Istanbul, Turkey
A historical yet modern city Istanbul greets its visitors with Mosques, domes, palaces, bustling Bazar, and streets. Millions of people make their way to this historical city. Among those wandering souls, one was mine. First, I visited Kadikoy. Stretched along the sea, it’s the more congested part of the city on the Asian side. Famous for its art and creativity, the artesian work portrays on walls.
Kadikoy is home to serene gardens, bustling streets, vibrant bars, and a trendy boutique. The evening of the Kadikoy is famous for its panoramic sunset view. The scenic view can be more enjoyed from the seaside. Take dinner on a cruise on the Bosphorus, amazed by the fascinating view of Istanbul. Make your way towards the most modern yet historic part of the city, The European side. Metro, Buses, and fleets are ways of transportation. Most tourists took the fleet to experience the beauty of Bosphorus and Marmara.
The European side is more modern and traditional. Carrying the heritage of 1400 years, the influence of Europe makes it a melting point of civilizations.
I reached Sultanahmet (Old town), the most visited part of the city. Amazed by the Baklava (Traditional sweets), my first visit was to Hippodrome. Elongated rectangular park beautified by the trio of Egyptian Obelisk (Brought from Egypt), Serpentine column, and German fountain. Istanbul is known for its great mosques. Blue Mosque, located in the old town, is a historical artifact of the Ottoman era. The mosque is decorated with blue Iznik tiles, which enchant the visitor with their fascinating look. The outer side is designed with five domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes. The panoramic blue view at night mesmerizes the viewer.
The iconic glory of the Old town is Hagia Sophia. Church turned mosque is a gift from the Byzantine era. The gigantic domes from the interior are decorated with architecture from the byzantine era and calligraphy of Quranic verses from the Ottoman era. Outside six mighty minarets stood along with blue domes. Bastille Cistra museum is a mystical underground building with having unique structure. Consisting of 360 pillars, it was a water reservoir in the 5th century and later turned into a museum. The old town is home to a grand bazaar. Consisting of 4000 shops and 60 streets make, it is one of the world’s largest covered bazaars. It is an exhibition medium for Turkish and Mediterranean cultures. Spice bazaar is home to Egyptian and Indian spices.
Topkapi Palace is the remains of the ottoman. Stretched along a vast area dominating the peninsula, it was an administrative part of the Ottoman Empire. The Baghdad pavilion contains the relics of Prophet Muhammad. You can get a ticket to visit Topkapi Palace. The old town is also famous for its delicious doner Kabab and coffee. The new town is modern and tilts more toward European culture. Galata Tower is a landmark from the 14th century. It is a viewpoint for the visitors. There are shops, cinemas, restaurants and cafes, and beautiful houses in the Istiklal streets. The nights are busy with exciting parties and are famous for Istanbul Nightlife.
Istanbul is a busy city lined across the Bosphorus. Home to Historical artifacts, the city is moving towards modernity. From mighty mosques to vibrant bars and ancient relics, the city is a dynamic fusion of tradition and modernity.