The City of Two Continents ISTANBUL

Istanbul is a city that connects two continents, Europe and Asia, making it a unique and culturally diverse destination. With a population of over 15 million, it is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city in the world.

History
Istanbul has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, and many civilizations have left their mark on the city. It was first founded as Byzantium by the Greeks who established a colony here in 660 BC. It later became the capital of the Roman Empire and was renamed Constantinople by Emperor Constantine in AD 324. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it became the capital of the Byzantine Empire until it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

Culture
Istanbul is a melting pot of different cultures, religions, and traditions. It is home to a diverse population made up of Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and other ethnic groups. The city has a rich cultural heritage with many museums, art galleries, and historical sites to explore. One of its most famous landmarks is the Hagia Sophia, which was originally a Greek Orthodox church, then a mosque, and now a museum.

Food
Istanbul is known for its delicious cuisine that is a fusion of Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean flavors. Some of the most popular dishes include kebab, baklava, Turkish delight, and Turkish coffee. There are also many street restaurants selling traditional snacks like simit (a type of sesame bread) and roasted chestnuts.

Places to Visit
From historical sites to modern iconic structures, there are many interesting places to see in Istanbul. Some of the must-see attractions include the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the Bosphorus. Visitors can also take a boat tour on the Bosphorus and enjoy the magnificent views of the city from the water.

Conclusion
Istanbul is a city that offers something for everyone, from history buffs to foodies to adventure seekers. It is a unique destination with a rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine that is definitely worth visiting.
Hagia Sophia: Built as a church in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia later became a mosque and now serves as a museum. Its impressive dome, intricate mosaics, and stunning architecture make it a must-see attraction. -

What is the entrance fee for the Hagia Sophia Museum?
The entrance fee for the Hagia Sophia Museum, which has been converted into a mosque today, was 100 Turkish Lira before the conversion. However, visiting the Hagia Sophia Mosque is now free. Similarly, the "Imperial Tombs" located in the garden of Hagia Sophia can also be visited free of charge.

— -Topkapı Palace: This palace from the Ottoman period served as the official residence of sultans for centuries. Visitors can explore the palace's grand halls, impressive courtyards, and beautiful gardens. — -

Topkapı Palace Museum Istanbul
This special place, where Ottoman sultans resided for 400 years and where the state was directly administered, has been open to the public as a museum since Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's order in 1924. As a result, the Topkapı Palace Museum also bears the distinction of being the "first museum of the Republic era" since 1924.

The Topkapı Palace, commissioned by Fatih Sultan Mehmet and built between 1460 and 1478, is also known as the Saray-ı Cedid (New Palace) in historical sources. It is one of the first architectural structures built in Istanbul after the city was conquered in 1453, and expanded to cover an area of up to 700,000 square meters during the Ottoman period, making it of great historical importance. Today, it is one of the largest palace museums in the world.

While the architectural style of the historic building is simple and modest, the touches of the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, as well as its location and tile work, make it quite enchanting. The palace's architecture also recalls the Edirne Palace.

Inside the palace, there are pools, fountains, and basins. Stone-paved walkways, cisterns, and service buildings with lead domes are among the palace's notable features.

Importance of Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace, designed as a residence by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, served as the center of administration, art, and education for the Ottoman Empire.
After the conquest of Istanbul, Ottoman sultans and their families continued to live in the palace until the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid, the 31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
In the 19th century, the Ottoman dynasty moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace, but it cannot be said that Topkapi lost its importance.
The palace collection in the museum is unparalleled in the world, and special sections such as the Treasury and the Sacred Relics add a separate importance to Topkapi. Currently, there are around 300,000 archival documents in the palace.

Topkapi Palace Collection
Since 1985, Topkapı Palace has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and has a wide collection of ceramics, glassware, silverware, miniatures, manuscripts, and clocks. The palace has several collection sections, including the Imperial Treasury, European Porcelain and Glassware, Chinese and Japanese Porcelains, Sacred Trusts Room, Holy Relics, Imperial Costumes, Copper and Brass Kitchenware, Painting Collection, and Arms and Armor Collection.

Topkapi Palace Museum Visit Days and Hours

Topkapi Palace Museum, closed on Tuesdays, operates at different hours in the summer and winter seasons. The winter season covers the period between October 30 and April 15, while the period between April 15 and October 30 is referred to as the summer season. The museum is open for visits between 09:00-17:00 during the winter season. During the summer season, the opening hours are updated to 09:00-19:00, and the ticket offices close before the closing time. It is recommended to keep in mind that Topkapi Palace hosts sacred relics and therefore may experience extra crowds during the month of Ramadan. Additionally, visitors should remember that appropriate clothing must be worn when entering the section where the relics are kept, regardless of the time of year. Visitors are kindly requested not to wear shorts, mini skirts, and sleeveless tops.

Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance Fees
There are various types of tickets available for Topkapı Palace. The museum consists of the palace itself, the Harem section, and the Aya Irini Church in the courtyard. Ticket prices are determined in Turkish Lira. Due to Turkey's relatively high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates, prices frequently change. As of November 2023, the ticket types and prices are as follows:

Combined Entrance Ticket I - (Topkapı Palace + Aya Irini)
Foreign Visitor Ticket Price: 650 TL

Where is the Sultanahmet Mosque and How to Get to Sultanahmet? -
The Sultanahmet Mosque, one of the most beautiful and unique mosques in Turkey and even the world, is among the historical places most visited by both domestic and foreign tourists.
Built by Sultan Ahmet I in a location that could be seen from many parts of Istanbul, the mosque also gives its name to a neighborhood in Istanbul.
As the only mosque with six minarets in the Ottoman Empire, this place of worship is much more than a mosque with its over 20,000 colorful tiles and elaborate carvings.
Due to its colorful tiles, the mosque is also known as the Sultanahmet Mosque in the West and has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.

Where is Sultanahmet Mosque and How to Get to Sultanahmet? -
Sultanahmet Mosque, one of the most beautiful and unique mosques in Turkey and even in the world, is among the historical places that local and foreign tourists visit the most.
Built by Sultan Ahmet I in a location that can be seen from many parts of Istanbul, the mosque also gives its name to a neighborhood in Istanbul.
This place of worship, which is the only six-minaret mosque of the Ottoman Empire, is much more than a mosque with over 20,000 tiles and elaborate carvings.
Due to its colorful tiles, the mosque is also known as Sultanahmet Mosque in the West and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985.

Sultanahmet Mosque is located in the Fatih district of the Historical Peninsula, in the area known as "Hippodrome" directly opposite Hagia Sophia.
The area is closed to car traffic, so if you are planning to go to Sultanahmet Mosque by car, you will need to park your car in a nearby parking lot.
The only public transportation option to reach Sultanahmet Mosque is the tram. You need to get off at the "Sultanahmet Stop" using the Kabataş-Bağcılar tram line.

What are the Visiting Hours of Sultanahmet Mosque?
Sultanahmet Mosque, which is open for worship and visits 365 days a year, is one of the rare and important historical structures that you can visit for free in Istanbul.
Prayer starts in the mosque with morning prayer and ends with evening prayer. The visiting hours of Sultanahmet Mosque are from 08:30 to 18:30 in summer and from 08:30 to 17:00 in winter.
The worship section of the mosque is closed to visitors on Fridays. Cleaning is done in the morning to prepare the mosque for worship, and for this reason, the visitation to the open sections of the mosque starts at 14:30.

What to Know Before Visiting the Sultanahmet Mosque

The Sultanahmet Mosque is one of Istanbul's rare and significant historical structures, open for prayer and visitation 365 days a year, free of charge. The mosque begins with morning prayer and closes with evening prayer. The visiting hours for the Sultanahmet Mosque are from 08:30-18:30 in the summer months and 08:30-17:00 in the winter months.

The prayer area of the mosque is closed for visitation on Fridays. Cleaning is done in the morning hours to prepare for prayer, and therefore, visitor admission to the open areas of the mosque begins at 14:30.

As one of Istanbul's and Turkey's most important structures, the Sultanahmet Mosque is always crowded with visitors year-round. During the busiest summer months when tourists flock to the city, the waiting time in line can reach up to an hour. It's best to be prepared for long waiting times.

If you're wondering how much time you can spend inside the mosque, 25-30 minutes should be enough to explore every corner.

Like many other religious structures, the Sultanahmet Mosque has a dress code. Women cannot enter wearing mini skirts, shorts, or with their shoulders uncovered, and their heads must be covered. Don't forget to bring a scarf and a cardigan to cover your uncovered body parts and head. Long-sleeved, one-piece dresses are provided at the entrance for tourists to wear and then return, but it's best to come prepared for hygiene reasons.

The Sultanahmet Mosque is not just a tourist attraction, but also an active mosque where prayer is ongoing. While the prayer areas and open areas for visitation are separated, visitors must be quiet not to distract those praying inside the mosque and courtyard.

You can purchase souvenirs or memorabilia from the Arasta Bazaar located inside the complex. The bazaar has various products related to Ottoman-Turkish handicrafts, including ceramic works and woven carpets.

If you plan to visit the Sultanahmet Mosque during Ramadan, remember that the area is crowded, especially as iftar approaches. The iftar tent set up by the municipality in the Sultanahmet Square led to a much larger crowd than usual.

History of Sultanahmet Mosque

Sultan I. Ahmed, who ascended the throne at the age of 14, wanted to build a mosque that could be seen from every corner of Istanbul in his name when he reached the age of 19. He was a student of Mimar Sinan, both an architect and a master of mother-of-pearl inlay.
Construction of the mosque, which started in 1609, was successfully completed in 1616. The shovel used by Sultan I. Ahmed at the groundbreaking ceremony of the mosque is preserved today at Topkapi Palace.
During the construction of the mosque, the public faced many problems. Not only war spoils but also the state treasury were used in the construction of the mosque, which caused a great reaction from the public.
Sultan I. Ahmed, who wanted the mosque to have six minarets in a way that had no equal in the Ottoman Empire, also faced a great reaction from the public due to his request for six minarets. At that time, the mosque in Mecca had six minarets, and having a mosque with six minarets in Istanbul was considered disrespectful. Ahmed acted wisely and ended the controversy by adding a seventh minaret to the mosque in Mecca.
There is also a rumor that during the construction of the mosque's minarets, Ahmed wanted them to be made "from gold," but Mehmet Ağa, who did not want to strain the budget, interpreted the word "gold" as "six." Nevertheless, Sultan I. Ahmed had a mosque built with six minarets.
Sultan I. Ahmed, who passed away at the age of 27 in 1917, had his tomb built in the Sultanahmet Mosque, which was completed under his order. Currently, Sultan I. Ahmed, his wife Kösem Sultan, his sons Genç Osman and IV. Murat, and their children are located in the tomb section of the mosque.
Initially named the New Mosque, the mosque was renamed the Sultan Ahmed Mosque after the construction of the New Mosque in Eminönü. Due to the abundance of blue Iznik tiles, this impressive structure, also known as the Blue Mosque, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
Sultanahmet Camii Mimari Özellikleri
Caminin yanı sıra hastane, hamam, medrese, sıbyan mektebi, çarşı, saray (şimdi Vakıflar Halı Müzesi), misafirhane ve türbelerden oluşan bu külliye, Türkiye'nin en büyük külliye yapılarından biridir. .
Sekiz kapılı duvarlarla çevrili geniş avlulara sahip olan caminin iki yanında şadırvanlar yer almaktadır.
Avlu neredeyse Sultanahmet Camii kadar geniştir. Caminin batı cephesindeki avlunun girişinde demir zincir bulunmaktadır. Asılan bu demir zincirin sebebinin, cami avlusuna at sırtında giren padişahların, girmek için başlarını eğmek zorunda kaldıkları için gösterdikleri hürmetle ilgili olduğu söylenir.
Camiye açılan üç kapı vardır ancak asıl giriş Hipodrom'dandır. Bu kapıdan girildiğinde ilk göze çarpan, her ikisi de Mehmet Ağa tarafından yapılmış ince oymalı mermer mihrap ve mihrabın sağındaki zengin süslemeli minberdir.
Ünlü çini ustaları Kasap Hacı ve Kapadokyalı Barış Efendi tarafından mavi, yeşil, turkuaz ve kırmızı renklerde 20.000'in üzerinde İznik çinisi yapılmıştır.
50 farklı lale desenindeki çinilerin yanı sıra bezemeler arasında bitki ve meyve motifleri de yer alıyor.
1574 yangınında caminin arka şerefe duvarları zarar gördüğünden bu bölüm Topkapı Sarayı'nın Harem bölümünden geri kazanılan çinilerle yeniden düzenlenmiştir.
Bu geniş caminin rengarenk camları Venedik'ten padişaha hediye edilmiş.
Zemin katta “opus sectile” adı verilen teknikle süslenmiş açılabilir pencereler bulunmaktadır.
Caminin içindeki aydınlatma, altın ve değerli taşlarla kaplı özel cam taslardan oluşuyordu, ancak yağmalandıktan sonra değiştirilmek zorunda kaldı.
Bu kadar büyük ve yüksek kubbeli bir caminin örümcek ve böcek sorunu olur mu diye merak ediyorsanız çözüm avizelere konulan devekuşu yumurtalarıdır.
Zümrütler, güller ve altınla bezenmiş tekke, dinlenme odası ve revaktan oluşuyor. Bu bölüm aynı zamanda Yeniçeri isyanı sırasında Başbakanlık karargahı olarak kullanılmış ve o dönemde gece gündüz toplantılar burada yapılmıştır.
Şimdi çeşitli sorunlar aşılarak yapılan minarelere. Altı minareli Sultanahmet Camii, o dönemde altı minareli tek camiydi. Bu minarelerden dördü caminin köşelerinde yer almakta olup her biri üçer şerefelidir. Diğer iki minare ön avluda yer alır ve ikişer şerefelidir.