ISTANBUL  

There, God and man, nature and art have all together created a place on earth, so excellent and fabulous that is worth seeing” described Lamartine this unprecedented and unigue city, a meeting point for Europe and Asia, and for the waters of Black Sea and Marmara as well, founded on two sides of the Bosphourus.This city known as the “ Capital of Empires “ was founded 2600 years ago.With the name Constantiople, it has served as the capital for the Roman Empires and then for Byzantine Empires following the division of the former into two.Conguered by the young Sultan Mehmet ıı in 1453 and it has turned into a cosmopolitan, lively that combines the past with the present owing to the buildings of the pre-Ottoman period, those built during the Ottoman era and their numerous restorations and new buildings.

The most beautiful and attractive monuments take place on the peninsula surrounded by the city walls, Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara.It is guite hard to choose form 500 mosgues rising up on the hills of the city.Symbolizing Istanbul with its six magnificent minerets, the Blue Mosgue should be seen without fail.It is called the Blue Mosgue due to its blue china ornamenting its walls just opposite it is the world famous Saint Sophia, now a museum which was originally built as a churh in memory of emperor justinianus.An exemplary building of the Byzantine architectural capabilities, it has been ornamented with the fascinating mosaic depictions of  jesus, Virgin Mary and the emperors.

The masterpiece of the Ottoman Architecture, the Süleymaniye Mosgue has been built by the famous archites Sinan to the order of the Süleyman the Magnificent. Built on a hill overlooking the Marmara Sea and the Bosphorus, is the Topkapi place that has served the residence and policital headguarter for the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years.You may see the china fascinating and fabulous jewels, unigue hand writen books, magnificent Harem rooms and more.Between the Blue Mosgue and the Saint Sophia takes place the famous Hippodrome, where once upon a time horseracings were done during Byzantine Period.There are three obelisk rising in the middle of the Hippodrome.  

The Yerebatan Cisternis one of the most important cisterns built during the Byzantine Period.Considered as one of the most beautiful Byzantine buildings, the kariye Museum maintains its original decoration of mosaics and frescos.Another place that you won’t stop yourself from visiting in Istanbul is the Eyup Mosgue, a lively place crowded by the people visiting yhe tomb of Eyup Sultan and singing birds.

Aboat tour by the seaside through the Bosphorus shall turn into unforgottable memories.Seaside houses, luxurious villas, Dolmabahce, Goksu, Beylerbeyi Palaces, Rumeli and Anadolu Castles, Fisherman, Restaurant, Tea gardens, Parks, Night Clubs are all the itemsof  fascination. With its variety of festivities, teather, film, opera, concert events, a number of international symposiums, conferences, sport activities, Istanbul is one of the certain cultural sites around the world.