Category: Uncategorized

Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts was founded in 1882 as the School of Fine Arts (Mekteb-i Sanayi-i Nefise-i Sahane)and education began on March 2, 1883, with 20 students, by Osman Hamdi Bey. The first fine art school was in front of todays archeology musuem. Before moved to its actual building in Findikli in 1926, in order first moved to Cagaloglu, Sehzadebasi, Divanyolu and second time to Cagaloglu. Todays academy building was constructed by Abdulmecit (1939-1961) for his two daughters Cemile ve Munire. Between 1913-1920 the building was used as Ottoman Parliament building.

  Mimar Sinan University was the first of its kind in Turkey. It is a state university and located in Findikli neighborhood on the Bosphorus shore. The school became co-educational in 1914, then in 1928 it was converted to fine art academy. It became the first academy in Turkey. In 1948 it was fired and after restoration in 1953, reopened. According to the law accepted in 1961 it was called : “Istanbul Devlet Guzel Sanatlar Akademisi” “Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts” and won its scientific independence. On July 1982 converted to university and named after XVI century famous architect Sinan, “Mimar Sinan University”. Finally, in December 2003, the administration of the university changed its name to “Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts”. Education term in university is 5 years.

Mimar Sinan University on Google Maps

View Larger Map

In Turkish the tower is called Kiz kulesi or the Maiden Tower, but mistakenly called “Leander Tower”. In fact the legend of Leander was occured near Abydos in the Dardanelles. Kiz kulesi is a small and attractive tower constructed on an tiny islet on the bosphorus which is one the most familiar sights in Istanbul. During reign of Manuel Comnenus in the 12th century a small fortress constructed here to extend a chain between here and acropolis on European part to close the strait. At later periods used as a ligthhouse, custom control point and house for retired naval officers. It took its present appearence from 18th century.

Maiden Tower on Google Maps

View Larger Map

The Mahmut Pasa was a grand vizier of Mehmet II and his Complex give his name to the district, Mahmut Pasa. It was the first vizier complex construction in Istanbul which built in 1462 just a few years after the city was conquered by Ottomans. The mosque not interesting because it is age, because it is a very fine example of the typical “Bursa style”, resemble Muradiye mosque in Bursa. The decorations in the mosque belong predominantly to the post -18th century period, and the Sultan Lodge is from the year 1828. The marble niche with muqarnas at the entrance door is one of the first examples of its kind in Istanbul. During restoration works, the minaret of the mosque was renewed in a classical style, during which it lost its original lines.

  It is composed of a mosque, a bath, a madrasa (religious school), an imaret (soup kitchen), a sibyan mektebi (Ottoman elementary school), a han (caravanserai), and a tomb. In 1753, when a fire took place in the Bazaar, great damage was caused to a large portion of the madrasa. The sibyan mektebi and imaret were destroyed. The mosque, bath, tomb, and Kurkculer Hani are the only parts of the original complex which still exist today.

Mahmut Pasa Complex on Google Maps

View Larger Map

Little Hagia Sophia formerly the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus is a former Eastern Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Constantinople. The central domed plan building was constructed in 527 and was a model for the Hagia Sophia which was constructed a few years before Hagia Sophia. Because of its external resemblance to the Hagia Sophia it is believed that the building had been designed by the same architects, namely Isidorus of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles. Shortly after the building of the church a monastery a bearing the same name was built near the edifice. However, in terms of architectural details, the building is quite different in design from the Hagia Sophia.

  After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, church remained untouched until the reign of Beyazid II. In the years between 1506 and 1513 it was transformed into a mosque by Huseyin Aga. At that time the portico and madrasah were added to the building. The first minaret was built In 1762. That minaret was demolished in 1940 and built again in 1956.

  Due to the increasing threats to the building’s static integrity, it was added some years ago to the UNESCO the watchlist of endangered monuments.

Little Hagia Sophia on Google Maps

View Larger Map

Kilic Ali Pasa was a converted Italian from Ochiali and in time became the Chief Captain of the Ottoman Navy. The mosque was constructed by Sinan for Kilic Ali Pasa in 1578 – 1580. When Sinan design this mosque he was over 90 years old. The mosque is located in the Tophane district next the cruise harbour across the Ottoman canon foundry (Tophane). When Ali Pasa looking a palace for his mosque, it was told him by Sultan to construct his mosque in the sea for being the Chief Captain. And he had the mosque built on the area reclaimed from the sea. The mosque is a small replica of Hagia Sophia and decorated with iznik tiles of XVI century. Today the mosque is surrounded by buildings constructed at later periods. During 19th century renovation single balconied minaret was renewed and the Baroque ornaments were added to it.

  The mosque complex include a madrasa, a sabil, a turkish bath, an octoganal turbe behind the mosque with Kilic Ali Pasa tomb.

Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque on Google Maps

View Larger Map

Kadikoy is the site of the ancient village of Chalcedon which means “the lanf of blind”. According to a Greek legend Calcedonia was founded 10 years before Byzantium on the Asian coast. For the reasons of empires capital was on the historical peninsula; Kadikoy lived in its shadow and remained a small town for a long period. At later periods many monasteries were built on this site of the city and the early Christian Ecumenical Council met here several times in the 5th century. Up to 19th century the region wasn’t develop sufficiently. After Selimiye Barracks, Haydarpasa Military Hospital and railway constructions the region became an attractive residential area.

  On Kadikoy district there are no significant historical buildings except a few later period churches, mosques and mansions, For more than 20 years began to be one of the fastest groving districts of Istanbul.

  On the area close to harbour there is a lively fish and spice bazaar which was Historical Kadikoy bazaar with authentic atmosphere where many extraordinary tastes can be found. This bazaar was Istanbul’s trade activies for many years.

  Equivilent of istiklal Avenue in Taksim, in Kadikoy there is a Street with a old-fashioned streetcar, called Bahariye Caddesi is closed to traffic. On the street there are many cafes, cinemas, stores of famous brands and passages that thousands of people visit every day.

  Nightlife on the Asian side is in Kadife Sokak which housing alternative culture and art activities during various periods of the year.

Kadikoy District on Google Maps

View Larger Map

Istiklal literally means independence. Istiklal Caddesi means Independence Avenue and is one the most famous avenue in Istanbul.

  The avenue is a long pedestrian street about 3 kilometers, begins from Tunel and ends at Taksim square located in Beyoglu district. During Ottoman period it was called Cadde-I Kabir means Big avenue. Foreigners and the local Italian and French Levantines called the street Grande Rue de Pera. The neighborhood accepted as Paris of th East because of its cosmopolitan culture during 19th century. The nostalgic tram runs from the square along the avenue and ends near the Tunel (1875) which is the world’s second-oldest subway line after london Underground (1863). It is estimated every day more than 3 million people visit Istiklal Caddesi. After declaration of Turkish Rupublic the street name converted to Istiklal for commemoration Turkish war of Independence.

  The pedestrian street houses many elegant building from 19th century, consulates, elegant botiques, restaurants, patisseries, cafes, bars, cinemas, theaters, libraries, bookstores, art galeries, music stores, churches, synagogus and mosques.

Istiklal Avenue on Google Maps

View Larger Map

The hippodrome means square for horse races. The Hippodrome was built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 and it was extended to an immense size by Constantine the Great in 330. In Roman and Byzantine times, the Hippodrome served as the city’s main meeting, entertainment and sports center until the 10th century. Besides the chariot races and gladiator fights with wild animals, there were performances by musicians, dancers and acrobats. There were many public holidays during Roman times to allow opportunities for all these activities. The Hippodrome was shaped like a gigantic “U” and the imperial box, built like a balcony with four bronze horses on its roof, was situated on the eastern side. The original ground level of the Hippodrome was 4 or 5 meters lower than the present surface. Only the round southern end of the vast Hippodrome has survived. This is a brick structure decorated with tall vaults. In later ages, all of the stone blocks and columns of the Hippodrome were used for building material.

   Three monuments have remained to our day: the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the Constantine Obelisk.

   The Egyptian Obelisk :Around XVI. century BC the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III erected that obelisks infront of the Karnak temple in Luxor to commemorate the victories of his forces in Mesopotamia. In the 4th century AD, an unknown Roman emperor had the colossal obelisk brought to Istanbul. In 390, during the reign of Theodosius I, it was erected in Hippodromo.

   The Serpent Column :The heads of the three intertwined serpents used to form the legs of a gold cauldron. In 479 when Greeks won a war against Persians, to commemerate their victory they melted the bronze items they had captured from Persian army to create this unique monument. Once the column stood before the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. It was brought to Istanbul by Constantine and erected in the middle of the Hippodrome. The heads of the serpents, intact until 1700, disappeared at that time.

   The Constantine Obelisk :Its exact date of construction is unknown. It is named after the Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus who had it repaired in the 10th century. Its bronze plates decorated with golden lettering were plundered by the Fourth Crusaders in 1204.

In the Turkish era festivals, ceremonies and performances used to be organized here.

German Fountain :The octagonal domed fountain at the entrance to the Hippodrome was a present from the German Emperor Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdulhamid II. It was built in Germany and installed in Istanbul in 1898. Built in a neo-Byzantine style, the fountain is decorated with gold mosaics inside.

Hagia Sophia occupies a prominent place in the history of art and architecture. It is one of the rare works of this size and age that has survived to our day. It is dedicated to Divine Wisdom. During history three separate basilicas built here in different times which were all called by the same name. The first small basilica with a wooden roof was constructed in 360 by Constantinius, the son and successor of Constantine the Great. This church burnt during the riots in 404, and a second basilica that replaced it was inaugurated in 415. During the bloody uprising of “Nika revolt” in 532 including Hagia Sophia numerous building destroyed in the region. When Justinian finally suppressed the revolt, he decided to build a new huge worship building. Construction started in 532 over the remains of the previous basilica and it was completed in the year 537. In Hagia Sophia, Justinian attempt for the first time in the history of architecture to build a gigantic central dome over a rectangular plan. The outer appearance is not elegant; it was built as a shell, without much care for proportions. On the other hand, the interior is as splendid and captivating as a palace. As a whole, it is an “imperial” structure.

  In time the side walls kept leaning outwards and the original low dome collapsed in 558. At later periods two times more the main doom was collapsed in 989 and 1346. The immediate restorations undertaken after the Turkish conquest in 1453 to convert it into a mosque saved this beautiful building. Among the major restorations at later times were the buttresses built by architect Sinan in the 16th century and the restoration by the Fossatti brothers in 1947-49. Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by Ataturk order in 1935 after three years of restorations.

Hagia Sophia on Google Maps

View Larger Map

Since the Constantine the Great moved his capital from Rome to Constantinople, the center of the Eastern Christian Church is in Constantinople. Before the city was occupied by Latins in 1204, the Orthodox Patriarchate was in Hagia Sophia then moved to Nicea Hagia Sophia. After the city was reconquered by Byzantines in 1261, the Patriarchate center moved to Constantinople again. After the city was conquered by Mehmet II, The Orthodox Patriarchate for three years headquartered in the Church of the Holy Apostles (Todays Fatih Mosque area) in the 15th century, but was soon transferred to the Theotokos Pammacaristos Church (Today Fethiye Mosque and museum). It remained there until 1586, when it moved to St. George Church.

   The Church of St. George is humble church, although it has all the opulence and beauty of any Orthodox church. it had been part of a monastery before it welcomed the Orthodox Patriarchate. It houses the worldwide headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Patriarchate today is recognized as the “first among equals” of all Orthodox spiritual leaders. Over the centuries, it has been damaged, the last time during the fire in 1941. Repairs began in 1989 and were completed in 1991.

   Among many relics in the church are the bodies of St. Omonia, St. Theophano and St. Euphemia, the Patriarchal Throne from late Byzantine period, although some claim it was original throne of St. John Chrysostom who was Patriarch at 5th century and tombs of three female saints.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on Google Maps

View Larger Map