Travelling in Istanbul – Part 2

Topkapi Palace, the former sultans’ residence, is built on the highest part of the Sarayburnu peninsula, between Bosporus strait and the Golden Horn, and deserves a special attention during your visit of Istanbul. It was first named New Palace and got its current name, which translates as cannon door, in the 19th century. After 17th century, the palace started losing its reputation, as the sultans spent more time in their palaces near Bosporus until one sultan transferred his seat to the palace Dolmabahçe. After the fall of the Ottoman empire in 1923, the Topkapi palace became a museum and remains a museum at this day. The palace, which was once the civic centre of the empire and sultan’s personal residence, is divided into four courtyards, which are surrounded by buildings and pavilions and connected with monumental doors. The most interesting is harem (harem means forbidden in translations), which was once a private home of the sultan and his family. Harem had about 400 rooms and was led by valide sultan or sultan’s mother. In harem, the mistresses fought for the sultan’s attention. Only the chosen ones who gave birth to sultan’s children, became their wives and climbed the social ladder. The palace itself is located on one of the highest points of Sarayburnu peninsula, so you have a nice view on Bosporus and the Asian part of the city, as well as on the Golden Horn.

Over the Golden Horn, Bosporus strait, lead a couple of bridges that connect both parts of European Istanbul. The most famous is Galata bridge that is mostly used by fishermen who are trying to catch the best fish in the strait. When we cross the Golden Horn, we enter the Galata area. Its signature is 67 metres high tower, that offers a beautiful view on the city. The bridge was built by the Genovese in the 14th century when they started settling in Constantinople in the 14th century. Galata area is also proud of its “tünel”, a 600 metres long connection, which is one of the oldest underground railways in the world. It was built in 1875. Tünel brings us from the Golden Horn to 62 metres higher street Istiklal Cadesi. It is a 1,4-kilometre-long pedestrian street, which ends by Taksim Square. The area around Istiklal Cadesi Street is more European, mostly with buildings, built in the end of 19th century or in the beginning of the 20th century, which today serve as shops, restaurants or hotels. Some of them are still well preserved and serve as consulates. This area was named Pera in the past and was also an important stop of Orient Express, a train that connected Paris and Istanbul. Despite its modern touch, it kept some of its past. The oasis of peace, Dervish monastery, is still here. You can see the performance of the dancing Dervish who try to think only about god. Muslim mystics are spinning around their centre and try to stay in the highest point of prayer.

You can’t leave Istanbul without visiting the Grand Bazaar, Büyük Çarşı in Turkish. It is visited by 400,000 visitors per day and has 4000 shops on 61 streets. Locals and tourists are shopping for souvenirs, ceramics, clothes, lanterns, desserts, spices and so much more. The Grand Bazaar is the most famous, but I would also recommend visiting the Egyptian bazaar, also named the Bazaar of Spices where you will find similar products. It’s a pleasure strolling by the shops, try something sweet, haggle for a product or two and just watch the diverse people – tourists, buying souvenirs, and locals, buying groceries. When the shopping tires you, have a rest in one of the restaurants with kebabs or pastry shops where you can buy baklava or lokum.

Visiting Istanbul is easy because of cheap plane tickets, and the number of visitors will only grow, since they are building a new airport. The public transport, which covers underground railway, trams, buses and ferries, is cheap and comes handy while exploring the city. Istanbul offers so much more than what is mentioned in the article. Whoever has more days in the city, could also explore its surroundings. Sailing in Bosporus Strait and seeing the Black Sea, former capitals Bursa and Edirne, Troy or Galipoli peninsula where the great battles in World War I happened, are only a few destinations to visit. I recommend Istanbul to everyone, as this is where Europe and Asia meet. East and west. And this is something that gives the visitors something different that they aren’t used to at home.