NEMRUT    ISTANBUL WINTER    PAMUKKALE REGION
ISTANBUL HERITAGE    ISTANBUL BY NIGHT    TROY
CAPADOCCIA REGION   

HISTORICAL SITES AND MONUMENTS

Sultanahmet Square: In front of the Blue Mosque is the site of the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life. Of the monuments which once adorned it, only three remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constanline. Remains from the curved end of the Hippodrome wall can be seen to the south of the these three monuments. Today, it is the center of historical, cultural and touristic activities. The square, with its surrounding area. resembles an open-air museum. The 18th-century houses on Sogukcesme Street, delightfully restored, are now guest houses for tourists and also contain a fascinating library of books on Istanbul.


Ahmet III Fountain: Situated at the entrance to Topkapi Palace and built in 1729 as a gift to Ahmet III. it is one of the most magnificent free standing fountains. Highly ornamented and covered with a generous pointed roof, it is a fine example of fountain architecture.


Rumeli Hisari: The Rumelian Fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months, and is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Its amphitheater is now used as the setting for some ol the events in the Istanbul Music Festival, (Open every day except Mondays.)


Galata Tower: This huge tower, built by the Genoese in 1348 is 62 meters high. From the lop, there is a wonderful view of the Golden Horn and the Istanbul Bogazi. It has houses, a restaurant, nightclub and bar now.


Beyazit Tower: Located on the grounds of Istanbul University, it was built by Mahmut 11 in 1828 as a fire lower, and is 85 meters high.


The Istanbul Walls: Built in the 5th century by the Emperor Theodosius II, the walls (with some sections completely restored) stretch 7 km from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. With many towers and bastions, they were once the mightiest fortifications in Europe. UNESCO has declared die walls and the area which they enclose cultural heritages of the world.


Bozdogan-Valens Aqueduct: Built by the Emperor Valens in 368 A,D., this aqueduct supplied first the Byzantine and later the Ottoman palaces with water. About 900 meters of the doubletier arches remain.

Kiz Kulesi (The Tower of Leander): Kiz Kulesi is one of the romantic symbols of Istanbul. First constructed in the 12th century on a tiny islet at the entrance to Istanbul Harbor, the present building dates from the 18th century.


Shopping



Shopping in Istanbul is one of the delights of a visit 10 this city where wandering through the colorful bazaars is as enjoyable as browsing in the modern shops. For all tourists the "Kapali Carsi" (Covered Bazaar) in the old city is, of course, the favorite place. In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths¡¦street, the carpet sellers¡¦street, and so on. From the great variety of goods offered, there is something to suit every taste and pocket. There is a wide selection of jewellery, from traditional to modem settings, while the carpet shops display eye-catching wares of vivid colors and intricate designs.