Sogukcesme Street
Bozdogan-Valens
Aqueduct
Galata Tower
Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus)
Beylerbeyi Palace |
MONUMENTS
The
ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the
center of Byzantine civic life, stood in the open
space in front of the Blue Mosque, an area now called
Sultanahmet. Of the monuments which once decorated it
only three remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the
bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
Remains from the curved-end section of the
Hippodrome's wall can be seen on the southwest side of
these three monuments. Today the square forms the
center of Istanbul's historical, cultural and
touristic activities. You should take particular note
of the surrounding wooden houses, particularly the
18th century ones on Sogukcesme Street. Delightfully
restored, they have new life as small hotels and one
houses a fascinating library of books on Istanbul. The
Ahmet III Fountain, built in 1729, stands at the
entrance to Topkapi Palace. Deep overhang in caves
shade the water spouts where the parched could stop
for a cup of refreshing water. This highly ornate,
free-standing fountain is a superb example of the late
Ottoman style. Mahmut II built the Beyazit Tower (85
meters high) in 1828 as a fire tower. Today it stands
within the grounds of Istanbul University
The
Bozdogan-Valens Aqueduct, built in 368 A.D., supplied
the Byzantine and later the Ottoman palaces with water.
Today part of the remaining 900 meters of double-tiered
arches straddle the major highway that runs through
the old part of town. The Istanbul walls, once an
impenetrable fortification, stretch seven kilometers
from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. Restored
recently, and many times previously, these walls date
from the fifth century and the reign of Emperor
Theodosius II. UNESCO has declared the walls and the
area which they enclose to be one of the cultural
heritages of the world. The Galata Tower, a Genoese
construction of 1348, rises 62 meters high over the
Golden Horn. From the top you see a marvelous panorama
of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. In the eve]-ling
tourists enjoy its popular restaurant, nightclub and
bar. Rumeli Hisari, or the European Fortress, was
built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to his
capture of Istanbul. Completed in only four months, it
is one of the most beautiful works of military
architecture in the world. (Open every day except
Mondays.) Known as Leander's Tower, Kiz Kulesi is one
of the most romantic symbols of Istanbul. First
constructed in the 12th century on a tiny island at
the entrance to Istanbul's harbor, the present
building dates from the 18th century.
ISTANBUL BOGAZI (BOSPHORUS)
A
stay in Istanbul is not complete without the
traditional and unforgettable boat excursion up the
Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe
and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of
past and present, grand splendor and simple beauty
Modern hotels stand next to yali (shore-front wooden
villas), marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses,
and elegant compounds neighbor small fishing villaces.
The best way to see the Bosphorus is to board one of
the passenger boats that regularly zigzag along the
shores. You embark in Eminonu and stop alternately on
the Asian and European sides of the strait. The round-trip
excursion, at a very reasonable cost, takes about six
hours. If you wish a private voyage, you can contact
one of the agencies which specialize in organizing day
or night mini-cruises. During the journey you pass in
front of the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, farther
along rise the green parks and imperial pavilions of
Yildiz Palace. On the edge of this park, on the coast,
stands the Ciragan Palace, now restored as a crand
hotel. Refurbished in 1874 by Sultan Abdulaziz, it
stretches for 300 meters along the Bosphorus shore,
its ornate marble facades reflecting the swiftly
moving water. At Ortaköy, the next stop, artists
gather every Sunday to exhibit their works in a
streetside gallery The variety of people create a
lively scene; sample a delicious bite from one of the
street vendors. In Ortakoy, there is a church, mosque
and a synagogue that have existed side by side for
hundreds of years - a tribute to Turkish secularism
and tolerance. Overshadowing Istanbul's traditional
architecture is the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the
world's largest suspension bridges linking Europe and
Asia.
The
beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace lies just past the bridge
on the Asian side. Behind the palace rises Camlica
Hill, the highest point of Istanbul. You can drive
here to admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul as
well as the beautiful landscaped gardens. On the
opposite shore, the wooden Ottoman villas of
Arnavutkoy contrast with the luxurious modern
apartments of neighboring Bebek.
A few kilometers farther out, facing
each other across the straits like sentries guarding
the city, stand the fortresses of Rumeli Hisari and
Anadolu Hisari. The Gbksu Palace, sometimes known as
Kucuksu Palace graces the Asian shore next to the
Anadolu Hisari. The second link between the two
continents, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge straddles
the waterway just past the two fortresses. From
Duatepe Hill, on the European side you can admire the
magnificent panorama of the bridge and the Bosphorus.
Below Duatepe, the beautiful Emirgan Park bursts with
color when the tulips bloom in the spring. Opposite on
the Asian shore is Kanlica, a fishing village now a
favored suburb for wealthy Istanbulites. Crowds gather
in the restaurants and cafes along its shores to
sample its famous yogurt. Shortly after Kanlica and
Cubuklu is the Beykoz Korusu (Abraham Pasa Woods), a
popular retreat. In the cafes and restaurants you can
enjoy the delightful views and clear fresh air. on the
European side, at Tarabya Bay, yachts seem to dance at
their moorings. The coast road bustles with taverns
and fish restaurants from Tarabya to the charming
suburbs of Sariyer and Buyukdere. Sariyer has one of
the largest fish markets in Istanbul and is also
famous for its delicious varieties of milk puddings
and borek (pastries). A little further on past Sariyer,
the narrow strait widens and disappears into the Black
Sea.
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