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Islamic face of Istanbul
2009 DEPARTURES
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JANUARY - 15, 22, 29
FEBRUARY - 5, 12, 19, 26
MARCH 5, 12, 19
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DEPARTURE THURSDAY |
STANSTED 14:35
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RETURN ARRIVAL SUNDAY |
STANSTED 13:35 |
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+++++++++++++ |
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DEPARTURE THURSDAY |
MANCHESTER 11:30 |
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RETURN ARRIVAL SUNDAY |
MANCHESTER 10:30 |
DAY 1 ARRIVAL
Transfer to your
hotel. Dinner at a first class restaurant with a soft drink included
DAY
2 ISTANBUL –Suleymaniye – Eyup Sultan – Spice Bazaar – Rustem pasa
Mosque- Leanders tower
 SULEYMANIYE
(SÜLEYMANİYE) MOSQUE
Numerous earthquakes
that have shaken Istanbul over the centuries have not caused a single
crack in the building. The baroque decorations of the inside of the dome
were made in the 19th century. The handmade carpet with a mihrap design
covering the floor was placed here in the 1950's. The most attractive
features of the interior are the extremely colorful, 16th century original
stained glass windows with Turkish motifs in the wall of the mihrap. A
very simple balcony for the chanters is situated next to the minber, and
the mihrap niche made of marble is decorated with tiles. The sultan's loge
is to the left of the mihrab. Verses from the Qur'an are inscribed on the
walls in some of the supreme examples of the Turkish art of calligraphy.
Over the entrance and on the sides, there are galleries reserved for
women. The brass grill partition to the right of the entrance is a
masterpiece of 18th century Turkish metalwork. In the rear courtyard there
are the tombs of Siileyman and his beloved wife Roxelane, as well as
graves of other prominent people. A small and extremely modest grave is
located at one corner of the complex. This is the tomb of the great
architect Sinan, who lived to be ninety-nine years old and was for 50
years the extremely esteemed and respected chief architect of the empire.
Sinan was a diligent and productive architect who left over four hundred
works behind him. He is the most important figure in classical Turkish
architecture, of which he was the originator. His apprentices created
masterpieces not only in the empire, but also in other Islamic countries.
 The
largest and most imposing mosque in Istanbul, the city of domes and
minarets, is the Suleymaniye. The aesthetic supremacy of its interior and
exterior and its perfect proportions have been captivating the visitors
for centuries. The Suleymaniye Mosque is an architectural masterpiece. .
The 16th century was the golden age of the Ottoman Empire. Suleyman the
Magnificent, the longest reigning among the thirty-six Ottoman sultans,
ruled for 47 years in this century. The great sultan entrusted the
construction of the mosque to bear his name to Sinan, the /. Suleymaniye,
southern facade with stained glass windows, and the Friday congregation.
grand master of architecture. Sinan completed the mosque and the large
complex surrounding it between 1550-1557. The mosque was one of many
demonstrations of the genius of Sinan, the father of classical Turkish
architecture. The complex surrounding the mosque was composed of schools,
a library, baths, public kitchens, caravanserai, a hospital and shops. The
beauty of the exterior of the mosque is best appreciated from a distance.
This imperial edifice can be seen in all its magnificence from the Galata
Tower or the Galata side of the Golden Horn. A huge dome covers the main
chamber of the mosque, which has four minarets. The main entrance to the
mosque is from an inner courtyard that is surrounded by porticoes and has
an ablution fountain in the center. The spaciousness, unity and exquisite
decorations add to the imposing view of the interior. The 53 m high
central dome with a diameter of 26.50 m rests on four pillars called
elephant-feet. All the architectural elements of the interior are in
perfect harmony with one another. The static balance of the structure is
faultless too.
 EYUP
SULTAN MOSQUE
The
Mosque and Mausoleum of Eyiip Sultan, located outside the corner where the
land walls meet the walls along the Golden Horn, is considered a sacred
site for Moslems. Eyiip-el-Ensari was a standard-bearer of Mohammed and he
died-here during an Arabic siege of the city in the 7th century. His grave
was discovered at the conquest and later the mausoleum and the first
mosque in Istanbul were built on this site. The original mosque was
destroyed in an earthquake and the present one was constructed in its
place in 1800. On Fridays, holy days for Islam, throngs of the faithful
visit the mausoleum. The old trees, flocks of pigeons, the praying
believers and the visiting crowds create a mystical and colorful
atmosphere around the mosque and the mausoleum. The walls of the mausoleum
in the courtyard are covered with tiles from different periods. Historical
sources indicate that in Byzantine times this district was also a holy
site where people came to visit the grave of a saint and to pray for rain
during times of drought. The sultans succeeding Mehmet the Conqueror
completed their coronation and sword-bearing ceremonies with a visit to
the Eyup Sultan Mausoleum. The vicinity of the mosque and the neighboring
hills are occupied by cemeteries. The famous Pierre Loti Cafe is also in
this district. Prayer in Eyup Sultan mosque after lunch at Eyup sultan
restaurant (Turkish cuisine)
 THE
SPICE BAZAAR
The
Spice Bazaar, the second largest covered market in the city, was part of
the mosque complex. Other surviving parts of the complex are the tombs and
the magnificent fountain. On the mosque side of the L-shaped Spice Bazaar,
there is a popular flower market and cafes, and fish, vegetable and
grocery stores occupy the other side. Once all of the shops inside the
bazaar used to sell spices, but over the time some have turned into dried
fruit, grocery and gift shops or jewelers. It is one of the attractive
sites in Istanbul with its vivacious and distinctive atmosphere.Prayer at
Rustem Pasa Mosque
RUSTEM PASA MOSQUE
This
is the mosque with a central dome and a single minaret that arises amidst
the rows of shops and storehouses near the Spice Bazaar. It creates a
beautiful sight in the busiest commercial center in the city, together
with the Suleymaniye Mosque on the slope behind. The architect Sinan built
the mosque in 1561 for the Grand Vizier Rustem Pasa. Spiraling staircases
go up to the structure that is set above a row of shops. The interesting
courtyard is actually a small terrace covered by five small domes. The
central dome rises atop four wall pillars and four columns, two on each
side. Over the corners of the square space are four semidomes supporting
the main dome. There are galleries behind the columns on the sides. The
facade and the small, but attractive interior are decorated with the
finest examples of Iznik tiles. The geometrical and leaf and flower motifs
on the tiles give the interior a colorful flower garden appearance. The
embossed coral-red color was used only for a short time in the 16th
century.
 THE
LEANDER'S TOWER
This is a small and
attractive tower built on an islet at the entrance to the Bosphorus. It is
one of the symbols of Istanbul. Used in the past as a watchtower and a
lighthouse, it has been preserved in its 19th Century appearance. It
serves as a landmark for ships entering the Bosphorus and will be used for
touristic purposes. Western sources have erroneously attributed the tower
to Leander, who drowned as he was trying to swim to his lover Hero.
Actually, this mythological story took place in the Dardanelles. According
to another story, an emperor once dreamt that his daughter was going to
die because of a snake bite and settled the girl in this tower to ensure
her safety. Nevertheless, the tragedy could not be averted and the girl
was bitten by a snake hidden in a fruit basket. Dinner at Restaurant
DAY
3 ISTANBUL - Sultanahmet - Ayasofya - Topkapi Palace –Galata
Mevlevihanesi (Galata Whirling Dervishes Center) – GalataTower
SULTAN AHMET SQUARE
 The
first of the seven hills on the promontory has been the most important and
dynamic part of the city in all ages. When the city was first founded, the
acropolis was a typical Mediterranean trading center surrounded by city
walls. This trading center was enlarged and rebuilt during Roman times.
The most prominent buildings and monuments of the Roman era were built in
the vicinity of the Hippodrome. Very few relics of these works have
endured to the present day.
The imperial palace, known as the "Great Palace", used to spread over an
area extending from the Hippodrome down to the seashore. Only the mosaic
floor panel of a large hall remains from this palace today. The Augusteion,
the most important square of the city, used to be here, and between the
square and the main avenue there was the Millairium victory arch. The road
used to extend as far as Rome and the stone marking the first kilometer
was located here. The baths, temples, religious, cultural, administrative
and social centers were all in this district. The area maintained its
importance in the Byzantine and Turkish eras. Therefore some of the most
important monuments of Istanbul such as the Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmet
Mosque, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art and the Basilica Cistern are
all located around the Hippodrome.
 The
main streets in the city (those leading down to the harbor and those
extending toward the city walls in the west) started at the Hippodrome and
followed the slopes of the hills. The streets were lined with business
establishments and mansions. The side streets were narrow and some were
stepped. Some of the main streets had two-galleried sidewalks. There were
spacious squares along the route and the side roads forking from these
squares led to the city gates. The main avenue was called the Mese, and
Via Egnetia, the road to Rome, started at the Golden Gate (Altmkapi).
Hippodrome means square for horses. The Hippodrome was built by the Roman
Emperor Septimius Severus towards the end of the 2nc* century and it was
extended to an immense size by Constantine the Great. Some historians
claim that it could seat thirty thousand spectators, while others put the
figure at sixty thousand. The main attraction was the two or four-horse
chariot races. In Roman and Byzantine times, the Hippodrome served as the
city's main meeting, entertainment and sports center until the 10tn
century. Like many of the other monuments in the city, it lost its
importance with the Latin invasion in 1204. 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 sand-covered surface of the Hippodrome was divided into
two by a low wall around which the chariots raced. On this wall stood
monuments brought here from different corners of the empire and the
statues of famous riders and their horses. Successful chariot drivers were
very wealthy and could have anything they wanted. Originally there were 4
teams of drivers whose supporters' clubs formed large quarrelling factions
and competed for position and prestige in the city. From time to time
politics intermingled with the races, and the clashes between competing
forces turned into bloody massacres.
The original ground level of the Hippodrome was 4 or 5 meters lower than
the present surface. Three monuments have remained to our day: the
Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk. In the
Turkish era, too, festivals, ^ceremonies and performances used to be
organized here. The Palace of Ibrahim Pasa opposite Sultan Ahmet Mosque is
the sole example of the imposing private residences of the 16th century.
This elegant building now houses the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.
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. The ruins in the park to the right of the entrance to the
Hippodrome belong to 4th" and 5th century private palaces, and a little
further along there are the remains of the Byzantine Hagia Euphemia
church.
 THE
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ARTS
The
Palace of Ibrahim Pasa (16th century), situated on the west side of Sultan
Ahmet Square, now functions as the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art. It
is the only extant private palace, except for the imperial palaces. The
building, elevated on arches, surrounds three sides of a central
courtyard. A staircase leads from the terrace to the first section of the
museum. Rare works of art created in various Islamic lands are on display
in the hallways and the rooms. The stone, baked clay and metal objects,
ceramic wares and handwritten books are some of the most valuable examples
of their period. The carpets exhibited in the section fitted with glass
panes near the large chambers are magnificent examples of 13th-20th
century handmade Turkish carpets. This matchless collection is the richest
of its kind in the world. 13th century Seljuk carpets and other examples
from subsequent centuries are exhibited with much care. The floor below
the carpet section is the ethnographic collection where one can get a
glimpse of everyday Turkish life and objects in daily household use in the
past.
 SULTAN
AHMET MOSQUE (THE BLUE MOSQUE)
One
of the most famous monuments of Turkish and Islamic art, the mosque is
visited by all who come to Istanbul and gains their admiration. This
imperial mosque is an example of classical Turkish architecture, and it is
the only mosque that was originally built with six minarets. It is
surrounded by other important edifices of Istanbul, built at earlier ages.
Istanbul is viewed best from the sea and the mosque is part of this
magnificent scenery.
Although it is popularly known as the Blue Mosque, its real name is Sultan
Ahmet Mosque. Befitting his original profession, its architect Mehmet Aga
decorated the interior fastidiously like a jeweler. Built between
1609-1616, the mosque used to be part of a large complex, including a
covered bazaar, Turkish baths, public kitchens, a hospital, schools, a
caravanserai, and the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmet. Some of these social and
cultural buildings have not survived to our day. The architect was a
student of Sinan, the greatest architect of classical Turkish
architecture. He applied a plan used previously by his master, but on a
larger scale.
The main entrance to Sultan Ahmet Mosque is on the Hippodrome side. There
is an outer courtyard, and the inner courtyard and the edifice itself are
elevated. From the gate opening to the inner courtyard one can view the
domes, rising above one another in perfect harmony, over the symbolic
ablution fountain in the middle and the surrounding porticoes.
There are three entrances to the mosque interior. The wealthy and colorful
vista inside created by the paintings, tiles and stained glass complements
the exterior view. The interior has a centralized plan; the main and side
domes rise on four large columns that support broad and pointed arches.
The walls of the galleries surrounding the three sides of the interior
chamber are decorated by over 20,000 exquisite Iznik tiles. The areas
above the tiles and the inside of the domes are decorated with paintwork.
The blue of the paintwork, which gives the mosque its name, was not the
color of the decorations originally; they were painted blue during later
restorations. During the last renovation, completed in 1990, the darker
blue color of the interior decorations painted as its original light
colors. The floor is covered by carpets, as in all mosques. Next to the
mihrab (niche aligned towards Mecca) opposite the main entrance, there is
a marble minber (pulpit) with exquisite marble work. On the other side is
the sultan's loge (box) in the form of a balcony. The 260 windows flood
with light the interior space, which is covered by a dome 23.5 m in
diameter and 43 m high.
The small market building, repaired and reconstructed in recent years, is
situated to the east of the mosque, and the single-domed mausoleum of
Sultan Ahmet and the medrese (religious school) building are to the north,
on the Hagia Sophia side. In summer months light and sound shows are
organized in the park here. Sultan Ahmet Mosque occupies a focal point in
city tours, together with the numerous monumental buildings and museums in
the vicinity. The minarets of the mosque are classical examples of Turkish
architecture. The balconies are reached by spiral stairs. It is from these
balconies that five times a day the believers are called to prayer - in
our day using loudspeakers. The domes and the minarets are covered by
lead, and at the top of the minarets there are standards made of
gold-plated copper. Master craftsmen repair these coverings very
skillfully when needed. Islam requires all Muslims to pray five times a
day. When the believers hear the call to prayer from the minarets, they
perform their ablutions (washing) and then pray. The noon prayer on
Fridays and the prayers on other important holidays are performed in the
mosques collectively, but other prayers can be performed anywhere.
HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEM
Hagia Sophia, which is considered as one of the eight wonders of the
world, also 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. The church (called Ayasofya in Turkish) is
erroneously known as Saint Sophia in the west. The basilica was not
dedicated to a saint named Sophia, but to Divine Wisdom. This was the site
of a pagan temple, and the three separate basilicas built here in
different times were all called by the same name. Although no churches
were built during the reign of Constantine the Great, some sources
maintain that the first Hagia Sophia basilica was built by him. Actually,
the first small basilica with a wooden roof was constructed in the second
half of the 4th century by Constantinius, the son of Constantine the
Great. This church burnt during the riots in 404, and a second and larger
basilica that replaced it was inaugurated in 415. During the bloody
uprising of 532 that broke out at a chariot race in the Hippodrome, ten
thousands of the inhabitants of the city were killed and numerous building
destroyed.
The Hagia Sophia church was among the structures burnt during this
so-called "Nika" revolt which was directed against Emperor Justinian. When
Justinian finally suppressed the revolt, he decided to build a house of
worship "the like of which has not been seen since Adam, nor will it be
seen in the future." Construction started in 532 over the remains of the
previous basilica and it was completed in five years. In the year 537,
elaborate ceremonies were organized for the dedication of this largest
church of Christendom. The emperor spared no expense for his church and
placed the state treasury at the disposal of the architects, Antheius of
Tralles and mathematician Isidorus of Miletus. The design of the dome
followed in the tradition of Roman architecture, and the plan of the
basilica was even older. Round buildings had been successfully covered
with domes before. But in Hagia Sophia, Justinian was attempting for the
first time in the history of architecture to build a gigantic central dome
over a rectangular plan. Priests kept intoning prayers throughout the
construction. Marbles and columns taken from the remains of earlier eras
from almost all parts of the empire were used for building material. Later
many esoteric stories were invented to explain the origin of these
materials, particularly the columns, which were gathered from such far
ranging sources.
During the reign of Justinian, Hagia Sophia was a manifestation of
refinement and pomp, but in later eras it turned into a legend and a
symbol. Because of its dimensions which could not be surpassed for the
next thousand years and the financial and technical difficulties involved
in its construction, people believed that such a building could not have
been achieved without the assistance of supernatural powers. Although
Hagia Sophia is a 6th century Byzantine work, it is an "experiment" in the
Roman architectural tradition that has neither a predecessor nor a
duplicate. The contrast between the interior and the exterior and the
large dome are legacies of Rome. 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. During the dedication ceremony, the emperor
could not suppress his excitement. He entered the church in a chariot,
thanked God, and shouted that he had outdone King Solomon.
The basilica developed into a large religious center with tall buildings
surrounding it. The scene was now set for the clashes between the
Byzantine emperors and the Eastern Church that would last for centuries.
Despite its uniqueness and magnificence, the structure has some vital
faults. The most important problem was the enormous size of the dome and
the pressure it exerted on the side walls. The architectural elements
necessary for transmitting the weight of such a dome to the foundations
were not fully developed at that time. In time the side walls kept leaning
outwards and the original low dome collapsed in 558. The second dome to be
constructed was much higher and reduced in diameter, but almost half of
this dome also collapsed twice, in the 10th and 14th centuries. Vast sums
were spent in all ages for the upkeep of Hagia Sophia. 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 Turkish architect Sinan in the
16th century, the restoration by the Fossafi brothers in mid-19th century,
and the repairs including the fortification of the dome with iron bands
after 1930. Existing modern portable metal scaffolding will make future
restoration work easier. After serving two different religions with the
same god, 916 years as a church and 477 years as a mosque, Hagia Sophia
was converted into a museum on Ataturk's orders. Between 1930 and 1935 the
whitewash on the walls was cleaned to reveal mosaics, which are among the
most important examples of Byzantine art.
 TOPKAPI
PALACE
Topkapi is the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to our
day. In 1924 it was turned into a museum at Atatiirk's request. Situated
on the acropolis, the site of the first settlement in Istanbul, it
commands an impressive view of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea
of Marmara. The palace is a complex surrounded by 5 km of walls and
occupies an area of 700,000 sq. m at the tip of the historical peninsula.
Following the conquest of the city in 1453, the young Sultan Mehmet moved
the capital of the empire to Istanbul, His first palace was located in the
middle of the town. The second palace, which he built in the 1470's, was
initially called the New Palace, but in recent times it came to be known
as the Topkapi Palace. Topkapi is a classical example of Turkish palace
architecture. It consists of tree- shaded courtyards, each serving a
different purpose and opening onto one another with monumental gates. The
courtyards are surrounded by functional buildings. From the time of its
construction, the palace developed constantly with alterations and
additions made by each sultan.
When the sultans moved to the ostentatious Dolmabahce Palace in 1853,
Topkapi lost its importance as the official royal residence and was left
to deteriorate. It finally regained its former unpretentious beauty after
fifty years of continuous restoration in the Republican era. Most of the
objects exhibited in the palace today are unique masterpieces.
When it was used as a palace, it served more functions than one usually
associates with royal residences. Although it was the residence of the
Sultan, the sole ruler of the empire, it was at the same time the center
of the administrative affairs, the place where the council of ministers
met, and the treasury, mint, and state archives were located there. The
highest educational institution of the empire, the university of the
sultan and the state was also here. Therefore it was the heart, the brain,
the very center of the Ottoman Empire. Much later, the harem (private
quarters) of the sultans was moved here too.
Of the sixteen empires founded by the Turks, the Ottoman Empire was the
longest lasting and the largest. It lasted for 622 years ruling over the
Asian, European and African lands surrounding the Mediterranean and the
Black Sea.
Peoples of different races and religions were united under its rule. The
only other empire in history that governed such vast lands for such a long
period was the Roman Empire.
Thirty-six sultans reigned during this period, and starting from early
16th century, they also became the religious leaders of the Islamic world
as caliphs.
Capable civil servants, after completing their education in the school in
the private courtyard of the sultan, served faithfully and successfully in
the administration and organization of the empire. Most of the viziers and
grand viziers were graduates of this school. Life started at dawn in the
palace and it was subject to strict rules and ceremonies. Everybody had to
abide by the centuries-old customs and traditions, and these were observed
rigorously even when the empire fell into a period of decline. The
etiquette of this palace always influenced the rules of protocol in the
Western world.
The seaside mansions and pavilions of Topkapi Palace were demolished at
the end of the last century.
The different tiles, woodwork and architectural styles displayed in
Topkapi Palace reflects the development of Turkish art and the harmonious
existence of differing styles over the centuries.
VISITING THE PALACE THE
FIRST COURTYARD
 The
first courtyard is entered through the so-called Imperial Gate. The
monumental fountain seen outside the gate is a beautiful example of 18th
century Turkish art. In this courtyard there are the palace bakery, the
mint, the quarters of the palace guards, and the firewood depots. The
vegetable gardens used to occupy the terraces below. The first building in
the palace complex, the Tiled Pavilion, and the Archeological Museum are
in this courtyard, too. To the left of the entrance is the Hagia Eirene
Museum, a 6th century Byzantine church.
THE SECOND COURTYARD
The main entrance
to the Palace Museum is the second gate, known as the Gate of Salutation.
The second courtyard was the administrative center of the state and the
government. Only the sultans could enter this yard on horseback. Citizens
with official business were allowed here, as well as the representatives
of the Janissary corps on special paydays.
br> The reception of foreign emissaries and state ceremonies took place in
this courtyard. It is known that absolute silence prevailed in such
ceremonies, sometimes attended by up to ten thousand people. When the
sultan was present in the event, the imperial throne was placed in front
of the gate at the other end of the courtyard, and as a demonstration of
respect; that present would stand with their hands clasped in front. The
only tower in the palace is located here too. It was called "the Tower of
Justice" because it was the venue of the state court of justice. The
entire city and the port could be kept under observation from this tower,
the only entrance of which was from the harem section.
 THE
HAREM
The
harem was the private zone of the palace, where the mother and siblings of
the sultan, the other members of the family, and the concubines and
eunuchs who served this large family lived. Until the mid-16th century the
harem was housed in the Old Palace in another part of the town. The harem
of Topkapi Palace consists of long narrow hallways and about 400 rooms
scattered around small courtyards. It was altered and enlarged over the
years.
The harem was strictly closed to outsiders, and it became the subject of
many stories over the centuries. The concubines serving the sultan and his
family were chosen from among the most beautiful and healthy girls of
different races or they were presented to the court as gifts.
These girls came to the harem at a very early age and were brought up
under strict discipline. After they became thoroughly acquainted with the
customs of the palace, they were separated into different groups. Those
who could attract the attention of the sultan had the chance of becoming
his wife. There was no such title in the empire as "empress". The sultan's
mother was the sole ruler in the harem. Amid the entire splendor and
wealth, rivalry, hatred and intrigues to get closer to the sultan were
part of the daily life. When a new sultan ascended to the throne, the
harem of the former sultan was moved to another palace. The ladies of the
harem and the chief eunuchs emerged as a political power influencing state
administration if the reigning sultan was weak and ineffective. Still,
life in the harem with all its intrigues, good and bad parts was superior
to the life style of women of that period elsewhere.
Only a section of the harem is open to the public. It is up to the
imagination of the visitor to recreate the colorful and lively old days in
these dim hallways and empty rooms.
The tour of the harem starts with the 40-room section allocated to the
mother of the sultan. The next sections are the large Turkish bath and the
spacious, domed hall reserved for the sultans.
There are fireplaces and fountains in all available places. The large hall
with a pool filled by interesting fountains is decorated with exquisite
16th century tiles. It dates to the reign of Murat III. From the end of
this hall, one enters the small library and the "fruit room" which is
embellished with paintings of fruits and flowers.
The two 16th century rooms seen at the end of the harem tour have
beautiful stained glass windows complementing the rich wall decorations.
These rooms were allocated to the crown prince.
THE WEAPON COLLECTION
AND THE COUNCIL HALL
The
large structure next to the "council of state" building with broad eaves
was the state treasury. This eight-domed building today houses rich
collection of old weapons in a modern exhibition.
Besides the armor and weapons used by the sultans, those used by the
members of the palace and the army is displayed here along with weapons
conquered from other countries.
The Tower of Justice rises beside the "council of state" section. The
council was composed of the viziers and secretaries, and the grand vizier
chaired the meetings.
The sultans did not participate in the meetings, but could listen to the
deliberations from a high window in one of the walls. This window opened
to the harem section and a curtain masked it. The feasts given in honor of
visiting foreign missions took place in this hall.
THE KITCHENS AND THE
PORCELAIN COLLECTION
On
the right side of the second courtyard are the palace kitchens with twenty
chimneys. Of the 12,000 pieces of Chinese and Japanese porcelain in the
palace collection, about 2,500 are on display in this section.
When these b uildings were used as kitchens, over one thousand cooks and
their assistants prepared and served meals for the various sections of the
palace.
Selected pieces of the largest such collection in the world are displayed
in a chronological order. Sections of the kitchens have been kept as they
were when in use, while another part is allocated to porcelain and
glassware produced in Istanbul. Another section houses the collection of
silverware and European porcelain. The unique Chinese celadons are in the
room to the right. The exhibition of blue and white, mono- and polychrome
porcelain objects ends with the Japanese porcelain collection. In the
special kitchen where sweets used to be made, everyday kitchen utensils,
coffee sets and gold-plated . copper wares are displayed.
THE THIRD COURTYARD
The
third courtyard was the private domain of the sultan and it was entered
—only by special permission- through the Gate of Felicity, guarded by the
White Eunuchs. The imperial university, the throne room, the treasury of
the sultan and the quarters housing the sacred relics were located in this
section. The sultans received foreign ambassadors and high government
officials in the throne room, which is directly opposite the entrance. For
security reasons those serving in the throne room were selected from among
deaf and mute persons.
The military officers who served the sultan in various capacities were at
the same time the managers of the imperial school.
The library of Ahmet III in the center of the courtyard is an 18th century
building that is a typical example of the harmonious blend of the baroque
and Turkish architectural styles.
THE COSTUMES
Unique collections of the sultans' wardrobes are displayed in the section
to the right of the courtyard. There are altogether 2,500 of these
handmade costumes that were made of fabric woven on the palace looms and
preserved carefully in special chests since the 15th century. Besides
these garments embroidered with silk, gold and silver thread, there are
also silk carpets and prayer rugs, masterpieces of Turkish art, used by
the sultans.
THE TREASURY
 The
treasury section of the Topkapi Palace Museum is the richest collection of
its kind in the world. All the pieces exhibited in the four rooms are
authentic originals.
Masterpieces of the Turkish art of jewelry from different centuries and
exquisite creations from the Far East, India and Europe entrance visitors.
In each room there is an imperial throne from a different era. Ceremonial
costumes, weapons, water pipes, Turkish coffee cups and other wares, all
of them embellished with gold and precious stones are the most important
items in the first room.
The second hall is known as the Emerald Room. It contains dazzling display
of aigrettes and pendants decorated with emeralds and other jewels. Uncut
emeralds, some weighing several kilograms each, and the famous Topkapi
Dagger (the symbol of the museum) embellished with three large emeralds
are also on display here.
The third room contains enameled objects, medals and decorations of state
presented to the sultans by foreign monarchs, the twin solid gold
candelabras each weighing 48 kilograms, and the most famous throne in the
palace, the golden throne, which the sultans used during coronations and
religious holidays. The 86-carat Spoon Maker's (or Pigot) Diamond, one of
the most famous diamonds in the world, is also to be found here. The
balcony connecting the third and the fourth rooms offers a breathtaking
view of the entrance to the Bosphorus and the Asian coast. In the fourth
room, a magnificent throne of Indian-Persian origin is on display. There
are also many other objects encrusted with precious stones of different
sizes to captivate visitors.
THE CLOCK COLLECTION
The
richest collection of clocks in the world is exhibited in the room next to
the Sacred Relics Section. To the right of the entrance there are clocks
made by Turkish masters. These priceless wall and table clocks and watches
are from the 16th-19th centuries. Clocks of a huge variety of makes were
presented to the palace as gifts.
The largest clock in the room is one of English origin. It is 3.5 m high
and 1 m wide, and contains an organ. Some pieces of special interest are
the watches with the portraits of Abdulmecid and Abdulaziz, and a birdcage
hanging from the dome, the underside of which is an enameled clock.
 THE
SACRED RELICS
The
sacred relics of Islam were brought to the palace after the conquest of
Egypt in the 16th century and have been preserved here since that time.
This hall was used as the throne room before it was allocated to the
sacred relics. The walls of the domed rooms are covered with tiles.
Important pieces of the collection are the swords and bow of Mohammed and
his mantle (cloak), which is kept in a priceless box. The seal of the
Prophet, hairs from his beard, his footprint and a letter are other
exhibits in the showcases in these rooms. Also on display are one of the
first manuscripts of The Qur'an, the keys of the Ka'aba in Mecca, and the
swords of prominent religious personalities.
PORTRAITS OF THE
SULTANS
This
gallery is located in the building with a colonnade, which stands between
the Sacred Relics Section and the Treasury and also houses the museum
offices. In the large hall, temporary exhibitions are organized from time
to time. The Palace Museum has a rich collection of manuscripts, books,
miniatures and writing tools. Some of these rare items are displayed in
this section. Oil portraits of the sultans adorn the walls of the
balcony-shaped galleries of the hall.
THE FOURTH COURTYARD
A
passageway leads from the third to the fourth courtyard where there are a
number of pavilions set amidst gardens. The only wooden pavilion in the
complex, the Revan and exquisitely decorated Baghdad Pavillions from the
17th century, and the last addition to the palace, the Mecidiye K6§ku, are
some of the buildings here. On the ground floor of the last building there
is a restaurant for visitors. The terrace in front of Baghdad Pavillion is
the best place to Interior of Baghdad Pavilion (17th cent.). get an
overall view of the Golden Horn, the Galata district, and the wonderful
skyline of old Istanbul with its domes and minarets. The gardens of the
palace sloping toward the sea have now been turned into a public park.
 SACRED
PLACES, SACRED OBJECTS, CONVENTS
Galata Mevlevi House
It was built
by İskender Pasha in 1491. The first sheikh was Safayi Dede from Sinop. It
was burnt down in 1765 and rebuilt. The famous Ottoman poet Sheikb Galip
became its religious chief in 1791. The last Sheikb in 1925 was Ahmet
Celalettin Dede. Many tombs exist in its cemetary of famous followers of
the Mevlana order. It was converted into the Museum of Ottoman Literature
in 1973.
 GALATA
TOWER
Built on the site of an older tower in the 14th-15th centuries, the Galata
Tower offers the best view of the Golden Horn, Old Istanbul, the entrance
to the Bosphorus and the Asian shore. The tower was erected to observe the
port and the city, and after being used for various purposes over the
centuries, it has now reassumed its original function of watch tower -
this time to enjoy the view. An elevator takes the visitors to the top two
floors of the tower that are today occupied by a restaurant Nights are
colorful here with folk dance groups and singers performing in a typical
atmosphere and against the marvelous view in the background. Dinner at
Galata tower
DAY 4
DEPARTURE
After
breakfast from hotel transfer to the airport for departure.
Please send an email to
us if you need any more information or require a booking
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