Istanbul embraces two continents, one arm reaching out to Asia, the other to Europe. Through the city's heart, the Bosphorus strait courses the waters of the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. The former capital of three successive empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - today Istanbul honors and preserves the legacy of its past while looking forward to its modern future.
Indeed, it is Istanbul's variety that fascinates its visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset, contemplating the red twilight reflected in the windows on the opposite shore, you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At times such as these, you feel that Istanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.
Fast Facts: Basic information to help you plan your stay
Hotels: Where is hip and trendy, we offer the comprehensive list of GP accommodations
Transport: The best way to travel, how to get around once you are there
Food & Wine: A guide to the myriad of choice and ethnic bakground in the city
Tourist Tips: Suggestions for sightseeing if you have time pre & post race
History: A brief summary of the events and people that shaped this wonderful city
FAST FACTS
This spectacular city is divided in half by the mighty Bosphorous, separating Europe from Asia. It is the only city in the world to be built upon two continents.
Dating back to the Byzantine era it has been a cultural and trading centre for centuries, combining ancient civilizations and modern Turkish life, it is a fascinating experience for visitors.
Population: 16 Million
Visas: Holders of UK, Australian, Canadian and US passports require a visa to enter Turkey, however British and American travellers can obtain a visa on arrival at the point of entry to Turkey. All other foreign nationals must apply for a visa before travelling.
Dialling Code: + 90 Country code / Istanbul code: European side 212 / Anatolian side 216
Weights & Measures: Metric
Electricity: 230V, 50Hz
Currency: Turkish Lira (TL)
Airport: Ataturk International Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)
Taxis: Taxis are available at the airport. Negotiate the fare before going on the journey.
Climate: Hot and humid summers
TRANSPORT
Public Transport:
Taxis can be found at every street corner in the city. At rush hour, a taxi is the most comfortable means of transportation. Although taxis are expensive in comparison to other means of transportation, they are cheap in comparison to other countries. The tariff increases between midnight and 6 am.
In addition to the taxi and rental car options, you can make use of much cheaper transportation: the municipal buses and tramways or the private system of mini-buses(dolmus) that also run all around the city. Although it runs only on limited routes, the fast tramway is a very convenient means of transport. The minibuses are much cheaper than taxis and run regular services between some neighborhoods.
If you prefer the sea route instead of the Bosphorus bridge to cross back and forth between the two sides of the city, sea buses offer a speedy service.
By Car:
If you're an experienced, confident driver who can use a standard transmission, drive on the right-hand side of the road (as in continental Europe and North America), and are willing to adapt to a foreign country's driving habits, then you'll probably enjoy the freedom of driving in Turkey. Please call us for car rental rates and information, on +90 216 418 5222.
Getting There:
British Airways and Turkish Airlines fly direct daily into Ataturk International Airport, which is located at Yesilyurt, 23 km (14 miles) west of Sultanahmet Square, and is the busiest of Turkey's major airports.
Ataturk International Airport is a large international airport, with two terminals, one domestic and one international. The international one was inaugurated in 2001, and is considered one of the most efficient and modern terminals in the world. The domestic terminal, although very crowded when it used to be the international, is now spacious, despite a 1970s design.
Sabiha Gocken International Airport:
Located on the Anatolian shore of Istanbul at Pendik / Kurtkoy, at a distance of 40 km to Kadikoy, 12 km to Pendik and 50 km to Taksim. It is conveniently located for transportation with its connection to the TEM motorway.
Named after Sabiha Gokcen, the pioneering Turkish fighter pilot (1913-2001), and the world's first female fighter pilot. In her long career as a pilot and teacher she flew 22 different combat and aerobatics aircraft, and was the first woman to fly the Focke Wulfe 190-A3.
FOOD & WINE
The Turkish cuisine, which is one of the richest in the world, appeals to the eye as well as the palate. Turkish food that is found today in Istanbul is truly a living synthesis of Eastern and Western cultures. In addition to the many restaurants that serve traditional and international menus to satisfy the varied tastes of their guests, many nightclubs, cafes and bars offer fine menus along with a wide range of entertainment choices.
Restaurants:
There are hundreds of restaurants for every budget in Istanbul. For really fine dining, head for the top hotels (although there are some honourable exceptions) but authentic, high quality Turkish cooking can be found all over the city, notably in the Balik Pazari fish market area close to the British Consulate-General where stunning mezze is in abundance.
Similar to the Spanish tapas, "meze" is the general category of dishes that are brought in small quantities to start the meal off. These are eaten until the main course is served, along with wine or more likely with "raki" - the aniseed-flavoured national drink, sometimes referred to as "lion's milk". The minimum essential meze for raki are slices of honeydew melons and creamy feta cheese with freshly baked bread. Beyond these, a typical meze menu includes dried and marinated mackerel, fresh salad greens in thick yogurt sauce with garlic, plates of cold vegetable dishes cooked or fried in olive oil, fried crispy savory pastry, deep fried mussels and calamaris served in sauce, tomato and cucumber salad and fish eggs in sauce.
The main course that follows a meze spread will be fish or grilled meat. When the main course is kebab, then the meze spread is different. In this case, several plates of green salad and tomatoes in spicy olive oil, mixed with yogurt or cheese,"humus" - chick peas mashed in tahini, bulgur and red lentil balls,"raw kofte", marinated stuffed eggplant, peppers with spices, nuts and pickles, are likely to be served.
Please call us for restaurant reservations, on +90 216 418 5222.
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment:
Istanbul's variety of choices mesmerizes its visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset, contemplating the red twilight reflected in the windows on the opposite shore, you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At times such as these, you feel that Istanbul is truly one of the most mystic and imperial cities in the world.
Nightlife:
Traditional nightlife centres around restaurants and casinos (clubs where meze is served, accompanied by singers and oriental dancers), but new bars and Western-style clubs are gaining popularity in the Taksim district and along the Bosphorous, mainly on the European side.
For a Muslim city, Istanbul is far from dry and there is a wide choice of bars, ranging from seedy to chic. No visit would be complete without a cabaret and some bellydancing. These venues offer traditional Turkish and folk music and belly dancing, including a four-course meal with wine.
Taksim:
This is the culture, art and entertainment centre of Istanbul, this is Beyoglu. Taksim is easily reached, and is the intersecting point of roads flowing to Dolmabahce, to Macka, to Sisli, to Sishane, to Tunel and Cihangir.
In Ottoman Turkish "Taksim" means to distibute, to allocate. The reason for this name being given to the district is the allocation of water once being made to all of Istanbul from here.
The most important of these lifelines is, without doubt, Istiklal Street. Istiklal Street which extends from Taksim to Tunel is the unchanging route of a journey which ends in the very heart of Beyoglu.
You can explore by walking; however during this journey, the nostalgic tram which travels through the hectic crowd will definitely catch your eye. Whatever it takes, try getting on this tram too.
Shopping:
The magnificent Covered Bazaar (Kapalicarsi), which stands in one of the oldest settlements of the city's European shore, has always been a favourite with foreign visitors. The story goes that the bazaar began as two vaulted halls built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror (1451 -1481) to provide an income for the Hagia Sophia Mosque, and gradually turned into a commercial centre as traders began to display their wares on counters around these two stone buildings.
The present alleys and galleries emerged as these areas were roofed over by tiled vaults. First-time visitors to the Covered Bazaar are astounded by its splendour and size (30.7 hectares). The bazaar contains 3,000 shops, 25,000 full-time staff, 61 streets and even two mosques, and looks as much to the present as it does to the past. In the jewellers' shops, bedecked with gold, silver and precious stones, you can find all kinds of valuable decorative items, from antique jewels to modern pendants.
Goods from all the regions that make up the brightly-coloured tapestry that is modern Turkey are sold in the famous rug and carpet shops. As well as giftware made of pottery, wicker, wood, copper and silver, the Covered Bazaar is also a centre for leather goods and accessories.
The Misir Çarsisi or Spice Bazaar, in Eminonu, transports you to fantasies of the mystical East. The enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herbs and spices fill the air. You can also buy the famous Turkish delight, baklava and coffee in this bazaar.
For more modern, upmarket shops, head to Rumeli Caddesi in Nisantasi, the Istaklal Caddesi in Beyoglu and Cumhuriyet Caddesi near Taksim.
Shopping malls can be found both on the European and the Asian side of Istanbul - the most popular are Akmerkez at Etiler, and the Galleria in Atakoy near the airport - and here you will find all the big name international designer shops, including Ralph Lauren, Mondi and Max Mara.
The Galata Tower:
The Galata Tower is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city on the European Side, located in Old Pera(Beyoglu) district. It is open everyday from 9 am to 6 pm to climb up to the observation deck. There is a restaurant on the top of the tower where you can enjoy a traditional Turkish Night. There is an elevator and two floors to walk up.
The tower was the focus of the Genoese fortifications of Medieval Galata. Originally known as the "Tower of Christ", it was built in 1348 in connection with the first expansion of the Genoese Colony. The first fortified area, walled in as early as 1304, was a long, narrow rectangle along the Golden Horn between today's two bridges over the Golden Horn. On the 17th Century, an Ottoman citizen, Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi attempted to fly from Galata Tower to Asian Shore of Uskudar and he worked on his project for years. With the wings he invented, he succeded to fly to his target and this was a great success of that time. It was used as an observation tower and constituted an important part of their defense system. It was used as a fire observation tower till 1960s, and later restored and converted to a tourist attraction with stunning views.
Museums:
A city that has such a wealth of history and ancient traditions has no shortage of museums on offer:
Dolmabahce Palace:
Dolmabahce Palace was built by Abdulmecid where formerly stood the more modest palace of Mahmud II. The Balyan family of architects finished construction on the clock tower, mosque and palace in 1853. The crystal hanging-lamp in the reciprocal room, which weighs four and a half tons, was a present from Queen Victoria and is said to be the largest in the world. As Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, died here on November 10, 1938, this palace holds special significance for Turkish people.
Carpet and Kilim Museum:
This museum is located in the Hunkar Kasri (royal residence), which stands north of the mosque inside the Sultanahmet Mosque complex. Hunkar Kasri was the place where the Sultan used to rest before he would join the prayer in the mosque.
Mosaic Museum:
Located behind Sultanahmet Mosque, this museum displays what are believed to be Byzantine palace mosaics from the 4th and 6th centuries. They show scenes with human figures, daily life in Byzantium, hunting incidents, landscapes and animal figures.
Topkapi Palace:
When Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered the city in 1453 he chose to build his palace on the site of the old Byzantine palace ruins that had been looted and destroyed by the Latins. This palace was used as the Ottoman residence for almost 400 years until the reign of Abdulmecid, and was therefore subjected to many changes as it passed from sultan to sultan. After Sultan Abdulmecid moved out, the palace starts falling apart like any building does after it is abandoned.
In the 19th century, the first military museum of Turkey was opened there. It serves as a concert hall because of its excellent acoustics and imposing atmosphere. Babusselam is the main entrance of the Topkapi Palace museum. The hospital, bakery, mint and armoury are in this courtyard. The kitchen buildings are situated on the right side of the courtyard. In addition to kitchen equipment, a rich 500-year collection of glass and porcelain are displayed in this building. On the left side of the courtyard stand the palace chariots where there used to be stables, the weapon collection and the entrance to the Harem.
After passing through the courtyard, one comes to the Babussaade gate which gives way to the private sections of the palace. Facing the gate is the reception room where Divan members and foreign diplomats were received. Behind the reception room are the Enderun quarters from the 18th century where now are displayed various costumes of the Sultans, and the treasury chamber, where thrones, jewels, jewel-studded weapons and medals are displayed. Also exhibited in this chamber are the most beautiful examples of the thousands of miniatures which are everywhere in the palace In the Has Room are most extraordinary examples of calligraphy.
In the Hirka-i Saadet chamber, objects belonging to the Prophet Mohammed and the first caliphs of Islam are displayed. In the fourth courtyard of the palace, there are different mansions built by various Sultans, including the Bagdat, Revan, Sofa and Mecidiye residences. The Mecidiye Residence functions as a restaurant today.
Whirling Dervishes: Known in the west as Whirling Dervishes, the Mevlevi Order can be traced back to the mystical poet Mevlana Rumi, who founded the Order in the 13th century.
Dervish translates as doorway, and it was believed to be the entrance from the material plane to the spiritual plane. The religious ritual is performed (known as the Sema) by a muslim priest in prayer to Allah. The seeker is turning toward God and truth through love. The Semazen (with a camel's-felt hat representing a tombstone of the ego; and a wide, white skirt symbolizing the ego's shroud), upon removing his black cloak, is spiritually reborn to Truth.
After three circles, the dervishes drop their black cloaks. One by one, arms folded on their breasts, they approach the master, bow, kiss his hand, receive instructions, then spin out onto the floor. Through whirling, the dervishes relinquish the earthly life to be reborn in mystical union with God. Opening their folded arms, the dervishes hold their right hands palm-up to receive the blessings of heaven. They hold their left hands palm-down to transfer the blessings to earth.
Eventually, the sema reaches a point where all dervishes are simultaneously whirling. After about 10 minutes, all stop and kneel. Then rising, they begin again. This combination of whirling followed by salute is performed a total of four times.
The Whirling Dervishes played an important part in the evolution of Ottoman high culture. From the fourteenth to the twentieth century, their impact on classical poetry, calligraphy and visual arts was profound. Rumi and his followers integrated music into their rituals as an article of faith. Rumi emphasized that music uplifts our spirit to realms above, and we hear the tunes of the Gates of Paradise.
Each week in Istanbul there is a ceremony of the whirling dervishes.
Art Galleries:
Istanbul Modern
Borusan Cultural Centre - Beyoglu
Gallery Nev - Macka
Kusav - Besiktas area
Sofa - A fine selection of prints, maps, ceramics, miniatures, calligraphy, textiles, antique rugs, silver and contemporary art.
TOURIST TIPS
Many places of tourist interest are concentrated in Sultanahmet, heart of the Imperial Centre of the Ottoman Empire. The most important places are in this area; Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia, Sultan Ahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque), the Hippodrome, Kapali Carsi (Covered Market), Yerebatan Sarnici and the Museum of Islamic Art. In addition to this wonderful selection of historical and architectural sites, Sultanahmet also has a large concentration of carpet and souvenir shops, hotels and guesthouses, cafes, bars and restaurants, and travel agents.
Basilica Cistern:
This awesome columned cavern was the water source for both the Grand Palace of the Byzantine Empire and for the Ottomans' Topkapi Palace, and was built during the reign of emperor Justinianus in the 6th century.
The cistern is sorrounded by a firebrick wall with a thickness of 4 metres and coated with a special mortar for insulation against water. This cathedral-sized cistern is an underground chamber of 143 by 65 metres, capable of holding 80,000 cubic metres of water. The large space is broken up by a forest of 336 marble columns each 9 metres high. Curiously, the base of one of these columns is carved into the head of a medusa.
Maidens Tower:
Also known as Leander's Tower, it is one of the most romantic symbols of Istanbul. On a tiny island at the entrance to Istanbul's harbour, the first tower was constructed in the 12th century. The Turkish name is derived from a legend. According to the legend, the sultan had this tower built in order to secure his daughter from a prophesy that she would die from the poison of a serpent. The princess was eventually bitten by a poisonous serpent, smuggled out to the islet in a basket of grapes.
The present building dates from the eighteenth century. It has recently been remodelled and converted into a cafe and restaurant.
Golden Horn:
The Golden Horn is an estuary dividing the city of Istanbul. With the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn forms a peninsula with a deep natural harbour. This site was originally settled by ancient Greek colonists as the city of Byzantium. The Byzantine Empire had its naval headquarters there, and walls were built along the shoreline to protect the city (by then renamed Constantinople) from naval attacks. At the entrance to the Horn, there was a large, floating boom-chain (a huge line of logs bound together by chains) pulled across from Constantinople to the fortress of Galata on the northern side, preventing unwanted ships from entering.
After the Fall of Constantinople to Mehmed, Greek citizens, the Greek Orthodox Church, Jews, Italian merchants, and other non-Muslims began to live along the Horn in the Phanar (Fener) and Balat districts. Today the Golden Horn is settled on both sides, and there are parks along each shore. The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is also located along the shore. The Galata Bridge, built in 1836, connects Old Istanbul with the districts of Galata and Eminonu. Two other bridges, the Atatürk Bridge and the Halic Bridge, are located further up the Horn. Until the 1980s the Horn was a dumping ground for industrial waste, but has since been cleaned up and is a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul.
Mosques:
All mosques in Istanbul are open to the public during the day. Prayer sessions, called namaz, last 30 to 40 minutes and are observed five times daily. Tourists should, however, avoid visiting mosques midday on Friday, when Muslims are required to worship.
For women, bare arms and legs are not acceptable inside a mosque. Men should avoid wearing shorts as well. Women should not enter a mosque without first covering their heads with a scarf. Before entering a mosque, shoes must be removed.
Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
Facing St. Sophia stands the supremely elegant, six-minaret, imperial Sultanahmet Mosque. Built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet, the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque, because its interior is covered with a magnificent paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles.
The location of the mosque is just opposite of the splendid Church of Hagia Sophia as it is trying to compete with it. That is actually true because Architect Mehmed wanted to construct a bigger dome then Hagia Sophia's but he could not succeed. Instead, he made the mosque splendid by the perfect proportion of domes and semidomes as well as the splendid minarets. There is an interesting story of the mosque; according to it, Sultan Ahmet I wanted to have a minaret made of gold which is "altin" in Turkish. The architect misunderstood him as "alti" which means "six" in English. However, when the architect was shivering as "am I going to be beheaded?", the Sultan Ahmed liked the minarets so much. Prior to that time, no sultan had a mosque with 6 minarets.
Imperial Suleymaniye Mosque:
Considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul, it was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the renowned architect of the Ottoman Empire's golden age. It was in the gardens of this complex that Suleyman and his wife Hurrem Sultan (Roxelane), had their mausolea built, and near here, also Sinan built his own tomb.
The Suleiman Mosque was ravaged by a fire in 1660 and was restored on the command of sultan Mehmed IV by architect Fossat. The restoration, however, changed the mosque into a more baroque style, damaging the great work severely. The mosque was restored to its original glory during the 19th century but during World War I the courtyard was used as a weapons depot and when some of the ammunition ignited, the mosque suffered another fire. Not until 1956 was it restored again. Today it is one of the most popular sights in Istanbul.
Hagia Sophia:
The Basilica of St. Sophia, now called the Ayasofya Museum, is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 metres above the ground and its diameter spans 31 metres. It is the largest free standing building in the world.
Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Of great artistic value was its decorated interior with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian is said to have proclaimed "Solomon, I have surpassed thee!"
The Hippodrome:
Hippodrome was built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 A.D. The hippodrome was a stadium which served as a meeting place for the politicians, for chariot races, wrestling, boxing, and other athletic activities that took place. The arena was over 400 meters long and 120 metres wide, In the fourth century the spectator capacity was increased to 100,000.
They organized the games in the hippodrome. Green took their seat to the left, the Blues to the right of the emperor's box. Women were not admitted. After the emperor had appeared in his box and greeted his people, the four gates beneath his box opened and from each raced a chariot drawn by four horses into the arena. The game lasted the whole day. The chariot track was covered with white sand which was brought from Egypt. The winner was awarded a prize which consisted of a crown made of flowers, some presents, bonuses and money.
Obelisk of Theodosius:
The Egyptian obelisk was erected by Tutmosis III 1504-1450 B.C. before the temple of Karnak at Heliopolis. The Obelisk, brought to Istanbul by Emperor Theodosius I was made of pink granite and its height is 17 metres. Originally, the obelisk was 27 metres in height, 10 metres higher than it is today and weighed 800 tons. It is unknown when and how the lower part disappeared. The hieroglyphic inscription on the Obelisk describes the victory of the pharaoh and a sacrifice to the god of the sun Amon-Ra in which the pharaoh kneels at the foot of the god.
Beylerbeyi Palace:
In the 19th century, Sultan Abdülaziz built the Beylerbeyi Palace, a fantasy in white marble amid magnolia filled gardens, on the Bosphorus's Asian shore used as the Sultan's summer residence.
Istanbul Land Walls:
The Istanbul land walls, once an impenetrable fortification, stretch seven kilometers from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. Restored recently, and many times previously, these walls date from the fifth century and the reign of Emperor Theodosius II. UNESCO has declared the land walls and the area, which they enclose to be one of the cultural heritages of the world.
Rumeli and Anadolu Hisar Fortresses:
The Rumelihisari is a fortress located between Sariyer and Bebek districts of Istanbul. It was built by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, in 1451, before he conquered Constantinople, to prevent Crusaders coming from the Black Sea. The land that the castle was built upon was technically Byzantine territory and when the Byzantine emperor Constantine XI sent an embassy to Mehmed to protest the Sultan had the ambassadors seized and executed. Constantine then knew the construction of the castle was the prelude to an attack on his city which followed two years later. These twin fortresses can be found along the Bosphorus river.
Other suggestions for sightseeing:
Princes' Islands
Archaeological museums
Nisantasi area (designer boutiques)
Haghia Eirene Church (inside Topkapi)
The Chora Church
Cukurcuma Quarter (antiques)
Bosphorous Boat Cruise
Galata Bridge
HISTORY
Colonialists coming from the city of Megara in central Greece and from the Aegean city of Miletos in 7 B.C. started the history of Byzantion. Built on a peninsula, Byzantion was blessed with food from the sea, had a safe harbour at the entrance of the Golden Horn and an acropolis that was easily defensible. Its location on the sea trade routes and the fertile lands available for agriculture caused it to flourish within a short period.
By 200 B.C., it had become difficult for the imperial capital Rome to rule over the vast area that made up the Roman Empire, reaching from Spain to Mesopotamia. A new administrative centre was needed, especially in order to get a firm hold on the eastern part of the empire.
Originally founded by Greek colonists as Byzantium, it was made the eastern capital of the Roman Empire in AD 324 by the Emperor Constantine; Byzantium was renamed Nova Roma (New Rome) but this name failed to impress and the city soon became known as Constantinople, the City of Constantine.
With the fall of Rome and the western empire Constantinople became the sole capital of what historians now call the Byzantine Empire. This empire was distinctly Greek in culture and the centre of Greek Orthodox Christianity and was adorned with many impressive churches including the once world's largest cathedral: Hagia Sophia.
In the year 1453, the army of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II (Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror) conquered the city. First of all, the oldest buildings and the formerly magnificent but dilapidated city walls were restored. On the ruins of the Byzantine foundations, the buildings of the basic institutions of the Ottomans were built. The great water system with its huge cisterns was repaired and returned to use. The city had developed its Ottoman identity, resembling its present character.
With the addition of the buildings of the famous architect (mimar) Sinan, the city had again become the capital of a great empire. Together with the remaining population after the conquest, people coming from all over the empire, from all kinds of ethnic origins and religions, created a colorful mixture. In Istanbul the cultural variety brought in by the immigrants enriched the cultural texture of the city.
Huge markets were built, further supporting trade. During the period of the height of Ottoman imperial power, the city was covered all over with tulips, in what is known as the"Tulip Era." In the 19th century, efforts modernisation were undertaken. Istanbul entered the 20th century worn out and burdened by its history as the capital city of three great empires. At that time, the Ottomans were just about to end their imperial period of 630 years.
After World War I, resistance movements became active during the Allied occupation of Istanbul, an occupation that lasted for nearly five years. When the resistance movement in Anatolia finally gained success, the last of the foreign soldiers left the city on October 5, 1923. On October 6, the Turkish army entered the city heralding the message of a new government led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish independence war, and his colleagues had made a decision in the new National Assembly that Istanbul would turn over its function as capital of the new nation to Ankara.
Under republican rule, much new construction activity took place in Istanbul, starting with the building of family houses in the 1930s.
In 1950s, more than 7300 buildings were torn down and the road system reorganized. This caused historic changes in the fabric of the city. When the ferry boats became insufficient to serve the increasing flow of traffic across the Bosphorus between the Asian and the European sides of the city in the 1970's, the first suspension bridge was built. Istanbul had assumed an eminent role in the nation's cultural life as well as the economy.
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Restaurants:
Similar to the Spanish tapas, "meze" is the general category of dishes that are brought in small quantities to start the meal off. These are eaten until the main course is served, along with wine or more likely with "raki" - the aniseed-flavoured national drink, sometimes referred to as "lion's milk". The minimum essential meze for raki are slices of honeydew melons and creamy feta cheese with freshly baked bread. Beyond these, a typical meze menu includes dried and marinated mackerel, fresh salad greens in thick yogurt sauce with garlic, plates of cold vegetable dishes cooked or fried in olive oil, fried crispy savory pastry, deep fried mussels and calamaris served in sauce, tomato and cucumber salad and fish eggs in sauce.
The main course that follows a meze spread will be fish or grilled meat. When the main course is kebab, then the meze spread is different. In this case, several plates of green salad and tomatoes in spicy olive oil, mixed with yogurt or cheese,"humus" - chick peas mashed in tahini, bulgur and red lentil balls,"raw kofte", marinated stuffed eggplant, peppers with spices, nuts and pickles, are likely to be served.
Shopping:
Goods from all the regions that make up the brightly-coloured tapestry that is modern Turkey are sold in the famous rug and carpet shops. As well as giftware made of pottery, wicker, wood, copper and silver, the Covered Bazaar is also a centre for leather goods and accessories.
After passing through the courtyard, one comes to the Babussaade gate which gives way to the private sections of the palace. Facing the gate is the reception room where Divan members and foreign diplomats were received. Behind the reception room are the Enderun quarters from the 18th century where now are displayed various costumes of the Sultans, and the treasury chamber, where thrones, jewels, jewel-studded weapons and medals are displayed. Also exhibited in this chamber are the most beautiful examples of the thousands of miniatures which are everywhere in the palace In the Has Room are most extraordinary examples of calligraphy.
Known in the west as Whirling Dervishes, the Mevlevi Order can be traced back to the mystical poet Mevlana Rumi, who founded the Order in the 13th century.
Many places of tourist interest are concentrated in Sultanahmet, heart of the Imperial Centre of the Ottoman Empire. The most important places are in this area; Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia, Sultan Ahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque), the Hippodrome, Kapali Carsi (Covered Market), Yerebatan Sarnici and the Museum of Islamic Art. In addition to this wonderful selection of historical and architectural sites, Sultanahmet also has a large concentration of carpet and souvenir shops, hotels and guesthouses, cafes, bars and restaurants, and travel agents.
Basilica Cistern:
After the Fall of Constantinople to Mehmed, Greek citizens, the Greek Orthodox Church, Jews, Italian merchants, and other non-Muslims began to live along the Horn in the Phanar (Fener) and Balat districts. Today the Golden Horn is settled on both sides, and there are parks along each shore. The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is also located along the shore. The Galata Bridge, built in 1836, connects Old Istanbul with the districts of Galata and Eminonu. Two other bridges, the Atatürk Bridge and the Halic Bridge, are located further up the Horn. Until the 1980s the Horn was a dumping ground for industrial waste, but has since been cleaned up and is a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul.
Imperial Suleymaniye Mosque:
The Hippodrome:
Istanbul Land Walls: 
Other suggestions for sightseeing:
Colonialists coming from the city of Megara in central Greece and from the Aegean city of Miletos in 7 B.C. started the history of Byzantion. Built on a peninsula, Byzantion was blessed with food from the sea, had a safe harbour at the entrance of the Golden Horn and an acropolis that was easily defensible. Its location on the sea trade routes and the fertile lands available for agriculture caused it to flourish within a short period.
Originally founded by Greek colonists as Byzantium, it was made the eastern capital of the Roman Empire in AD 324 by the Emperor Constantine; Byzantium was renamed Nova Roma (New Rome) but this name failed to impress and the city soon became known as Constantinople, the City of Constantine.
In the year 1453, the army of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II (Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror) conquered the city. First of all, the oldest buildings and the formerly magnificent but dilapidated city walls were restored. On the ruins of the Byzantine foundations, the buildings of the basic institutions of the Ottomans were built. The great water system with its huge cisterns was repaired and returned to use. The city had developed its Ottoman identity, resembling its present character.
Huge markets were built, further supporting trade. During the period of the height of Ottoman imperial power, the city was covered all over with tulips, in what is known as the"Tulip Era." In the 19th century, efforts modernisation were undertaken. Istanbul entered the 20th century worn out and burdened by its history as the capital city of three great empires. At that time, the Ottomans were just about to end their imperial period of 630 years.
In 1950s, more than 7300 buildings were torn down and the road system reorganized. This caused historic changes in the fabric of the city. When the ferry boats became insufficient to serve the increasing flow of traffic across the Bosphorus between the Asian and the European sides of the city in the 1970's, the first suspension bridge was built. Istanbul had assumed an eminent role in the nation's cultural life as well as the economy.