PROMOTION İstanbul’s vast cache of historical treasures promises a fascinating journey through time stanbul is a city full of charm, where the past goes hand in hand with the present and every step brings to light a relic of time gone by. The seat of two empires and a major 21st-century city, İstanbul lays claim to countless architectural wonders and artefacts sure to astound any visitor. The city’s Historical Peninsula was once the social and political centre of the Eastern Roman and Ottoman empires. The old quarter, still partially surrounded by the old city walls, is the perfect place to discover İstanbul’s historical riches. Its perhaps most famous landmark is the Hagia Sophia, whose iconic silhouette is recognisable in nearly any photo of the city’s striking skyline. Completed in 537 CE, it is known for its 32.6m-diameter central dome, which, at a height of over 55 metres, appears to be floating on air. Not far away, the Sultanahmet Mosque, which recently reopened its doors after a six-year restoration, showcases Ottoman grandeur with its six minarets and a series of elegant domes that still dominate İstanbul’s skyline. It is still better known as the Blue Mosque, so named for the rich blue İznik ceiling tiles that decorate its interior. Sultanahmet Square was once an Eastern Roman chariot race course. Now a peaceful park, the Hippodrome could once hold 100,000 people. It’s here you’ll also discover the bronze Serpent Column, which unravels many mysteries with every bend of its winding course, while the towering obelisk of Theodosius, resting on an ornately carved plinth, serves as the Hippodrome’s crowning centrepiece. In the Hippodrome’s southern niches rest an ancient brick obelisk, whose gilded façade reveals only a glimpse of what it once was. Topkapı Palace, meanwhile, served as the residence of sultans for 400 years. Jutting out into the Bosphorus (Boğaziçi) Strait, the 15th-century ediface offers a unique look into the life of Ottoman royalty and state affairs. Guests have the opportunity to stroll around its private living quarters, a privilege that was once bestowed only upon the sultan’s family and most trusted servants. At the sixth-century Basilica Cistern, you will descend 52 steps towards a magical experience. Today, little water is kept in the cistern so that visitors can walk between the impressive ancient columns in the dim, cavernous space. The eerie atmosphere is punctuated by a column base depicting the upturned head of Medusa. It is said that Medusa was placed upside down so as to nullify the power of her gaze to turn those who look at her into stone. But, rest assured, the only danger facing visitors today is an urge to return again and again. The city’s Archaeological Museums are another highlight. They comprise the newly renovated Archaeological Museum, Ancient
Orient Museum and Tiled Kiosk Museum. The Archaeological Museum boasts twenty galleries with exhibits about the Eastern Roman and the Ottoman Empires as well as the many civilisations of Anatolia and ancient Egypt. The main building houses the finds of 19th-century archaeologist Osman Hamdi Bey, including the famous fourth-century Alexander Sarcophagus. The Museum of the Ancient Near East houses artefacts from Egypt and Mesopotamia, including a magnificent bull frieze from the Ishtar Gate in Babylon. Another must-see within the ancient city walls, the 15th-centuryfounded Grand Bazaar is the world’s largest and oldest covered market. With 55 streets, 20 entrances and approximately 4,000 shops, the bazaar offers almost limitless choices for every taste, from jewellery, ceramics and rugs to leather goods and silk garments. Stop by one of the traditional coffee shops to have a cup of Turkish coffee or tea as you admire the daily rush of the bazaar. Commissioned by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent at the apex of the Ottoman Empire’s power, the Süleymaniye Mosque stands testament to the erstwhile Ottoman might. The massive dome – which sits atop four monolithic columns, creating an almost square interior – exemplifies the powerful beauty of imperial architect Sinan’s work at the height of his distinguished career. Across the Golden Horn, at the end of a steep slope, rests the Galata Tower. Peeking out above a cluster of surrounding high-rise buildings, the tower beckons visitors to the energetic neighbourhoods of Galata and Taksim. Once the tallest tower in İstanbul, it was first built in 1384 as a defensive structure but has since been designated as a historical site. Today, its top balcony is the perfect address for a 360-degree view of the megapolis. The Galata Tower is located on one end of İstanbul’s most famous boulevards, İstiklal. A visit here at sunset is the perfect start to an evening exploring the area’s unique shopping and nightlife opportunities. The 19th-century buildings that flank the street, largely inspired by architectural styles from Neoclassicism to Art Deco, exemplify the European face of the city. In the lively district of Beşiktaş is Dolmabahçe Palace. Constructed in the later years of the Ottoman Empire, İstanbul’s third-largest palace is a magnificent work of Neoclassical architecture. The palace’s sumptuous interior is a heavenly mosaic of gilded ceilings, effervescent chandeliers and crystal staircases. Now a museum, visitors have the opportunity to admire the craftsmanship of its ornate exterior before being enchanted by the imperial luxury of the rooms and their furnishings. Sitting at the entrance of the Bosphorus, the Maiden's Tower was initially constructed in the fifth century BC on an islet about 20 metres from the present-day coast of Üsküdar as a customs checkpoint. An iron chain that extended from the tower to another tower on the Historical Peninsula controlled the entries and departures. During the Ottoman period, a wooden tower was built, serving as a watchtower and quarantine site for centuries. Situated in the middle of the Bosphorus, displaying İstanbul's beauty, the newly renovated Maiden’s Tower lights up the city at night. In İstanbul, there is no limit to historical discoveries. The city has woven a tapestry of creativity that is the envy of cultural cities around the world, with revitalised and redeveloped neighbourhoods and waterfronts now welcoming a new wave of museums, designconscious architecture, restaurants, bars, cafes and definitive cultural centres. İstanbul is a city full of historical surprises; set your own pace and let the city envelop you.
