Istanbul, the so-called "eternal city" by popularity among tourists is not inferior to the world famous beach resorts in Turkey. When asked what to see in Istanbul, it is very difficult to answer, because for centuries-old history, he accumulated so many monuments and sights that they will not have enough time to examine them. No wonder it is also called the Second Rome.
But if you are going to plan your visit in order to have time to examine as much as possible, it will be useful for you to get acquainted with the list of the main sights of Istanbul.
Sulaymaniyah Mosque and Mausoleum of the Sultan of Istanbul in Istanbul
The largest mosque in the city, crowning a high hill, bears the name of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and houses 10,000 people at the same time. Suleiman is widely known in the world for his romantic history, which has been embodied in legends, literary works and cinematography. He fell in love with a young Slavic concubine and so fell under the influence of her charms, which made her an official wife and endowed with a sufficient degree of power so that she could influence the course of historical events. After the death of Haseki Hürrem Sultan (or Roksolany) in the middle of the 16th century, on the territory of the mosque a luxurious tomb was erected on the order of the inconsolable spouse.
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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
The Cathedral of St. Sophia is a symbol of the once glorious Constantinople, and now of modern Istanbul. It is located in the southern European part of the city. The exact time of the foundation of the cathedral is unknown, but it is believed that its history began in the IV century with the construction of the emperor Constantine basilica, called St. Sophia. Later, the temple burned many times during the riots, rebuilt and expanded. For today it is a monumental building, from whose greatness breathtaking. Particularly striking are the famous marble columns and the remains of picturesque frescoes.
Basilica Cistern or Flooded Palace in Istanbul
For many centuries, Istanbul was constantly besieged by the siege, and was in desperate need of fresh water. For this purpose underground reservoirs were built, the most famous of which is the Basilica Cistern. It was built in the VI century under the reign of Emperor Justinian to meet the needs of the palace and surrounding buildings.
The tank has dimensions of 140 to 70 meters, surrounded by a brick wall, the thickness of which is 4 meters, covered with a special waterproofing solution. Especially famous are the columns of the Cistern - there are altogether 336. Most of them are made in the traditions of the Corinthian order, but some are in the Ionic style.
Galata Tower in Istanbul
For the first time, the Galata lookout tower, which offers an excellent view of the sea and the city, was erected at the end of the fifth century and was wooden, and of course, of course, nothing remained of it. A new tower 70 meters high from the hewn stone was erected in 1348 and also served as a lighthouse. To date, the Galata Tower has a restaurant and an observation deck, which is visited daily by thousands of tourists.
Sultan Suleiman's Palace in Istanbul ( Topkapi Palace )
Is, perhaps, the most mystical place of the city. It represents a whole complex, which once inhabited up to 50 thousand people. It is famous for its numerous fountains, built into the walls and located in the courtyards - so that the sound of the water drowns out the voices and the conversations can not be listened to. Here was born the rule of 25 Turkish sultans, most of whom were brutally murdered in the struggle for power.
Maiden Tower in Istanbul
It is located on a small island in the Bosporus, first mentioned in historical notes of the beginning of the V century. Acted mainly as a watchtower and a lighthouse. Its name was given to the tower by the many romantic legends with which it is shrouded.
Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul
The palace is located in the European part of the city on the banks of the Bosphorus and was the residence of the last sultans. It is a huge complex stretching for 600 meters along the coast. Especially striking is the luxury of interior decoration, where everything is decorated with gold, stones, crystal and precious wood.
Miniature Park in Istanbul
Miniature Park The area of 60,000 m² was built in 2003 and since then has enjoyed immense popularity among tourists. There are large-scale models of sights of Turkey and Istanbul, as well as a lot of entertainment complexes, cafes, restaurants.
In addition, in Istanbul it is worth to visit the famous Blue Mosque .