Istanbul, which lies on the border between Asia and Europe, is the most unique place where East and West meet.
A feature of the layout of Istanbul is that it is divided into two parts - European and Asian, which are connected by numerous bridges and ferries.
This amazing city is one of the oldest in the world and has a rich historical past.
Region |
Istanbul |
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Population |
13 255 685 (2010) |
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667 BC e. |
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Population density |
2480.9 people/km² |
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Turkish lira |
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Timezone |
UTC+3 (summer) |
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Postal code |
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International dialing code |
90212 (Europe) 90216 (Asia) |
During its existence, Istanbul in different time he managed to visit the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and his past was imprinted in numerous monuments of architecture and history.
Climate and weather
The weather in Istanbul is determined by the subtropical climate, as well as cold winds from the north. Winters are wet and cool here. average temperature air +3…+9 °C, however, the thermometer mark can sometimes fall below 0 °C. Snow falls almost every year. Spring and autumn are quite mild, but during these seasons sharp drops temperatures. Summer in Istanbul is relatively hot (from +20 °C to +28 °C), although severe drought is quite rare.
Nature
Istanbul is one of those few cities that are located on two continents at the same time - in Asia and in Europe. It lies on the majestic picturesque hills, on the banks of the Bosporus and the Sea of Marmara. A huge advantage of Istanbul's location is the fact that the Bosphorus connects the basins of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Also in the European part of the city there is the Golden Horn Bay, which has become one of the main symbols of the city.
sights
Istanbul is famous for its many religious sites and unique old buildings. Tourists are most interested in the Hagia Sophia (5th century), in the building of which there is a museum of priceless art objects. Another famous religious monument was the exquisite Sultanahmed Mosque with beautiful interior decoration. The most interesting place is Ahmediye Square with an old hippodrome, where gladiator fights used to take place.
Fans of excursions are advised to visit the Yedikule Fortress, which has been a prison for a long time. Now, ancient instruments of torture are exhibited in its halls. Another unique building is considered luxury palace Dolmabahce, who became the personification oriental luxury. The most interesting building is the Topkapi Palace, within the walls of which the mummified hand of the Prophet Muhammad is kept.
Other notable sights include the Galata Bridge, the Basilica Cistern with the head of the Gorgon Medusa, the Blue Mosque, the Sultan Ahmed III Fountain, Tekfur Palace, the Valens Aqueduct and the Istanbul city walls. In addition, a variety of museums are open in the city: Archaeological Museum, Ataturk Museum, City Museum, Adam Mickiewicz Museum, Caricature Museum, etc.
Nutrition
Istanbul has an incredibly large number of gastronomic establishments offering all kinds of cuisines from the world. First of all, you should pay attention Turkish cuisine, which is considered one of the most refined and rich in the world. As appetizers (“meze”), preference is given to olives, various salads with olive oil, stuffed tomatoes, rice in grape leaves and much more. The first dish is traditionally served with chorba vegetable soup and jadjik soup made from fresh cucumbers and yogurt. And as the main menu there are dishes of seafood, meat and vegetables.
The most famous Turkish dish is "kebab" - finely chopped meat on skewers. It is also worth trying “kofte” (meat balls with spices and onions), manti and pilaf made from rice or coarsely ground wheat. No less popular are a variety of seafood: squid, sea bass, shrimp, swordfish, lobsters, etc. Well, stewed (“guvech”) and stuffed (“dolma”) vegetables, as well as beans and beans are popular among vegetable dishes.
The famous Turkish sweets and desserts deserve special mention: Turkish delight, baklava, marmalade, candied fruits, roasted chestnuts, sherbets and halva.
Of the drinks in Istanbul, they prefer black coffee, tea with milk, diluted aniseed vodka and the famous Efes beer.
Residence
In Istanbul, the number of places to stay is very large, and a wide variety of options are possible here. Luxury lovers in one of the many five-star hotels can easily find a suite costing from $ 200 per night: Sultanahmet Sarayi, Bosphorus Palace, Pera Palace, etc. For those who want to find accommodation a little more modest, there is a large selection of 4 and 3 stars, for example, Hotel Buyuk Keban (from $60) or Hotel Buhara (from $32). Well, for those who want to significantly save on accommodation, we advise you to pay attention to hostels (Cordial House Hotel - $ 15, Antique Hostel - $ 13, etc.).
Entertainment and recreation
There is no way to get bored in Istanbul, since, without exaggeration, it is able to give a festive atmosphere and offer a huge amount of entertainment for every taste. First of all, adherents of night events will like it here, as Istanbul is active 24 hours a day. The choice of a variety of nightlife in the city is incredibly large: Turkish bars, nightclubs, dance floors and beach discos. In many establishments, you can listen not only to modern music, but also to Turkish folk music, as well as admire belly dancing and theatrical performances. In addition, Istanbul can rightfully be called the “city of festivals”, where large-scale events take place every year. Of these, the most famous are the International Jazz Festival, Istanbul Film Festival, International Istanbul music Festival and the International Istanbul Tulip Festival.
Vacationers with the whole family are advised to visit the Istanbul Zoo with a variety of animals, birds and a small Japanese garden. Also of interest are the unique miniature park "Miniaturk", the Tatilya amusement park and the most beautiful city parks.
Also among tourists, Turkish baths-hammams are incredibly popular, where you can join the locals and feel like a real Istanbulite. Another interesting entertainment can be a ferry excursion to the Princes' Islands, which are the most popular holiday destination. In addition, in Istanbul you can relax, sunbathe and swim on one of the many city beaches on the Bosphorus coast.
Purchases
Among tourists, Istanbul has established itself as the unofficial capital of shopping. The most famous trading place of the city is the Laleli district, which consists of some shops and shops offering a wide variety of and not very expensive goods. No less popular is Kapali Carci (Covered Market), spread over more than 50 streets with a huge number of shops, shopping yards, workshops and coffee houses. There you can always find the most beautiful Turkish carpets, hand-made ceramics and copper products, as well as gold jewelry, antiques and leather items. Among other bazaars, it is worth highlighting the Spice Bazaar, the air of which is saturated with the aromas of mint, cinnamon, saffron, cumin and other herbs; Egyptian Bazaar, where you can buy coffee, oriental sweets and flowers; authentic Arts Bazaar (Sanatlar Charshisy).
In addition to traditional bazaars, Istanbul is famous for its many modern shopping centers and fashion stores. Of these, Akmerkez, Karusel and Kapitol are the largest and most visited, while modern branded stores are concentrated in Taksim, Sisli and Nisantasi.
Transport
Istanbul has a rather intricate but highly modern urban transport network, which includes buses, trams, dolmush light and regular metros, funiculars and ferries. Prices for travel in all modes of transport are approximately the same (from $2.5 to $3), but for convenience, it is advised to purchase an Akbil pass, which is valid for almost all modes of transport. It has a base cost of $3.3 and then tops up with any amount.
by the most convenient transport is a bus whose routes run throughout the city. They come in several varieties: simple buses, metrobuses, "dolmushi" (minibuses) and minibuses. The tram network consists of modern trains and vintage retro trams. The metro in Istanbul exists in two versions: a simple metro line and a light metro. Both lines are quite small, but differ in speed and comfort. The subway fare is $2.7. Funiculars and ferries are also very convenient and popular means of transportation.
Connection
The need to make any call from Istanbul will not be a problem. The most expensive option are calls from hotels and hotels. It is much more profitable to call from street payphones, which are located on all streets, at the post office and in city parks. Calls are made using telephone cards (Kontörlü Kart and TTKart), which are sold everywhere.
The main Turkish mobile operators are Vodafone, Turkcell and Avea. All of them work in the GSM 900/1800 standard and have roaming agreements with many foreign operators. It is worth saying that roaming rates are quite high, so we advise you to purchase a tourist SIM card (Sim-travel or Goodline), or a Turkish SIM card, for which you need to register your phone.
Free Internet access is provided in many hotels, and paid - in Internet cafes. There are also a fairly large number of Wi-Fi access points in Istanbul.
Safety
Surprisingly, among the world's megacities, the crime rate in Istanbul is one of the lowest. Such a favorable situation has developed here thanks to the effective measures of law enforcement structures and the activities of the international MOBESE project. To date, most of the streets of Istanbul are equipped with surveillance cameras, and the local police are mobile and well equipped. However, despite this, reasonable security measures should not be neglected. This applies primarily to crowded places (bazaars, transport, etc.). It is also not recommended to take walks at night, especially in the areas of Zeytinburnu, Kumburgaz and Fatih.
Business climate
Due to its strategic location, Istanbul is the main industrial and economic city of Turkey. Its economy is based on mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, chemical, food, cement, glass, woodworking and paper industries, as well as tourism and trade. In addition, the main banks of the country, branches of the world's largest companies and insurance companies are located in Istanbul. Moreover, according to Forbes magazine, there were 35 billionaires living in Istanbul in 2008, and by today their number has undoubtedly increased. It should be noted that the city created simply ideal conditions for large investments and capital increase. The most profitable areas here are tourism, in particular hotel business, and export trade.
The property
According to leading analysts in 2011, the Istanbul real estate market has become one of the most attractive and in demand in Europe. This is primarily due to the development financial system and infrastructure, geographic location and cultural heritage Istanbul. In addition, the local market is constantly updated with new offers, so that the demand of foreigners is always satisfied here. Moreover, both residential and commercial properties are diverse and numerous. It should be noted right away that prices in Istanbul are quite high and, according to forecasts, will continue to grow. For example, at the moment the cost of housing in the center of Istanbul is 15-25 thousand $ 1 m².
In Istanbul, there is an opinion that almost all foreigners have a lot of extra Money, so literally any local resident can try to get money from a tourist. And for him it is a kind of gambling. Moreover, even in some hotels there are cases when guests are presented with too much bill and only then "notice" the mistake. In addition, you should not mess with shoe shiners, accept free treats from street vendors and use the services of private guides.
The largest city in Turkey, the majestic and many-sided Istanbul is located on the land washed by the Bosphorus, where the Black and Marmara seas crossed, and the border between Europe and Asia passed.
Many are mistaken, believing that Istanbul is. In fact, this city really served as the administrative center until 1923, when
Kemal Ataturk proclaimed Ankara new capital. Such a change is associated with the strategic location of the city, since Istanbul can easily be reached both from land and from the sea.
Today, Istanbul is a favorite destination among travelers for good reason.
Istanbul occupies a very advantageous position on the world map: most of the roads from Asia Minor and the Black Sea region lead to this city. The city is, as it were, divided into two parts by the Bosphorus Strait, the main link between the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
The climate in the city is a mixture of subtropical and continental climates. The summer period is observed dry and sultry, and the winter period, on the contrary, is rainy and cool. The most comfortable weather for tourists is from April to September, when there is practically no precipitation.
Where is Istanbul located on the map
History and development of the city of Istanbul
The location of Istanbul at all times attracted merchants, merchants and travelers, which contributed to the rapid development of trade and the city. Let's imagine the chronology of the main events related to Istanbul:
- Around 667 B.C. The Greeks founded the city of Byzantium on this site. ;
- In 74 BC the city came under the control of the Roman Empire and remained under its influence for many years;
- In 330 the city became famous under the name of Constantinople and began to function as the capital of Byzantium;
- In 1453 Turkish army captured the city and proclaimed the capital of the Ottoman Empire. In the period from 1520-1566. historians note the unprecedented flourishing of the city's economy;
- Subsequently, Turkey repeatedly waged wars with European countries and Russia, as a result of which it lost most of its territory;
- Before 1922 the territory was occupied by European countries at the end of the First World War;
- After the end of the occupation, Turkey becomes independent, and Ankara began to perform the function of the capital of the country.
How to get to Istanbul
There are many ways to get to Istanbul:
- land route;
- on a watercraft;
- by air.
For those who are used to traveling "on the land", there is an option to either go by car, or by bus, or by train. Buses and trains regularly transport people from different countries Europe and Asia.
Istanbul has two international airports that receive thousands of aircraft from all over the world every day.
Who is Istanbul best for?
Unlike other famous resort towns Istanbul is not a city for amateurs beach holiday. Rest in Istanbul is suitable for those who like to walk through the fortresses, museums, intricate streets, majestic temples.
Also, this city will really appeal to those who are delighted with the original culture of the eastern countries: street trading, crowds of people, vibrant nightlife.
Istanbul transport
Transportation is very developed in the city, as evidenced by the variety of existing modes of transport:
- buses;
- "dolmushi"- fixed-route taxi;
- Metro;
- funiculars;
- trams;
- electric trains;
- Taxi;
- water transport.
What to see and do
Many travelers compare Istanbul to Rome in terms of cultural value and wealth. Numerous museums, historical values, attractions form half of the historical heritage Turkey.
It is extremely difficult to describe the main attractions in a couple of words, so we will share the main ones memorable places must-sees:
- Saint Sophie Cathedral;
- Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet;
- Galata tower;
- Topkapi Palace;
- Hippodrome square;
- Dolmabahce Palace, etc.
This is far from all the entertainment for the tourist - Istanbul pleases the guests of the city with hospitable bazaars with oriental sweets, antique gizmos, spices, Turkish baths "hamams", real hookahs.
Majestic Istanbul, which until 1930 bore the name of Constantinople, is located on the banks of the Bosphorus, at the place where the waters of the Black and Marmara Seas meet, and the border between Europe and Asia passes. The mixture of these two cultures to this day largely determines the appearance of the city, giving it a unique charm and charm. Perhaps the main charm of Istanbul lies precisely in its amazing, sometimes absurd diversity. Known from ancient Russian chronicles as Tsargrad, this legendary city is still developing at a rapid pace today.
The city of Istanbul is located on two continents at once and is "cut" by the Bosphorus into European and Asian parts, connected by several bridges. In turn, the European part is divided into two halves by the beautiful Golden Horn Bay, which is one of the symbols of the city. To the south of the bay is the Eminonu area, or Old city, largely retaining its historical appearance. To the north of the Golden Horn Bay there is a port and business districts of the city. Asian part the city is mainly residential areas, however, many interesting monuments and attractions.
In terms of the significance and influence exerted by the city on the formation European world, Istanbul can only be compared with Rome. The number of historical values stored in the museums of Istanbul and architectural sights on its territory is half of the cultural and historical heritage of all of Turkey. No wonder this city is nicknamed "The Most Beautiful" and is considered the richest and most beautiful in its region. World-famous Christian temples and Muslim mosques, many museums, monuments ancient architecture, palaces and fortresses - all this attracts many tourists to Istanbul. Every year, the city on the Bosphorus is visited by more than 6 million travelers, and their number is steadily growing.
Istanbul today
lucky geographical position city predetermined his fate - a small sea port quickly turned into the largest trading hub, gradually becoming the largest and richest city in Europe. Today's Istanbul is the most important industrial centre country, which plays a key role in the economy of the state. In addition, the city dominates in the fields of science, education and culture - there are many universities, major libraries, museums and theaters.
The largest city in Turkey occupies a rather impressive area - 2106 square kilometers. The population of Istanbul is 13,483,052 people, according to this indicator, it is even ahead of Moscow. At the same time, the number of city residents is constantly growing due to migration from other parts of the country.
Safety
For such a large city, the crime rate in Istanbul is quite low, especially when compared with other world tourist centers. However, as in any big city Here you need to be careful and take precautions. Cases of pickpocketing are known, so it is better not to take large sums of money with you, but to keep documents in hotel safes, having only copies with you. At night, you should beware of walking along the sparsely populated streets of the Old Town and areas such as Aksaray and Zeytinburnu.
There are a lot of merchants on the streets of Istanbul, especially in the center - every minute a new seller will offer you another carpet, lunch, a walk along the Bosphorus, souvenirs or, say, shine your shoes. Therefore, a simple advice: be careful and careful.
Attractions (what to see)
The sights of Istanbul cannot be described in a few words, so let's focus on the main ones. tourist places. Undoubtedly, having arrived in Istanbul for the first time, one cannot but visit the historical center of the city - the Sultanahmet district. Here are two truly impressive monuments of architecture and religion - St. Sophia Cathedral and the Blue Mosque.
Hagia Sophia is one of the main symbols of the city. Once it was the main church of the Christian faith in the East and the largest church in the entire Christian world, and now the cathedral functions as a museum. The grandiose building with a dome 31 meters in diameter has become a real architectural masterpiece of its era.
Directly opposite the cathedral is the Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmet Mosque - another religious symbol of Istanbul and one of the largest operating mosques in the world, a beautiful example of Islamic architecture.
Also in Istanbul, you should definitely visit Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern, Hippodrome Square.
Istanbul (formerly called Byzantium and Constantinople) - The largest city Turkey, the main port and trade and economic center, the capital of all the empires on the territory of which he found himself. You can talk about it for hours in superlatives, and everyone who makes such a description of the city does not skimp on enthusiastic epithets.
Just as all roads once led to Rome, today all roads from Asia Minor and the southern Black Sea region lead to Istanbul. You can come to the city by bus from Greece, Georgia or Iran, just on the way looking around almost the whole country.
Hundreds of planes from all over the world arrive at Istanbul airports - and there are two of them - every day. Not only Turkish Airlines is trying here, sending tourists even to Australia and Argentina, but also many discounters that make the trip very inexpensive. In Istanbul, the routes of a huge number converge cruise liners and regular ferries: here you can make a sea voyage from Egypt, Israel, Greece, Ukraine and Russia.
A large number of tours are organized in Istanbul all year round - there are enough sights to spend 4-5 days in the city, bright and full of events and excursions. And if you have a free weekend - feel free to go here: the city has something to surprise and please you with. Among European cities, in terms of the number of people living directly in the urban part, it, with its 6 million inhabitants, is second only to Moscow and London. And taking into account all the suburbs, 12 million people consider themselves living here.
On top of that, Istanbul is a stunning national, geographic, religious and cultural fusion. It probably cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Video
Istanbul - Europe or Asia?
Europe stretches to the west from Istanbul. Real, modern, successful. To the East - vast expanses of Arab Asia open up: steppes and deserts, the mysterious Islamic world and the charm of the silent Arabian nights, the songs of muezzins and real oriental luxury.
If you look at Istanbul on the world map, its division into two parts immediately catches your eye. The division is purely geographical - the city is spread on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, the main and only navigable artery between the Black and mediterranean sea. It is not surprising that this tasty piece of territory has always been a bone of contention for almost all civilizations that existed on this territory - Greeks, Ottoman Turks, Romans, Macedonians. After all, the one who controlled the Bosphorus could control the main part maritime trade between the Mediterranean countries, the Slavic world and Asia Minor.
Istanbul was once the capital of Turkey. For some time it was called Constantinople, and a huge number of dramatic moments are associated with it in history. Conquering and ruling Constantinople has been considered a matter of honor by most rulers since Roman times. It is no wonder that many have left their mark on the city, but they will look like a journey through time.
As will be seen in any tourist review of Istanbul, the fusion of two religions - Christianity and Islam - is very strongly felt. Historically, it was from here - from ancient Constantinople - that the teachings of Christ spread throughout the Black Sea and part of Europe, but later the city came under the rule of the Ottoman Turks, who professed Islam.
Story
There were settlements on the site of Istanbul since the Neolithic period. In 659 BC immigrants from Greece began to settle on the Asian part. The favorable geographical and strategic position contributed to the rapid development of trade and the prosperity of the city. Trade routes from Europe to Asia and from the Black Sea to the Aegean converged here. At that time it was called Byzantium.
In 74 BC. e. the story is connected with the Roman Empire when the city fell under its influence. In 330, it was renamed Constantinople and became the capital of Byzantium. In 1453 it was taken by the Turks and proclaimed the center Ottoman Empire. Then it got its modern name. Its economic heyday begins, the peak of which fell on 1520-1566.
In the 18-19 century. there were many wars with Europe and Russia, as a result of which the Turks lost most of their territories.
After the First World War, history for several years was connected with Italy, England and France, who occupied the city until 1922. After the declaration of independence of Turkey, the capital passes to Ankara. Despite this, Istanbul to this day remains the main cultural, economic, industrial and tourist center country.
Istanbul on the map of Turkey and the world
How to get to Istanbul
You can get there by land, by ferry, and also by air. There are 2 airports near Istanbul.
Cheap flights to Istanbul
You can buy tickets to Turkey as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.
1. international Airport named after Ataturk.
2. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport.
Direct flights to Istanbul
Transport
Transport in Istanbul is very well developed, at your service: buses, trams, dolmushi (minibuses), trains, ferries and funiculars. In the city, a single electronic card Istanbulkart is valid for most types of transport. Compared to single tickets, it allows you to significantly save on travel. Each subsequent use of it within 2 hours reduces the standard fare from 2.6 to 0.9 lira (3-5 transfers).
Below we will briefly describe the transport, since there is a separate one in detail about it.
1. Buses and dolmushi.
Net bus routes in Istanbul is well developed, it is easy to get to anywhere in the city.
Dolmushi (minibuses) are a good alternative to buses, they go to different popular destinations. They cost a little more, go more often and faster. Fares vary, payable in cash.
2. Metrobus.
Metrobus is a cross between a bus and a tram. Flights are carried out by ordinary buses, but they bypass Istanbul traffic jams, since they have their own lane on the highway. The route connects the Asian and European parts and goes far beyond Ataturk Airport.
3. Metro, tram and funiculars.
A very popular mode of transport. Route network consists of 6 branches with 89 stations, great efforts are invested in expansion. There are plans to bring the metro to the new airport (2020) and Sabiha airport (2019).
At the moment, the metro consists of 6 lines: M1, M2, M3, M6 are located in the European part; M4 and M5 - Asian.
There are two types of trams: tourist trams, which have historical carriages, and ordinary city trams. Some stations are underground.
Funiculars have three lines: Karakoy - Beyoglu, Kabatas - Taksim, Seirantepe - Vadistanbul.
4. Marmaray.
Marmaray - partially opened on October 29, 2013, a railway line. Trains run from the Kazlıçeşme station in the European part of the city to the Ayrılık Çeşmesi station in the Asian part through the Marmaray tunnel under the Bosphorus. On the way, they make three intermediate stops in Yenikapı, Sirkeci and Uskudar.
Full launch is planned for 2019.
5. Water transport.
Istanbul has a well-developed water transport, the main of which is ferries between the piers of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Princes' Islands. Their function is purely practical, satisfying demand in the first place. local residents- unload dense traffic during peak hours. Tourists are also widely offered trips along the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn on various pleasure boats and boats.
6. Car rental.
Car rentals are available at Istanbul airports and in the city itself. You can rent the transport you like both upon arrival and in advance. In the latter case, you will save a lot of time, and you will have more choice. Keep in mind that there is heavy traffic in Istanbul, and especially at rush hour, serious traffic jams.
Of course, a taxi is the most convenient way to move around Istanbul, but it is by no means always faster due to traffic jams than, for example, the metro. Therefore, we do not recommend taking it for long distances on weekdays, especially during rush hour.
Who should go to Istanbul
This city is not for beachgoers and loafers. It hides a huge number of attractions, monuments of history and architecture. Rest in Istanbul will be comfortable when you want to look at the intricate patterns on the ceilings of mosques all day long, walk around medieval fortresses, admire the monuments and monuments, sometimes taking breaks for food and calm contemplation of the seething life from the next hill with a park.
Istanbul is a city of contrasts, and it does not favor calmness and detachment from the times. It is cultural and shopping center with all its attributes - street trading, stormy nightlife, crowds of people.
But here the tourist feels at ease. There are currency exchangers at every turn, an incredible number of hotels, hotels and hostels are scattered throughout the city. You can have a bite to eat at almost every step, and shops with luxurious Turkish sweets are concentrated in those places where tourists are most often. And it is impossible to pass by these shops.
The many-sided Istanbul is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, where representatives of the largest religious denominations coexist. The settlement, founded by the Greeks in the 660s BC, was named Byzant after the Byzantine Empire. Two centuries later, the Western part of Asia Minor fell under the influence of the Roman Empire, and in 324 the city officially ceased to exist in its former form - now it has begun to be called Constantinople. Be sure to visit.
What to see in Istanbul
Blue Mosque
The architectural and religious monument rising into the sky is considered one of the Wonders of the World in a new edition. The construction of the mosque started in 1609 and ten years later the Ottoman lord Ahmet I already honored the architects who designed and built the center of the Muslim religion - an alternative to Hagia Sophia. Blue, it began to be called by the color of ceramic frescoes, with which the interior of the temple is decorated. Remarkably, the mosque is surrounded by six slender minarets, and not four, as was customary in the Middle Ages. By the way, the current temple is open for visiting for all believers.
Church of St. Sophia
The cathedral was built in 537 on the initiative of Emperor Justinian I, who then ruled Byzantium. Justinian's goal was a church of a size never before seen by mankind. From all regions of the state, gold, marble, silver, ivory were brought to Constantinople, gems. For more than five years, builders built massive vaults, craftsmen decorated the interior, volunteers helped - the temple was built by the whole world. The temple dedicated to Hagia Sophia remained the most luxurious and grandiose for more than a thousand years. Only Mehmet II, who conquered the city in the 15th century, transformed the famous relic into a mosque by adding minarets, fountains and tombs. Since then, the temple has served both Muslims and Christian pilgrims. Today the mosque has been turned into a museum.
Other attractions
Also in the top 3 most famous monuments architecture includes the Topkapi Palace, in which the Sultan's harem is of particular interest. The complex was built in 1478 in honor of Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. This palace remained the main residence of the Ottoman crown for almost 400 years and only in 1856 Dolmabahce took this place. Visitors are greeted at the entrance by a grandiose fountain, which crowns the entire complex. It is followed by a complex of four courtyards, one of which was occupied by the Sultan's wives and concubines. In its treasury you can find a huge collection of jewelry, cutlery made of precious metals, ceremonial outfits of the most august persons.
In addition, you will see a rare collection of porcelain, 24 thousand volumes of manuscripts, religious relics - hair, arrows, a letter from the Prophet Muhammad, part of the skull of John the Baptist, Abraham's saucepan, as well as the swords of the caliphs of the prophet.
We smoothly move on to another residence of the Ottomans - Dolmabahce. The structure was built by order of Abdul Mejid I in 1856. The facade of the Sultan's Palace is visible from the Bosporus. The Sultan wanted to erect the most luxurious building in Europe, which, as you will see, he succeeded. The area of the complex reaches 14.5 thousand m², which is occupied by 285 rooms, 6 terraces, 6 hamams, 43 halls. To decorate the interior, it took a total of 40 tons of silver, 14 tons of gold. The walls of the palace are decorated with paintings by famous artists from all over the world, including twenty paintings by Aivazovsky.
Popular excursions for tourists
In addition to the above-mentioned architectural masterpieces, Istanbul has a large number of ancient buildings, monuments, and museums. Be sure to visit the church of St. Irene, built in the 6th century, the church Holy Mother of God, St. Theodore of the 11th century (Kilise-Jami), the mosques of Mikrimakhi, Shahzade, Eyup, Selim the Conqueror of the 16th century, the madrasah of the famous commander Bayazid of the 16th century, the mosque of Rustam Pasha of the 16th century, in which graceful tiles stand out. The guides will tell about the power of the Ottoman army against the backdrop of the fortifications of Rumelihisary, Anadoluhisary, Yedikule of the 15th century, the Galata tower of the 14th century with a restaurant-observation platform on the top floor. Also noteworthy are the "submerged palace" Yerebatan Saray of the 6th century, the ancient baths-hamams of Kagaloglu, the faience pavilion of Chinili-Keshk.
To visit Istanbul and not visit the bridge across the Bosphorus is blasphemy. The symbol of the confluence of Asia and Europe, the economic well-being of modern Turkey is one of the most popular places for guests of ancient Constantinople.
A walk around the city will be crowned by the Kapal Charshi bazaar, known in Russia for affordable prices and amazing souvenirs.
Istanbul institutions: clubs, museums, viewing
There are a great many museums in the city, since the history of Asia Minor is rich in bright events and personal achievements. Each historical monument is an example of a museum with luxurious exhibits of everyday life, culture, art of the era of the rule of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans. Among museum complexes the Karye Museum stands out in the 11th century Hora temple. Located at the gates of Edirne, it is known for its unique collection of mosaics and frescoes. The Museum of Oriental Antiquities offers the opportunity to explore the culture and history of the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Anatolian and Arab eras through the prism of exhibits. The Museum of Antiquity with a large set of historical values dating back to the 6th century will continue the theme of exploring Ancient Anatolia.
Osman art is fully represented in the palace of Ibrahim Pasha (1524). The interior of the building identifies Turkey of the 16th century with miniatures, carpets, manuscripts.
TO viewing platforms, besides the bridge over the Bosphorus, we will include the Chamlyzhda hill, which rises 263 m above sea level.
Nightlife in Istanbul is represented by such establishments as Nupera, Sess, Ulus 29, Ablam, Rehab, Reina, Aztek, Murphy's Dance Bar, Indigo, Limoncello. Of these, some are in historic buildings, others are outdoors, others are in business centers- The clubs are as diverse as Istanbul itself.
istanbul cuisine
If you prefer calm background music to the rhythms of the dance floor, and tequila and sambuca - a gastronomic etude with a glass of wine, then we recommend that you get acquainted with the Istanbul cuisine, which has absorbed the distinctive features of the traditions of Turkish, Balkan, Crimean Tatar, Mediterranean, Arab cooking. We list the main dishes of Istanbul cuisine.
Iskender is a favorite dish of the people of Istanbul. Meat cut into plates is grilled and served on pita bread with tomato sauce, yogurt, butter.
Adana kebab - barbecue, which is fried exclusively on the grill, which is served with seven types of salads and side dishes. As usual, you will be offered meat with lemon, tomatoes, Mediterranean greens. Be vigilant, because in places where tourists gather, this dish has been adapted to the tastes of visitors. We recommend authentic family restaurants to enjoy real Turkish kebab.
Baklava (baklava) is a classic Muslim dessert made from puff pastry, nuts, sugar or honey syrup.
Also popular is the traditional Istanbul lentil soup, which is usually eaten with lemon and a set of dried herbs and tomatoes.
Turkish coffee is a brand known outside of Asia Minor, so there is no point in talking about it once again. Let's just say that no special kind coffee is not used. Turkish coffee - a recipe for making a fragrant drink in cezve.
Coffee is served with berek with cheese, spinach, simits (bagels with sesame seeds and icing), as well as Turkish delight.
The influence of the Mediterranean cuisine was due to the large number of vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, in the dishes of the Turks. Be sure to try imam bayaldy stuffed eggplant - a world-famous aperitif appetizer.
Restaurants worth visiting
Dessert lovers will appreciate the Mado restaurant chain, which can be found throughout Istanbul, even on the Princes' Islands. And in the Istiklal area, you can dine in one of the many cafes right on the street. For a budget snack, we recommend Lokantasi canteen chain. For 200 rubles you can take any dish (first, second, dessert, drinks) with buffet. Turkish insight is amazing: an attentive seller stands at the distribution and lays food on his own.
A huge number of fish restaurants can be found under the Galata Bridge. A striking view of the Bosphorus, attentive staff, an abundance of fish and seafood on the menu and not the most reasonable prices - these are the realities of Turkish catering.
For 50-70 rubles you can taste an impressive Turkish shawarma. In general, the street "wheeled" kitchen is represented by a variety of mobile cars, in which you can not only have a snack with tea, coffee, but also talk about life with the seller, argue who will reach the final - Saray or Fener (FC Galatasaray and FC Fenerbahce are the two most popular Istanbul teams).
Hotel prices and shopping
Speaking of shopping the best place for this are the markets: Kapali Charshi, Grand Bazaar, Inebolu, Besiktas, Sururi, Yoshilkoy, Charshamba, Kadikoy, Sakhaflar.
The most famous is the Grand Bazaar, which was founded in 1461. Under the arches of the market there are over five thousand shops and shops. However, the Turks here do not buy anything at all - this tourist mecca with inflated prices.
Prices for souvenirs here can reach several thousand rubles. It is noteworthy that the same product in another market, for example, from sellers in Besiktas, can cost 100-200 rubles. However, watch out for the quality: they often sell outright counterfeit goods in Besiktas.
As for hotels, Istanbul is a multi-million city that attracts not only tourists, but also business people. Respectively, hotel The city is rich in various options - from budget mini-hotels to royal rooms in luxury hotels.
So, a hostel room will cost from 8-9 euros, depending on the season. A room in a 3-star hotel will cost from 20 euros. If we talk about 4 and 5 star hotels, rooms can cost from 50 to 500 euros and more.
Shopping in the shops of Istanbul
Clothing and household utensils in a rich assortment are sold at the Arasta market near the Blue Mosque. Sellers of the Egyptian Bazaar can only find spices. It was founded in 1660 by Egyptians who traded in spices and seasonings.
In Emineku and Kumkaly, fish and seafood are sold in large quantities. Here you can order food from the fish you bought.
Bypass the Tarlabashi market, where crime, prostitution, and unemployment flourish. On the contrary, we recommend Bakirkoy, where locals and tourists are in equal numbers, which speaks for the value for money of the products. Designer clothes, shoes, accessories - people come here from Ukraine, Russia, Eastern Europe for shopping therapy.
In the Sahaflar market, you can only find books, stationery, paintings, teaching aids in all world languages.
If you are going to Istanbul for the first time, do not include in your plan a visit to the Chorshanba Bazaar, known for its disorderliness and thieves. Sellers just dump products without hanging them. Prices, in fairness, are among the lowest in the Turkish metropolis.
What hotels can you stay in
If you are looking for budget options, World House Istanbul, Istanbul Hostel, Stray Cat Hostel, Levanten Hostel, Cordial House, Taksim Lounge, Antique Hostel are at your service. For 8 euros you will get the opportunity to spend the night, wash clothes, work online, drink tea, coffee with sweets. It will be a little more expensive to stay in hotels such as Midtown Hotel, Vezir Hotel, Amisos Hotel the Boutique, Yasmak Sultan Hotel, Star Holiday Hotel, Celal Sultan Hotel, Best Nobel Hotel. The cost of rooms in them starts from 40 euros.
Business class establishments are represented by hotels: Albatros Premier Hotel, Best Western Premier Acropol Suites & Spa, Villa Pasha Hotel, Saint Sophia Hotel Sultanahmet. They are offered to stay from 80 to 130 euros.
At Sheraton Istanbul Atakoy Hotel, W Istanbul, The Sofa Hotel Istanbul, as well as The Plaza Hotel, a room can cost from 200 euros. However, you can find a five-star hotel where rooms are priced much lower - from 70 euros.
What is the best way to get to Istanbul
Getting to the "Second Rome" from Russia is easy. From largest cities countries, regular flights fly to Istanbul, including charter flights. Ticket prices start at $200. Upon arrival, however, you will need to pay a tourist visa - $ 10. As for a taxi, the trip from the airport to the city center will cost $15.
The city with a population of over one million has a metro, bus network, and tram. We recommend staying in the historical center of Istanbul and visiting the main sights on foot. So much more interesting and relatively cheaper.
The intercity transport system of Turkey is developed, which cannot be said about neighboring Romania and Bulgaria. You can get to Istanbul from Antalya, Ankara for a few tens of dollars.
