Explore even more of Istanbul, once the center of the world. The monuments of the sultans who ruled here since 1453 dominated the skyline and laid it underneath the golden memories of Byzantium.
Dolmabahce Palace
This Bosphorus-shore imperial palace was built between 1843 and 1856 under the Ottoman Empire’s thirty-first sultan at a cost of 35 tons of gold. Opulent and official residence of the last six sultans, the architecture is Western blended with traditional Ottoman design. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding leader of this modern republic, used the palace as a presidential house in summers and enacted some of his most important works here. Exquisite artifacts such as carpets, porcelain vases, skillfully crafted furniture and priceless paintings ornament Dolmabahce Palace.
Pera & Taksim Neighborhood
The Pera District is living proof that Istanbul is not resting on its golden past. Drawing together the wealthy and the artistic, it is a cosmopolitan shopping area by day and a glittering club scene at night. Across the Golden Horn from the Old City (Pera is Greek for “beyond”), the area was the City’s foreign quarter where Greeks, Russians, Italians and Jews lived together. Today that fascinating blend is still very much alive. We will stroll down Istiklal Street, a pedestrian street and the heart of the city’s cultural life with cafés, restaurants, shops, churches, mosques and consulates.
Suleymaniye Mosque & Complex
Architecturally the most prestigious of all Imperial Mosques! The complex is built between 1550 to 1556 by architect Sinan the Great who is considered as father of many who followed him. Also visit the tomb/mausoleum of Suleyman and his beloved wife Roxelana who has politically been very influential in the court of Topkapi.
Istanbul Modern
Situated at the shores of the Bosphorus, facing the historical peninsula with Topkapi Palace & Hagia Sophia across the Golden Horn and leans back to Pera. This 8.000 square meter building has been transformed into a fully functional Modern Art Museum and has permanent and temporary collection galleries exhibiting contemporary & modern works of leading Turkish artists.
