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Istanbul |
Other opinions
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It was the end of my second trip to Turkey, and the three nights we spent there seemed one.
The mixture of cultures, the succession of historic dominance, the location between Asia and Europe, everything is present in this town, able to respect all the believing, religions, costumes and styles. Highlights? So many... But Holy Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Suleiman's mosque, Grand Bazaar, Yerebatan cistern, the Hippodrome, Dolmabacce Palace, the boat trip along the Bosphorus, the... |
See? Three nights was nothing. I was there again! 6 nights now! Wow!
However, 5 days working! Damn! Anyway, something else was seen. Let's remember it.
However, 5 days working! Damn! Anyway, something else was seen. Let's remember it.
Topkapi
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Luxury and History
The long lines to enter the palace are only beaten by the even longer lines to enter the harem. Of course everybody dreams with that visit, and no one gets disappointed. The palace is fabulous, and the rich collection in display increases its appeal. To compose the perfect ensemble, the sights provided by its splendid locations are gorgeous. Reserve several hours, even a full day, but pay a special attention to the harem scheduling, since it opens half an hour later (10AM) than the palace, and closes one hour earlier (4PM), with a separate entry control. |
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Harem It's easy to understand why visiting the harem in Topkapi demands an extra line - it is the most precious area of the palace, a very beautiful complex, with many details to justify hours of admiration and interpretation. I had to skip it in my first visit, but in the second it was a top priority, as it must be tours |
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Paintings, tiles and stained glasses in Harem
One of the wonders in Harem is the intricate decoration, where paintings combine with tiles, in a visual harmony that turns impossible to understand what is what without a close look. The gracious decoration, refusing the geometric simplicity common in Muslim art, helps to identify the feminine identity of the space. Stained glasses bring the sun to reinforce the beauty of the whole |
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Furnaces One of the interesting details in the palace is the eating system. Each room has a fireplace, with different models but all of them well decorated, carefully matching the room. Those in the Harem are particularly beautiful. |
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Sultan's baths
The Baths of the Sultan and the Queen Mother, dating from the late 16th century, and decorated in Rococo style in the 18th, consist of multiple rooms - a caldarium, a tepidarium and a frigidarium. The ceilings were conceived to allow natural sunlight in. There is marble and golden artifacts everywhere, even in the golden lattice to protect the sultan or his mother from murder attempts. There was a fire 1574, and the actual look comes from the reconstruction by Sultan Ahmed I. |
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Yards Harem means kids (lots of them, probably), and the secluded yards of the harem were a safe place to their games. Everything far from the eyes of the common mortals, everything planned and managed with care and good taste. |
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The kitchen The largest kitchen in the Ottoman Empire, this immense building with its 20 chimneys, and a big story, is today used to display many artifacts, some of them in silver or porcelain. In the first visit the crowds didn't allow a good visit, but in the second everything was easy. Yes, I know, the differences between May and August... |
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Ahmet III Library In the centre of the third yard there's a square building built in the 18th century to house the sultan's library. It's a very harmonious building, with a domed large space and porches all around, embellished with a fountain. There's a low basement to avoid moisture in the books. |
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Salutation Gate The entrance to the second yard is made through a beautiful gate. It was the place where the foreigner visitors should dismount and wait for permission to enter thus justifying the name. It is not dated, but it comes from the 16th century or earlier. |
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Gardens
The palace is a large complex, with several buildings distributed in a wide and nice garden. An outer gate opens to a wide garden with several nice elements, and including the main complex where the inner gate opens again to a garden but smaller, and with the most important palaces close to each other. With thousands of visitors each day, the gardens are an excellent solution to rest a while, to plan the sequence of visits, and to wander around noticing the several angles of each monument. |
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Great views The palace is a mandatory visit, but don't forget to go to its terrace to see... Istanbul. All around, the views are great, "explaining" why was the palace built in that location. |
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Hagia Eirene In the first yard of Topkapi, a byzantine church built in the 6th century and dedicated to saint Irene, survived wars and earthquakes, with several recuperation and adding. Once used as arsenal and warehouse, it is today, a concert hall. |
Ahmet III fountain
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This fountain in Turkish rococo is located in the square facing the Imperial Gate of Topkapy Palace. It was built in 1728. It was a social centre and gathering place during the Ottoman period of Constantinople, and it remains as a gathering place for the hordes of tourists entering and leaving the palace. Directions: Entrance to first courtyard of Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet |
Gulhane
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If I had to choose a single point where everybody goes, becoming the merging points of all nationalities and cultures, I would choose Gulhane. As the transport stop best serving Topkapi, Saint Sophie and the Blue mosque, this is a frenetic place, with a never ending rush of people coming and going, groups getting together, people seeking for orientation, and... touts, chasing their victims. |
Islamic Sciences and Technology History Museum
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During our professional visit to Istanbul, to a briefing near Topkapi, we parked and walked by a large building identified as a museum. Without time to stop, I checked later, and I think that it is this new one. Sorry, no more references. |
Sultanahmet
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Religious fighting What a lot of history lives in those walls! Most of the best and worst of human story is documented in this church. Several times built and destroyed, the final building, expected to be (and maybe it was) the biggest and most beautiful church in the world, was built in the 6th century, but story kept flowing over it. |
Eight centuries later, the Ottomans conquered the town, and transformed it in a muslim mosque. In 1935 Ataturk, at last, transformed it in a cultural museum. Now, with its christian decorations emerging from the Muslim coverings, it becomes a monument to tolerance and religious coexistence. Impossible to miss...
Address: Ayasofya Meydani, Sultanahmet
Website: http://www.ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr
Address: Ayasofya Meydani, Sultanahmet
Website: http://www.ayasofyamuzesi.gov.tr
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Still Saint Sophie In my second visit I didn't enter Sainte Sophie, but could appreciate the influence that it had in many constructions around it, and the justice that makes it the central point of Istanbul tourism. |
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Blue mosque - Superb
Built in 1609 this harmonious mosque composes with its neighbor Saint Sophie a marvelous complex. Presenting six thin minarets (usually four) and a delicate construction it's the inside that gives reason the common name of Blue mosque. Watch your dressing or you will end passing a new model of skirts, as we did. |
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Sultan Ahmet Cami (Blue mosque)
A second look at Blue mosque was a great opportunity to observe some missed aspects in the first visit. First of all, that this mosque, built in the 17th century,was strongly inspired in Hagia Sophia, adding Byzantine elements to Ottoman style. The second one is that "Blue mosque" is a strange name for a Portuguese - we are used to blue interiors by the use of tiles, and the result of the wonderful tiles inside the mosque is not so blue. The third and last one is that the beautiful mosque continues beautiful, and visited out of peak season (though always with many people), gives another sensation of calm and peace. Website: http://www.sultanahmetcami.org/ |
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Garden The touristy centre of Istanbul is a garden that links Hagia Sophia with the blue mosque. Always crowded of people, it is the place where photographers will find that there are no nice pictures from the monuments without strange people walking or resting, but always in the most inconvenient positions, everybody bothering everybody in all the directions. Everything happens there, and life is also a good thing to retain. Directions: Between Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque |
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... But not only a garden
It's interesting to know that... once... there was a byzantine hippodrome in that place. Nowadays we have a modern garden, with a few old columns: an obelisk brought from Egypt, a spiral column from Delphi, and the biggest and ugliest one that, it seems, was originally covered with bronze. It occupies the area adjacent to Saint Sophia and Blue Mosque but only reading the guides you will find out that... once... |
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History framing history A second visit, a deeper look, and the confirmation that in this large square, once a Byzantine hippodrome and now transformed in a gardened avenue, the highlights (excluded the surrounding marvels) are the two obelisks and the ruins of a third one. Where did it come from? I will check it out... |
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Yerebatan Constructed for Justinianus I, this underground reservoir is called as “Yerebatan Cistern” because of the marble columns. It's a big cistern is 140x70 meters, wit colums mixing Corinthian and Dorian styles. In two pillars there are sculpted medusa heads, hardly discussed by the specialists. |
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Roxelanne Baths I was warned that this building was adapted to a shop, with all the limitations that it brings. Anyway, the visit was suggested, and I traveled around searching for a open door - no way! Known also as Roxelana's Bath, this nearly five-century-old Turkish bath, has been beautifully restored at a cost of TL17 million, and now offers extremely expensive massages to men and women. I didn't waste my time: travelling around I saw some "hidden" details of the beautiful Istanbul |
Little Ayasofia
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Don't be mislead by the exterior image - this is one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul.
Formerly the christian church of Saints Sergius and Bachus, this orthodox church was the model of Hagia Sofia, sharing the same treatment - a conversion to a mosque. Some details of the original decoration are still present, and... you must go inside... Directions: Downhill and southwest from the Blue Mosque |
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Sergius and Bachus
Generally called Little Hagia Sophia this beautiful mosque, south of Blue mosque, uses the structure of a Byzantine church dedicated to St Sergius and Bachus. I was really impressed by the beauty and clarity of this mosque. Transformed in the 16th century, it suffered the effects of time, and only in 2006 was restored. That's the reason why everything inside it is bright and clear. |
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Little Ayasofia's yard
Adjacent to the mosque, the yard with the usual fountain deserves a visit. Well gardened, it is a succession of small shops with all kind of arts and crafts. Maybe too pricey to shop, it is very interesting to browse. Address: Demirci Resit Sokak 28 |
Kuçukayasofia
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The quarter south of Blue Mosque is very beautiful. With narrow streets flanked with traditional houses in wood, the streets closer to the touristy area are intentionally embellished for tourism. As you walk longer south, the touristy maintenance fades, but the beauty remains, more natural and authentic. |
Mahmud II tomb
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A big mausoleum in roman style, was built in 1838, and was shared by Mahmud II and his son, Abdul Aziz and grandson Abdul Hamid II (I think - I was not too close to the family). It is located in Sultanahmet, close to big Bazaar. Address: Divan Yolu Cad, Cemberlitas, Eminonou |
Grand Bazaar
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Classic Mall In my first visit to Istanbul, I was taken to the bazaar - "this is the bazaar, let's enter, be careful not to get lost... let's go out... it's seen". Things are better when you are on your own, when you may decide where and when to enter, have the pleasure of loosing yourself with time to check what you like, feel the place and its surroundings. I had it this time, and got a better idea. |
There's not much difference between the bazaar and our malls in Sunday, only the exposed articles have a more eastern look.
Buying... well that's a different matter, you will have to bargain, but this time I was in REAL vacations - Fernanda was not there!
Time also to read that the bazaar has 4000 shops (or 1200), was built in the 15th century and has 250 000 visitors a day (or 400 000 and me). The shops are grouped by type of goods, and that forces competition and helps buyers, but also makes the images so repetitive, that a non-shopper as me may accelerate to exit.
Address: 34200 Beyazit Square, Istanbul,Turkey
Directions: Beyazit Gate,
Website: http://www.kapalicarsi.org.tr
Buying... well that's a different matter, you will have to bargain, but this time I was in REAL vacations - Fernanda was not there!
Time also to read that the bazaar has 4000 shops (or 1200), was built in the 15th century and has 250 000 visitors a day (or 400 000 and me). The shops are grouped by type of goods, and that forces competition and helps buyers, but also makes the images so repetitive, that a non-shopper as me may accelerate to exit.
Address: 34200 Beyazit Square, Istanbul,Turkey
Directions: Beyazit Gate,
Website: http://www.kapalicarsi.org.tr
Nuruosmaniye
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Located near one of the entrances of Grand bazaar, the Nuruosmaniye Mosque is considered one of the best examples of mosques in Ottoman Baroque style. It was built by order of Sultan Mahmut I, and it has also one particularity - the absence of an ablution fountain, as usual. |
Hammam
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Yes, I know that turkish bath is mandatory!
Forgive me, but I have bad experiences with massage, and that made me skip it. I know that I've been at the door of one of the most famous Turkish baths, in Sultanahmet, near Grand Bazaar, but didn't pass the door. Maybe in my third visit, but after seeing the hamman in Dolmabahce I think I will be very disappointed... 
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Sokollu Mehmet Pasha mosque
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We were with a Turkish friend, wishing to show us the mosque where he used to make his prayers. It was close to this mosque, so, we just had a glimpse and passed by. Wrong! Back home I read that this is one of the most beautiful mosques of Istanbul, with great tiles and stoned glasses. Another reason to dream with a third visit to Istanbul... |
Zal Mahmut mosque
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A less visited mosque, in Eyup, was built in 1580, with new solutions for a single domed mosque, adding more windows. It is part of a complex, including a hammam and a tomb. In Archnet.org is possible to read enough to understand the complexity of the building: "The Zal Mahmud complex was built by the architect Sinan and commissioned by Shah Sultan, daughter of Selim II (1566-1574), and her husband, the Ottoman |
vizier Zal Mahmud Pasa (both d. 1580). Due to deteriorated inscriptions and inconsistent documentation, which provide dates ranging from 1551 and 1579, the exact construction date cannot be pinpointed.
Standing on an inclined site in Eyüp between two avenues that run along its east and west sides, the complex can be entered via portals on either side. It consists of the mosque and the tomb on the south side, and the upper and lower madrasas on the north side of the site.In the Zal Mahmut Pasa complex, Sinan shifted from the graded pyramidal structures of his earlier mosques, building a large, pierced rectangular box with a single dome that is twelve and a half meters in diameter. On the exterior, the effect of the dome diminishes next to the height and monolithic character of the exterior walls. The five-bay portico attached to the north of the prayer hall attempts to balance the massing. The center bay of the portico, distinguished from the other (domed) four by its mirror vault, highlights the portal of the mosque. The portal features a wooden door topped with muqarnas carvings. Entering through the portal to the north of the prayer hall, one sees four small columns carrying the upper gallery, which block the view of the dome. The unexpected experience of limited vision continues, as the central space is dimly lit in comparison to the side galleries. Further into the prayer hall, the dome above the central space rests on large pendentives over four colossal piers, or "elephant feet". The arches are plainly visible, a departure from Sinan's pyramidal mosques, where the arches are embedded in the supporting semi-domes. With the revelation of the arches, the side galleries become independent structures. They hold many windows, some reaching up to the level of their flat roofs, and are better-lit than the central space. On the qibla wall, the pentagonal mihrab niche features two small columns on its sides and a pencil-work frame.On the exterior, the single-balcony minaret stands at the northwestern corner of the mosque and is entered from the western bay of the portico. On its east elevation, the mosque has a vaulted basement floor that opens to the lower courtyard with rows of arched columns. Two massive piers, exposed on the south elevation, soften its flatness. Overall, the mosque is a relatively simple composite structure of brick and stone. As it represents a departure from Sinan's other mosques and his developmental trajectory, it may have been one of his experimental works. Alternatively, it could have been designed by another architect.The madrasa, which also departs from a conventional, symmetrical typology in favor of an organic plan development, is located on the north end of the site, forming two adjacent clusters on two levels. Connected to the northeast corner of the mosque by a staircase, the two clusters were developed independently. Therefore, they are usually referred as two separate madrasas, the "upper" and the "lower."The U-shaped plan of the upper madrasa creates a fountain courtyard within the portico of the mosque. It consists of thirteen cells of different types and sizes, and a larger classroom. The cells on the western wing follow a rectilinear typology along the courtyard side. On the other side, their shape becomes trapezoidal, conforming to the shifting boundary of the site. These cells have mirror vaults; the eastern wing's five sequential cells are all topped with domes. The classroom is located north of the upper madrasa, and is shifted from the central axis. On its east is a mirror-vaulted rectangular room; three domed cells and a trapezoidal cell are found on its west. A portico runs along the northern and eastern edges; the western wing is left blank, drawing focus to the fountain in the courtyard.The lower madrasa is L-shaped in plan, with seven identical domed cells on its north, and four typologically different cells and a classroom on its east. All are fronted with a portico. The first of the seven cells attached to the upper madrasa shift to the north, doubling the depth of the portico bay, which results in an elongated mirror vault. The other six bays of the portico have identical domes, whereas the domes on the east vary in size. A fountain is located at the southeastern corner of the madrasa, next to the eastern portal of the complex.The irregularities in the plan continue in the tectonics of the complex; one finds unequal arch lengths, columns that do not match, and unrelated masonry patterns. These mixtures provide no clear statements concerning the architect's intentions or the possible stages of construction and renovation.The tomb stands in the lower courtyard, between the eastern entrance of the complex and the mosque. It is entered through a four-columned portico on its north. While its exterior appears octagonal, its interior features a cross plan. The domed central space is flanked by four rectangular spaces surmounted by mirror vaults. The tomb contains the cenotaphs of Zal Mahmud and his wife. The complex suffered damage several times, beginning in the seventeenth century. Deserted in 1808, it was restored in 1825 and was preserved until the 1894 earthquake, during which its minaret, along with other parts of the complex, was demolished. Following the replacement of the minaret, the mosque was again abandoned in 1930. The interior ornament was restored during the 1955-1963 renovations. 1964 is the last documented date of a restoration at the complex.
Did you read everything? Congratulations, I got tired in line 32!
Standing on an inclined site in Eyüp between two avenues that run along its east and west sides, the complex can be entered via portals on either side. It consists of the mosque and the tomb on the south side, and the upper and lower madrasas on the north side of the site.In the Zal Mahmut Pasa complex, Sinan shifted from the graded pyramidal structures of his earlier mosques, building a large, pierced rectangular box with a single dome that is twelve and a half meters in diameter. On the exterior, the effect of the dome diminishes next to the height and monolithic character of the exterior walls. The five-bay portico attached to the north of the prayer hall attempts to balance the massing. The center bay of the portico, distinguished from the other (domed) four by its mirror vault, highlights the portal of the mosque. The portal features a wooden door topped with muqarnas carvings. Entering through the portal to the north of the prayer hall, one sees four small columns carrying the upper gallery, which block the view of the dome. The unexpected experience of limited vision continues, as the central space is dimly lit in comparison to the side galleries. Further into the prayer hall, the dome above the central space rests on large pendentives over four colossal piers, or "elephant feet". The arches are plainly visible, a departure from Sinan's pyramidal mosques, where the arches are embedded in the supporting semi-domes. With the revelation of the arches, the side galleries become independent structures. They hold many windows, some reaching up to the level of their flat roofs, and are better-lit than the central space. On the qibla wall, the pentagonal mihrab niche features two small columns on its sides and a pencil-work frame.On the exterior, the single-balcony minaret stands at the northwestern corner of the mosque and is entered from the western bay of the portico. On its east elevation, the mosque has a vaulted basement floor that opens to the lower courtyard with rows of arched columns. Two massive piers, exposed on the south elevation, soften its flatness. Overall, the mosque is a relatively simple composite structure of brick and stone. As it represents a departure from Sinan's other mosques and his developmental trajectory, it may have been one of his experimental works. Alternatively, it could have been designed by another architect.The madrasa, which also departs from a conventional, symmetrical typology in favor of an organic plan development, is located on the north end of the site, forming two adjacent clusters on two levels. Connected to the northeast corner of the mosque by a staircase, the two clusters were developed independently. Therefore, they are usually referred as two separate madrasas, the "upper" and the "lower."The U-shaped plan of the upper madrasa creates a fountain courtyard within the portico of the mosque. It consists of thirteen cells of different types and sizes, and a larger classroom. The cells on the western wing follow a rectilinear typology along the courtyard side. On the other side, their shape becomes trapezoidal, conforming to the shifting boundary of the site. These cells have mirror vaults; the eastern wing's five sequential cells are all topped with domes. The classroom is located north of the upper madrasa, and is shifted from the central axis. On its east is a mirror-vaulted rectangular room; three domed cells and a trapezoidal cell are found on its west. A portico runs along the northern and eastern edges; the western wing is left blank, drawing focus to the fountain in the courtyard.The lower madrasa is L-shaped in plan, with seven identical domed cells on its north, and four typologically different cells and a classroom on its east. All are fronted with a portico. The first of the seven cells attached to the upper madrasa shift to the north, doubling the depth of the portico bay, which results in an elongated mirror vault. The other six bays of the portico have identical domes, whereas the domes on the east vary in size. A fountain is located at the southeastern corner of the madrasa, next to the eastern portal of the complex.The irregularities in the plan continue in the tectonics of the complex; one finds unequal arch lengths, columns that do not match, and unrelated masonry patterns. These mixtures provide no clear statements concerning the architect's intentions or the possible stages of construction and renovation.The tomb stands in the lower courtyard, between the eastern entrance of the complex and the mosque. It is entered through a four-columned portico on its north. While its exterior appears octagonal, its interior features a cross plan. The domed central space is flanked by four rectangular spaces surmounted by mirror vaults. The tomb contains the cenotaphs of Zal Mahmud and his wife. The complex suffered damage several times, beginning in the seventeenth century. Deserted in 1808, it was restored in 1825 and was preserved until the 1894 earthquake, during which its minaret, along with other parts of the complex, was demolished. Following the replacement of the minaret, the mosque was again abandoned in 1930. The interior ornament was restored during the 1955-1963 renovations. 1964 is the last documented date of a restoration at the complex.
Did you read everything? Congratulations, I got tired in line 32!
Markets in the street
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When we talk about "Markets" in Istanbul, ninety nine per cent of the people imagine immediately the Grand Bazaar. However, all the city lives, and markets may happen in many places, in organized places or in the streets. We found a street market behind the Blue mosque, and we were attracted by the strong colors, but also by the clean look of everything. Address: Nakilbent SK |
Yeni Cami
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Imposing Location It is not one of the top mosques, so with our limited time, it was another skipped monument (I don't know if entrance is allowed to tourists). Seen from the harbor its sight is wonderful standing as a first plan in a spectacular panorama, with the top monuments showing here and there atop the hill. Directions: Eminonu, southern end of Galata Bridge |
Tophane area
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Tophane fountain Standing between Ali Paça and Nusretiye mosques, by the sea, this square fountain, built in 1732 by the sea (now, a few more meters away) is the third of Istanbul in size, with all the four walls showing the same decoration. Address: Tophane Square Directions: Between Nusretiye Mosque and Kilic Ali Pasha, Beyoglu |
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Kiliç Ali Pasha
Being part of a complex that includes a school, Tophane fountain, a tomb and a hammam, tradition says that this mosque was built in a space recovered from the sea by the most famous Ottoman architect, Sinan, in 1581, by request of admiral Kiliç Ali Pasha, who occupies the tomb. Address: Meclisi Mebusan Cad. ,Tophane, Beyoglu 
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Nusretiye Mosque Built in the 19th century, this is... one more mosque. Its size and location, close to Tophane fountain invite to the visit, but it adds not much to the visit of the other great mosques |
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Tophane cultural and arts center
This heavy but beautiful building close to Tophane fountain was in the 15th century a cannon foundry, reconstructed in the 19th century. Recovered and transformed it is nowadays ruled by the unuversity, that uses the building as an exhibition hall. |
Sea or River?
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Istanbul has a perfect relationship with the sea. The straight protects the coast from big storms, and that allows the Turks to treat it almost as a river. Big and small boats, palaces and restaurants almost at water level, and a special care to turn to the water "the city's face best side". Will it be alike in winter? |
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Dolmabahce
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"Next Time"... Last time
In my first visit we didn't visit Dolmabahce palace - three days in Istanbul gives only time to start, but the vision we had from the river made us feel sorrow, for being forced to skip it. It stayed in the agenda! In my second trip to Istanbul I DID, of course, visit Dolmabahce, and there are several new tips in my pages about it. Website: http://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/ |
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Outstanding opulence Built in the middle of the 19th century, this palace marks the beginning of the approach of ottoman culture to western patterns. Several styles (Baroque, Neoclassical, Rococo) merge to Ottoman, to produce a Palace expected to impress. And it does. I will reserve several tips for details. Address: Visnezade Mh., Beskitas district |
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Ceremony Hall
The biggest and most luxurious room (if it is possible to say so, in the male's part of the palace), is the ceremonial room, prepared to receive 2500 people. The heaviest chandelier in the world came from England, a gift from queen Victoria. The hall keeps being used in big official ceremonies. Address: Visnezade Mh., Beskitas district Website: http://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/ |
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Chandeliers For someone living in "glass world" (as I did), the palace impresses by the artworks produced in the golden days of glass manufacturing. All the European giants are present, with pieces so great, so hardly built and mounted, that the palace could work as a display of the best in glass history. Well... maybe with something more from Lalique. |
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Crystal staircase
Centrally located, this double staircase was constructed integrating Baccarat crystal pieces with brass and mahogany, and it surely is the most beautiful staircase I ever saw. 
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Arts The palace is richly decorated, with pieces of great value, and wisely displayed. No matter the shapes, materials or techniques, oriental or occidental, nothing seems to be out of context. |
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Sultan's bedroom I risk to say that the sultan should have been a practical man - in his bedroom, in the harem, he didn't show much opulence nor comfort, just the strictly needed for the occasion and subject. |
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Heating System The modernity of the palace is expressed by the presence of a fireplace in each room, clearly planned with the whole palace and not as a later adding. The style is carefully adapted to each room. |
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The Hamman Nice and rich bathing area, with silver taps in Egyptian alabaster walls. Technically, I don't know how things worked, but in such a nice place the sultan needed not to hurry! |
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Harem in Dolmabahce Palace The harem is beautiful, but after the outstanding luxury of the main palace it seems... poor and sad. I suggest that, if you may, you reverse the order of the separated visits - start with the harem, and finish with the palace - this will save you the sensation of wasting time and the consequent loss of interest in the details that the harem may provide about HOW they really lived there, in the old days. |
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Guest's room in harem
Yes, hospitality is a real characteristic of Turkish people, and my room in Dolmabahce Palace was very comfortable. I didn't want to abuse their hospitality, and that's why I didn't accept to stay there for long. Forget those bad spirits who suggested that it was because the harem was empty, and those who blaimed that I was shocked differences to the sultan's luxury.. 
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Ataturk Of course, the powerful ruler of the 20th century couldn't skip this marvelous palace, but it seems to have used it in a very discreet way. His room is elegant but modest, when compared with the inherited opulence, and the luxury that surrounds it. |
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Gates I must confess that the image of the gates played a very important role in my decision to visit the palace. They are beautiful and a good sample of what expects us inside. |
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Sea front The palace uses well the proximity to the sea, with aesthetic purposes, but security doesn't allow a free open side. A somewhat strange fence, with gates lines the water. Website: http://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/ |
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Gardens
Not too big, not remarkable, the gardens around the palace are nice, and help acting as a distraction, in the (sometimes) long minutes in the lines to enter. 
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Crystal Room in Dolmabahce Only a few people decide to visit this pavilion, separated from the main complex, and housing a small museum. Well, it's nice, a sort of greenhouse where glass is king in all the details. It´s sign posted at your right when exiting the palace. |
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Clock Museum Included in Dolmabahce complex, a separated pavilion in the garden, houses a large collection of European and ottoman clocks. If with time... why not? |
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Guards "Changing of the guards" is a featured performance in many cities. We didn't see it in Istanbul, but, in Dolmabahce Palace, we saw the guards marching before or after rendition. If they have a public ceremony... we missed it. |
Dolmabahce Mosque
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Separated from the palace but integrated in the whole, this mosque was built together with it, in the 19th century. Used by the sultan, it has some rich ornaments, including Baroque elements. Address: Omer Avni Mh, Beyoglu |
Beylerbeyi
Ortakoy
Rumeli Hisari
Galata tower
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A landmark
Visible from far, this tower, built by Genovense in the 14th century and still keeping its Italian look, is now the place of a restaurant and, it seems, a "tourist trap". Going up is expensive and the sights are... roofs and distance. We didn't risk to go up. Address: Buyuk Hendek Cad., Beyoglu Website: http://www.galatakulesi.org |
Taksim
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Big square This large square, dominated by the Republic Monument, is the centre of modern Istanbul, flanked by the commercial and the hotels areas. It is also the main hub to public transport. Address: Taksim Myd, Gümüssuyu Mh., 34400 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey Directions: Located in the European part of Istanbul, Turkey, Website: http://www.greatistanbul.com/taksim.htm |
Istiklal Caddesi
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Meeting point
The most commercial street in Istanbul, this is the place where everybody goes, because... everybody goes, I think. Commerce and the few attractions in the area spread to the adjacent streets, the real interesting detail in the quarter. I must confess that I was there six or seven times, but only because it was close to the hotel, and... where else should I go by night? |
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St Anthony church
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The biggest catholic church in Istanbul was erected by the Italians, and dedicated to St Anthony of Padua, WHO WAS NOT FROM PADUA BUT FROM LISBON! (excuse-me). The church built in the 18th century was later replaced by the actual one, built in 1912 in the Venetian neo-Gothic style. Address: Istiklal Cad. Directions: Beyoglu |
Pera
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The old district of Pera gave place to the modern Beyoglu, with the inevitable Istiklal Caddesi, dominating the area. However, a few signs of the classical quarter do remain, showing the Ottoman architecture. Address: Between Galata Bridge and Taksim square Website: http://www.galatamevlevihanesimüzesi.gov.tr |
Byzantine church
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For a week I repeated to myself each time I crossed Taksim square "I must visit that church", but I always moved forward, without finding the entrance. In my last day I decided to find the entrance, which stands in a narrow interior street, a bit tricky to find. Well, it is a byzantine church in regular use, and when I went there, it was closed. In my next week in Taksim it will be visited in one of the first days! Address: Katip Çelebi Mh., 34433 Beyoglu Directions: Istiklal Caddesi near junction with Taksim Square |
Passages
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Avrupa passage Flanking Istiklal caddesi, there are a few passages that function as small commercial galleries. Avrupa is particularly nice, with statues all along it. Don't ask me what do they sell there, because I had no eyes for the shops, and that is, maybe, the greatest drawback for local merchants. |
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Çiçek Pasaj In the old flower market, a narrow corridor flanked by restaurants, is... nice! Directions: Connects Istiklal Avenue with Sahne Street, in Beyoglu district |
Hidden wonders
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Istiklal caddesi is the main commercial street, and people uses to walk along it, forgetting the lateral smaller streets. It's an error - some of them hide wonderful spots with typical squares, passages and small gardens that we shouldn't miss. |
Taksim's maksem
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Watering Istanbul is mentioned as always being a big problem, wit several solutions added along the centuries. The complex system used several different structures, some of them above ground, some other below. In Taksim, a polygonal building named maksem was a distribution chamber built in the 18th century, and still operating... it seems! |
Besiktas
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In my first visit to Istanbul it was difficult to reach the hotel, one night, because there was an international game of Galatasaray. I remember the area, and, this time, I walked there, verifying that it is Besiktas stadium. Confused! Maybe it will be easy to understand - Why not Besiktas-Galatasarai? We had no game there, this time, but noticed that it is in a wide and steep park. |
Bebek park
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In a pause to breath, we were left in a park with awesome views. We weren't told where we were, and only comparing pictures I was able to have an idea. It seems the area called Bebek, close to Rumeli Hissari castle. |
Out of season
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Tourism seems to play already a strong role in Istanbul, where some places show a seasonal functionality. We were in a park, with what should be a great and probably nice complex of lakes and waterfalls, but everything was stopped, dry and dirty. I think that if the park was out of service the guide wouldn't have taken us there, so, I believe that part of it will work only in summer months. Well, we were in May, and, in Portugal, things to work in summer are usually already moving by then! |
Boat Trip
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Almost all the cities with a river have boat trips in it. Mostly times with good reasons, because people "live" the rivers and most interesting spots are at their edges. Some other times, only... because! Bosphorus is one of the first, where the main monuments in the hills show another perspective from distance, and the coast reveals new beauties we didn't notice inland. |