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BLUE MOSQUE |
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It is located in front of the Hagia Sophia, in the Eminönü district of Istanbul. The architect of the complex is Sedefkar Mehmed Aga, who was appointed the head architect after Sinan the Architect’s death. The Sultan Ahmed Complex is one of the greatest complexes in Istanbul. Construction began with a big ceremony in 1609, and it was completed in 1616. The building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior paneling of more than 20,000 blue |
and white Iznik tiles which include floral motifs. According to Evliya Celebi, the famous 17th centruy Ottoman traveler and writer, seven palaces were pulled down for this monumental structure. Being one of the last samples of the Classical Ottoman architectural heritage adds a different value to the complex.
Primary structures of the complex include the mosque, imaret(soup kitchen), madrasah (Qur'an School), Hünkar Kasrı (sultan’s summer palace), bath, fountain, darüşşifa (hospital), sıbyan mektebi (Ottoman elementary-primary school), arasta (Ottoman bazaar), sebil (public fountain), lodgings, houses and cellars. Information about structures of the complex are given in “Akarat-ı Vakf-ı Şerif “ in details.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) is the only one which has 6 minarets among mosques in Istanbul. The four minarets with three sherefes each (minaret balcony) were erected at the four corners of the mosque, and the remaining two short minarets with two sherefes each were erected opposite at two corners of the courtyard. The central dome, placed on four piers, is 33.6 meters in diameter and 43 meters high at its central point. It is supported by four semi-domes. The ceiling structure of the Blue mosque is similar to the Şehzadebaşı (Prince) Mosque.
The interior of the mosque, which is 64X72 m, is lighted with 260 windows. The outer courtyard, encircled with windowed walls, has eight doors on both sides and in front. The inner courtyard with marble floor coverings is enclosed with 30 domes. The tulip and carnations motifs of the fountain with six columns in the inner courtyard is eye-
catching. It is entered by the inner court with three doors. Those three doors and the main door of the outer court are made of bronze. On the pulpit of the mosque with nacre-inlay, the embroidered muezzin mahfil (a gallery/platform for the call to prayer) and the niche were worked with the architectural details. In addition, it has artistic value with carpets, kilims, rahles (reading desks), engravings, and colourful stained-glass windows.
Other St ructures
Hunkar Kasrı is one of the structures of the Sultan Ahmed Complex. The residence of Sultan built in outer court of the mosque for his brief rest, both before and after prayer was reconstructed after the fire in 1949. The tomb of the complex built on a square plan with a dome is located at the northwest corner of the complex. Sultan Ahmed I, Kösem Sultan,his wife, his sons, Murad IV., Osman II., as well as some of his grandchildren were buried in the tomb.The building located next to the wall of the outer court is Sıbyan Mektebi, Ottoman elementary-primary school. There are shops and fountains located on the first floor of the Sıbyan Mektebi, and the classroom on the second floor. There is mosaic museum in one section of the Arasta Çarşı (Ottoman Bazaar), which is located on Qıbla (direction of prayer) of the Complex, today, the remaining section is being used as souvenir shops. Imaret (soup kitchen) and daruşşifa (hospital) situated on the bank of Sokullu Mehmet Paşa are being used as Sultan Ahmed Technical High School. Three of the complex’ fountains were extant. One of them is based in Ottoman Bazaar, the second one is at the door of outer court, the third one is near the tomb.
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HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM
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The historical church rises across the Blue Mosque in Eminönü district. It was known as “Megale Ekklesia” (Great Church) during the first construction phase of the monument and its present name “Aya Sofia” has been used since late fifth-century. It was inagurated on February 15th, 360 A.D and partially on fire in 404 A.D. Later, it was under repair in the reign of Teodosios II.(405-450 A.D) and was inagurated October 10th, 415 A.D. After the second riot in 532, the Hagia Sophia |
were completely burnt down. After the second fire, the current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 AD by Iustinianos. It was designed by two architects, Isidore of Miletus and Arthemius of Tralles, that they were originally from Western Anatolia.The columns and stones were brought to Istanbul from various places for construction of Hagia Sofia. A hundred foremen and ten thousand workers were employed in construction of the Hagia Sofia. The construction work continued five years and it was inagurated on December 27th, 537 A.D
A new period began after the conquest of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmed II.(1432 - 1481) in 1453 A.D. The Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosque in the period of Sultan Mehmed II. which had been used as a church for centuries. The wooden minaret was added to the direction of the western section of the mosque where the half-dome have existed. One minaret during the reign of the Bayezit II. (1470-1520), two more minarets in the period of Sultan Selim II. were added to the sanctuary. The library next to the sanctuary was built in 1739, the fountain which is one of the most charming samples of the Ottoman fountain Architecture (1740), muvakkithane (time keeping Room) and Sıbyan Mekteb (Ottoman elementary-primary school) (1740) were added during the reign of Sultan Mahmut I. (1730-1754). Additionally, the niche, müezzin mahfili (a gallery for the call to prayer) and the sermon bench are masterpieces with their workmanship which were thought to be extant 16th century.
The primary structure is entered through nine different doors. The central massive dome diameter of which is 32 meters and 55,6 meters high at its central point. The dome is supported on four columns with 24,3 meters height. The white marble capping that is covering the nave of the mosque is brought from Marmara Islands, light pink marbles with light green shadows is brought from Afyon, green porphyries are from Tesalya and Mora, porphries are from Egypt. yellow mables are brought from Algeria. The ceiling structure of the side naves are paved with golden mosaics and walls are covered with the fantastic ceramics and colourful stones from place to place. New gigantic circular-framed disks were hung on columns by the calligrapher Kazasker İzzed Effendi (1801-1877). |
TOPKAPI PALACE
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The Palace, also known as Saray-i Cedid-I Amire with its previous name, received its name as Topkapi from one of the gates in the city walls in 19th century. Construction of Topkapi Palace started twenty years after the Conquest of Istanbul. Although its construction was compete in 1479, structuring of the Palace continued dynamically and several additions made to it. Having 700 thousand square meter land space, it expands from Ayasofya to Gulhane, from Gulhane to Sirkeci and is surrounded with high and wide wall, called sur-i sultani. Walls of the |
Palace are stretched from Sepetciler Kasri [Mansion] to Ahir Kapisi [Stable House Gate]. There are 28 towers over these walls. Part of the walls facing the seashore was demolished because of the passage of railway in 1888; seaside mansions also got their share from this demolition.
It is so estimated that Topkapi Palace had around 13 gates. Most of these gate have vanished. The majestic Bab-i Humayun Gate of Topkapi Palace is located on the direction of Ayasofya’s facing of the sea and across the Sultanahmet Fountain. This gate is the main entrance of the Palace. It was first built during the period of Sultan Fatih and has gone through several restorations. Witnessed to many historical events throughout the Ottoman History, the gate still preserves its magnificence. This gate was used to open with Sabah Ezani [Subuh / Morning Prayer Call] and to close with Yatsi Ezani [Ishaa / Late Evening Prayer Call]. There is the Tugra [Sultan’s Signature] of Sultan Mehmet II and a stele indicating the historical record of the building in 1478. Another stele was put by Sultan Abdulaziz in 1867, mentioning about its reconstruction.
There is the primary courtyard in the inner part of Bab-i Humayun. This courtyard was greatly damage in a fire broke out in 19th century. There was a “deavi kosku [mansion]” in this courtyard where citizens’ letters of application were accepted. In the right hand side of the gate, there were the offices of treasury public servants, which were once used as infirmary. Moreover, there was the bake house of the Palace behind the wall on the right side of the courtyard. On the left side, however, Ara Irin Church is located. Imperial Mint is very close by and this premise is open to public as mint museum. Towards the end of the courtyard, there is a fountain called “Cellat Cesmesi / Executioner’s Fountain”. Across it, there is Bab-us Selam [Gate of Welcoming/Greeting] which opens into a second courtyard.
Bab-us Selam Gate is the real entrance of the Palace. Rebuilt by Sultan Murat III, there are two towers on it. In the stele outside the gate; it writes as ‘There is no God, but Allah; and Mohammad is His Servant and Prophet’. In the wings of the iron gate, there is inscription mentioning that Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent had it molded. When entered from Bab-us Selam, ages-old plane trees welcome the visitor. This gate is divided into five pathways; palace’s kitchen, Bab-us Saadet, Divan, Harem and palace’s stable house.
Divan was a place where bureaucratic issues were discussed during the Ottoman Period. First hall was the major section, also known as kubbealti [underneath the dome], in which the meetings were held. In the other hall, however, there was the defterhane [registry] in which records were archived. Harem was for the Sultan’s wife, jariyahs [bondwomen] and his mother; there were around 300 reception rooms of Sultan in selamlik [welcoming section for men]. Another structure catches the eye in Harem is the Tower of Justice. Two pillars belonging to 5th and 6th century were found and surfaced during the excavation in the second courtyard in 1959. It is not known how and why those Byzantine remains were brought there. Palace’s Kitchen was greatly damaged in the fire in 1574 in Topkapi Palace; Sultan Murat III asked Mimar Sinan to rebuild and expand the kitchen. Bab-us Saadet Gate in the second courtyard opens into the private parts of the Palace, to the third courtyard.
There is Arz Room where the Sultan admitted the vezirs [ministers] after the Divan meetings. Built during Sultan Fatih’s period, Arz Room was crumbled and then rebuilt during Sultan Selim I. Palace’s School surrounding Arz Room occupies a wide space in the third courtyard. Palace’s School was a kind of bureaucrat school. It was training the students to meet the statesman need of Ottoman Empire. Established during the period of Sultan Fatih, the school was also educating Christian citizens of Ottomans over the age of ten, system called devsirme [dawshirmah]. Another place that comes forward is Hirka-i Serif Room. This is where the Cloak of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was displayed. Hirka-i Serif was brought in by Sultan Selim I, along with other sacred trusts, to Istanbul. Towards the center of the courtyard, Sultan Ahmet III Library is placed which was built in 1719. Another building in the third courtyard is the mosque of Palace’s School, Agalar Mosque. Has Room was located next to the mosque, meant for the successful students of the school.
Through the exhibition halls of clocks and miniatures, fourth courtyard appears. In the fourth courtyard, Sunnet [Circumcision] Room and Hekimbasi Room are the leading structures, besides Sofa Mansion, Revan Mansion and Baghdad Mansion. Revan Mansion was built in 1634 by Sultan Murat IV, on the occasion of celebrating the seize of Erivan from Iranians. Inner part of the building is fully cover with Iznik ceramic tiles, cupboard handles were inlaid with nacre. Baghdad Mansion is another mansion built by Sultan Murat IV. It was built on 25 December 1638, on the occasion of the conquest of Baghdad and it was named after Baghdad. Sunnet Room, however, was built in 1641 by Deli Ibrahim, in which Ottoman princes were circumcised for nearly two centuries. Another work of Ibrahim is bronze baldachin in the side of the terrace, which he named as Iftariye Mansion, built in 1640.
The last premise built in Topkapi Palace was Mecidiye Mansion which has an overview of Golden Horn, Marmara and Bosphorus. The building was raised by Abdulmecit in 1840.
Transformed into a museum, Topkapi Palace makes its visitors witness to the history, culture, grandeur, magnificence and profusion of an Empire, which had lasted for a very long time.
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THE BASILICA CISTERN
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The Valens Aqueduct stands in Istanbul, in the quarter of Fatih, and spans the valley between the hills occupied today by the Istanbul University and the Mosque of Fatih. It is a creation of late Roman and early Byzantine time. The exact date that construction on the aqueduct began is uncertain, but it was mentioned in some sources that was completed during the reign of Emperor Valens (364–378) and Hadrianus (117–138) whose names it bears. The aqueduct was repaired in the age of Emperor Justinian II (576), Kontantinos V. |
(741–775), Basileios II. (1019). After the 11th century and during the siege and invasion of the city, it had a large amount of damage.
The Valens Aqueduct was used to provide water to the old-time Istanbul palaces, Ahilleus Bath and Cistern in the 6th century. Nevertheless, according to Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, a Castilian diplomat who traveled to Constantinople en route to an embassy in 1403, the aqueduct was also used to water the gardens. After the conquest of Istanbul (1453), Sultan Mehmet II repaired the whole water supply and added new arches to the structure, so he tried to solve the water shortage problem of the city. During the Ottoman period, it was repaired several times. The repairs, new lines and arches to the water-supplying net continued in the reign of Bayezid II (1447/48-1512), Suleiman I (1494-1566), and Mustafa II (1664-1703). These restoration works made a sufficient impact on the strength of the historical Valens Aqueduct to reach to present.
It was thought that the Aqueduct of Valens had a length exceeding 1000 m in the early Byzantine period, but today it had an average length of 971 m and a maximum height of ca. 28 m (63,5 m above sea level). The great part of the Valens was destroyed and the only part located on Ataturk Boulevard has survived today. H. Prost, who prepared the structural plan of Istanbul, enabled the vehicles to proceed through the Valens without giving damages, during the World War II. The part of the Valens located on Ataturk Boulevard was cleaned and strengthened by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 1988. The historical structure was restored between 1990 and 1993 by Doğan Kuban ve Ş. Akıncı. |
GALATA TOWER
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Although there is no definite information about when the Galata Tower was built, it is claimed that the Tower has been built during the reign of Emperor Iustinianos in 507 A.D.
It is also called Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) by the Genoese and Megalos Pyrgos (The Great Tower) by the Byzantines and took the present shape during the Genoese period. The Tower had a big damage with the earthquake in 1509, it was renewed by the architect Hayrettin, a famous architect of that period. It was also used as a jail for prisoners, who were sentenced to work at the Kasımpaşa Naval Dockyard, during the reign of Süleiman the Magnificent (ruling 1520–66). The head astrologer Takıyeddin Efendi has established an observatory at the top of the Tower at the end of 16th century. It was used as an observatory for a particular period of time. Later, it was closed and turned into prison again by Sultan Murat III (1546-1595). In 1638, Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi flew as an early aviator using artificial wings from this tower over the Bosphorus to the slopes
of Üsküdar on the Anatolian side during the reign of Murad V. It was used as a |
building towards 17th century by the Mehter Band, janissary band of musicians. After 1717, it was used as fire-observatory tower to be equal to fire, but unfortunately the Tower itself was burnt down to the ground in 1794.
After it was repaired, cumba, a little room having a wooden framework, has been added to the tower, during the rein of Sultan Selim III (1761-1808). After another fire in 1831, Sultan Mahmur added two more floors to the Tower and the top of the tower is covered with a famous cloth of conical hat shape cloth. An inscription written by Pertev Paşa concerned with repair works is fixed onto the Tower in that time. After a strong storm in 1875, the framework of the roof with conical hat was gone and repaired again in 1960. Today, the Tower is operated solely for touristic purpose by a private company. The elevator only goes up 7th floor, last two floors on the tower are taken by walking.
After passing though the restaurant on the top floor, there is a balcony that encircles all around the tower. The restaurant on its upper floor which commands a magnificent view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.
Dimension
The height of the tower is 66.90 m tower (62.59 m without the ornament on top), outer diameter is 16,45m, inner diameter is 8,95 m, the thickness of the wall is 3,75m. |
ARKEOLOJİ MÜZESİ
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The site of the museums actually belonged to the Topkapı Palace outer gardens. The museum was founded by decree as the Imperial Museum (İmparatorluk Müzesi). When it opened to the public in 1891, it was the first one to feature Turkish art. The first curator was Osman Hamdi Bey, who was also the founder of the museum. Since the imperial decree protecting cultural goods in the Ottoman empire was enforced, many governors from the different provinces would send in found artefacts to the capital city. In that way the museum was able to amass a great collection. Upon its 100th anniversary in 1991, the |
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Museum received the European Council Museum Award, particularly for the renovations made to the lower floor halls in the main building and the new displays in the other buildings.
The construction of the main building was started by Osman Hamdi Bey in 1881, attaining its present neo-Greek form in 1908. The architect was Alexander Vallaury. The façade of the building was inspired by the Alexander Sarcophagus and Sarcophagus of the Mourning Women, both housed inside the Museum. It is one of the prominent structures built in the neoclassical style in Istanbul.
The Museum of the Ancient Orient was commissioned by Osman Hamdi Bey in 1883 as a Fine Arts School. Then it was re-organised as a museum and opened in 1935. It was closed to visitors in 1963, and reopened in 1974 after restoration works on the interior.
The Tiled Kiosk was commissioned by Sultan Mehmed II in 1472. It is one of the oldest structures in Istanbul featuring Ottoman civil architecture and was a part of the Topkapı Palace outer gardens. It was used as the Imperial Museum between 1875 and 1891 before the collection moved to the newly constructed main building. It was opened to public in 1953 as a museum of Turkish and Islamic art, and was later incorporated into the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. |
THE COVERED BAZAAR
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The Covered Bazaar is a big complex consisting of 61 streets, 4400 shops, 2195 workshops, 18 fountains, 2 bedestens (vaulted and waterproof part of a bazaar where valuable goods are kept), 40 inns, 12 small mosques (mescit), 12 warehouses, 1 school, 1 bath, 19 water wells.
The main gates of the Covered Bazaar are Beyazıt, Fesçiler, Sahaflar, Kürkçüler, Nuriosmaniye, Mahmutpaşa, Mercan, Tacirciler and Örücüler. The bazaar is traditionally closed after sunsets. However, it was opened twice at night; first, |
during the big fire in 1546, and during the celebrating ceremonies for Abdulmecit’s (1839-1861) return from the Egypt Campaign Most parts of the Covered Bazaar were built of wood in the reign of Suleiman The Magnificient (1494 – 1566) as an extension to the old part which is built in the reign of Mehmet II. The wooden part, suffered from three big fires, first in 1546 (reign of Suleiman The Magnificent), second in 1651 (reign of Murad V) and last in 1710 (reign of Mustafa II), was rebuilt of stone.
The Covered Bazaar, with an area of 31.000 m², is just like a labyrinth. The roof is covered with lead and has numerous domes. Moreover, the Inner Bedesten (İç Bedesten) reported to be left from the Byzantine period, is 48x36 m² with 8 columns and 15 domes. From the past to the present, the bazaar has been repaired and restored many times. The most notably damage on the bazaar occurred in 1894 earthquake.
The bazaar with its architectural style suitable to the closed shopping centers is entertaining many visitors who come for commercial and touristic purposes from different countries speaking different languages |
TÜRK İSLAM ESERLERİ MÜZESİ
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Built in 1524 by Ibrahim Pasa, grand Vizier of Suleyman the Magnificient, it was the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. It is now used as a museum for many beautiful Turkish and Persian miniatures, Seljuk tiles, Korans and antique carpets. |
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