Istanbul was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire and contains many historical places. Some of the most notable palaces in Istanbul are Topkapi Palace, which was the first Ottoman palace built in 1466; Dolmabahce Palace built in 1843 in a neo-baroque style to replace Topkapi; and Ciragan Palace, constructed between 1856-1863 using loans for Istanbul's water system and railway. Other sites include Yildiz Palace, the last residence of Ottoman Sultans; the iconic mosques of Sultanahmet and Suleymaniye; as well as landmarks like Galata Tower, Maiden Tower, and the ancient underground cistern.
1. Treasures in Turkey
Istanbul
It was the capital city of Ottoman
Empire. And there are lots of
historical places in Istanbul. These
are the some of them.
2. Topkapi was the first Ottoman palace to be built (1466-1478) in the newly conquered capital of
the Empire by Mehmet II. Located on the spot where the foundations of the city were first laid
in ancient times by Megarian Chief Byzas in the 7th century BC, the palace boasts one of the
most beautiful views of Istanbul, incorporating the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the two
shores and the sea of Marmara.
3. • Dolmabahce palace
• Dolmabahçe was built in neo-baroque style between
1843-1856 in the rapidly growing northern section of
the city, at the Marmara outlet of the Bosphorus, to
replace the Topkapı Palacewhich was out fashioned.
The architect was Karabet Balyan, head architect of
Sultan Abdulmecit. It has 3 floors including the
basement with a symmetric design, with 285 rooms, 43
halls.The pier is 600 meters long and the palace has
two beautifully decorated monumental gates giving
access to its courtyard. The huge ballroom has a 4,5
tons crystal chandelier hanging from its 36 meters high
ceiling.
5. Ciragan Palace
The name Ciragan comes from the word "cerag" which
means torch in Persian. The area in which the Palace is
located was called Ceragan because of the famous
Ottoman parties which were held in tulip gardens with
torches. The palace was built during the reign of
Abdulmecit and was designed by the armenian architect
Serkis Balyan. The building was constructed using the
financial loans that were obtained for restructuring the
water system of ıstanbul and the construction of a new
railway. The construction took 12 years. This is the last
palace built by the Ottoman Empire for the royal family.
7. Yildiz Palace
• Yildiz, one of the last residences of the
Ottoman Sultans, was completed by
Abdulhamit II at the end of the 19th century.
The Sale (Chalet), the largest and most
exquisite of the buildings, reveals the luxury in
which the sultans lived and entertained.
8.
9. Major mosques of Istanbul
• Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque)
This 17th century mosque, facing the Haghia
Sophia, is famous for its beautiful blue tile
work ornamenting its interior walls.
10.
11. • Suleymaniye (the Magnificent)
• This outstanding piece of architecture was built in
the 16th century by the famous Ottoman
architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Süleyman the
Magnificient. Standing on a hilltop of the ancient
city over the Golden Horn, it contributes
gracefully to the city's skyline. The tombs of the
Sultan, his wife Hürrem and Mimar Sinan are
found within its compounds. It is the largest
mosque of Istanbul with four minarets.
