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Istanbul makes one of the world’s great metropolises due to its unique location and rich historical background. The city has been ruled by multiple empires over the centuries. It is the only city in the world with one half lying in Europe and the other half located in Asia.
The city was once called Constantinople during the Byzantium Empire’s rule. This name later changed to Istanbul after the creation of the Turkish Republic. The long history of the city is illustrated through the various landmarks that are spread throughout the city, like the Galata Tower, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
If you’re planning a visit, do not think twice and book your air tickets online as soon as possible. You will thank yourself for all the things you get to experience during your visit. Here we mention the top four tourist attractions for the visitors of Istanbul. So, you know what to explore when you are in the city.
The Hagia Sophia was the swaggering statement of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It was the symbol of the wealth and technical ability for his empire. According to tradition, the official centre of the world was the area that surrounds the emperor’s throne within the church. It is said that when the emperor Justinian entered this church for the first time, he screamed out, “Glory to God that I have been judged worthy of such a work. Oh, Solomon, I have outdone you.”
Hagia Sophia has become one of the most cherished landmarks of Istanbul after it was reconverted into a mosque in 2020. Over the centuries, it has been a mosque and a museum during the Ottoman Empire and during the 20th century, respectively.
Topkapi Palace is located beside the Bosphorus and has been the home to various Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmet the Conqueror first built this palace in the 15th century, which now features a dazzling display of beautiful Islamic art.
The courtyard of the palace is lined with tile work designed with intricacy and attention to detail. This courtyard leads to the warren of sumptuously decorated rooms. Harem complex is one of the many highlights of this place. This is the place where the concubines and children of the Sultans would spend their days and nights.
You can also explore the Second court, where you will find vast palace kitchens and the dazzling interior of the Imperial Council Chamber, on your tour of the palace. On the other hand, the Third Chamber is where Sultan lived. It contains multiple private chambers with a Sacred Safekeeping Room. An impressive display of relics of the Prophet Muhammad can be visualised in this area
This architecturally rich mosque was a gift of Sultan Ahmed to his capital city. It was built in 7 years from 1609 to 1616. However, after the end of the construction process, a great amount of contradiction occurred among people as the mosque had 6 minarets, which was a similar number to the Great Mosque of Mecca. To overcome this issue, the 6th minaret was gifted to Mecca later on.
The name “Blue Mosque” is extracted from the interior design of the mosque, which features tens of thousands of Iznik tiles. This mosque is one of the finest architectural pieces of the Ottoman Empire, with its unique spatial and colour effect.
Basilica Cistern, which is now an underground hall with the looks of a palace, was once used to store the imperial water supply for the Byzantine emperors. It is supported by 33 columns in 12 rows and is one of the most surprising attractions in Istanbul. The great emperor Justinian started this project back in the 6th century. The builders used recycled classical structures for the construction of these columns.
To sum it up, Istanbul is a must-go country if you ever end up in Turkey. Here we have mentioned some of the greatest tourist attractions offered by this beautiful city. If you have been planning a visit and would like to buy cheap tickets from Turkish Airlines, visit Malik Travels. We will help make your journey comfortable and affordable with our excellent range of packages.
