| Things To Do tips and photos posted by real travelers and Istanbul locals. • 589 Reviews
See all Istanbul Things To Do |
 | Istanbul Things To Do Reviews | 51 - 60 of 589 |  |
The Spice Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in Istanbul and second in size to the Grand Bazaar. There are 88 booths in an L-shaped building with the main entrance facing the Yeni Mosque with a major facade. It was constructed on the order of Sultan Mehmed IV"s mother Hatice Turhan Sultan, who with other members of Ottoman nobility is buried in an adjacent mausoleum. The initial intent was to sell spices imported from Egypt ( an alternate name is the Egyptian Bazaar ) with rent going to support the adjacent mosque. It was designed by royal court architects and opened in 1660.
Today the visitor is overwhelmed by the intense scent of innumerable spices ground and displayed in the booths. Herbal medicines, nuts especially pistachio, roots, seeds, meats, and dried fruits are also sold here. Some stores specialize in candies. As tourists have discovered the bazaar there are also a few places with clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs. In the narrow crowded streets surrounding the bazaar all varietes of home goods, linens, kitchen utensils, and most everything else are for sale in a hectic noisy environment.
All the candy stores feature lokum, AKA Turkish Delight. Originally made as early as the 15th C, the main ingredients were honey molasses and flour. The candy was created by one Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir to satisfy grown tired of hard candies. The original name was "rahat lokum" translated as comfortable morsel. Since the 19th C, sugar and starch are the main ingredients with a wide assortment of flavors and sometimes containing varied nuts. Popular flavors included walnut almond chocolate pistachio and almond. Adding rosewater and lemon gives a pink tinge. The family of Haci Bekir still maintain a store in Eminonu selling lokum, although not in the bazaar itself. The result is a soft gelatin-like substance which is a little sticky to the touch. We were unimpressed, didn't much like it, and didn't see anybody else eating it either.
Far better were the dried fruits containing assorted fillings, including fruit and nut colored pastes and some with whole pieces of nuts. Dried dates and apricots were the favored fruits but a wide variety were available. Delicious. We ate so much that a real dinner was out of the question.
We did, however, pass on the Turkish Viagra - advertised on signs with the eye-catching phrase " Do It Six Times In One Night". Leave a Comment Directions: right across from the Eminonu tram stop next to the large Yeni Mosque.
|
 | |  |
Visiting Istanbul?
Read reviews about Istanbul Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
Beautiful. The prayer hall of Rustem Pasha is small and harmoniously proportioned. The walls are covered with Iznik tiles with a high proportion of the red color, which is unusual because of the difficulty of creating this color. There are more of these early Iznik tiles than in any other mosque. The columns, minbar, and mihrab are also covered in tiles, all with geometric and floral designs. There are over 2300 of these strikingly colorful tires. The simple elegant dome is supported by four mini-domes and is lit by over 70 windows, 24 in the main dome and the rest along the walls. The arches supporting the domes are composed of red and white stones, carrying on the red theme.
The Rustem Pasha mosque was restored in the 1960's and open freely to the public, but remains foremost a mosque serving its community. It is a lasting memory from our trip and should not be missed. Leave a Comment
|
This exquisite jewel box is far below the tourist radar, located northwest of the Spice Market, in a busy commercial district of Eminonu in a setting of narrow streets lined by small stores. On our visit, we were alone with a few men at prayer, able to appreciate the amazing beauty of this masterpiece by Sinan, the royal architect of Suleyman the Magnificent. It was built between 1561-3 commissioned by Grand Vizier Rustem Pasha, Suleyman's son-in-law, or by his wife Princess Mihrimah after his death.
The mosque is relatively small ( a grand vizier could not build a more impressive mosque than a sultan ) and set on an octagonal base over a group of stores. There is a single dome and only one minaret. The exterior is simple, except at the entrance where the wall is covered by Iznik tiles and the exquisite doors ( partly covered in image 1 ) are carved with inlays.
There are no lines and no crowds at Rustem Pasha Mosque - just walk up, put your shoes in the untended box at the entrance, and walk into an almost empty prayer room. This mosque is everything that the Blue Mosque is not, and is an absolute must-see.
RUSTEM PASHA - (1500-1561) - was the Bosnian son in law of Suleyman most famous for conspiring with Roxelana, the sultan's wife, to paint Prince Mustafa as the leader of a revolt and have him removed as heir apparent. Mustafa was beheaded, and Roxelana's son Selim became the new prince and first in line for the sultancy. The beginning of the decline of the Ottoman Empire has been dated to Selim, whose major interests were alcohol consumption and visits to the harem. No library building for this guy. History has named him Selim the Sot. Enough said. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
The Roman fascination with water is manifest in Istanbul by up to 100 or more underground cisterns for water preservation. Like the Sultan and Column cisterns, huge columns support an arched roof with water covering the columns, hence the name applied to this largest and most famous of the cisterns. Unsuitable for bus tours and often excluded from private tours, the Yerebaten Cistern should be a must-see in Istanbul, especially since it is located right across from the Hagia Sophia and adjacent the Hippodrome.
Following the Nika Revolt (532), Emperor Justinian commissioned among other projects the creation of a great cistern under the Basilica, a commercial square, so originally known as the Basilica Cistern. With an area of almost 105000 sq ft, the cistern holds up to 2,800000 gallons. The arched roof is supported by 336 30 ft high columns. Most of these were taken from older buildings as some are doric and others Corinthian in style, made of different types of marble. Some are clearly comprised of segments from two different columns. The brick walls and floors are 5 feet thick, waterproofed with plaster.
Under the Ottomans, who preferred running to still water, the cistern fell into disrepair. Stories of people dropping buckets through their house floor and coming up with water and the occasional fish persisted through the centuries and an occasional European visitor descended into the cistern, but the first directed exploration would wait until a German expedition in the 1900's. Restorations began in 1985 and the cistern opened to tourists several years later.
Today one walks above the water on elevated wooden walkways between the columns allowing one to peer down into the water where innumerable fish often described as overgrown goldfish live a life of luxury ( at least until they are "replaced" every four years ). Looking up to the ceiling and the arches with moving light reflected from the water is eerie.
There are two featured columns. One is the Column of Tears, said to be engraved with tear drop like surface allegedly to recall deaths among the 7000 slaves who built the cistern. The second feature are two columns at the far end of the cistern containing blocks with the head of Medusa - one face on its side and the other upside down. Overenthusiastic romantics have suggested that these positions are meant to symbolize the triumph of Christianity over heathen beliefs. Maybe these fragments just fit better this way into the columns.
The Yerebatan Cistern is a remarkable attraction and should not be missed. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Sultan Ahmet I was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1590 to 1617, and is best know as being the sultan who sponsored the construction of the Blue Mosque. The sultan, his two wives, and a number of their children and other relatives are buried in a mausoleum near the Blue Mosque. The mausoleum is open to the public, and was an interesting side trip after seeing the Blue Mosque. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Istanbul?
Read reviews about Istanbul Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The Mimar Sinan Turbesi is the tomb of the great Ottoman architect Koca Mimar Sinan. Born in the lat 1400s and dying at around the age of 99 in 1588, Mimar Sinan was the most-renowned Ottoman architect and the man who really created the Classical Ottoman style of architecture exemplified by his mosques such as Suleyman Camii and Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Camii in Istanbul and his Selimiye Camii in Edirne, and copied ever since in the likes of Sultanahmet Camii (the so-called Blue Mosque) and, in far lesser form, many other smaller mosques like the vast majority of new little mosques being erected.
The classical style is extremely ubiquitous in Turkey, to the point of becoming tiresome, especially in some rather characterless new buildings that simply are cookie-cutter imitations of the style.
However, this style has become so enduring and ubiquitous for a reason. Sinan melded different stylistic traditions, and built on a vat range of engineering and architectural ideas, to create what was then a new style, and one that led to awe-inspiring structures of great grace, power,engingeering complexity, and ingenuity. These buildings at their best, such as Sinan's are dazzling inside and out, soar to the sky and and immediately strike one with their powerful presence, yet light, graceful structure. They can evoke great emotion and the styl;e was a big break from the prior, heavier structures such as the Selcuk buildings or the Ulu Cami of Bursa (as much as I love that serene and unique structure).
In addition, Sinan designed numerous bridges, commercial buildings, and the like all over the Ottoman empire.
He is buried in his tomb, which he himself designed apparently, and this is in the Suleymaniye area, across the street from one side of the Suleymaniye Camii complex, at a sharp intersection of two streets, one bearing his name. Leave a Comment Directions: In Sulyemaniye, it is across the street from the Suleymaniye Camii grounds themselves, on the north side towards the Golden Horn.
|
| | |
Istanbul has a new era despide the famous museums,bosphorus,restaurants,churches and mesdgits the modern side of istanbul has a new venture .We have a new speed truck ( the best of the world) FORMULA ONE is organized in Istanbul Parc as it was last year
Dont miss this activity in may .In 2008 the prices of the hotel rooms raised to 400 usd per night please be in a hurry to book your place and your ticket Address: istanbul parkDirections: very near to sabiha gökçen airport
|
PERA MUSEUM
Museum is located adjacent to the Odakule building in Tepebasi- Beyoglu District, one of Istanbul’s most nostalgic neighborhoods. Designed by the architect Achille Manoussos in 1893, the building until recently served as the very popular Bristol Hotel but was converted into a museum after extensive restoration.
The Kütahya Porcelain and Ceramic Collection and the Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection on the museum’s first floor are two very unique collections. The porcelain tells visitors a lot about porcelain making in 18th and 20th century Kütahya; the collection contains a wide range of pieces from articles used in daily life to religious objects and wall portraits, and is a tremendous display of Kütahya’s visual richness in that era. Muslim and Christian communities are known to have lived and worked together in Kütahya in porcelain production. The other interesting collection on the first floor is the Anatolian Weights and Measures Collection. This collection, which comprises cultural products, attracts much attention for its unique perspective on the history of Anatolian civilization. Weights and measures are arranged in chronological order and the selection of exquisite scales and measuring devices made from a variety of materials and employing various techniques are sure to delight visitors.
The Sevgi and Erdogan Gallery located on the second floor is an exhibition of select pieces from the Oriental Painting Collection and contains more than three hundred paintings belonging to the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation. This exhibition is important as it brings together the significant works of painters that depicted the Ottoman world between the 17th and 19th centuries. The collection was enriched by adding the private collections of Sevgi and Erdoğan Gönül and the most famous piece is undoubtedly the painting entitled Turtle Trainer (Kaplumbaga Terbiyecisi). Painted by Osman Hamdi Bey, who is considered the first native-born Orientalist, this large-sized painting always attracts attention and a long line of visitors. The Pera Museum made a name for itself in the art world when this sensational painting was included in the collection. The exhibition entitled “Portraits of Empire” consists of select works from the collection and depicts padishahs, sultans, princes and ambassadors from different eras as well as people from all walks of life in a "portrait” style.
The names of the artists who depicted the Ottoman Sultans and members of the royal family are, in most cases, unknown. The painters of these magnificent works which are known by name include Osman Hamdi Bey, Fausto Zonaro, Jean Baptiste Vanmour and Antoine de Favray.
The charming café on the ground floor of the museum presents another pleasant surprise for visitors as the original owner of the piano in the middle of the salon was the world-renowned opera singer Maria Callas. Address: Mesrutiyet (str) Caddesi No.65 Tepebasi - BeyogluPhone: + 90 212 334 99 00Directions: Very close to Pera Palas Hotel and Italian Culture Center of Istanbul at BeyogluWebsite: www.peramuzesi.org.tr
|
| | |
 ISTANBUL MODERN by Arkeolog
The main galleries of the museum will exhibit the principal trends and works of modern and contemporary Turkish art since the early 20th century. Istanbul Modern will update this exhibition at regular intervals with contributions from other important collections in Turkey, as well as acquisitions and loans.
The sculpture garden at the entrance to the museum will present a historical survey of contemporary sculpture. The new media area in the entrance foyer provides a wireless network environment where visitors can view examples of new media art and other artwork in a digital museum environment. Visitors to this area will also be able to view video art that has been created with an interdisciplinary approach using digital technology and which reflects distinct and emerging trends.
In addition to exhibitions, Istanbul Modern is developing diverse activities and social spaces that will make it a "living museum". Experts have designed educational programs for a wide range of age groups and created a special space solely for these programs. Students will be able to attend workshops on such topics as "Getting to Know an Artist" and "Understanding and Interpreting Works of Art".
The museum's Library of Modern Art, which is located in the building, will be open to the public. Although the core of the library will consist of materials on modern Turkish art, it will also carry reference material on the main issues, movements and trends in modern international art and eminent works of art.
Istanbul Modern's permanent collection is housed on the first floor of the museum. The collection is presented thematically to demonstrate the main trends and major works of modern and contemporary Turkish art since the early 20th century. Drawing on other institutional collections in Turkey, Istanbul Modern will update this exhibition at regular intervals. Phone: Tel: 0-212-334 73 00Directions: ISTANBUL MODERN Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman Sahasi Antrepo No:4 Karaköy - ISTANBULWebsite: www.istanbulmodern.org Other Contact: Fax: 0-212-243 43 19
|
| | |
 Babiali - The Sublime Porte,
Istanbul by WulfstanTraveller
The Bab-i-Ali (Babiali) is the Sublime Porte, the famous entrance to the offices of the Ottoman Grand Vezir. It is on Alemdar Caddesi, which follows along the wall of Gulhane Park, and is right near the Gulhane stop in the tramvay line. It is NW of Ayasofya and a short walk from Sogukcesme Sokagi.
This is just the gate itself, there is nothing for visitors beyond it, but the gate still exists and is interesting for its historical fame. Leave a Comment Directions: On Alemdar Cad near the Gulhane tramvay stop, next to the wall of Topkai Palace and Gulhane Park.
|
| | |
|
More Istanbul Travel Deals Istanbul Travel
Explore The Rich History & Culture Of Turkey. Custom Trips & Vacations Istanbul Hotels
Compare Room Rates, Find Deals & More. Make Decisions w/Bing™ Travel Luxury Bosphorus Resort
Book a special luxury Four Seasons B&B package starting €360/night Sponsored Links
- Hotel Tashkonak
Kucuk.Ayasofya Cd Tomurcuk sk 5 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - LA MAISON HOTEL
Muvezzi Caddesi No 63 Cıragan - Besiktas, Istanbul - Ortakoy Princess
Dereboyu Cad. 36/38, Ortakoy, Istanbul - Barcelo Eresin Topkapi
Millet Caddesi 186 (formerly Golden Tulip Eresin Topkapi Hotel), Istanbul - The Green Park Hotel Taksim
Abdulhak Hamit Cad No 50 Taksim, Istanbul - Hilton Parksa Istanbul
Bayildim Caddesi No 12 Macka, Istanbul - Atel Fehmi Bey
Ucler Sokak No 15 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Best Western Antea Palace
Kucukayasofya Mah. Yusufaskin Sok. No/ 28 Sultanahmet (formerly Best Western Amber Hotel), Istanbul - Abella
Kucuk Ayasofya cd No 37 Sultanahmet, Istanbul - Best Western Hotel Istanbul Conti
Ortaklar Caddesi 30 Mecidiyekoy, Istanbul - InterContinental Ceylan Istanbul
Asker Ocagi Cad 1, Istanbul - Adela Airport Hotel
Londra Asfalti Uzeri 38 Atakoy, Istanbul - Elite Hotel Dragos
Piri Reis Cad. No 3 Dragos, Istanbul - Megara Boutique Sultanahmet
Akbizik Caddesi No 85, Istanbul - Ramada Kaya Plaza
E-5 Karayolu Hadimkoy Sapagi Tuyap Yani-Beylikduzu, Istanbul
|
