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The Ortakoy Mosque is a striking mosque located on a little promontary of the waterside of Ortakoy district and is one the most popular locations on the Bosphorus. The mosque was commisioned by Abdulmecid in 1854 – 1856 and also known as “Great Mecidiye Mosque”. It is one of the most beautiful example of the Baroque architecture in Istanbul. The mosque was damaged during the earthquake of 1894, and the spire of the minaret needed to be rearranged. When it was understood that the building was in danger of collapsing in 1960, ground reinforcement efforts were carried out. After the conflagration in 1984, it was completely restored and reattained its previous magnificence. In the mosque there are some example of Islamic calligraphy written by the Sultan Abdulmecid himself. The wide and high windows of the mosque let the ever-changing light reflections of the Bosphorus shine in the mosque.

  Ortakoy literally means middle village probably because of being in the middle of the Bosphorus. Once it was a small fishing village. Ortakoy today is one of the vivid and popular neighborhood in the European side of Istanbul on the Bosphorus coast, very close to the Bosphorus bridge.

  The area had an important place in the daily life of Ottomans and Byzantine periods. During Ottoman period and first decades of Turkish Republic was a cosmopolitan area with Turks, Armenians, Greeks and Jews comunities. But after foundation of Israil, jews community; after riots of 1955 Armenian and Greek communities immagrated from Ortakoy. Today there are very few non-muslim in the neigborhood. Ortakoy Mosque constructed by Abdulmecid in Ortakoy is one of the most known symbol of Istanbul.

  Ortakoy today is a very popular spot for tourists and mainly young generation of local people with its art galleries, night clubs, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Ortakoy Mosque on Google Maps

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The museum is situated in Besiktas, not far from the mausoleum and statue of Barbaros Hayreddin, the famous Turkish admiral of the 16th century. The rich collections of the museum are exhibited in two buildings and the garden. The large building houses a collection of old boats, while in the smaller rooms and halls of the three-storied main building one can find equipment and furniture from old ships, model ships, and parts of the private yacht of Ataturk. Paintings depicting various naval events adorn the walls. On the top floor old cannons, banners, and weapons used in different centuries are on display.

  Naval uniforms are displayed on mannequins. The basement is reserved for the parts and sections of ships which served in the Turkish navy, as well as the torpedoes.

  The gallery of historical boats is reached from another entrance on the seaward side. The elegant boats used by palace members and other important personalities in the 18th-20th centuries, sailing and rowing boats, replicas, parts of ships and other mementos, all of them in very good condition, are exhibited in the large hall.

  Note : When museum restoration finished that part will be rearranged.

The Naval Museum on Google Maps

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He Molla Celebi Mosque sometimes known as Findikli Mosque is located in the Findikli neighbourhood on bosphorus shore. Its position as well as its graceful lines make it very picturesque. The hexagonal type mosque small complex was order by Mehmed Vusuli Efendi, the Judge of Istanbul. Both the turkish bath and sibyan mektebi (Ottoman elementary-primary school) when the street widened was demolished recently. Exactly it is not known when the complex was constructed but it is said that it was built between 1561 – 1562 by Architect Sinan.

  The central prayer space of the Mosque has a size of 18.90 x 16.40m. It is covered by a dome fixed on six arches with a diameter of 11.80m and the dome’s weight being distributed on six pillars. The mosque pillars are actually engaged in the walls; between them to north and south are four small semidomes, and another covers the rectangular projecting apse in which stands the mihrab. The minbar is decorated with polychrome wall paintings and the decorative mihrab is in the same style of the Classical Architectural tradition which is visible throughout the structure. The thin minaret rises from the right corner of the arcaded entrance which is covered by four domes overlooking the street.

  The mosque many times damaged in 1627, 1822, 1843 by fire and restored. Last time it was restored in 1958.

Molla Celebi Mosque on Google Maps

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Khedive in Turkish Hidiv is a title used for Ottoman’s Governers of Egypt which is equivalent to the English word vicery.

  The Hidiv Kasri was built on the ridge of large grove of Cubuklu by Italian architect Delfo Seminati in 1907. When Egypt gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, Abbas Hilmi Pa?a, the last Ottoman governor of Egypt, was dismissed from his position as khedive. Thenby Sultan Mehmet Resat V permission began to live here with his family in Istanbul

  In the ceiling of Pavilion is covered by stained glass. From pavilions watchtower a portion of the Bosphorus can be viewed. The tower is the most popular section of the kiosk because of its view over the Bosphorus.

  After the Hidiv of Egypt left Istanbul in the 1930s, Hidiv Kasri was purchased by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Between the years 1937 and 1982 very seldom it was used, sometimes used as a movie set. It was restored in 1982 and after two years of restoration work in 1984 open as a hotel, restaurant, and cafeteria.

Khedive Pavilion on Google Maps

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The Galata Tower was called the Tower of Christ by the Genoesians. The tower is to the north of the Golden Horn, at the peak of the Genoese fortifications surrounding the Genoses colony of Galata. It was constructed by in 1348 during the first expansion of Genoese colony. Some parts of the walls and towers still can be seen around Galata tower. The tower is 67 meter high from ground level. The outer diameter of tower is 16.45 meters, the inner diameter is 9 meters and the thickness of the wall is 3.75 meters. When the tower constructed it was the tallest building in the city.

  After istanbul was conquered by Mehmet II, the Genoese who stayed neutral during the siege, kept their commercial privileges, but the tower controlled by Ottomans. In Ottoman period the tower for a short while used as prison and observatory in XVI century. According to Evliya Celebi, Hezarfan Ahmet Celebi by using artificial wings flew from Galata tower over the Bosphorus to Uskudar. After 1717 it was used as fire watchtower.

  Many times the tower fired and restored. During last restoration in 1960s the present conical top was built and the wooden interior of the tower was replaced by a concrete structure. The elevator only goes to the 7th floor, and the last two floors of the tower must be climbed by stairs. On the last floor there is a restaurant and cafeteria which commands a magnificent view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. The balcony encircle the tower permit a 360 degree panoramic view of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn and a unique spot for watching the famous sunset on the Golden Horn. Today the tower is one of the most striking landmarks of Istanbul.

Galata Bridge – Galata Koprusu

The Galata Bridge is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn from Eminonu to Karakoy district. The first recorded bridge over the Golden Horn was built during Justinian the Great period in the 6th century somewhere very close to the Theodosian land walls.

  In Beyazit II period by Leonardo da Vinci a huge bridge was designed but that project was not approved by the Sultan. if it had been constructed, it would have become the longest bridge in the world of that time. Until 19th century there is no other bridge project. In the early 19th century Mahmut II had a bridge built a bit further up the waterway, between Azapkapi and Unkapani.

  The first bridge at the mouth of the waterway was constructed the place where Galata Bridge is located today in 1845 by mother of Sultan Abdulmecit. To distinguish this bridge from the old bridge(Cisr-i Atik), it was called Cisr-i Cedid, new bridge. The present bridge is the fifth bridge built in the same place in 1992 to replace an iron structure dating from 1909 to 1912. The remains of the old bridge was moved further up the Golden Horn.

  The view from the bridge is spectacularly beautiful at sunset.

Galata District – Galata

Galata is located at the northern side of the Golden Horn on the European side. The area has been inhabited before Byzantine period. Galata also known as Pera, means “across” in Greek during middle ages. The Greeks called the area “Peran en Sykais”, means “the fig field” because of the fig fields on the other side of Golden Horn. It was a suburb of Byzantium as early as the 5th century. Emperor Theodosios II constructed a castle here during his reigning period on the area. It was that period the area was called Galata. There are several ideas about the origin of the word Galata. According to the Italians: The word comes from Calata means “downward slope” as the neighbourhood is sloped and goes downwards to the sea from a hilltop. According to the Greeks : The word comes both from Galaktos “meaning milk”, as the area was used by shepherds in the early medieval period” or from the word Galat “means Celtic in Greek” as the Celtic tribe of Galatians. When Italian occupied Constantinople in 1204, Venetians were prominent in the area. After Byzantine reconquered the city from Latins in 1261, because of the support of Genoesian to Byzantines, Galata was given to the Genoesian In 1273. Between 1273 and 1453 became a colony of Genoa Republic. During the siege of Constantinople in 1453, Genoese sided with the Byzantines and defended the city together. After the city was conquered by Mehmet II, he allowed the Genoese leave the area. Later periods Genoese return back to the city but Galata was no longer run by a Genoese. The area was settled by the Turks in time but the European presence in the area did not end. Following the collapsing of Ottoman Empire the area went into gradual decline. Most of the foreign communities left the the area to live elsewhere in the city, or elsewhere in the world. Until the 1940s and 1950s, the area continued to enjoy a reputation for its cosmopolitan and sophisticated atmosphere. By the 1980s the area had become economically and socially degenerated.

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Fatih bridge also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge and is named for Mehmet II, the conqueror of Constantinople. The bridge is situated between Hisarustu on the European side and Kavacik on Asian side. The distance between towers is 1090 meter, from sea level 64 meter high and with 8 lanes, 4 at each direction. When it was constructed in 1988, it was 6th longest suspension bridge in the world.

Fatih Bridge on Google Maps

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Eyup is a district located at the confluence of Kagithane and Alibey streams on the end of Golden Horn. The area historically is very important region for muslims. This is because of the area reputed to be the burial place of Abu Eyup Al-ansari, a friend and standard bearer of the Prophet Muhammed. When Arab soldiers sieged Costantinople between 674 and 678, it is said Eyup was among the the leaders of first Arab army. He was killed and buried somewhere outside the city walls. About eigth century later, after the city was conquered by Mehmet II, Eyup’s tomb was constructed here. Then a mosque and a complex was contructed on the region where the tomb was constructed in 1458. The mosque most probably during the great eartquake of 1766 was destroyed and reconstructed during reign of Selim III on the same place in the year 1800.

  The region because of being outside the city walls since a long time is used as cemetery place

Eyup District – Eyup

  Eyup is a district located at the confluence of Kagithane and Alibey streams on the end of Golden Horn. In Byzantine period, there was a church in the village and later a monastery, which was built on the steep hill behind today’s Eyup Mosque. According to Arab traveller Zakariya al-Kazvini before the city was conquered by Ottomons there was a tomb here venerated by the Byzantines. According to many Arab historians, to preserve the muslims martyr’s tombs in the region a peace was signed between Arab army and the Byzantines.

  The area historically is very important region for muslims. This is because of the area reputed to be the burial place of Abu Eyup Al-ansari, a friend and standard bearer of the Prophet Muhammed. When Arab soldiers sieged Costantinople between 674 and 678, it is said Eyup was among the the leaders of first Arab army. He was killed and buried somewhere outside city walls. About eigth century later, after the city was conquered by Mehmet II, Eyup’s tomb was discovered by Aksemsettin and a tomb constructed over it. Then a mosque and a complex was constructed on the region in 1458. The mosque most probably during the great eartquake of 1766 was destroyed and reconstructed by during reign of Selim III at the same place in the year 1800.

  The region because of being outside the city walls since a long time is used as cemetery place.

Eyup Mosque on Google Maps

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Before the city was conquered by Ottomans the land where palace occupy was a part of sea, a bay. Later it was filled by soil and arranged as royal garden and called Dolmabahce. Dolmabahce literally means filled garden. Dolmabahce Palace was constructed by Abdulmecid between 1843 -1856 and is the largest and grandest of the imperial palaces on the Bosphorus; at the same time one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. The palace was used as the principal imperial recidence by all of the latter sultans except Abdul Hamid II, who preferred his own palace at Yildiz. It has a European baroque, rococo and imperial style. The plan arrangement of Dolmabahce Palace is an adaptation of traditional Turkish house in grandeur scale, constructed with brick internal walls, stone external walls and timber floors. The three-storied palace, including the basement floor, built on a symmetrical plan and it has 285 rooms and 46 halls, 6 Turkish baths, 68 toilets and carpets covering a floor. It is said that 40 tons of silver and 14 tons of gold were used for the decoration of the palace. After your visit with the breezes in the halls of the palace, it will be a great pleasure for you to rest at the cafe in the garden and have a cup of coffee with the fascinating Bosphorus scene. Dolmabahce has the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world.

The main palace is an L-shaped building, with a long facade along the Bosphorus that accommodates, from west to east:

• Selamlik ( Men’s administrative section ): Selamlik is where state affairs take place and the most important and also prominent section in terms of function and splendor. That section has a highly symmetrical and formalized plan consisting of four major halls on two floors, linked by a monumental staircase at the center.
• Grand Hall / Ceremonial Hall in the Middle : Ceremonial Hall is situated between Harem and Selamlik, is the highest and the most magnificent section of Palace as a large square hall of monumental proportions, over 2.000 square meters of area and 36 meters high ceiling and also this hall is distinguished from other part of the Palace with 56 columns.
• The Harem: Harem is the private house of sultan and his family. That section was connected to the Selamlik section by a long corridor decorated with paintings from famous painters of that time. Harem was strictly prohibited by any man to go in, except the sultan himself of course and the eunuch servants. After the end of the Ottoman Empire, Dolmabahce served for a time as a state residence and was used to entertain visiting royalty and other distinguised visitors. When Ataturk visited Istanbul, he used Dolmabahce Palace as his residence. On 10th of November 1938 Ataturk passed away in this palace after a long period of sickness.

  After the end of the Ottoman Empire, Dolmabahce served for a time as a state residence and was used to entertain visiting royalty and other distinguised visitors. When Ataturk visited Istanbul, he used Dolmabahce Palace as his residence. On 10th of November 1938 Ataturk passed away in this palace after a long period of sickness.

  In 1984 it was converted into a museum. The Dolmabahce Palace Complex is administered by the National Palaces Trust under the TBMM (auspices of the Turkish Grand National Assembly).

Monday and Thursday is closed

Dolmabahce Clock Tower – Dolmabahce Saat Kulesi

  Dolmabahce Clock Tower is a clock tower situated between Dolmabahce mosque and Dolmabahce Palace. The tower was designed in neo-baroque style by the architect of Sarkis Balyan between 1890 and 1895, ordered by Abdulhamid II (1842-1918). The clock tower stands a square along bosphorus coast. The four-sided, four-storied tower stands at a height of 27 m. Its clock was manufactured by the French clockmaker house of Jean-Paul Garnier, and installed by the court clock master Johann Mayer. In 1979, the original mechanical clock was converted partly to an electrical one. On two opposite sides of the tower, the tughra of Sultan Abdul Hamid II is put on.

Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque – Bezmialem Valide Sultan Cami

  Bezmialem Valide Sultan Mosque is located on the Bosphorus in the southern part of Dolmabahce Palace. Because of its proximity to the Dolmabahce Palace and being a part of the Dolmabahce Palace it is also called Dolmabahce Mosque. The mosque construction ordered by Bezm-i alem Valide Sultan in 1853, mother of Sultan Abdulmecid. Upon her death, it’s construction was continued by her son Sultan Abdulmecid (1823-1861) and open for prayer in 1855. The mosque was designed by Garabet Balyan.

  The mosque has rectangular shaped two-storey royalty section and an obvious geometric structure with its 25 x 25 m base. It is one of the rich decorated Baroque and Ampir styles, which are reflected in the architectural design of that period. The emergent architectural modernity in the mosque is its circular window design which had not ever been used in mosque architecture until this time. The niche and pulpit of the mosque are made of porphyry marble and decorated with european designes. The mosque has two fluted minarets, similar to Corinthian column capitals each with a single balcony.

  The forecourt of the mosque and the fountain were torn down when the road widened. The time keeping room was carried to the seaside.

  The Dolmabahce Mosque between 1948-1961 partly converted to the Maritime Museum by Lutfi Kirdar, the Governer of Istanbul.

Dolmabahce Palace on Google Maps

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We doesn’t know exactly when the first city walls was constructed. The first city walls more or less comprising todays Topkapi Palace area. But they were destroyed when Byzantium found itself on the losing side in a civil war against Septimos Severus in 196 A.D. Just a few years later bacuse of strategic importance of the region Septimus Severus reconstructed a new city wall but that time double size of the first walls and is thougt to have begun somewhere downstream a short distance from Galata bridge at the Golden Horn, and to have ended at somewhere very close near the ligthhouse at Marmara sea. The third city walls was constructed during reign of Costantine the Great when he decided to move his capital from Rome to Byzas in 326. And his decision would affect world history for the next millennium. Emperor personnally traced out the limites of the new city. Costantine city walls was beginning somewhere upstream todays Ataturk Bridge on the Golden Horn; making a a great circular arc, ending in the bay on Samatya. The last city walls was constructed first part of 5th century by Teodosius II on the triangular promontory and totally are about 21 km long.

  Although today the city walls are in ruin, still are splendid and impressive and many of the original gates have survived to our day. As a result of the restoration that began in the 1980’s, the vicinity of the walls has been improved and the some areas turned into public parks.

  The most impressive gate in the walls was the “Golden Gate”. That door was build as an triumph arch and when victorious armies returning from a war entering through this door. In Teodosius period the city walls was enlarged and Golden Gate became a part of city walls. During Ottoman period three more towers was added inside the walls connected with four curtain walls to the city walls and formed a five sided inner castle. These added parts in Ottoman period called seven towers but never they were used as a castle, they were used as prison and storage places.

  Today seven towers restored in 1959 and serve as a museum. In summer time concerts and other cultural activities take place here

City Walls and Seven Towers on Google Maps

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Miniaturk is a miniature museum and It was built on Golden Horn shore in Istanbul which was open in 2003. Miniaturk covers a total area of 60,000 m2 . It is the world’s largest miniature park with its 15,000 m2 model area. The park contains 105 models done in exact replica of the originals in 1/25th scale: 45 of the structures are from Istanbul, 45 are from Anatolia, and 15 are from the Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkey. All these miniatures represent the rich historical heritage of Turkey. Additional space was reserved for potential future models. Outside miniatures area there is a parking lot with a capacity of 500 vehicles.

  Here all the periods and all locations of Anatolia are alive all at the same time. Without neglecting or excluding any of the historical and cultural values of Turkey. Here is the park of miniatures that brings together three millennia of history. While underlying the idea that this geographic part of the world is the cradle of many prominent civilizations, it also proves that diversity means richness.

  In brief, in addition to Turkish culture, in Miniaturk there is room for different cultures. By being the “showcase” for the distinguished examples of the historical and cultural heritage of this geography. Miniaturk also declares to be the “heir” to this heritage.

Miniaturk on Google Maps

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