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Showing posts from August, 2017

Serpentine Column

Serpentine Column is a work of art located in Sultanahmet Square. Built in the 5th century BC as a monument of victory, the work consists of serpents encircling one another. This work was done by melting the bronze collected from the area that was invaded by the victory of the Battle of Pletea. That's why it's known as a victory monument. There is also a mythological story of Serpentine. In mythology, it was believed that the three-headed serpent was killed by Apollo. When it was first built, there was a fire-burning boiler on the top of a column on a bell-shaped foot. Afterwards, this boiler was separated from the milk and melted and spent in war expenses. Another story about the Serpentine Column, one of Istanbul's most famous works, is brought here by the famous emperor Constantine to protect it from urban insects and reptiles. It is even said that Constantine faced many difficulties and lost his sanity in this process. Today, only 5 meters of the Serpentine Column...

Sultan Ahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)

The Blue Mosque is one of the most famous spots in Istanbul. This building, also known as " Blue Mosque " due to Blue Iznik tiles, was built by Ahmet I between 1609 and 1616. This work by Mehmet Ağa was highly criticized in those days due to the fact that it was built so splendidly during the Pause of the Ottoman Period. Another reason for the criticism of the Blue Mosque is the fact that there are 6 minarets and that it is against Mecca architecture. Despite everything, the Blue Mosque is an enchanting building, which ranks first in the list of places to visit in Istanbul. At the beginning of this world famous museum you should definitely see the Iznik tiles used at the beginning of decoration, the minbar dating from the 17th century, the dome decoration adorned with eye-catching designs, the hexagonal fountain, the ablution house located in avudary. The Sultan Ahmet Mosque , which carries traces of both Ottoman and Byzantine architecture, is dominated by the Marmara S...

Obelisk (Dikilitaş)

Obelisk is a building located in Sultanahmet Square of Istanbul and dated in 390. The Obelisk , built by Emperor Theodosius, was originally from Egyptian pharaohs in the 16th century BC. It is one of the two obelisks made in front of Amon Ra Temple for Tutmois. With the end of the Pharaohs period, the Egyptian handicrafts and monuments were used by the Romans to decorate the cities. This monument has been found elsewhere for a while, and finally it has been successfully erected by Theodosius to replace it today. It is thought that the 19.6 meter long structure is actually the 3rd floor. The Obelisk, which is one of the oldest monuments in the city, weighs about 200 tons. Hieroglyphic processes can be seen on the granite. There are also Greek and Latin writings on the monument. The Obelisk was damaged in an earthquake in 865 and was not replaced by a sphere that was separated from the monument. The monument, loaded with different meanings throughout its history, was described...

German Fountain

The German Fountain is a fountain situated between Hippodrome and Sultanahmet in Istanbul. The German Fountain , German Emperor II. gave it as a gift to Abdulhamit after the expedition to the east by Wilhelm in the nineteenth century. The top of the fountain is open and it has a single dome. Each part of the dome of the octagonal domed structure has a medallion on the green ground. The fountain was brought here after it was built in Germany. German and Italian architects worked together. The fact that the Turkish administrators before the World War I bear German admiration makes it interesting and makes it a gift. There are many important structures around the city such as the Blue Mosque , the Haghia Sophia Museum , the Obelisk and the Serpent Column. German Fountain Visiting Information Address : Binbirdirek Str. 34122 Fatih Istanbul Transportation : You can reach the trams between Eminönü and Zeytinburnu by landing at Sultanahmet Square.

Suleymaniye Mosque

Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in Istanbul. The mosque, built between 1551 and 1558, is the masterpiece of an architect Sinan. This masterpiece, made for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, has a mosque, a madrasa, a library, a mansion and other social buildings. The mosque was basically built using Ottoman architecture. A large dome supports two small domes and is likened to Hagia Sophia in structure. In fact, according to a custom, Süleymaniye Mosque was built because an Ottoman structure was needed to compete with Hagia Sophia . This building, which was built by the great architect Sinan who was a famous architect in the world, was built with the last technology of the era when it was built. Even though there are many catastrophic disasters, it has survived in a magnificent way without any damage and it is an indispensable list of places to visit in Istanbul. One of the symbols of Istanbul, Suleymaniye Mosque, two minarets 76, the other two minarets 56 meter...

Yıldız Palace

Yıldız Palace is a complex of treasures, pavilions, greenhouses and fountains built in the 19th and 20th centuries. The palace built as the residence of Abdülhamit, but fact the main purpose was to built a more stable place against attack from the sea. On the left of the palace courtyard is the Great Mabeyn, the City Museum where the porcelain and kitchenware are displayed on the corner, and the Gun Shop which is used as an arsenal. Located in the palace complex, Yıldız Palace Museum has a collection of objects and art products. The Yıldız Palace Theater, founded in 1889, was built during the reign of Abdülhamit. Sultan Abdülhamit was an administrator known for his support of art and he watched many games from the locals in this theater. The lake in the palace is likened to the brick of Abdulhamit's shape. There was also a small-scale zoo built here. It is known for being the favorite place of Abdülhamit. Apart from this, there are many workshops in Yıldız Palace, a place ...

Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace was built by Sultan Abdülmecit in 1856. The palace, designed by architects Garabet Balyan and his son Nikogos, is quite magnificent. It is striking that it is so splendid despite the fact that it was built during the difficult days of the Ottoman Empire. Dolmabahçe, which reflects the traces of Ottoman rule for hundreds of years, is a place where the traditions and western traces unite. The palace built with debts from large foreign banks is only open to guided tours. The palace built upon the insufficiency of the Topkapi Palace for the necessary meetings, has been divided into two sections as haremlik (for women only) and selamlik (or men only). There are official rooms and ceremony hall in the salutation part and private living areas of the sultan and his family in the part of for only women. At the beginning of the Dolmabahçe Palace , you should definitely see the Crystal Staircase, the Bab-i Humayun gate used by the sultan and viziers only once, the Kuğul...