Taksim square

Considered the heart of modern Istanbul, Taksim Square (Taksim Meydani) is located on the European side of the city in a major shopping, tourist and entertainment district known for its restaurants, shops and hotels.

Taksim square
TaksimTaksim Square, Istiklal Caddesi
Istiklal Caddesi, Independence Avenue
Due to the great importance of the square in the city, is a favorite for holding public events and social celebrations, but is also known as the starting point of different political demonstrations that repeatedly ended violently.

Taksim past
The name of the square, Taksim means "distribution" in Turkish, and was given because it was the place where the water supply of the city was centralized from 1732 to the early twentieth century the place consisted extreme north of the city but with the expansion of this became the heart of the new Istanbul.

Currently Taksim
Taksim Square is full of bars, restaurants and some of the most luxurious hotels in the city. In the square stands the Monument to retain Waterboy and the Monument to the Republic.

In the square there is one of the main shopping streets of the city, Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), a pleasant pedestrian street that can be traveled using the nostalgic tram, which goes to the Tünel funicular station.

The Galata Bridge (Galata Koprusu)

The Galata Bridge (Galata Koprusu) is a bascule bridge 490 meters long and is located on the estuary known as the Golden Horn, connecting the old Istanbul with the most modern area.

Galata Bridge
Fishermen on GálataRestaurantes Bridge Galata Bridge
Restaurants Galata Bridge
The Galata Bridge not only connects different areas of the city, but also a symbolic bridge capable of uniting different cultures.

Bridges and more bridges
The first bridge over the mouth of the Golden Horn was built in 1845 Several years later, in 1863, the arrival of Napoleon III resulted it was replaced by a wooden bridge. After this two bridges were built in 1875 and 1912, and in 1992 was created the bridge that can be seen today.

The bridge today
At present in the lower level of Galata Bridge there are several restaurants and cafes in addition to taste the freshest fish and other Turkish dishes, is pleasant to contemplate the comings and goings of the ferries while patients fishermen sell their catch to restaurants.

Besides being an important part of the urban landscape of Istanbul, Galata Bridge occupies a large space in the myths and legends and also at the heart of Turkish citizens.

Dolmabahçe Palace

The Dolmabahçe Palace Topkapi Palace replaced as the residence of the sultans from 1856 to 1924, when the Caliphate was abolished. The style of the palace is a combination of Western Baroque and Neoclassical styles, Rococo mixed with traditional Ottoman style.

Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace DolmabahçePalacio, gardens
Home Garden DolmabahçeSoldados Dolmabahce Palace in
Soldiers at Dolmabahçe Palace
The Dolmabahçe Palace was built between 1843 and 1856 by order of Sultan Abdülmecid. Its construction involved four architects of the Royal Department of Architecture of the Ottoman Empire.

With a facade of 600 meters and an area of 15,000 square meters, the Dolmabahçe Palace is the country's largest building. It has 285 rooms, 43 rooms, 68 bathrooms and 6 Turkish baths.

In 1984 the palace was converted into a museum.

Visiting the Dolmabahce Palace
The tour has four parts: Selamlik, Harem, and Clock Museum Glass Pavilion. The most important parts are the first two:

Selamlik
This part, which houses administrative offices and officers lounges, is the most striking part of the whole palace. The most notable parts are the Crystal Staircase and the Throne Room. This last room, its size (2000 square meters and 36 meters high) and elegance (56 columns and lamp palace largest spider), is totally overwhelming.

the Harem
The Harem comprises the private quarters of the Sultan and his family. This part of the palace is less interesting than before and the visit lasts less time.

To visit the Harem Selamlik and must be done in groups. Although the tours are only in English and Turkish, there are brochures in other languages ​​(including Castilian) to follow directions.

our opinion
While Dolmabahçe Palace has some rooms that will leave you with your mouth open, his Western cut, the relative remoteness and that you can only go on tour cause you to lose points. We recommend only visit if you have time to spare, a stay of two or three days there are better things to do.

If you decide to visit the palace do it as soon as possible, as the morning progresses and reaches more people, groups can be extremely large and the visit is heavy.

The Church of St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Müzesi)

The Church of St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Müzesi) is one of the best examples of Byzantine art that can be found in the world. It was built between 1316 and 1321 according to plans by Teodoro Metoquines.

St. Savior in Chora
St. Savior in Chora Chorasan mosaic
Mosaic in St. Saviour in Chora
The most spectacular of the church are frescoes and Byzantine mosaics, as they are considered the best preserved in the world.

Curiously, Chora means "out of town" and that the church was built on the outside of the walls of ancient Byzantium.

The Ottoman period
Like St. Sophia, after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire, St. Saviour in Chora was converted into Mosque. In 1948 he began its restoration and ten years later it was opened to the public as a museum.

During the time that served as a mosque frescoes were covered with plaster, a detail that could help in their conservation.

our opinion
While its mosaics and frescoes are stunning, its relative distance (the streetcar or subway) and high price make the visit, although many people the indispensable catalog, we have doubts about recommending it to the general public . If you like Byzantine art, St. Saviour in Chora you will love.

The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) is one of the oldest towers in the world

The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) is one of the oldest towers in the world. From its top one of the best views of Istanbul is obtained.

The Galata Tower was first built in wood in 528 to serve as a beacon. In 1348 it was rebuilt by the Genoese Tower with the name of Christ.

During the conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the tower was occupied by Sultan Mehmet II.

Dimensions
Its height of only 61 meters, is not what catches the attention of your measurements. What is surprising is the diameter and width of the walls.

The diameter of the tower at the base is 16.5 meters outdoors and 8.9 meters inside. This difference indicates that the walls have a width 3.7 meters to the base.

The width of the walls decreases as you ascend to the top, reaching up to just 20 inches at the top.

our opinion
You up to the Galata Tower will have the best views of Istanbul. If you want to get to her making a historic trip, you can climb up nearby Tünel funicular taking from the Galata Bridge.

If you want to enjoy a special night in the Galata Tower Dinner shows, open bar and dancing are held. The price is about 65 euros.

The Basilica Cistern is one of many tanks are in Istanbul

The Basilica Cistern is one of many tanks are in Istanbul. Cisterns are tanks that were built for the city to have water reserves in case of being attacked. Another name (much more attractive) in the tank is called "Sunken Palace".

The Basilica Cistern was built under Justinian I (527-565) to supply the Byzantine Palace. The site (which is named) was the underground basilica of which nothing remains today.

To fill the tank to the aqueducts of Valente (still existing) and Adriano was resorted. These aqueducts were receiving water from Belgrade Forest, about 20 miles from Constantinople.

Basilica cistern
Basilica Cistern BasílicaCisterna, Medusa
One head of Medusa Cistern
Inside the tank
The Yerebatan Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici his name in Turkish) has dimensions of 140 by 70 meters and an estimated could store about 100,000 m3 of water.

The Basilica Cistern is 336 columns 9 meters high. The styles of the columns are varied, as they were reused from old structures and monuments.

The tourist strip is by walkways that go over water. These gateways were placed in the late twentieth century, as was done before the boat ride.

Medusa heads
Among the 336 columns of the Basilica there are two that are based on a head of Medusa, the mythological be turned to stone who looked.

There are various theories about meaning those big heads inside the tank, but the most accepted theory is that they put there for practical purposes, to be used as base of the columns.

our opinion
The Basilica Cistern is a haven of tranquility amidst the bustling Istanbul: the dim light, the background music and the freshness emanating from the water make it a must visit.

The Topkapi Palace is the best reflection of the imperial era in Istanbul

The Topkapi Palace is the best reflection of the imperial era in Istanbul and symbolizes the power that reached Constantinople as the seat of the Ottoman Empire. From this palace sultans governed their empire until the mid-nineteenth century.

The construction of the Topkapi Palace began shortly after Mehmed II took Constantinople. The original palace was inaugurated in 1465 During the following decades, the palace was extended by different rulers.

In 1856, Sultan Abdulmecid decided to move his residence to Dolmabahçe Palace, a palace of Western court.

Distribution of Topkapi Palace
In its 700,000 square meters, the Topkapi Palace has four buildings and multiple courtyards inside: weapons room, kitchen, royal stables, treasure and many more.

On premises (inside its walls) is the Archaeological Museum and other buildings of interest.

the Treasury
Among the many parties that has the castle, one of the most important is the Treasury.

The Treasury has some of the most valuable objects in the world, such as spoon-diamond (a diamond of 88 carats belonged to Ramolino Letizia, mother of Napoleon) or Topkapi dagger (the world's most expensive weapon, built in gold emeralds embedded).

the Harem
The Harem was the place where lay the Sultan, his family and a group of between 500 and 800 women of high cultural level trained in certain skills. The Queen Mother was the ultimate responsibility of the Harem.

To access the Harem you must purchase a separate entrance.

our opinion
The Topkapi Palace is a must-see in Istanbul. We recommend going early and visit the former Treasury and the Harem, since they are the places where most people throng as the morning progresses.