Bekdas Hotel

Istanbul City Information Guide

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  Grand Bazaar	Distance : 10 min.
  During the Byzantine period the area of the Grand Bazaar was a trade center. After the Turks came to Istanbul, two bedestens which formed the essence of today's Grand Bazaar were built between 1455-1461 by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in an attempt to enrich the economic life in the city. Later on as people needed more places for their trade, they also added parts outside these bedestens. In time the Grand Bazaar was formed.
  Topkapi Palace	Distance : 10 min.
  The former imperial residence from where the great Ottoman Empire was ruled. Today a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and very famous treasury of the Royal Family.
  St. Sophia Museum	Distance : 10 min.
  The Basilica of St. Sophia, now called the Ayasofya Museum; is unquestionably one ot the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 55 meters above the ground and its diameter spans 31 meters. You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. (Open every day except Monday.) This huge, brick-colored building standing at the southern size of the square was built in the 6th century..
  Blue Mosque	Distance : 15 min.
  One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture and is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul. Also famous for its blue tiles and 6 minarets.
  Underground Cistern	Distance : 15 min.
  Located opposite of Hagia Sophia, it is the last cistern constructed by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus the first in the 6th century.The cistern having dimensions 70x140m.and with a depth of 8 m.covers 28x12 that is 336 colums totally,each of them having a Corinth style capital.
  Suleymaniye Mosque	Distance : 30 min.
  The mosque of Sultan Suleyman The Magnificent, was built in the 16 th century by 'Sinan' the famous architect of all times.
  Galata Tower	Distance : 25 min.
  This is thought to have been built by the Emperor Anastasius I ( 491-518 A.D ), although there is probably stronger evidence to suggest that it may have been the work of the Gnoese to defend them against repeated Byzantine attacks. The Byzantine side of the city was over the Golden Horn in old Istanbul, between the Horn and The Marmara sea.
  Kariye Museum ( St.Saviour in Chora )	Distance : 20 min.
  The monastery church was built outside of the city walls during the 4th century by Constantine It remained within the walls later built by Theodosisus II ( 408-450 A.D )
  Golden Horn	Distance : 20 min.
  The bay with 7 kms. length, has been a natural harbour of the city. It is as wide as 800 meters in places, with an average depth of 35meters. The rivers of Alibeykoy and Kagithane adjourns into the Goldenhorn.
  Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar)	Distance : 10 min.
  This is the second covered bazaar in Istanbul. The present structure was built by Harice Turhan Sultan , dowager sultan and mother of Mehmet IV or a part of the foundation of Yeni Mosque. According to the documents ,the building was begun by the architect Kasim Aga. The Present structure was restored in 1943 .The Bazaar has 6 gates and 86 shops.
  Dolmabahce Palace	Distance : 50 min.
  The district of Dolmabahce is situated on the European shores of the Bosphorus between Besiktas and Kabatas on the Marmara Sea. Pavilions and royal lodges were built along the shore from the 15th century onwards, as the sources inform us. In time the bay was silted up and the process of infill began in the reign of Ahmet I ( 1603-1617 )
  The Archeology Museum	Distance : 15 min.
  The one of the most important archeologicial museums in the world. Its collections posses number of unique objects from various past civilisations. There are 50.000 similar items in the collection of the museum. There are twenty large halls on the groundfloor and 16 on the first floor. The lower galleries displays examples of Greek and Byzantine architecture and sculpture. The most famous rooms in the museum are Salon VIII and salon IX.
  The Obelisks	Distance : 15 min.
  Two Obelisk facing one to another are still to be seen in Sultanahmet square. Hieroglyphics was brought to Istanbul from Egypt by the Emporer Theodosius, and set up its present position in the Hippodrome. It was given the name column of Theodosius, and it is 18.45 m in height, (24.87m. including the base). It is constructed of Syenite prophry , weigthing 200 tons,which is supported on a marble polinth, measuring 2.75x2.20m.
  Aquadect of Valens	Distance : 3 min.
  The construction was begun by Constantine I and completed 378 A.D during the reign of the Emperor Valens. It links the third and fourth hills and brought water from Alibeykoy to the Nympheum.