air Museum: Explore this ancient village consisting of 3 valleys and wellings carved into the rocks. Learn about the ancient life style. Monk's Valley (Pasabaglari): Spectacular fairy chimneys unique to this spot amongst the gardens and fruit trees farmed by locals. Avanos: A charming situated on the banks of the Red Valley the longest river in Turkey watch the local croft of pottery making with the ancient technique. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905334670724 url: www.packagetoursturkey.com address: prof. k. ismail gurkan caddesi No:2/A Cagaloglu/Istanbul email: info@allclasshotels.com Istanbul Tour Bosphorus Cruise Edit This SPICE BAZAAR, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaar in the city. It is so named because various spice types from the Orient were offered here in the past. CABLE CAR, PIERRE LOTI HILL, ride up to the beautifull hill where you can see the most interesting view of the Golden Horn with a cable car. The hill may make you a poet like a Pierre Loti who is well known poet and author was enraptured by Istanbul and he came here often to watch the beauties of the Golden Horn and Istanbul. GOLDEN HORN, with the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn encloses a more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905334670724 url: www.packagetoursturkey.com address: prof. k. ismail gurkan caddesi No:2/A Cagaloglu/Istanbul email: info@allclasshotels.com Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Istanbul Tour Edit This HAGIA SOPHIA, now known as the Ayasofya Museum, was an early Christian Church, and later an Eastern Orthodox Church which was transformed into a mosque on 1453 by Turks, and converted into a Museum in 1935 is regularly considered one of the greatest and most beautifull buildings in history. BLUE MOSQUE, (Sultanahmet) The mosque is famously known with this name fort he blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was built between 1609-1616 by order of Sultan Ahmed I, after whom its named. The mosque is located in the oldest part of Ýstanbul, in what was more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: +905334670724 url: www.packagetoursturkey.com address: prof. k. ismail gurkan caddesi No:2/A Cagaloglu/Istanbul email: info@allclasshotels.com Ephesus Tours Edit This Ephesus Tours - Istanbul Ephesus Tours, Ephesus Cappadocia Tours www.ephesustourguide.com World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.ephesustourguide.com address: Ephesus - Selcuk email: info@ephesustourguide.com _________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This Concert Flyer Concert Flyer Asli Gurman Istanbul offers nightlife and entertainment in any direction you want to. The choice is incredible and there are several centers of nightlife all over the city: Ortakoy at the Bosphorus (European side), the Istiklal Street from Taksim to Tünel where you will find many students(European side), Aksaray with the more Turkish style nightlife and red-light district (European side) and Kadikoy with its various choice of bars and little restaurants (Asian side). But be very careful about going into bars that do not display a price list outside their premises - in fact, don't. You cannot assume the price of anything so if the bar is not displaying a price list, it's usually because they don't want you to know they're charging $50 for one beer. Have a few of those, and imagine the bill. The staff will become very agressive with you if you've not enough money to pay, or if you protest about the prices. They will search you for money or credit cards. Display all or display just: Casinos Concerts Gay and Lesbian Istiklal / Beyoglu Kadikoy / Asia Traditional Turkish Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Entertainment place] RIDDIM Edit This An internat, ional city such as Istanbul needs a comfortable place to remind us that there's more music out there than techno and rock; and the new Riddim Cafe & Bar is just what we've been missing. Riddim is the cool place for reggae and world beat music, and some of the best mixes of Caribbean, African, and Latin can be heard here. Resident rasta Osman, one of the coolest people in town, has brought his unique sound to the heart of Beyoglu and nothing will ever be the same again! Previously the pulse of Pupa, Osman has created a tropical island flavor with a bamboo hut for a DJ more.. type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] address: Buyukparmakkapi Sok. No:8/1 Babylon Edit This i photo by: nilgün1966 Babylon in Tünel has got to be the most rocking place to go for entertainment these days. Tucked away in a tiny side street behind Istiklal, its reputation as an excellent venue to see an alternative international or home-grown act is increasing daily. Bands such as Baba Zula, Istanbul Blues Kamp, anyasi, Badmarsh and Shri, Trevor Watts, Erik Truffaz and Cheikh Lô have graced the stage at Babylon to a full house almost every time. Each month a rich programme of entertainment is designed to reach out and touch everyone who loves alternative music, the arts, and performance with more.. type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] address: Tünel Ortakahve Edit This Until now, the only places in Istanbul you’ve been able to smoke a nargile pipe have been in hidden little alcoves and gardens scattered around the Beyazit area, and a couple of places down by Dolmabahçe Palace. Now, just opened up in Beyoglu is a little place called "Ortakahve" which is a different take on the age-old concept of the traditional kiraathanesi - coffee shop. Traditionally, amply-moustached men gathered together in dark, smoky rooms to exchange local gossip and the political opinions of the day while smoking apple tobacco from nargile - water more.. type: Traditional Turkish World66 rating: [rate it] address: ORTAKAHVE - BÜYÜKPARMAKKAPI/TEL SOKAK No:4 - BEYOGLU Jazz Cafe Istanbul Edit This Concert Flyer Concert Flyer photo by: Asli Gurman In the center of Istanbul, between the history and contemporary music. Jazz Cafe established in 1982 by Mete Gurman and Cengiz Sanli, is one of the first jazz clubs to have settled Turkey. It is at the request of many musicians, customers of the restaurant, that they decide to transform the European basement bar into a Jazz Club. All the stars of jazz play at the Jazz Cafe: Bulent Ortacgil, Erkan Ogur, Maffy Fallay, Onder Focan.... type: Gay and Lesbian World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 04.00 url: www.jazzcafeistanbul.com address: Istiklal Avenue. Hasnun Galip Street. No:20 Beyoglu tel: +90 0 212 245 05 16 email: posta@jazzcafeistanbul.com Club Academia Edit This If you can imagine dancing to blaring techno music while sipping exotic cocktails and nibbling on warm, salty, freshly made popcorn, in an underground water cistern dating back to late Roman times (500 AD), originally built by the Roman Emperor Theodosis, then you'll feel right at home in Club Academia. As you descend into the cavernous laser-lit space, surrounded by ancient columns and three-foot thick red brick walls, a labyrinth of secret paths winds through the pillars and around the back wall until you suddenly find yourself right in the middle of the antediluvian more.. type: Traditional Turkish World66 rating: [rate it] address: Sekbanbasi Sokak No:10, Beyazit Magma Music Club Edit This If you think you’ve seen everything in Istanbul, think again!! The crowd here is made up of all kinds of people, wearing all kinds of clothes, dancing all kinds of dances to all kinds of music - as long as it’s electronic. Techno sounds ‘til the wee hours. Live acts, DJ’s and loads of bizarre looking folks... Entry: 8,000,000TL. (5,000,000 before 1.00am) type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] YAGA BAR Edit This Cover charge is 3,500,000TL with the 1st drink free. Starts happening after 11:00. Tel: 0212 292-2829 type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] address: Siraselviler Cad. No:67/1 Exen Dance Club Edit This Ok, so it's another Saturday night in Taksim, you want to find a different place and you don't want to be sophisticated - you want to ‘rock 'till you drop.’ Check out Exen, the dynamite new club that recently opened on Siraselviler. It's jam packed on weekends with babes, hunks, and trying-their- hardests, and with good reason. Exen has one of the finest sound systems around, and some of the best live acts pump it out Wed. thru Sat. until late. Özlem Tekin, Istanbul's bad girl, simply jams every Saturday night, with the last set starting around 2:30. The pounding, grit your more.. type: Concerts World66 rating: [rate it] address: Siraselviler Cad. No:103/6 ClosingTime: midnight tel: 0212 292-2219 closingtime: dghnhbn Jazz Stop Edit This On a street with more fire than flair is a truly unique place, reminiscent of Parisian bistros and Greenwich Village haunts. When you walk into Engin Yorukoglu's Jazz Stop it's like you've left Istanbul and entered another dimension where serious music lives with a kind of subdued energy just waiting to be released. Cozy and comfortable, the Jazz Stop is the kind of place you won't want to leave. Ever! Engin is a patriarch of the music scene here and has been creating fresh new musical interpretations with various guest musicians for over thirty years. More of an attitude more.. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] address: Tel Sok. No: 9 (at the end of Buyukparmakkapi Sokak) Coco Pazzo Edit This Café-Bar-Restaurant - it’s the newest of the funky little places in town, it was just opened up 2 weeks ago by Ali who has high ambitions for the place. It looks great, go check it out next time you’re in Arnavutköy. It’s right near Pupa on the main road, diagonally opposite Eylül type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] HERCAI Edit This HERCAI is one of the cute café-restaurants nestled among the other cafes, restaurants, bars and bookshops in Dumlupinar Sokagi. It’s near Greenhouse, a bookshop with a café and an underused seminar room, which is run by an American woman and right beside an underground looking bar called Mad! In front of it, there is a stall of bric-a-brac attended by a woman and beside it there is a blackboard announcing the dishes of the day unpretentiously in neat handwriting. Hercai occupies the entire space of the nice little three-storied old more.. type: Kadikoy / Asia World66 rating: [rate it] Café Crème Edit This Café Crème has been on the corner of Cami Meydani, opposite the American hamburger chain, at Mecidiye Köprüsü Sokak No:12, Ortaköy for quite some time. Fehmi takes pride in his three floors of serene pleasantly quiet atmosphere and excellent Mediterranean cuisine with an extensive Sunday Brunch buffet every weekend. Cost: 4 900 000TL. For lunch or dinner, try the very popular Seafood Salad, the tasty special of the house, Café Crème Beefsteak or the delicious Salmon Spinach Crepe. There is also a great range of vegetarian choices on the menu. Live music more.. type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] Kiraz Café Edit This Kiraz Café - Has a nice, lively atmosphere. Good food. Nice people. Hidden in a quiet side street, Yeni Yuva Sokak - kind of opposite the Spar market in Cihangir. It’s the newest cafe in that part of town and looks like it’s about ready to become one of the most popular. type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] address: Yeni Yuva Sokak - Cihangir (((Godet))) Edit This Revamped, refreshed and roaring to go! It’s a cool little place, nice to start the night if you’re an electro-funk fan. Dance until you drop to techno, house, and electronic music. Istiklal near Taksim. type: Istiklal / Beyoglu World66 rating: [rate it] __________Bars and Cafes Edit This bars [Add Bar] 45'lik Edit This Damn cool and damn cheap. Efes, a Turkish beer, costs only YTL 2.25. The music is rock, tending towards the indier side, with some Turkish and German stuff thrown in for good measure. The crowd tends towards indie as well. Pretty empty during the week, but fairly full without being crowded on the weekend. It's charmingly dingy inside, and the neighborhood stray cats are always trying to visit. Sit outside in the back to avoid going deaf. I was told that it's the last place you'd expect to find a tourist. Don't be put off by their more.. World66 rating: [rate it] address: Yeni Çarsi Cad. 60 __________Things to do Edit This As nearly every mega city, Istanbul offers a lot of possibilities for your free time and or week end. But it is also true, that it is more difficult to find the places you are looking for. That's why we'll try to give you some hints here... 1.The Princes's Islands! -Büyükada -Heybeliada -Burgazada -Kinaliada These islands have beautiful houses and countryside. Contributors June 25, 2008 change by blues explosion [Add Activity] Climbing and Mountaineering Edit This Atolye Mountaineering Imagine going out for a climb this winter. Chilly prospect? Now there is a artificial rock wall that you can climb right in the middle of Istanbul. Constructed as a part of Atolye Mountaineering & Climbing equipments shop, the rock climbing wall has 125m2 of climbing area and 1000 holds designed for all levels of climbers. It is open from 9:00 to 23:00. You can rent the necessary climbing equipment at Atolye. The Atolye Mountaineering & Climbing Equipment shop owners enlarged their shop this summer and now, just beside the new shop, they more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] address: Address: Muallim Naci Caddesi No: 65-67 Burgazada Edit This Beautiful beaches on the island with turkish and greek restaurants..most cosmopolit island amon others.. type: Going to the Beach World66 rating: [rate it] email: gokmenf@gmail.com :::::::::::Asian Part Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see HAGIA SOFIA MUSEUM HAGIA SOFIA MUSEUM Svetlana Ho There is a local idiom which states that Istanbul is spread out upon two continents. Even the slogan of the advertising campaign for Istanbul in the competition to host the 2000 Olympics read, "Meet where the continents meet." I believe there is some truth in the phrase "Istanbul is spread out on two continents" in real terms - Istanbul accommodates two very different cities on the European and Asian sides, and the difference is not limited to the area codes of the telephones. When you board a boat at Eminönü or Karaköy and cross over to Kadiköy you will be surprised by the transformation not only in geographical, physical and architectural terms, but also in cultural terms. The cultural level of Kadiköy residents appears to be above that of the average of the population of Istanbul in general. Kadiköy also accommodates higher numbers of university graduates than any other district of Istanbul. It seems that more writers, artists and intellectuals (real or pseudo) prefer living in Kadiköy, such as the renowned pop singer and television presenter Baris Manco who recently died, who lived in Moda, Kadiköy. Kadiköy is a large district and accommodates different life styles. You can observe the nouveau rich as you move east from the harbour to Bagdat Caddesi, which is a place to see as well as to be seen. It is almost a comical pleasure to watch the foreign brand fanatics displaying proudly their brand clothes and shoes, or people showing off their recently acquired cars. Equally interesting is to see the abundance of cell phones that almost everybody - from the thirteen year old school girl to the seventy year old grandmother - seems to need even for a short walk to the corner store. If you are a newcomer to Istanbul or if this is your first trip to Kadiköy, after you alight the boat, I suggest you to stay in the vicinity. Walk to the traffic lights and cross the road, keep walking alongside the old council building and then walk across another road where the main post office is on the corner and you will see the fine intersecting streets, which are normally closed to cars. This area is known as Kadiköy Çarsisi. It is a really cool place with its old buildings and some beautiful churches, shops, greengrocers, bakers, open fish markets, pubs that offer inexpensive beer and mussels, bookshops, restaurants and internet cafes. In this area there are also a number of shopping arcades. Akmar Pasaji, which is the most popular among these, is frequented by heavy metal followers such as Metallica and Iron Maiden fans. Here, you will also find second-hand record and book shops, which sell not only the second-hand originals, but also bootleg copies. If you feel tired or hungry, there are a number of inviting cafes and restaurants with terraces or gardens, which offer tasty home-style meals, run by friendly middle class Turkish women. These women have not only broken the traditionally male dominated eating-out sector, but also have started to recapture our eating culture from the hands of the hairy, moustached eastern entrepreneurs. :::::::::::European Part Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Sultan Ahmet Mousque, Istanbul, Turkey. Sultan Ahmet Mousque, Istanbul, Turkey. Sezgin Aytuna The European side of Istanbul again is divided into two parts by the Golden Horn an estuary with a width about 500 metres; so the southern part - that some call Stamboul - is a peninsular and the very oldest part of the European side. This is the old Byzantium, or in Roman times Constantinople (the city of Emperor Constantin). Here you can find the seven hills with the most spectacular sights: For all that you should not forget to have enough time! Haghia Sophia or Topkapi Palace can take hours if one is really interested in it! Then there is the Hippodrome and the Roman cisterns. The Blue Mosque, Constantine's Column and the Grand Bazaar. The Bazaar has 4,000 shops and 28 gatesand it is the oldest covered bazaar in the world built in 1453... The northern part of the European side is the old Italian, in newer times the European city. Nevertheless it has today a great Turkish atmosphere. The pedestrian precinct on the Istiklal Caddesi (the Boulevard of Independence) is one of the most powerful areas in the whole city: day and night! While this part was called in earlier times Pera, it is known today as Beyoglu. This part of town is also famous for bars, restaurants and shopping. It is really charming to have a ride on the historical "tramvay" but - as always in Istanbul - it is rewarding to stroll around. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Sezgin Aytuna ::::::::::The Bosphorus Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see reina reina It is really worth to make a daytrip along the Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe from Asia. The channel is 30 km long and 1-4 km wide. There are strong currents from the North (10km/hr) where Black Sea flows to Sea of Marmara. It is most difficult water way in the world, lots of dangerous turns and sea trafficing, every year 50,000 ships go by. Traditionally the shores on both sides of the channel are exclusive residential areas, with old ottoman style villas and 19th century palaces with beautiful gardens. There are two suspended bridges over the Bosphorus, built in 1973 , the Bosphorus Bridge and in 1983, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge that is dedicated to the conqueror of Istanbul in 1453. As soon as you walk along the shores of Besiktas, Ortaköy or Sarayburnu one can find regular ferry boats of the commuter traffic and you will see as much as you would see with the far more expensive touristic ships! : Trip takes about 1 hour upto second bridge, subparallel to the Europena coast line and return subparalle to the Asia coast line. It costs about $4.00 On both sides of the Bosphorus, Sultan Mehmet Fatih, the conqueror, has built two fortresses in the middle of 15th century: Rumeli Hisar (see the picture) and Anadolu Hisar, the "Anatolian Castle". With the help of those he was able to control the traffic through the Bosphorus and stop the supply for the besiegeed Constantinopel. ___________Sights Edit This ortaköy ortaköy The Bosphorus itself could be recognized as a sight. It was always one of my efforts to find nice places (hotels, restaurants or cafes) where you can sit and enjoy the view over the canal. The Bosphorus at night or in bright sunshine is unforgettable. [Add Sight] Leander Tower Edit This Kiz Kulesi( Maiden's Tower), in Salacak, Uskudar which has become a symbol of Istanbul, was built by the Greek commander Alkibiades in 419 B.C. to oversee enemies coming from the Black Sea. The Byzantine Emperor Komnenos converted this tower into a fortress. Later, Kiz Kulesi was restored by the Ottomans as a wooden tower. When the wooden tower was burned down, the current stone tower was built during the Ahmet III period. The Turkish name "Kiz Kulesi" is derived from a legend about a princess who was confined by her father to protect her from the fate foretold by a dire more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Ortakoy Edit This Ortakoy mosque built in 1854, follows the style of the palaces built in its era. Like the Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi, and Ceragan Palaces, it has a very European style. Corinthian columns and capitals are used for its slender minarets and their balconies. The final effect is pleasing but it has ceased to be Turkish. Around the mosque are lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants. It's one of those places to enjoy a hot night at the shores of the canal. Take a taxi from the Galata-bridge and just say: Ortakoy - will cost you about 20 min. and 5$ to go there ... type: general World66 rating: [rate it] |
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Fotografia aerea di Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul (in turco İstanbul, pronuncia "Istànbul") è la maggiore città della Turchia e capoluogo della provincia omonima. Con una popolazione di 11.322.000 abitanti (censimento 2005) è il principale centro industriale e culturale del paese. La sua ricchissima storia, che la vede alle origini città greca dal nome di Bisanzio, poi capitale dell'Impero Romano d'Oriente col nome di Costantinopoli e infine capitale dell'Impero Ottomano, ha lasciato notevoli testimonianze archeologiche e architettoniche che la rendono anche un centro turistico di rilevanza mondiale.
[modifica] Bisanzio, Costantinopoli, IstanbulIl nome dell'odierna Istanbul riflette, nel corso dei secoli, il succedersi delle civiltà che ne hanno segnato la storia. Fondata dai coloni greci di Megara nel 667 a.C., viene chiamata originariamente Βυζαντιον (Byzántion) in onore del loro re Byzantas. Sarà dunque Byzantium in latino e successivamente Bisanzio in italiano. Il nome greco di Κωνσταντινούπολις (Kostantinoupolis), da cui il latino Costantinopolis e l'italiano Costantinopoli, significa "Città di Costantino". Tale nome le fu dato in onore dell'imperatore romano Costantino I quando la città divenne capitale dell'impero romano, l'11 maggio dell'anno 330. Costantino la ribattezzò Nova Roma, ma questa denominazione non entrò mai nell'uso comune. Roma continuò a mantenere sull'antica Bisanzio i suoi diritti politici e commerciali. Costantinopoli divenne successivamente la capitale dell'Impero Bizantino fino a quando, nel 1453 non venne espugnata dai Turchi Ottomani. Il nome Istanbul potrebbe derivare dalle parole greche "εις την Πόλη" (letto "iss tin poli") che significano "alla Città". In questo modo i Greci si riferivano alla Città delle Città, come Costantinopoli era conosciuta durante l'era bizantina e successivamente. Più probabilmente è una semplice corruzione del greco [Kon]stan[inou]pol, con il prefisso "I-", come accadde per le città di Smirne e di Nicea, diventate Izmir ed Iznik. Il nome Stambul era di uso corrente nell'Ottocento. La città fu chiamata, nel corso dei secoli, con svariati altri nomi: Neà Romè o Nuova Roma come si è detto, Polis o La Città (per eccellenza, come già Roma), Rūmiyya al-Kubrā ("la Maggior Roma" in arabo), Qostantiniyye (Costantinopoli in arabo e in turco), Islambol ("Centro dell'Islam", perché sede de facto del Califfato), Pây-i taht ("Il piede del trono" in persiano), Michaelgard ("Città di Michele", nome di alcuni Imperatori, nella lingua dei mercenari Vareghi (o Variaghi), cioè Vichinghi, che parlavano l'antico germanico norreno), Zarigrado (cioè "Città degli Imperatori" in russo e in bulgaro), Gostandnubolis (il suo nome in armeno). Istanbul divenne il nome ufficiale solo il 28 marzo 1930.
[modifica] GeografiaL'attuale area urbana si estende su entrambe le sponde del Bosforo, lo stretto che divide l'Europa dall'Asia e unisce il Mar Nero al Mar di Marmara. Il "Corno d'oro" è il nome del porto naturale su cui si affaccia il centro storico, sulla riva europea del Bosforo. La città di trova sulla faglia sismica dell'Anatolia settentriole. Recenti studi [1], prendendo in esame un a serie di terremoti iniziata nel 1939 e proseguita nei seccessivi decenni, ritengono probabile che un evento sismico di notevoli proporzioni possa colpire Istanbul in un prossimo futuro. La municipalità di Istanbul è divisa nei distretti di Adalar, Avcılar, Bağcılar, Bahçelievler, Bakırköy, Bayrampaşa, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Büyükçekmece, Beykoz, Çatalca, Eminönü, Esenler, Fatih, Gaziosmanpaşa, Güngören, Kadıköy, Kâğıthane, Kartal, Küçükçekmece, Maltepe, Pendik, Sarıyer, Sultanbeyli, Sile, Şişli, Tuzla, Umraniye, Üsküdar e Zeytinburnu. La città è servita dall'Aeroporto internazionale Atatürk e dall'Aeroporto internazionale Sabiha Gökçen
[modifica] Storia
La fondazione di Bisanzio, da parte dei coloni greci di Megara, risale al 667 a.C.. Grazie alla posizione di controllo sul Bosforo, la città si sviluppò in breve tempo tanto da diventare oggetto di contesa durante le guerre del Peloponneso. Dopo essersi schierata con Pescennio Nigro contro il vittorioso Settimio Severo, la città fu assediata e largamente distrutta fra il 193 e il 195. Nel 196 Bisanzio entrò a far parte dell'impero romano e fu ricostruita dallo stesso Settimio Severo, divenuto Imperatore, riottenendo rapidamente la sua precedente prosperità. La posizione di Bisanzio attrasse anche l'imperatore Costantino I che, l'11 maggio 330, la rifondò come "Nova Roma" (ma presto prese invece il nome di Costantinopoli), dopo un sogno profetico nel quale gli veniva indicato il posto dove stabilire la città. La combinazione dello spirito imperialista di Costantino e la sua posizione strategica avrebbero giocato un ruolo importante come punto di passaggio fra due continenti (Europa e Asia), e successivamente un polo d'attrazione per l'Africa ed altri paesi dal punto di vista commerciale, culturale e diplomatico. Costantinopoli controllò per lungo tempo le rotte fra Asia ed Europa, così come il passaggio dal Mar Mediterraneo al Pontus Euxinos (Mar Nero). Durante il medioevo, Costantinopoli fu la più grande e ricca città d'Europa: si pensa che nel X sec. potesse avere fino a un milione di abitanti. La basilica di Hagia Sophia, monumento di estrema rilevanza architettonica dedicato alla Divina Sapienza, diventa il centro della cristianità greco-ortodossa. Nonostante le aspre lotte interne per il potere e la scarsa autorità individuale dell'imperatore, l'oligarchia bizantina mantenne una stabile struttura politica durante i quasi mille anni dell'impero. Dotata di un notevole impianto di fortificazioni, la città rimase per secoli inespugnata, fino al 1204, quando venne saccheggiata dagli eserciti della quarta crociata. Iniziò, per Costantinopoli, un periodo di lento declino. Il 29 maggio 1453, la città, oramai quasi spopolata, cadde in mano ai Turchi ottomani guidati da Maometto II il Conquistatore ( Fatih ), che ne fece la capitale dell'Impero Ottomano. La caduta di Costantinopoli, e quindi la fine dell'Impero Romano d'Oriente, è indicata talvolta come l'evento che convenzionalmente chiude il medioevo e inizia l'evo moderno. Sotto i sultani ottomani, Costantinopoli ritrovò un nuovo periodo di splendore, diventando sede de facto del califfato nel 1517, ma mantenendo la sede del Patriarcato Greco-Ortodosso e in generale il carattere cosmopolita che la caratterizzò nei secoli precedenti. Il XVI sec. segnò l'apice del potere ottomano. A questo secolo risale la costruzione delle più importanti moschee della città: Beyazit, Suleymaniye (la più grande moschea di Istanbul), Sultan Ahmet e Fatih. L'impero ottomano, sconfitto durante la prima guerra mondiale, finí ufficialmente il 1 novembre 1922. Quando nel 1923 fu fondata la Repubblica di Turchia, la capitale venne spostata da Istanbul ad Ankara. In un primo tempo trascurata in favore della nuova capitale, Istanbul passò attraverso un periodo di grande trasformazione negli anni '50 e '60. Prima degli anni '60, in particolare, il governo di Adnan Menderes perseguì lo sviluppo economico del paese attraverso la costruzione di nuove strade e industrie. Anche nel centro storico, moderne pavimentazioni stradali rimpiazzarono l'acciottolato e una larga parte dei quartieri vecchi venne demolita. Durante gli anni '70, la popolazione di Istanbul subí una rapida crescita in seguito alla forte immigrazione dall'Anatolia. Nuovi quartieri e zone industriali sorsero alla periferia della città e molti dei villagi limitrofi vennero incorporati alla grande area metropolitana. Istanbul è tuttora sede del Patriarcato di Costantinopoli, una delle antiche sedi apostoliche.
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[modifica] Monumenti
[modifica] Chiese ed ex chiese
Interno di Santa Sofia
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[modifica] Palazzi
[modifica] Altro
[modifica] MuseiTra i musei più importanti si segnala:
[modifica] Altri luoghi di interesse turisticoFra i quartieri più noti di Istanbul vi sono Galata (il cui nome si dice derivi dalla parola greca "galà-ktòs", che vuol dire latte), sede della squadra di calcio del Galatasaray, e Fenerbahçe e Beşiktaş, anch'essi sede di famose squadre di calcio turche. Da non perdere una visita all'antico rito dell'hammam in uno dei diffusissimi bagni turchi della città.
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[modifica] Bibliografia
[modifica] Altri progetti
[modifica] Collegamenti esterni
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| Istanbul Travel Guide Istanbul Travel Guide and Istanbul Travel Information - TravelPuppy.com Istanbul is time and again described as ‘the crossroads of Europe and Asia’ – a heaving bazaar-city of camels, carpets and caravanserais with an imperial history stretching back for more than 1500 years. This metropolis of fifteen million dwells both sides of an east-west land bridge divided by the 32km (20-mile) Bosphorus Strait, which also connects the trade routes of the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean. Thus, the city has been a jealously guarded centre of world trade since the Byzantine era, and protected by water on three sides, with the natural harbour of the Golden Horn nestled inside the city. Even after Constantinople (as it was previously known) fell to the Ottoman Sultans in 1453, the city remained (and it still is) the trading post for valuable spices and textiles brought via the Silk Road from as far away as China. Its prime position has meant that Istanbul has suffered from recurrent sieges, changing from a Hellenic outpost to New Rome, the world’s first Christian capital, and the seat of the world’s biggest Muslim Empire. Its identity today combines that of both eastern and European. Fragments of this varied architectural inheritance are noticeable, with stunning Ottoman mosques, classical columns, Byzantine structures, ancient city walls and fine churches. Added to this, rapid industrialisation has drawn thousands of rural poor to the metropolis, resulting in a vast social gap between ‘natives’ and migrants and a growth rate at treble the national average. Its wealthy elite (about 25%) live in the newly built suburbs and enjoy the sophistication of Istanbul’s café society, designer shops, thriving nightlife (over 60% of Istanbullites are under 25 years old) and vibrant contemporary cultural life. Since early 2000, Turkey was caught in the worst economic crisis since the republic was formed in 1924. The August 1999 earthquake, corruption scandals, global depression, the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan, all took their toll, with record high unemployment and inflation. Ironically, increased competition and immense devaluation of the Turkish Lira against hard currency saw a huge upswing in tourism over the last few years, as foreigners took advantage of excellent prices. The 2002 elections resulted in a new prime minister (Erdogan, leader of the moderate Islamic AK party) and a more stable economy, with inflation down to around 10% by early 2004. Istanbul suffered from Islamic terrorism in November 2003, with a number of simultaneous bomb attacks in the heart of the city, targeting synagogues and western and financial centres, and resulting in dozens of deaths. Turkey in recent times made long overdue and internationally welcomed improvements to its human rights, hoping for future entry into the EU. In 2004, it signed a protocol banning the death penalty, Turkish state television broadcast its first Kurdish language programme, and four Kurdish activists were freed from jail. >With the buzzing atmosphere of the pedestrian Istiklal Caddesi and its hundreds of bars, cinemas, art galleries, restaurants and bistros, the city seems more funky and cosmopolitan than ever and young people even more keen on cultural expression. Istanbul’s climate is, in the main, a Mediterranean one, although it is affected by climatic variations due to its location on the Marmara Sea and Bosphorus. Summers are hot and winters are mild, with no extreme temperature variations between seasons. __________ Istanbul Business Profile Istanbul Business Overview - TravelPuppy.com Business Etiquette It is normal for business visitors to address new associates by their first names followed by ‘Bey’ (sir) or ‘Hanim’ (lady). Ottoman society was exceptionally hierarchical and this system still remains unshakable in Turkish business practice, however, hosts (many of them women) may appear modern. The boss will often have a huge, deluxe office in which to entertain, while employees just outside the door are squashed into overcrowded spaces and have little authority delegated to them. Secretaries are hardly ever empowered to take important messages or even know the boss’s schedule, so when telephoning, it is usual for callers to be told to ring back ‘one hour later’ or fax your queries. Once the appropriate contacts have been made, however, business visitors are generally treated with personal warmth and courtesy. Business meetings could be formal or take place over dinner, and punctuality is at all times expected. Relations between business equals can be profusely generous and although one is expected to make at least a gesture of resisting, the boss will almost always insist on taking visitors to the most expensive places in town and footing the entire bill. Turkish people do, however, love having their photos taken with visiting dignitaries, even more so if it appears in print somewhere, so visitors should bring a camera. When visiting people’s homes, flowers or sweets are more appropriate than alcohol; as the host might not drink. If they do drink, however, good whisky is a definite hit. Business dress is the same as in Europe or North America, though women are advised to wear business suits with skirts below the knee. Visiting businesswomen will generally be treated with the same respect as male colleagues. However, women should be alert that after-dinner invitations to accompany the men to a revue bar or belly-dancing club in fact means going to an up market brothels, and a woman’s company will be disliked. Women are advised to clarify the nature of the establishment before going. Business hours are technically 0900-1700, Monday to Friday, although many employees are still expected to put in a 10 hour working day. ____________ Istanbul Culture Guide Istanbul Culture Guide - TravelPuppy.com Istanbul’s cultural activities, both traditional and contemporary, is rich and varied, although not well publicised. Matching the city’s exploding youth population, there is a an increasing number of festivals, galleries, new music venues and film centres and, within the last decade, Turkish artists have started to make an international impact. There are now several independent record companies in the city, releasing experimental works that combine Turkish traditional artists with contemporary groups and new venues where this new music is showcased. In particular, however, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Art, the Istanbul Kültür ve Sanat Merkezi or IKSV (tel: (0212) 334 0700), puts on an exciting series of international festivals. The French Culture Centre, Istiklal Caddesi (tel: (0212) 334 8740) often has French film screenings, and dance performances. Tickets can be tough to come by for the popular film and jazz festivals, so visitors should book well in advance for any events at existing concert venues, such as the Open Air Theatre, Açik Hava Tiyatrosu, Takisla Caddesi, Congress Valley, in Harbiye (tel: (0212) 296 6006), and the Ataturk Cultural Centre or Atatürk Kultur Merkezi, Taksim Square, Taksim (tel: (0212) 251 5600). The annual Contemporary Artist Istanbul Exhibition celebrates the work of young local artists, many of whom progress to being internationally famous. Akbank Culture and Arts Centre, 14-19 Istiklal Caddesi (tel: (0212) 252 3500/01). The private sector has helped take the load off Istanbul’s government-supported sites, by opening specialised arts events and private galleries, many of which can be seen on Istiklal Caddesi and the Taksim area. Among the most adventurous is the Borusan Center for Culture and Art, 421 Istiklal Caddesi (tel: (0212) 292 0655), which alternates ‘conceptual’ Turkish and international exhibitions, plus an enormous music library and concert space. The Aksanat Cultural Centre, Istiklal Caddesi, near Taksim Square (tel: (0212) 252 3500), offers recorded jazz and classical music on a large laser-disc screen, plus painting and sculpture exhibitions and drama. Tickets for most cultural events are available at Biletix outlets, located at Ada bookshop on Istiklal Caddesi, Vakkorama, MMMigros supermarkets and Raksotek record stores. The Guide Istanbul provides up-to-date information on cultural events and performance in the city. An excellent source of information is also available at www.istanbulcityguide.com/arts/index.htm. Time Out Istanbul and Turkish Daily News also have listings. Literary Notes Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the wife of the British Ambassador to Turkey in 1716-18, was a recognized socialite at Pera and openly admired the sensuality of Ottoman daily life. She was an enthusiastic correspondent, describing life in the city to her friends in England, including Alexander Pope. Her Letters from Constantinople were published posthumously in 1763 and give a fascinating insight into upper-class 18th-century Istanbul. A lot of writers have described the filth, the narrowness of the streets, the lack of women in evidence and the quantity of stray dogs. Those things have definitely changed but the Turks’ love of bargaining and shopping has not, nor has the difficulty of finding grave space, seeing as cremation is forbidden by Islam. ‘It is as if the Turks are entirely absorbed in buying goods, selling goods and dying,’ noted French writer Francois Rene de Chateaubrian in 1806. American satirist Mark Twain (1835-1910) found even Haghia Sophia dark and dirty and the dance of the Mevlevi dervishes ‘the most barbaric manifestation I have seen to this day’. During the same period, naval officer and romantic writer Pierre Loti was among many Orientalist Europeans disgusted by the fashion for Art Nouveau in Istanbul at the turn of the century, while Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (1934) was written when she stayed at the Pera Palas Hotel. The work of exiled Communist poet Nazim Hikmet (d 1963) is still widely read and admired, as are the novels of Yasar Kemal (b 1922). Istanbul’s most well-known contemporary writer is Orhan Pamuk, whose books, White Castle (1985), Black Book (1990), The New Life (1994), My Name is Red (2001), and Snow (2003) have been translated worldwide. Pamuk is being followed by younger writers, such as Latife Tekin, known for her magic realism in novels such as Tales from the Garbage Hills (1984), Swords of Ice (1989) and Signs of Love (1995). ___________ Istanbul Festival - Events Istanbul Festivals and Events Guide - TravelPuppy.com The following is a selection of festival - events: New Year’s Day, national holiday, 1 Jan, throughout the city Kurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice), religious holiday, 10 Dhu al Hijja (12th month of Hijra calandar) Feb until 2003, throughout the city International Film Festival, Apr, most cinemas in Beyoglu National Independence and Children’s Day, national holiday, 23 Apr, throughout the city International Theatre Festival, May, Atatürk Kültür Merkezi, Taksim Fujifilm World Music Days, various venues, May Conquest Week Celebrations, the run-up to Atatürk’s Commemoration Day, 13-19 May, throughout the city Atatürk’s Commemoration Day, national holiday, 19 May, throughout the city International Istanbul Music Festival, Jun, various venues International Bosphorus Festival, Jun, various venues International Jazz Festival, Jul, various venues Rumeli Hisari Concerts, Jul, Rumeli Hisarı Museum Zafer Bayram (Victory Day), national holiday, 30 Aug, throughout the city International Istanbul Biennale, biannual art festival Sep-Nov, various venues Cumhuriyet Bayram (Republic Day), national holiday celebrating Atatürk’s proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923, 29 Oct, throughout the city Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon, Oct, Üsküdar to Taksim Akbank Jazz Festival, early Oct, Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, Babylon and Venue Maslak Efes Pilsen Blues Festival, mid Oct, Lütfi Kirdar UKSS, Anadolu Salonu Istanbul Arts Fair, late Oct-early Nov, Tuyap Fair and Congress Centre Ramadan, Muslim Holy Month of Fasting, with the end of the fast marked by a three-day national holiday, Ramadan (ninth month of Hijra calendar), Oct 2004/2005, throughout the city Seker Bayram (Sugar Holiday or Eid Al Fitr), religious holiday, 1 Shawwal (10th month of Hijra calendar), Nov 2004/2005, throughout the city ____________ Istanbul Nightlife Istanbul Nightlife - TravelPuppy.com Beyoglu has been the site of drinking, dancing, theatre, debauchery and other non-Muslim pastimes in Istanbul for centuries. Although it developed a reputation for drabness in the 1980s, Istanbul’s huge youth population and the spirit of liberalism has ensured the district’s recovery, with the clip joints and strip clubs rolling back off Istiklal Caddesi to make room for more nightclubs, wine bars and jazz venues. Technically, the drinking age is 18 years but identity cards are rarely checked. Like most cities, drinks prices differ hugely. The taverns or meyhanes in Balik Pasaj (Fish Market) are much cheaper than nightclubs or live music venues. It is advisable to check for cover charges at live music venues. Meyhanes tend to close at 2400, bars at 0100 or 0200, while clubs can stay open as late as 0600 at weekends. Visitors (especially lone men) are advised to stay away from the seedier venues in the back alleys off Istiklal Caddesi and to be very cautious if a new acquaintance suggests a venue. Numerous strip shows or belly-dancing clubs operate a system whereby unsuspecting visitors will be expected to pick up a huge tab for women who in some way end up at their table all night. Time Out Istanbul (the same company and format as the London publication) is an English-language monthly magazine with entertainment listings, features and reviews. The Guide Istanbul provides up-to-date information on the latest bars and clubs. Turkish Daily News, the English-language daily newspaper, will also have entertainment and listings. Bars The centre of nightlife is undoubtedly Beyoglu, with a huge range of bars and clubs. Running off Istiklal Caddesi, the side-street Imam Adnan Sokak has several, like Kaktus and Pia, many with tables outside. Further down Istiklal is Nevizade Sokak, behind Cicek Pasaj, a narrow boisterous street packed with bars, including the noisy, friendly Aslanim and trendy Gizli Bahce. Pano Sarap Evi (Wine Bar) on Mesrutiyet Caddesi is a Greek-style drinking house also selling fine food, with good selection of house wines. Nearer Tunel, the narrow streets around Asmalimescit have countless little bars and seemingly a new one opening every week. Over in the village of Ortakoy, up the Bosphorus, there are a range of upmarket bars and cafes for fashionistas, like Sedir on Mecidiye Köprüsü Sokak, Bobos on Salhane Sokak and Kethuda on Muallim Naci Caddesi. Galata Bridge has several bars, Dersa’adet being one of the liveliest with live local music most nights. Casinos Gambling is illegal in Turkey, due to its association with organised crime. Clubs Istanbul’s clubs range between a small dancefloor in a Beyoglu pub, to swish terraces overlooking the Bosphorus where revellers go to be seen. The two most famous in the latter group are both in Ortakoy: Reina, 10 Muallim Naci, and Laila, 141-142 Muallim Naci, have been likened to an entertainment emporium, each with numerous bars, dance floors and restaurants, and packed with celebs, models and millionaires. A little more earthy, Nu Teras, 145-7 Mesrutiyet Caddesi, Tepebasi, has an open terrace in summer with to-die-for views of the city. Karga, 16 Kadife Sokak, Kadikoy, is a chilled bar with local house and techno DJs and visiting bands. Be Club, Kennedy Sokak, Sarayburnu, Eminonu, is the only open-air gay club in town. At weekends, there are several bars around Asmalimescit which have dancing till late. Dance The Turkish State Opera and Ballet performs at the Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (see above) and there are also dance performances at the indoor Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, Darülbedayi Caddesi, Conference Valley, Harbiye (tel: (0212) 240 5012 or 231 5497/8 or 248 0863). There are also performances in galleries and smaller venues; check the press for details. There are dance performances during the International Istanbul Theatre Festival. Film Foreign films, mostly from Hollywood, outnumber Turkish domestic output and generally show in their original language with Turkish subtitles. Most of the city’s cinemas are in Istiklal Caddesi, in Beyoglu. Visitors should check the Turkish Daily News for listings or simply comb the streets. The Alkazar Cinema Center, Istiklal Caddesi 179 (tel: (0212) 293 2466/67 or 249 7297), Fitas, Istiklal Caddesi 24/26 (tel: (0212) 249 9361), Emek, Istikalal Caddesi Yesilcam Sokak 5 (tel: (0212) 293 8439), and Beyoglu, Istiklal Caddesi Halep Pasaji 140 (tel: (0212) 251 3240), are good bets, showing European, Turkish, and Hollywood films. Mega cinema complexes are only found at huge shopping malls in the outer suburbs. Beyoglu cinemas also participate in the International Film Festival, usually taking place in April, and sometimes screen lesser-known international films. Turkish films have made a recent impact on world cinema, especially Uzak (2002) and Hamam (1997), both filmed in Istanbul and winning several international awards. Uzak details the ponderous tale of two cousins, photographer Mahmut, who has his style severely cramped with the arrival of his luckless, uncouth younger cousin Yusuf from his village, seeking work. Hamam is about a couple, Francesco and Marta, who run a small design company in Rome. When Francesco's long forgotten Aunt Anita dies in Istanbul, he travels there to look after the sale of the hamam he inherited from her. There he meets the family running the hamam, gets attracted to one of its members (as well as falling for the whole Turkish atmosphere) and he decides not to sell the hamam after all. Live Music Babylon, Seybender Sokak, in Asmalimescit, puts on adventurous experimental and jazz concerts with local and international DJs and bands. Venue Maslak, 100 Yil Sanayi Sitesi, Maslak, and Parkorman, Büyükdere Caddesi, Maslak, are both vast open-air venue for bands. Roxy, Aslan Yatagi Sokak, Siraselviler-Taksim, is a popular club, sometimes featuring foreign, Turkish and international pop and rock groups. The highly respected Nardis Jazz Club, 14 Kulebi Sokak, Galata, features live musicians each night, ranging from classic, modern, fusion and ethnic jazz, and also serves food. Pozitif Promotions, which runs Babylon, puts on the Akbank Jazz Festival and the Efes Pilsen International Blues Festival. For traditional music, check out bars and meyhanes advertising fasil, or classical romantic singing, especially around Beyoglu. Music The most dependable guide to music events in the city is fly posters and banners along Istiklal Caddesi. The 900-seat Atatürk Cultural Centre or AKM (see above), is shared by the State Opera and Ballet, the State Theatre and the State Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Istanbul Festivals. The most dazzling venue in the city is the Byzantine church of Haghia Eirene, in the grounds of the Topkapi Palace complex – now a museum and used by the IKSV (see above) during the Classical Music Festival in June. The most popular summer venue is the Open Air Theatre, Açik Hava Tiyatrosu (see above), which hosts Jazz Festival events and other contemporary concerts. The indoor Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, Darülbedayi Caddesi, Conference Valley, Harbiye (tel: (0212) 240 5012 or 231 5497/8 or 248 0863), is one more popular venue for concerts and exhibitions. The International Istanbul Music Festival, International Bosphorus Festival, International Istanbul Jazz Festival and Rumeli Hisari Concerts are spread out throughout the summer. Theatre Plays by international and Turkish playwrights are frequently staged in Istanbul, several in smaller venues off Istiklal Caddesi, while the more commercial extravaganzas (such as during the Istanbul International Theatre Festival usually held in May) are at the Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (see above), sometimes with digital subtitling in English. ____________ Istanbul Getting Around Getting Around Istanbul - TravelPuppy.com Public Transport There are many private and state-owned city buses (tel: 0800 211 6068 (freephone); website: www.iett.gov.tr/en) in Istanbul. Everlasting traffic jams mean that they are slow, uncomfortable and crowded, with services coming to a virtual halt at midnight. A slick, new underground (metro) system from Taksim to Levent, the city’s busiest business district, opened in 2000 (website: www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr). Hours of operation are 0600-0200. There are two tramways on the European side. A quick, modern commuter tram runs from Eminönü through Sultanahmet and onto outlying suburbs. It divides at Aksaray, where travellers should change trains to get to Esenler Otogar, the bus station. The other, referred to as the Nostaljik Tramvay, rattles slowly the length of Istiklal Caddesi between Beyoglu and Taksim Square in turn-of-the-century trams. It is connected to Karaköy by the Tünel underground, built in 1877 and touted as the shortest in the world, which runs up and down the steep hill between Karaköy and Istiklal Caddesi. Both the Tünel and the Nostaljik Tramway operate from 0700 to 2130. The light railway opened in 2002 and stops include the airport, the main bus station and Aksaray. Information on this, plus Metro and tramway, is available (tel: (0212) 568 9970; website: www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr). Passenger ferries (tel: (0212) 244 4233, website: www.tdi.com.tr) are certainly the most pleasant way to travel in Istanbul. These zip back and forth across the waterways and serve many useful destinations. Tokens are bought from dockside kiosks. The primary routes run roughly every 20 minutes, between approximately 0700 and 2300, although the Eminönü-Kadiköy service stops at 2000. There are numerous docks along Eminönü quay, including ferries to Üsküdar, Kadiköy and Besiktas, and car ferries to the Prince’s Islands. Services from Karaköy run to Haydarpasa Station and the residential suburb of Kadiköy. collection of small private operators run the boat service between Üsküdar and Besiktas, which departs every ten minutes during the day and whenever it fills up after midnight. Prices are the same as for the state ferries, although these accept cash only. Bus, metro, ferry and tram tickets are inexpensive and usually available near the main stops, either from a kiosk, all main bus and metro stops and ferry terminals or a private seller, who adds about 25% to the price. An akbil (electronic token) is available for purchase in advance, with a small returnable deposit. This is valid for a number of journeys, slightly cheaper and more convenient for buses, ferries, the Tünel, and the metro. Taxis Yellow taxis can be hailed almost everywhere in the street. However, it is safest for tourists to arrange them from a hotel, rather than taking those stationary outside, minimising the possibility of being cheated. The night rate (2400-0600) is 50% more than the day rate, so visitors should check the correct rate is on the meter - ‘Gündüz’ means day and ‘gece’ night, which should be digitally displayed. Alternatively, one light indicates the day meter and two lights the night meter. It also pays to have some understanding of Turkish currency before handing over a large note and expecting change, which is an everlasting problem for Istanbul drivers. Be aware of the difference between the 10million and the 1million note when handing over cash. Tips are not expected unless special service has been provided and there is no extra charge for more than one person or for luggage. The dolmus (shared taxi) is a large, modern yellow mini-van, which runs a prearranged, short, circular route, such as Taksim-Besiktas and Taksim-Nisantasi, or a smaller, rackety blue minibus, which does longer journeys within the city and suburbs. Passengers can hail the latter almost anywhere and it will cram as many standing passengers in as can possibly fit. Payment is in cash, upon boarding, costing a little more than the bus, especially for longer journeys. There is also a Marine Taxi service available from Bebek, an upmarket Bosphorus village above Arnavütköy. Driving in the City Istanbul is home to terrible traffic jams and worse driving, while Turkey has 14 times more accidents than the UK – driving is thus not recommended to tourists. With a little improvement since larger fines and better enforcement of road rules, indicators are still seldom used, drivers almost never stop at pedestrian crossings and tailgating is standard, with racing along the coastal strip on the Asian side leading to deaths despite a government campaign. It is not wise for foreigners to in Istanbul unless strictly necessary. Car Hire Renting a car here is not advised, due to traffic congestion and awful driving. For the adventurous, car hire is provided by Avis (tel: (0212) 663 0646 or (0212) 368 6822), Budget (tel: (212) 663 0858), Europcar (tel: (0212) 663 0746 or 254 7710) and Hertz (tel: (0212) 663 0807). Drivers must be over 21 years, have held a licence for at least one year and have a credit card or substantial sum of money to leave as a deposit. Basic insurance is covered in the cost, although visitors should make sure that Collision Damage Waiver is included, as it may well be needed. Scooter & Bicycle Hire Cycling in the city is not recommended and this is best left for resort destinations. _____________stanbul Internation Airport Istanbul International Airport - TravelPuppy.com Istanbul international airports are links below: Antalya Havalimani Airport Located 17km (10 miles) from Antalya, the main city on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Atatürk International Airport Located 24km (15 miles) west of Istanbul. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport Located 12km (7 miles) north of Pendik on the Asian side and 45km (28 miles) east of the European centre of Istanbul __________Istanbul Shopping Istanbul Shopping Guide - TravelPuppy.com Istanbul has been a shopper’s paradise for more than 1,500 years, renowned as the trading point connecting the Silk Road from China with Europe. Visitors tend to flock to the famous Grand Bazaar in Beyazit (open 0700-1900, Monday to Saturday), with its Ottoman atmosphere and cool covered streets (see Key Attractions). This is a good place for an general idea of goods and prices, however better bargains can often be found in the smaller shopping areas of Sultanahmet and Beyazit. Likewise, the famous Spice Bazaar in Eminönü is a must see, if only for the mountains of Turkish delight. Outside of the state-owned markets, most shops stay open until late evening, although the official opening hours are Monday to Saturday 0900-1800. Even at midnight, however, there are traders on the main pedestrian thoroughfares selling toys, socks, black market CDs and even antiques laid out on the ground. As a designated tourist sector, the Sultanahmet area is competitive in terms of price and a selection of specialised goods, such as kilims, carpets, silver jewellery and collector’s items. For a more bona fide atmosphere, however, Istanbul’s street markets are well worth a look, like the farmers’ market to the right of the Spice Bazaar, and, on Tuesdays, near Fenerbahçe Stadium, the huge Kadiköy market (plus a weekend flea market too). On Sundays, the restored harbour area at Ortaköy is taken over by a craft and antique market. Çukurcuma (along Turnacibasi Sokak, off Istiklal Caddesi) is the heart of the antiques district. Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu has a plethora of clothes, music, and book stores, while the real fashionistas should head to the area of Nisantasi, known as the Champs Elysees of Istanbul, with Armani, Gucci, Hugo Boss and the like, and the fancy department store Beymen. Bagdat Caddesi on the Asian side also has a good range of fashion boutiques and department stores. Huge shopping malls tend to be found in the suburbs, such as Galleria, in Ataköy, and Akmerkez, in Etiler. Typical Turkish gifts include delicate albeit cheap tea sets, wooden boxes of Turkish delight, spice trays and boxes of granulated apple tea. A blue ‘eye’ talisman is highly popular in the city – almost every shop, home and room is equipped with one. Value-added tax (KDV in Turkish) is at 18%, and it is usually already included on most items, except hotels. Foreign passport holders are exempt in the specially designated tourist shops, which issue a specific invoice that can be presented at customs for refunds. In most cases, however, tax is taken right off the bill. Visitors should always make certain to get an invoice for items that could be considered ‘antique’, as the penalty for smuggling antiquities is very high and customs officials are often poorly informed as to what constitutes an antique. _____________Istanbul Sightseeing Istanbul Sightseeing Guide - TravelPuppy.com Sightseeing Overview It takes time to see Istanbul properly, since examples of its 2000-year-old past can be difficult to find in the midst of the chaos of the present. Most visitors go straight to the Sultanahmet district, the oldest part of the city, where there are at least some remnants of Byzantine Constantinople, such as Haghia Sophia, among the splendours of Imperial Ottoman architecture, such as Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Sultanahmet is, however, a ‘tourist quarter’ with the usual annoyance of pestering touts and crowds of people and it is not the only historic part of the city. The city centre, including the areas referred to as ‘the old city’ and ‘the new city’, which is separated by the estuary of the Golden Horn, is located on the European side of Istanbul, on the western side of the Bosphorus Strait. Northwest of Sultanahmet lies the area of Beyazit, focused around the famous Kapali Çarsi (Covered or Grand Bazaar), while directly north from Sultanahmet, following the tramway, visitors will quickly hit the hurly-burly of the Eminönü docks on the Golden Horn. From here, across the Galata Bridge, the area beginning at Karaköy port, running up to the landmark Galata Tower and then up through Beyoglu and Taksim, was for centuries the chosen residence of foreigners, including Italian, Greek and Levantine traders. The Tünel climbs the hill from Karaköy port to the start of Istiklal Caddesi, a mile-long pedestrian thoroughfare leading up to Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul and home to much of its nightlife. Mosques are more or less always open to visitors, outside prayer times, although shorts and sleeveless clothes should not be worn. Shoes are left outside and women will be loaned a shawl to cover up arms and hair. Visitors should not take photographs of women wearing the traditional black ‘çarsaf’, as this is outlawed. Parents of little boys in their full circumcision regalia will usually allow photos, although a small gift of money to the child is traditional. Istanbul’s museum system is confusing, as each is run by different ministries, municipal authorities or private owners. Entrance fees or opening hours can change suddenly. Check with tourist offices for up-to-date opening times and prices. Tourist Information Tourist Information (Turizm Danisma Burosu) Sultanahmet Meydani Telephone: (0212) 518 8754 or (0212) 518 1802. Website: www.turizm.gov.tr or www.istanbul.com Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1300. Good free city maps are available. Other offices are located at Atatürk Airport (International arrivals), Sirkeci Railway Station, Karaköy port and the Hilton Hotel Arcade (Elmadag). Passes There are no tourist passes currently available. Key Attractions Haghia Sophia Haghia Sophia, known as Aya Sofya and translated as ‘Church of Divine Wisdom’, is considered the world’s finest example of Byzantine architecture. Consecrated in 537AD, its huge dome rises to 56m (183ft), designed to appear suspended in space and thus representative of heaven. So impressed was Mehmet the Conqueror that when he took the city in 1453, he dedicated it as a mosque, and it remained so until declared a museum when the Turkish Republic was founded. Highlights include Byzantine mosaics and huge Ottoman circular shields containing calligraphy of Koranic verses. The museum is now divided into two parts – the church and the mosaic gallery – each requiring a different ticket and often a long queue. Sultanahmet, in front of Topkapi Palace Telephone:(0212) 522 1750. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0930-1630. Admission charge. Topkapi Palace Originally built as a summer residence and the seat of government, Topkapi Palace was home to harem, state administration and military personnel in the 16th century, with around 3,000 residents. Sultans abandoned it for Dolmabahçe Palace in 1855, but many of the sumptuous jewels of the original treasury (including the Topkapi Dagger, and gold-plated throne of Murat III), the armoury, silk ceremonial robes, Chinese ceramics and the collection of manuscripts, all convey the old Ottoman decadence. The prison-like harem, which once housed up to 300 concubines, is only open to guided tours and requires a separate ticket. The palace is always crowded and has become expensive. To avoid lengthy queues, pre-booked tickets are recommended. Seraglio Point, Sultanahmet Telephone: (0212) 512 0480. Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0900-1730 (winter); Wed-Mon 0900-1900 (summer). Admission charge. Kapali Carsisi (Covered or Grand Bazaar) The famous and vast bazaar is the best known of Istanbul’s markets. It was instated shortly after the 1493 Conquest and contained the slave market, as well as the hans, or caravanserais of old, where Silk Road traders could rest themselves and their camels, as well as sell their goods. While the ornate ceilings and labyrinth-like layout still hark back to the past, these days the vast number of stalls (around 4,000 of them, in 60 streets) sell mainly tourist-friendly goods, including carpets, gold, leather and ceramics. The complex also contains two mosques, money change offices, a police station, cafes and an information point. Bargaining is essential at most stalls. Beyazit Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0700-1900. Admission: Free. Misir Carsisi (Egyptian or Spice Market) This L-shaped market, facing the Golden Horn, was built in the 17th century as an extension to Yeni Camii (New Mosque), and financed by the money paid as duty on Egyptian goods. Originally famed for its exotic spices and oils from the Orient, these days it also sells dried fruits, caviar and Turkish delight, as well a plethora of souvenirs. Its surrounding streets are a hub of commercial activity, with local craftspeople, traders and a great selection of cheeses and olives. Eminonu Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1900. Admission: Free. Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) The Blue Mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet (1603-1617), as Islam’s answer to Haghia Sophia, and remains the symbol and centre of religious demonstrations. Blue Iznik tiles dominate the interior, and blue light shines through more than 250 windows. The interior is stunning, from vast central dome designed to lift all eyes heavenward, the latticework-covered Imperial Loge and the mihrab (prayer niche) containing a piece of sacred black stone from Mecca. At dusk during summer there is a Son et Lumière show. The Imperial Pavilion also contains a state-run Carpet Museum with Usak, Bergama and Konya samples, dating between the 16th and 19th centuries. Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Telephone: (0212) 518 1330 (carpet museum). Opening hours: Daily 24 hours, except during some prayer times; Carpet Museum: Tues-Sat 0900-1600. Admission: Free. Yerebatan Sarayi (Basilica Cistern) Sometimes referred to as the Sunken Palace, the Basilica Cistern was the reservoir for water required for the Byzantine Great Palace, and thought to date back to AD532. This huge atmospheric structure, measuring 140m (460ft) by 70m (230ft), still contains a few feet of water, over which wooden walkways have been constructed. Many of the 336 columns supporting the cathedral-like ceiling have been recycled from pre-Christian temples – such as the Medusa heads that are used as column bases, pilfered from the Temple of Apollo in Didyma (Didim). The cistern was used as a film set for the James Bond film, From Russia With Love (1963). Yerebatan Caddesi, Sultanahmet Telephone: (0212) 522 1259. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission charge. Suleymaniye Mosque Even thoughfewer tourists make it here than to the Blue Mosque, this is even grander and more peaceful, and one of the finest creations by Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. The huge 53m-high dome and pencil-slim minarets from each corner of the courtyard are an exquisite example of symmetry and elegance. Built in the 1550s, the site also contains the tombs of Sinan, Sultans Suleyman II and Ahmet II decorated with intricate tiles, the original apartments of the mosque astronomer, charitable foundations, caravanserai and fountain, all set around a tranquil courtyard. There are several outdoor tea-houses in a row behind the mosque. Siddik Sami Onar Caddesi, Suleymaniye Telephone: (0212) 513 3608. Opening hours: Daily 0930-1630. Closed to non-Muslims during prayer times. Admission: Free (Donation requested). Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower) The balcony at the top of Galata Tower has an unforgettable view of the city. Built in 1348 by the Genoese as part of their fortifications, this distinctive 62m (205ft) tower with conical roof is visible from most of the city. It was converted to cater for tourism, which thankfully includes a lift, plus a nightclub and restaurant on the top floors. On a clear day, it is possible to see the main monuments of Istanbul and even Princes’ Islands. There is a charming tea garden at the foot. Buyuk Hendek Sokak, Tunel Telephone: (0212) 245 3263. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1900. Admission charge. Taksim Square and Istiklal Caddesi The square is the nucleus of Istanbul’s modern European side, which many tourists unfortunately miss. In the south-west corner is the Monument of Independence, where the busy Istiklal Caddesi starts and cuts through Beyoglu area. This 1.5km (1 mile) pedestrianised boulevard is lined with shops, cinemas, markets and restaurants, and crowded especially at night. Its 19th-century European consulates, churches and ornate buildings are evidence that Beyoglu was once the centrepiece for an Art Nouveau Belle Époque, and later the hang-out for bohemian artists and intellectuals. Highlights include the stained glass at the entrance to Cicek Pasaj (Flower Passage), the imposing Galatasaray Lisesi (High School) and various contemporary art galleries (free). Beyoglu Opening hours: Most shops open till 2100, later on Fri-Sat. Admission: Free. Great Palace Mosaic Museum The small Mosaic Museum, tucked behind the Blue Mosque amid an alleyway full of tourist shops, contains all that is left of the magnificent flooring of Bucoleon Palace. This was the Great Palace of the Byzantine emperors, which once covered the area from the Hippodrome to Haghia Sophia and down to the harbour. Discovered in the 1950s, these mosaics depict mythological and hunting scenes, including that of two men subduing a tiger. They are thought to date from the reign of Justinian (527-565AD) or even earlier and to have been part of the walkway between the royal apartments and the imperial seats (kathisma) at the Hippodrome. Arasta Bazaar, Sultanahmet Telephone:(0212) 518 1205. Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0930-1630. Admission charge. Turk ve Esleri Müzesi (Turkish and Islamic Art Museum) Originally the 16th-century palace of Süleyman the Magnificent’s most able Grand Vizier, Ibrahim Pasha, this museum contains more than 40,000 items dating between the seventh to the 19th century. Its famous carpet display contains Turkish carpets depicting Holbein paintings and fragments of 13th-century Selçuk rugs. Further highlights include Ottoman Koran cases and stands, illuminated manuscripts and tiles, and the basement contains an exhibition of the evolution of the Turkish house – from nomadic tents to 19th-century palaces. Hippodrome 46, Sultanahmet Telephone: (0212) 518 1805. Website: www.tiem.org Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0900-1700 (winter); Tues-Sun 0900-1730 (summer). Admission charge. Archeoloji Müzeleri (Archaeological Museums) Istanbul’s Archeology Museums are located in three separate buildings, once part of the Topkapi Palace complex. The main building houses the famous fourth-century Alexander sarcophagus discovered in Lebanon, as well as the facade of the Temple to Athena from Assos, Byzantine mosaics and sarcophagi. The interior of the Çinili Kösk (Tiled Pavilion), built in 1472, is covered in Iznik tiles and contains the 14th-century royal blue Karaman Mihrab (prayer niche). The Museum of the Ancient Orient includes the Treaty of Kadesh, drawn up between the Egyptians and Hittites in 1269BC, plus a magnificent frieze of a bull from Babylon. Topkapi Palace, Seraglio Point, Sultanahmet Telephone: (0212) 520 7740. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0930-1630; subject to change, due to understaffing. Admission charge. Yildiz Park Rising above the area of Besiktas, Yildiz is a welcome relief from the noise of the city, with woodland and landscaped gardens. Sultan Abdul Hamit built them for the Ciragan Palace (now a 5-star hotel over the main road) where Sultans strolled and hunted since the 17th-century, now more popular with courting couples and picnicking families, busiest at weekends. At the top are Malta Kosk and Cadir Kosk, two outstanding 19th-century pavilions originally part of the palace, whose guests included Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle, and now operating as restaurants and cafés. The park also houses Yildiz Palace Museum, Imperial Porcelain Factory and City Museum. Yildiz Park, Ciragan Caddesi, Besiktas. Telephone: (0212) 258 90 20. Opening hours: Daily, dawn till dusk. Entry: Free for pedestrians; charge for taxis. Further Distractions Eyüp This religious district, about 8km (5 miles) from Sultanahmet, is best known for its huge Ottoman cemetery with stunning views over the Golden Horn. It is crowned with the famous Pierre Loti Café (tel: (0212) 616 2344) – best enjoyed for alfresco tea. The walk from the village is delightful, from the highly revered Eyup Mosque, past market stalls selling religious books and headscarves, and up the hill through the ancient tombstones. Dolmabahçe Palace The Ottomans built Dolmabahçe Palace in the mid-19th with kitsch extravagance. Although it is in poor condition, highlights include the crystal staircase, royal bathroom and the alleged world’s heaviest chandelier. Entrance (with high ticket price) is only by guided tour, either through the ceremonial chambers (recommended) or through the harem and concubine’s quarters. Dolmabahçe Palace, Besiktas Telephone: (0212) 236 9000. Opening hours: Tues, Wed and Fri-Sun; 0900-1500 (winter), 0900-1800 (summer). Admission charge. Divan Edebiyati Müzesi (Whirling Dervish Monastery) The whirling dervishes, a mystic sect only nominally connected to Islam were banned in the early days of the Republic, so this monastery is officially the Museum of Classical Ottoman Poetry and Musical Instruments. Dervishes still perform their ritual dance (sema) on the last Sunday of each month and more often in summer, for a small charge. Galip Dede Sokak 15 Telephone: (0212) 243 5045 or 245 4141. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0930-1630. Admission charge. Kariye Muzesi (Kariye Museum) Originally an 11th-century church, this contains Istanbul’s finest Byzantine mosaics, as well as superb 14th-century religious frescoes. Although converted to a mosque after the Conquest, the mosaics were merely whitewashed over, and been preserved for display in what is now a secular museum. ariye Camii Sokak, Edirnekapi Telephone: (0212) 631 9241. Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 0930-1630. Admission charge. ___________Istanbul Tours - Excursions Istanbul Tours Guide - TravelPuppy.com Walking Tours While Istanbul is a driver’s nightmare, it is a walker’s paradise. One suggested self-guided walking route is from the Kariye Museum, along the city walls, to the Golden Horn, where visitors can see the little visited remains of the last Byzantine Palace, Blachernae, including its grim dungeons. Jewish visitors may enjoy the back streets of the Galata Tower area, which contain many synagogues and other religious buildings. Istanbul Walks, Eski Bagdat Caddesi 50 (tel: (0216) 489 6031/32) offers a choice of walks lasting around two-and-a-half-hours, including classic sights around Sultanahmed, around the Bazaar, and Galata and Pera. Most tours depart from the Tourist Information Office on Sultanahmet Square. Reservations recommended. Bus Tours Information of bus tour operators with English speaking guides is available at most hotels. In addition to a hop-on hop-off bus service, Plan Tours (tel: (0212) 230 2272 or 234 7777) arranges city sightseeing tours, including Jewish Heritage tours. Sites visited include the Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. Transfers to and from hotels (European side only) is provided. Fez Travel (tel: (0212) 516 9024 or (0870) 742 4173 in the UK), which is geared to backpackers, organises longer sightseeing trips for small groups to ‘off the beaten track’ locations. A three-night Istanbul City Break includes two full days of sightseeing, the services of an English-speaking guide, all entrance fees and bed and breakfast accommodation. Boat Tours A full-day Bosphorus river cruise with lunch, including a visit to Dolmabahce Palace and other sites along the way, is offered by Plan Tours (tel: (0212) 230 2272 or 234 7777). During the summer, they also run private boat tours of the Bosphorus, as well as dinner cruises. Transfers to and from hotels (European-side hotels only) are available. In summer, tourist cruises of the Bosphorus, operated by the Turkish Maritime Organisation, Türkiye Denizcilik İşletmeleri (tel: (0212) 522 0045), leave Eminönü pier three at 1030, 1245 and 1415, stopping at Besiktas 15 minutes later. The ferry makes its way up the Bosphorus, passing the city’s beautiful wooden ‘yalis’ or seaside mansions, up to the old sea gates at Anadolu Kavagi. The trip takes 2 hours in each direction, with the choice of stopping for lunch at the fish restaurants of Anadolu Kavagi. Both single and return tickets are available. Excursions Prince’s Islands These nine small islands in the Sea of Marmara, 12km (7 miles) southeast of Istanbul, were once used to keep unwanted heirs to the Ottoman throne in secluded luxury, as well as the exile Leon Trotsky after he was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1929. Today, however, they offer a taste of the past with horse-drawn carriage tours and a ban on cars. Commuter ferries run to four of the islands and the rest are privately owned, uninhabited or military bases. Büyükada is the largest and has beautiful wooden mansions and hotels, and a cool pine forest for picnics. A cobblestone path from Karacabey Bay leads to the ancient Ayios Nikolaos monastery; Heybeliada was the centre of an old Greek community, with six churches and monasteries, one dating to 1431; while Bürgazada has a Greek monastery on a cliff overlooking the sea. Ferries run to the islands from Sirkeci and Bostanci, taking about 50 minutes to reach the first island and 15 minutes between the other three. Faster sea-buses, operated by IDO (Tel: (0212) 444 4436), also run about three times a day from Kabatas, near Dolmabahçe Palace. Termal Located 38km (24 miles) southeast of Istanbul, Termal is a natural hot (thermal) spring, well-known as a spa since Roman times. After a 20-minute sea-bus journey from Kabatas to Yalova, operated by IDO (Tel: (0212) 444 4436) and running five times per day, it is a short bus (Tasköprü-Termal no 4), dolmus or taxi ride to the main complex, which has a historic Turkish bath (hamam), open and covered pools, private rooms and several hotels and restaurants. The spa is open daily 0900-1700. The Yalova Provincial Department of Tourism, Yali Caddesi 33, Yalova (tel: (0226) 813 8507) provides further information. |
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