HELLO TO ISTANBUL
Located in the center of the Old World, Istanbul is one of
the world's great cities famous for its
historical monuments and magnificent scenic
beauties. It is the only city in the world which
spreads over two continents: it lies at a point
where Asia and Europe are separated by a narrow
strait - the Bosphorus. Istanbul has a history
of over 2,500 years, and ever since its
establishment on this strategic junction of
lands and seas, the city has been a crucial
trade center.
The historic city of Istanbul is situated on a peninsula
flanked on three sides by the Sea of Marmara,
the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It has been
the capital of three great empires, the Roman,
Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and for more than
1,600 years over 120 emperors and sultans ruled
the world from here. No other city in the world
can claim such a distinction.
During its development, the city was enlarged four times,
each time the city walls being rebuilt further
to the west.
Surrounded by 5th century Roman city walls and stretching
over seven hills, Istanbul is adorned by the
masterpieces of Turkish art, the great mosques
of the Sultans that crown the hills. The city
presents an exquisite, majestic and serene
silhouette from all directions. The Golden Horn,
which is a very secure natural harbor, has
played a significant role in the development of
the city.
Fortune provided such advantages to Istanbul as a location
at a junction where the main overland routes
reach the sea, an easily defensible peninsula,
an ideal climate, a rich and generous nature,
control of the strategic Bosphorus, and a
central geographical position in the ancient
world.
As a capital of empires, the city was not only an
administrative, but also a religious center. The
Patriarchate of Eastern Christians has been
headquartered here since its establishment, and
the largest early churches and monasteries of
the Christian world rose in this city on top of
the pagan temples. Within a century after the
city was conquered, it was enriched with mosques,
palaces, schools, baths and other architectural
monuments that gave it a Turkish character,
while some of the existing churches in ruins
were repaired, altered and converted into
mosques.Between the 16th century when the
Ottoman sultans acquired themselves the title of
the "Caliph of Islam" and 1924, the first year
of the Republic, Istanbul was also the
headquarters of the Caliphate. More Jews settled
in Istanbul than any other port, and here they
built themselves a new and happy life after they
were rescued from Spain by the Turks in the 15th
century. Istanbul has always been a city of
tolerance where mosques, churches and synagogues
existed side by side. The city was adorned with
a large number of dazzling and impressive works
even during the period of decline of the
Ottomans.
During this time, the influence of European art made
itself felt in the new palaces, while the
northern slopes of the Golden Horn, Galata and
Beyoglu districts assumed a European character.
Even when the Empire, which was a party to World
War I, collapsed and the young Republic that
replaced it moved the capital to Ankara,
Istanbul did not lose its significance.
The haphazard development that began in the
years following World War II and accelerated in
the 1950's has unfortunately had a negative
impact on the fabric of the old city, and while
old wooden houses disappeared rapidly, concrete
buildings proliferated. Istanbul experienced a
population explosion due to immigration, and
within a very short period it expanded far
beyond the historical city walls. The areas
inside the walls were invaded by workshops,
mills and offices; even the new thoroughfares
could not solve the traffic problems, and the
inadequacy of the infrastructure gave rise to a
sea pollution problem, starting with the Golden
Horn.
With the initiatives for saving the city in the
1980s, Istanbul embarked on a process of
restructuring on a scale unseen in its
history.Thousands of buildings along the Golden
Horn were demolished to make way for a green
belt on its shores; parks and gardens were built
on the land claimed by filling up the beaches of
the Sea of Marmara. In order to prevent sea
pollution drainage systems were completed and
physical and biological wastewater treatment
plants were erected; the use of natural gas for
heating has considerably reduced air pollution.
Efforts are continuing for the restoration of
the Roman city walls, and Beyoglu, the main
artery, was rescued by building a newavenue.
Improvements were made in ihe general cleaning,
maintenance, garbage collection fields and these
services are now at Western European standards.
Ring roads cross the Bosphorus over two
suspension bridges to connect the two continents.
The European side has now a fast tramway system
and a subway, and comfort and speed has been
ensured in sea transportation with the hydrofoil
terminals built on the seashores. All industrial
establishments on the historic peninsula have
been moved to new facilities in the suburbs, and
the new international bus terminal has reduced
traffic intensity. The old jail and the first
large concrete building of the city were given
over to tourism and converted into 5-star hotels.
The city is growing dynamically and developing
at full speed on an east-west axis along the
shores of the Marmara.
Have you got only a short period of time to
visit this beautiful city? No need to worry-
there are choices of “tasting Istanbul” even in
a short period of time.
Daily excursions available throughout
the year will give you the chance to visit the
most important historical sites, museums, famous
Grand Bazaar and surroundings. Excursions
departing from hotels of the port present to you
the monuments in the historical peninsula in
half-day tours. You get a chance to visit
Ayasofya Museum, the Mosque of Süleyman the
Magnificent, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet (also
known as Blue Mosque), Hippodrome and Topkapı
Palace Museum. You may also participate in tours
taking you on the Bosphorus or to the Asian
side. Then, you will go back home with
unforgettable and beautiful memories.
The Roman fortifications, Chora
(Kariye) Museum renowned for its late Byzantine
period frescoes and mosaics, the Galata Tower
for a splendid panorama of the city, Dolmabahçe
Palace on the Bosphorus - the richest palace
museum in the world, Archaeological Museums,
Turkish-Islamic Arts Museum, the Spice Bazaar
and others require 3 to 4 days’ time.
And cruising Bosphorus… A ferry ride on the
Bosphorus will be amongst the most unforgettable.
You may be carried away with the unparalleled
beauty of the yalı mansions lining along the
coasts and from which many ancient love stories
reflect on the water, luxurious modern villas of
the 20th century, the palaces of Dolmabahçe,
Beylerbeyi and Göksu, Rumeli and Anadolu
Fortresses, remnants of the fishing villages,
restaurants, tea gardens, and night clubs. In
the same day you can cool off in the waters of
the Black Sea and then relax with a cup of
coffee at a tea garden on the quiet coasts of
the Sea of Marmara enjoying the beauty of the
Istanbul Straits.
Istanbul is a place where the ancient
meets the modern. For shopping there is a great
variety of choices. The Grand Bazaar and the big
reputable shops by it, the shopping malls of Ak
Merkez, Galleria, Capitol and many more, the
boutiques at Nişantaşı and Beyoğlu and in the
Baghdad Street are at your service all through
the year.
The Grand Bazaar still retains the
dreamlike atmosphere of the “good old days,”
yet, it presents you with the newest choices of
the modern world: eye-catching jewelry,
copperwork, rugs, leatherwear, suede wear, and
many more… Once caught by it, you may lose track
of times trolling in the Grand Bazaar.
Besides its historical importance and
cultural heritage, the city is furbished with
modern hotels, elegant restaurants, nightclubs,
bars, historical bazaars and shops as well.
Once you step in this city, you will be
able to experience by yourself this historical
and natural beauty beyond words can describe.
Our greetings and love from the beautiful
Istanbul, home of many civilizations. Seeing the
Mosques of Süleymaniye and Sultan Ahmet (also
known as the Blue Mosque);
Visiting the Ayasofya and Chora Museums;
Visiting the Topkapı and Dolmabahçe Palaces and
the Rumeli Fortress;
Taking the ferry up the Bosphorus and to the
Princes’ Islands;
Watching the panorama of the city from the
Galata Tower and the Pierre Loti;
Enjoying the cultural and artistic activities;
Wondering and joining the life of entertainment;
Visiting the Ortaköy market;
Riding the phaeton in Büyükada (island);
Eating fish at a restaurant on the Bosphorus, at
Kumkapı or Flower Passage; eating yoghurt at
Kanlıca and profiterol at Beyoğlu;
Buying a rug, jewelry, leatherwear at the Grand
Bazaar, Turkish delight, baklava, pastrami and
candy at the Spice Bazaar;
Shopping at Beyoğlu and other mega sized
shopping malls.
