Blue Mosque Istanbul
One of our stop at the ottoman relics tour. Blue mosque, Sultan Ahmet I ( 1603–17) set out to build a monument that would surpass the nearby Hagia Sophia in beauty.
So enthusiastic was the sultan about his grand project that he is said to have worked with the labourers and craftsmen on mosque, pushing them along and rewarding extra effort. Ahmet did in fact come close to his goal of rivalling hagia sophia
The mosque’s architect, Mehmet Ağa, who had trained with Sinan, managed to orchestrate the sort of visual wham-bam effect with the mosque’s exterior that Hagia Sophia achieved with its interior. Its curves are voluptuous, it has more minarets than any other İstanbul mosque and the courtyard is the biggest of all the Ottoman mosques. The interior is conceived on a similarly grand scale: the blue tiles that give the building its unofficial name number in the tens of thousands, there are 260 windows and the central prayer space is huge. No wonder its picture graces a million postcards! In order to fully appreciate the mosque’s design you should approach it via the middle of the Hippodrome rather than walking straight from Sultanahmet Park through the crowds.
When inside the courtyard, which is the same size as the mosque’s interior, you’ll be able to appreciate the perfect proportions of the building. Walk towards the mosque through the gate in the peripheral wall, noting on the way the small dome atop the gate: this is the motif Mehmet Ağa uses to lift your eyes to heaven. As you walk through the gate, your eyes follow a flight of stairs up to another gate topped by another dome; through this gate is yet another dome, that of the ablutions fountain in the centre of the mosque courtyard. As you ascend the stairs, semidomescome into view: first the one over the mosque’s main door, then the one above it, and another, and another.
Finally the main dome crowns the whole, and your attention is drawn to the sides, where forests of smaller domes reinforce the effect, completed by the minarets, which lift your eyes heavenward. The mosque is such a popular tourist sight that admission is controlled so as to preserve its sacred atmosphere. In the tourist season (May to September), only worshippers are admitted through the main door; tourists must use the north door. Shoes must be taken off and women who haven’t brought their own headscarf or are too scantily dressed will be loaned a headscarf and/or robe. There’s no charge for this, but donations for the mosque are requested. Inside, the stained-glass windows and İznik tiles immediately attract attention. Though the windows are replacements, they still create the luminous effects of the originals, which came from Venice. The tiles line the walls, particularly in the gallery (which is not open to the public).
There are so many of these tiles that the İznik workshops producing the finest examples could not keep up with demand, and alternative, less skilled, workshops were called in to fill the gap. The mosque’s tiles are thus of varying quality. You can see immediately why the mosque, which was constructed between 1606 and 1616, over 1000 years after Aya Sofya, is not as daring as its predecessor. Four massive ‘ elephant’s feet’ pillars hold up the less ambitious dome, a sturdier solution lacking the innovation and grace of the dome in Justinian’s cathedral. The semidomes and the dome are painted in graceful arabesques. Of note in the main space are the imperial loge, covered with marble latticework, which is to the left of the mihrab; the mihrab itself, which features a piece of the sacred Black Stone from the Kaaba in Mecca; and the high, elaborate mahfil (chair) from which the imam gives the sermon on Friday. The beautifully carved white marble mimber with its curtained doorway at floor level features a flight of steps and a small kiosk topped by a spire. Mosques built by the great and powerful usually included numerous public-service institutions.
Clustered around the Blue Mosque were a medrese (theological college); an imaret (soup kitchen) serving the poor; a hamam so that the faithful could bathe on Friday, the holy day; and shops (the Arasta Bazaar), the rent from which supported the upkeep of the mosque. The Tomb of Sultan Ahmet I, the türbe (tomb) of the Blue Mosque’s great patron, is on the north side facing Sultanahmet Park. Ahmet, who had ascended to the imperial throne aged 13, died one year after the mosque was constructed, aged only 27. Buried with Ahmet are his wife, Kösem, who was strangled to death in the Topkapı Harem, and his sons, Sultan Osman II ( 1618–22), Sultan Murat IV ( 1623–40) and Prince Beyazıt . Like the mosque, the türbe features fine İznik tiles
- Places to visit
Place to visit istanbul
In istanbul there are lots of magnificent sites to visit. Many of them are walking distance from Sultanahmet If you dont want to wait at the long ticket queues maybe you can prefer some city tours better
About Istanbul
 Istanbul Turkey
Istanbul is such a diverse city that its almost impossible to split it up into definable districts. The only real distinctions that can be made between districts is that between the European Asian sides, which are separated by the Bosphorus and the peninsula lying between the Golden Read More... |
Blue Mosque Istanbul
Blue Mosque Istanbul
One of our stop at the ottoman relics tour. Blue mosque, Sultan Ahmet I ( 1603–17) set out to build a monument that would surpass the nearby Hagia Sophia in beauty.
Read More... |
Grand Bazaar Istanbul
 Grand Bazaar Istanbul
Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) in Istanbul is one of the largest covered bazaar in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, and attracts between 300,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewellery, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops
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Hagia Sophia Istanbul
 Hagia Sophia Istanbul
Hagia Sophia was originally built by Justinian and use to be a church for 916 years. It then became a mosque for 481 years and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk declared it a museum in 1935. Considered the first and last unique application in terms of its architecture, magnificence and functionality
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Prince's Islands Istanbul
 Prince's Island Istanbul
Prince's island known as İstanbul Islands, there are eight islands they are one hour from the city, in the Marmara Sea. Boats are leaving from Kabataş and Bostancı, with more services during the summer. These islands, on which monasteries were established during the Byzantine period, It is still a popular escape from the city, with wealthier owning summer houses.
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Sariyer Region Istanbul
 Sariyer Region Istanbul
Sarıyer is where the İstanbul strait connects with the Black Sea, after the bend in the river after Tarabya. Around this area, old summer houses, embassies and fish restaurants line the river, and a narrow road which separates it from Büyükdere, continues along to the beaches of Kilyos
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Taksim Square in Istanbul
 Taksim Square Istanbul -Turkey
Taksin square is the busiest region of Istanbul where you can find lots of brand Shops, Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes,Cinemas, Theatres etc.One of the most social region of Istanbul
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Uskudar Region Istanbul
 Uskudar Region Istanbul
Mostly Tourist Unknow this region,It is the suburb of Üsküdar, on the Asian side of the istanbul, Uskudar is one of the most attractive suburbs. Religiously conservative in its background, it has a tranquil atmosphere and some fine examples of imperial and domestic architecture
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- Accomodations
Accomodations in Istanbul
There are lots of choices for accomodation from five star hotels till hostels. All category hotels you can find in istanbul.Also if you are travelling with your family you can find apertments for rent as well up to your choice.We recomend you to book your accomodation before you come to town
History Hotelfgfgf Serenity Hotel Istanbul
No hidden cost Hotel established in istanbul.Walking distance to the historical sites of the town and bazaars. Hotel is a family run hotel which has lovely terrace and comfertable beds.
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- Restaurants
Turkish Restaurants
There are lots of good restaurants in istanbul with Turkish cuisine including international cuisines.You can find many of them at the coner of the road and some of them are reservation required
 Hamdi Restaurant istanbul
This Turkish restaurant is very special for the meat, They have delicious kebabs. If you are in istanbul dont forget to have a lovely dinner on the bosphorus view.Nice choice for a romantic dinner
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- Day Tours
City Tours in Istanbul
Tours are very common in istanbul.Joining a guided tour gives you realy big advantages of long ticket queues.You can find many diffrent options of them. just keep in touch with a Local Travel Agency in your region they will tell you the best options
Long Day Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul
 Enjoying on the Bosphorus by boat
Discover the wealth of impressive sights all along the shores of Bosphorus, a waterway that divides the two continents, Europe and Asia - stop for certain points, walk around specific areas, visit imperial palaces and climb magnificent fortresses with a certificated guide.
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Ottoman and Byzantian Relics Tour
Historical sights tour Istanbul
A long day visiting the historical sights of Turkey,This tour covers Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Hipodrome.Advantage of this tour you dont have spnd a long time on the long queues
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- Pictures
 Pictures From Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the most fascinating places for photographers.You can find realy interesting views to take pictures as bosphorus , hills or historical monuments including bazaars
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- Best Seller Tours
 Best Sellers Turkey Tours
Below listed tours are best seller tours. you can check the list and you can see many alternatives for your travel
Top Seller Turkey Tour by Flight
 Top Seller Turkey Tour by Flight
If you want to visit gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cappadocia this program will be great for you
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9 Days Istanbul Cappadocia Ephesus by Flight
 9 Days Istanbul Cappadocia Ephesus by Flight
If you are planing to visit Turkey for 9 days this program will be pefect for your family. This tour covers istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus with elite type Hotels
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Daily Tour to Ephesus from Istanbul
 Daily Tour to Ephesus from Istanbul
You have limited time and you want visit ephesus. there are this tour will be good option for you to visit famous Virgin Marry House and Ephesus Ruins
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Cappadocia 2 Days Tour from Cappadocia
 Cappadocia 2 Days Tour from Cappadocia
There are many local companies are operation daily regular tours in cappadocia.Once you booked your hotel and arrive in Cappadocia you want to visit cappadocia in two days this tour package is perfect for you ... v
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Hot Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia
 Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia
Hot air balloon in Cappadocia. Early Morning enjoy the view of valley from balloon.There is many hot air balloon companies in Cappadocia serve you balloon tours.
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Daily Tour to Ephesus From Istanbul
Daily Tour to Ephesus From Istanbul
You have limited time and you want visit ephesus. there are this tour will be good option for you to visit famous Virgin Marry House and Ephesus Ruins
Read More... |
Daily Bosphorus Cruise to Black Sea from Istanbul
Daily Bosphorus Cruise to Black Sea from Istanbul
Discover the wealth of impressive sights all along the shores of Bosphorus, a waterway that divides the two continents, Europe and Asia - stop for certain points, walk around specific areas, visit imperial palaces and climb magnificent fortresses with a certificated guide.
Read More... |
Ottoman and Byzantian Relics Tour
Ottoman and Byzantian Relics Tour
A long day visiting the historical sights of Turkey,This tour covers Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Hipodrome. Advantage of this tour you dont have spnd a long time on the long queues
Read More... |
Day Tour To Gallipoli From Istanbul
 Day Tour To Gallipoli From Istanbul
You are in istanbul and you are already paid your accomodation and you dont want to loose your money but still you want to visit gallipoli. Now it is easy we have Gallipoli day trip from istanbul. You can join our tour and visit Gallipoli daily
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