Guide to Istanbul,the Marmara, Blue Mosque, sunshine, nickname, six minarets, bright sunshine, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Turkish Architect Sinan,city silhouette, SLEYMANIYE MOSQUE, Architect Sinan, RSTEMPASA MOSQUE, EYP SULTAN MOSQUE, Prophet Mohammed, Islamic World, YENI CAMI , Independence,new mosque, Old City, Golden Horn, Galata Brigde, Fatih Mosque, Ottoman age, THE ATATRK MUSEUM, Turkish Revolution, SAINT SOPHIA, AYASOFYA, Byzantine Emperor Contanze,constantine, Justinian, architecture, nconquerable dignity, Hilton, Museum, Military, Mehter Band, THE MOSAIC MUSEUM , THE MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF ISTANBUL, Valens, Topkapi Palace MUSEUM, THE MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ARTS, INILI KSK, ceramics, carpets, brass work, oriental carpet, handcrift,Korans, Ottoman dynasty's wealth, wonderful examples, Seljuk carpets, the Bosphorus, Turkish bath, antiques, furniture, architectural style, Turkish buildings, woodwork, Chinese porcelain, jewellery Janisary soldiers, Military Museum

REGIONS OF TURKEY

TURKISH FOR FOREIGNERS

THE TURKS ECONOMY AND FOREIGN TRADE

EDUCATION AND CULTURE

FOLK CULTURE

VISITING TURKEY

SEA, SUN, SAND AND HISTORY

REGIONS OF TURKEY

Thrace and The Marmara

The Aegean

The Mediterranean

Central Anatolia

The Black Sea

The East and Southeast

ISTANBUL / GENERAL INFORMATION

Guide to Istanbul

Mosques

THE BLUE MOSQUE

It is easy for a tourist to understand the nickname, "Blue Mosque" given to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. The blue tiles covering the interior are striking both for their color and the immense area over which they are displayed. Stepping in from the bright sunshine, one cannot fail to be affected by the cool, mystical light ferlected from every angle. This mosque is uniquein that it is the world's only one with six minarets.

SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE

Built by famous Turkish Architect Sinan for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and Lawgiver, Süleymaniye gives one feeling of power combined with elegance. Its situation and architectural beauty present Istanbul with a stunning silhouette.

RÜSTEMPAŞA MOSQUE

Another work of Architect Sinan this 16th century mosque is notable for its fine collection of tiles produced in Iznik, ancient Nicea. The tiles have 40 different stylized tulip designs.

EYÜP SULTAN MOSQUE

There is no difficulty in entering one of the holiest places in the Islamic World. All one needs is the respect due this mosque, built near the tomb of the flag bearer Eyüp of Prophet Mohammed. The mosque is also well known as a place where people come to make wishes.

YENİ CAMİ

Well worth a visit, particularly for those with a knowledge of 17th century tiles, it is situated at the Eminönü, or Old City side of the Galata Bridge and Golden Horn.

NURUOSMANIYE MOSQUE

The tourist may gain some understanding of the Turkish Baroque style of the 18th century from a visit to this mosque, located at the entrance to the Covered Bazaar.

FATİH MOSQUE

The complex construction of the Fatih Mosque built in the 18th century is typical of the religious buildings of the Ottoman age. Within is walls, it contains a cemetery , mausoleum, and a huge complex of study and worship buildings. Don't try to visit every
mosque in Istanbul there, are about 450, but the ones mentioned above are typical of their period any worth any tourist's time.

Museums

THE ATATÜRK MUSEUM

In this old house, where Atatürk once stayed, can be seen many important documents about the Turkish Revolution for Independence of 1923.

THE AYASOFYA MUSEUM ( SAINT SOPHIA )

First build by the Byzantine Emperor Contanze in 360 A.D., then reconstructed by the Emperor Justinian between 532-537 A.D., this magnificent example of architecture rises with
unconquerable dignity in old Istanbul

THE MILITARY MUSEUM

Located within walking distance of the Istanbul Hilton, this museum is famed for its amazing array of military articles. Guest are welcome at the Mehter Band ( the original band of the Janisary soldiers ) daily practice at the Military Museum between 3.000-4.000
p.m., except Mondays and Tuesdays.

THE MOSAIC MUSEUM

Recreate the lives of the great Byzantine emperors as you study the display of striking mosaics, which were once to cover their palace floors.

THE MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF ISTANBUL

Situated next to Aqueduct of Valens in old Istanbul, this museum is renowned for its collection of Karagöz characters.

THE NAVAL MUSEUM

Sultans caiques and naval vessels highlighting Turkey's maritime history are displayed in the museum at Beşiktaş, a five-minute drive from the hotel.

THE Topkapi Palace MUSEUM

From the 15th century on sultans lived in this rambling palace, adding and pulling down rooms and buildings until it has become rather like a small town. One may see here a truly fabulous and priceless collection of jewellery and Chinese porcelain which give one an idea of the Ottoman dynasty's wealth.

THE MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ARTS

Here one can see some wonderful examples of Turkish handicraft -Korans miniature paintings, woodwork, tiles, ceramics, brass work and oriental carpets. Those who are interested in carpets will be delighted to see the oldest Seljuk carpets existing.

ÇİNİLİ KÖŞK

Erected in the 15th century, this kiosk or small palace is the oldest building constructed by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. It is of great interest as a museum of tiles, and the Seljuk tiles which decorate the entrance door are noteworthy.

DOLMABAHÇE PALACE

Stretching a half mile along the Bosphorus, this splendid palace influenced the architectural style of the Turkish buildings in the 19th century.
Its dignity and grace make it gone of Istanbul's jewels. Its decoration is famed for a great collection of European antiques and furniture and for an alabaster Turkish bath.