Considered as the crossroads of world civilizations, Istanbul is the only city in the world located on both the Asian and European continents.
Istanbul was once the capital of many Powerful empires such as Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. Today, it is the largest city in Turkey with a population of more than 15 million people.
Even though it is not the official capital of Turkey, Istanbul is still considered a “historic” capital. The most important cultural, economic and financial center of the country.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung (tourist from Hanoi) recently had a trip travel to explore Turkey. This tourist shared interesting things taste and surprise about Istanbul – the city known as “the strangest in Turkey”.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Yes There are more than 3,000 large and small mosques in Istanbul, but the most famous mosque is Hagia Sophia, which is located in the Golden Horn. It was completed in 537 and for more than a thousand consecutive years it was a mosque The largest Christian religion in the world.
From the mid-15th century, the Ottoman Empire replaced the Byzantine Empire, Hagia Sophia church was transformed into a mosque after building 4 more minarets.
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A special thing is that the Christian holy paintings in the church from ancient times were not erased but remained intact. This is the only church on world< /a> Both Muslims and Christians can come to pray.
With an architecture completely different from other churches in Western Europe, Hagia Sophia is a symbol of Byzantine architecture thanks to its high, wide dome with no walls. Columns support brick doors with arc shapes and distinct colors.
The construction of the church is considered to have changed the history of world architecture. Later Ottoman mosques all imitated the architecture of Hagia Sophia.
Blue Mosque
Built in 1609, this is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world world.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the official name but its interior wall tiles and blue windows make it known as the Blue Mosque.
The main cathedral is built in an upward sloping style with a dome and semi-dome system. Each roof consists of three low domes topped by a large dome with a diameter of 23.5m and the highest peak is 43m.
More than 20,000 ceramic paving stones with designs are used. designs of more than 50 different types of tulips to decorate the interior of the cathedral.
The architecture of the Green Cathedral is a top masterpiece with the Perfect harmonious combination of Ottoman dynasty mosque architectural style and Byzantine Christian church architectural style.
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are the two most important landmarks of Istanbul that attract more than tens of millions of tourists every year.
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Visitors do not have to pay to buy tickets to visit, but they must leave their shoes outside and women must have a headscarf (can be borrowed and returned at the exit) because this is a place of worship for people. day to pray.
Topkapı Palace
Located close to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia complex is Topkapı Palace, the workplace and residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years (1465-1856). during their 624-year reign.
The very large palace is considered a miniature city of the royal court. Inside there are many areas such as mosques, kitchens, hospitals, bakeries, coin mints, workplaces and entertainment areas… Royal life more than 500 years ago seemed to appear before my eyes. .
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1924, the Turkish government turned the palace into a museum to preserve the remaining relics of a dynasty.
Collections of weapons and paintings and trophies from the crusades of the Ottoman sultans are currently on display here. To see all of this miniature city, you need at least a day.
Grand Bazar
Since its establishment in the heart of ancient Istanbul In 1461, the market played an important role in trade between Asia and Europe.
There are 61 streets and more than 3,000 stalls selling clothes, jewelry, furniture, and carpets. ceramics, confectionery and all things sold by men. In 2022, about 40 million tourists and people will visit the market, which is also considered the world’s first commercial center.
Today the Grand Bazaar is expanding not only to the domes of the old market but also spread to neighboring streets.
After wandering around the market to buy a few boxes of marshmallows as souvenirs, visitors can sit and sip a cup of coffee and talk to the shop owner in the market to feel The breath of dynamic life of Istanbul past and present is clearer.
When buying or selling anything here, tourists must bargain and that is also considered an interesting experience for visitors. when visiting the market.
Galata Bridge
After visiting old Istanbul, I walked across the Galata bridge to the new Istanbul area where many foreigners visit. Non-Muslims live and work. Istanbul’s most famous hotel restaurants and cafes are also located in this area.
Foreign tourists who come here often spend time wandering the small streets and alleys surrounding the area Galata Tower. When built in 1348, Galata Tower was the tallest building in Istanbul with 9 floors of 67m high tower.
Later, the building was used by the Ottomans as an observation tower to detect fires. From this tower, you can observe the Bosphorus Strait and ancient Istanbul.
Near Galata Tower is the Istiklal (Vietnamese meaning Independence) shopping street of Taksim district. The 15km long street starting from the area near Galata Tower to Taksim square is always busy from morning to night.
You will see ancient trams that are hundreds of years old still running by. The street with the house was built during the Ottoman Empire. Catholic and Muslim churches and a secondary school named Galatasaray, founded in 1481, the oldest secondary school in Türkiye, are also located on this street.
Get around in Istanbul
Istanbul is one of the 10 most attractive tourist destinations in the world. Istanbul’s narrow streets are jam-packed with traffic from morning to night and every day of the week, so the best way to visit the main tourist attractions in the city is by foot and by floating tram (which has its own road).
The best time to travel to Istanbul is from April to November when the weather is cool.
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