The Best Places to Visit in Istanbul Turkey
The Best Places to Visit in Istanbul Turkey
For the vacation adventure of a lifetime, travel to exotic Istanbul, Turkey! Istanbul, Turkey has something to offer everyone. In addition to fine accommodations and warm weather all year long, Istanbul, Turkey is home to some of the most historically significant structures still standing. Traveling to Istanbul, Turkey is the closest you will come to actually stepping back in time.
Istanbul is somewhat of an anomaly as far as culture. Both European and Asian influence inspire this ancient city. Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey and many of its ancient buildings are intact. Turkey is a country rich in ancient and modern history and here you can see some of the most awe-inspiring architecture in the world.
There is much to do in Istanbul, Turkey. From the various street markets teeming with exotic scents, spices and treasures, to the fabulous mosques and churches dating back to medieval times - Turkey is a traveler's delight.
One place you will not want to miss during your Istanbul, Turkey vacation is the Hagia Sophia Museum, located in the heart of the city. You will not be able to miss this large ancient structure with it's colossal dome as it dominates the city of Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia was built in the mid 6th Century and was originally a Byzantine church. It features marvelous mosaics and relics exclusive to this part of the world. The Hagia Sophia Museum is one of the oldest still standing buildings in the world and to enter this architectural marvel is something you will never forget. Anyone with an appreciation for history or architecture must visit the Hagia Sophia at least once in their lifetime. The Hagia Sophia Museum is located in Turkey's Eminonu District.
Istanbul is somewhat of an anomaly as far as culture. Both European and Asian influence inspire this ancient city. Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey and many of its ancient buildings are intact. Turkey is a country rich in ancient and modern history and here you can see some of the most awe-inspiring architecture in the world.
There is much to do in Istanbul, Turkey. From the various street markets teeming with exotic scents, spices and treasures, to the fabulous mosques and churches dating back to medieval times - Turkey is a traveler's delight.
One place you will not want to miss during your Istanbul, Turkey vacation is the Hagia Sophia Museum, located in the heart of the city. You will not be able to miss this large ancient structure with it's colossal dome as it dominates the city of Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia was built in the mid 6th Century and was originally a Byzantine church. It features marvelous mosaics and relics exclusive to this part of the world. The Hagia Sophia Museum is one of the oldest still standing buildings in the world and to enter this architectural marvel is something you will never forget. Anyone with an appreciation for history or architecture must visit the Hagia Sophia at least once in their lifetime. The Hagia Sophia Museum is located in Turkey's Eminonu District.
Just across the street from the Hagia Sophia museum is the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque derived its name from the color of the tiles inside the building. This is a large building with a massive dome that takes at least an hour to tour. The architecture and artwork inside the Blue Mosque is something to see, as are the ancient stained glass windows adorning the interior of the mosque.
Close to the Hagia Sophia, in Gülhane Park, near Sultanahmet Square, is the Topkapi Palace, another attraction that anyone who visits Turkey must see. The Topkapi Palace consists of a number of large, ordinate buildings and housed the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire for more than 400 years.
It takes a good half a day to tour the Topkapi Palace, but it is a day well spent. One of the most popular parts of the tour are the buildings that housed the Sultan's harem. Stepping into the Topkapi Palace, you will feel as if you have stepped into "The Arabian Nights." Some of the palace is closed to the public, but there is so much to see during the tour that it is well worth the admission price and your time. The mosaics and tiles are absolutely breathtaking, as are the palace gardens. In one area in the Sacred Safekeeping Rooms, we saw a hair on display from the Prophet Mohammed's beard. Although I found the Hagia Sophia to be very historically significant and interesting, as well as beautiful, I really liked the history behind the Topkapi Palace.
Istanbul, Turkey is the ideal vacation destination for anyone who is a history enthusiast or who appreciates the beauty and wonder of ancient architecture. There is so much to see and do in this ancient city that you will have to plan on staying at least two weeks. Istanbul, Turkey is truly the place where East meets West.
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