1. Traditional Turkish Tea

A traditional Turkish tea which is offered in a small tulip-shaped glass. The glass is usually held by the rim, to prevent the drinker’s fingertips from being burned as the tea is served in boiling hot.

2. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

3. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

4. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

5. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

6. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

7. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

8. Football or Fruit Stall?

9. Turkish Simit

Turkish Simit is a Simit Sesame crusted, circular bread from Turkey. Also knows as Turkish bagel, this crusty bread is the most common bread in Turkey. It is usually served for breakfast and always has a ring shape. Simit is traditionally served for breakfast with white cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Simit is usually sold in carts in Istanbul, and the people who sell them are called Simitci.

10. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

11. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

12. Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoğlu-Istanbul

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

13. Turkish Simit

Turkish Simit is a Simit Sesame crusted, circular bread from Turkey. Also knows as Turkish bagel, this crusty bread is the most common bread in Turkey. It is usually served for breakfast and always has a ring shape. Simit is traditionally served for breakfast with white cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Simit is usually sold in carts in Istanbul, and the people who sell them are called Simitci.

14. Koska, a famous Bakery Store in Istanbul Since 1907

15. Dondurma (or Maraş Ice Cream)

Dondurma (or Maraş ice cream) is a Turkish ice cream which is is very dense and chewable, and it doesn’t melt easily, and it is completely different from the regular smooth ice creams that you know.

16. Patatos, a Turkish Fastfood with Baked Potatoes and Chicken Doner Kebab Speciality

17. Istanbul Nostalgic Tram

18. Istanbul Nostalgic Tram

19. Istanbul Nostalgic Tram

20. Tram Hopper

21. Saint Antoine Church

Saint Antoine church is located on bustling Istiklal Caddesi. The church was initially built in 1752 but was demolished in the early 20th century. Then the church was rebuilt in 1912 and become the largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul.

22. Saint Antoine Church

Saint Antoine church is located on bustling Istiklal Caddesi. The church was initially built in 1752 but was demolished in the early 20th century. Then the church was rebuilt in 1912 and become the largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul.

23. Saint Antoine Church

Saint Antoine church is located on bustling Istiklal Caddesi. The church was initially built in 1752 but was demolished in the early 20th century. Then the church was rebuilt in 1912 and become the largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul.

24. Saint Antoine Church

Saint Antoine church is located on bustling Istiklal Caddesi. The church was initially built in 1752 but was demolished in the early 20th century. Then the church was rebuilt in 1912 and become the largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul.

25. Street Performers in Istiklal Caddesi

26. Istiklal Caddesi

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

27. Istiklal Caddesi

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

28. Istiklal Caddesi

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

29. Street Performers in Istiklal Caddesi

30. Street Performers in Istiklal Caddesi

31. Istiklal Caddesi

Istiklal Caddesi is the biggest shopping street in Istanbul where you can find shops, bookstores, art galleries, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs, historic pastry shops, restaurants and coffee shops. This one-kilometre long avenue is located between Taksim Square and Karaköy, which links the modern city to the historical city. This street is not just a shopping street. It is surrounded by many important buildings such as mosques, synagogues, churches, academic institutions, as well as embassies and consulates.

32. Istanbul Nostalgic Tram

33. A Sea of Pigeons

34. Mısır Çarşısı since 1664

The market was called Mısır Çarşısı (literally translated Egyptian Market) because it was built with the money paid as duty on Egyptian imports. The ‘Cairo caravan’ brought along spices from Egypt, as Istanbul located on the trade route between the East and Europe. This market, which was also known as Spice Bazaar, was built in 1664 as an extension of the New Mosque (Yeni Camii) complex, and its revenues helped to support the upkeep of the mosque and its philanthropic institutions such as school, hospital and several baths.

35. Mısır Çarşısı, the Spice Market

Upon entering the spice market, you will immediately pick up the overwhelming scent from hundreds of spices on sale. The stalls in the bazaar originally only stocked spices (baharat) and herbs. However, over the years other edibles have been added, such as nuts (kuruyemiş), honeycomb (petekbal), Turkish delight (lokum), dried fruit and vegetables (kuru meyve ve sebze), mature hard Turkish cheese (eski kaşar), caviar (make sure you get the Iranian variety) and smoked or dried beef (pastırma).

36. Mısır Çarşısı, the Spice Market

Upon entering the spice market, you will immediately pick up the overwhelming scent from hundreds of spices on sale. The stalls in the bazaar originally only stocked spices (baharat) and herbs. However, over the years other edibles have been added, such as nuts (kuruyemiş), honeycomb (petekbal), Turkish delight (lokum), dried fruit and vegetables (kuru meyve ve sebze), mature hard Turkish cheese (eski kaşar), caviar (make sure you get the Iranian variety) and smoked or dried beef (pastırma).

37. Mısır Çarşısı, the Spice Market

Upon entering the spice market, you will immediately pick up the overwhelming scent from hundreds of spices on sale. The stalls in the bazaar originally only stocked spices (baharat) and herbs. However, over the years other edibles have been added, such as nuts (kuruyemiş), honeycomb (petekbal), Turkish delight (lokum), dried fruit and vegetables (kuru meyve ve sebze), mature hard Turkish cheese (eski kaşar), caviar (make sure you get the Iranian variety) and smoked or dried beef (pastırma).

38. Mısır Çarşısı, the Spice Market

Upon entering the spice market, you will immediately pick up the overwhelming scent from hundreds of spices on sale. The stalls in the bazaar originally only stocked spices (baharat) and herbs. However, over the years other edibles have been added, such as nuts (kuruyemiş), honeycomb (petekbal), Turkish delight (lokum), dried fruit and vegetables (kuru meyve ve sebze), mature hard Turkish cheese (eski kaşar), caviar (make sure you get the Iranian variety) and smoked or dried beef (pastırma).

39. Mısır Çarşısı, the Spice Market

Upon entering the spice market, you will immediately pick up the overwhelming scent from hundreds of spices on sale. The stalls in the bazaar originally only stocked spices (baharat) and herbs. However, over the years other edibles have been added, such as nuts (kuruyemiş), honeycomb (petekbal), Turkish delight (lokum), dried fruit and vegetables (kuru meyve ve sebze), mature hard Turkish cheese (eski kaşar), caviar (make sure you get the Iranian variety) and smoked or dried beef (pastırma).

40. A Man with the Flag

41. A Man with the Flag

42. A Man with the Flag

43. What Are You Looking At, Rabbi?

44. Dolphins and Sea Dragon

45. Tarihi Eminönü Turşucusu Streetshop at Eminönü Pier

46. Istanbul Street Food, Sweet Corn (Süt Mısır) and Chestnuts (Kestane)

47. Turkish Chestnut Dessert (Kestane)

48. Turkish Simit

Turkish Simit is a Simit Sesame crusted, circular bread from Turkey. Also knows as Turkish bagel, this crusty bread is the most common bread in Turkey. It is usually served for breakfast and always has a ring shape. Simit is traditionally served for breakfast with white cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Simit is usually sold in carts in Istanbul, and the people who sell them are called Simitci.

49. Friendly Waiters of Kalyata-i Barbaros

50. Friendly Waiters of Kalyata-i Barbaros

51. Friendly Waiters of Kalyata-i Barbaros

52. Friendly Waiters of Kalyata-i Barbaros

53. Kalyata-i Barbaros (Golden Horn-Istanbul)

Floating restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey.

54. Eminönü Çarşısı

55. Istanbul Polis in Action

56. Eminönü Ferry Terminal

57. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

58. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

59. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

60. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

61. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

62. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

63. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

64. Sunset at Galata Bridge

The best time to experience Istanbul at its magical moment is walking across the bridge during sunset. At this time the bridge is surrounded by shrieking seagulls, and the mosques atop of the hills of the city are silhouetted against a soft red-pink sky.

65. Sunset at Galata Bridge

The best time to experience Istanbul at its magical moment is walking across the bridge during sunset. At this time the bridge is surrounded by shrieking seagulls, and the mosques atop of the hills of the city are silhouetted against a soft red-pink sky.

66. Galata Bridge Anglers

The bridge carries a constant flow of İstanbullus crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, and a clutch of hopeful anglers trailing their fishing lines into the waters below. Underneath, restaurants and cafes serve drinks and food all day and night.

67. Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge is the first bridge spanning the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey, and connecting Europe and Asia. The bridge extends between Ortaköy (in Europe) and Beylerbeyi (in Asia). The Bosphorus Bridge was completed in 1973, and it was the fourth-longest suspension bridge span in the world and the longest outside the United States during that time.

68. Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge is the first bridge spanning the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey, and connecting Europe and Asia. The bridge extends between Ortaköy (in Europe) and Beylerbeyi (in Asia). The Bosphorus Bridge was completed in 1973, and it was the fourth-longest suspension bridge span in the world and the longest outside the United States during that time.

69. Bosphorus Bridge

The Bosphorus Bridge is the first bridge spanning the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey, and connecting Europe and Asia. The bridge extends between Ortaköy (in Europe) and Beylerbeyi (in Asia). The Bosphorus Bridge was completed in 1973, and it was the fourth-longest suspension bridge span in the world and the longest outside the United States during that time.

70. Nightscape at Hagia Sophia

71. A Snapshot Taken Outside a Café

72. Hagia Sophia Minarets

After the Ottoman converted the church to the mosque in 1453, four minarets were eventually added outside the church. The four slender pencil-shaped minarets are more than 60 metres tall and are among the tallest ever constructed during that time.

73. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral built in Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was called as Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom. The church was built in the 6th century (532-537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The church has been standing for 1,500 years and become the most important Byzantine structure and one of the greatest monument in the world. In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was ended, and the Constantinople fell to the armies of Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman converted the church to the mosque.

In 1934, the government of Turkey secularised the Hagia Sophia and turned it into a museum. Hagia Sophia is now an important site for tourism in Istanbul as a place that has been part of the cultural fabric of the city in both ancient and modern times.

74. Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern or Cisterna Basilica is the largest ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. This subterranean structure was commissioned by Emperor Justinian I and was built in 532. This is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul, and it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and featured finely carved capitals.

75. Medusa Head Pillar

Located in the northwest corner of the Basilica Cistern, the bases of the two columns was using bocks carved with the visage of Medusa. The origin of the two heads is unknown, but it is thought that the heads were brought to the cistern after being removed from a building in the late Roman period.

76. Hagia Sophia Minarets

After the Ottoman converted the church to the mosque in 1453, four minarets were eventually added outside the church. The four slender pencil-shaped minarets are more than 60 metres tall and are among the tallest ever constructed during that time.

77. Hagia Sophia Minarets

After the Ottoman converted the church to the mosque in 1453, four minarets were eventually added outside the church. The four slender pencil-shaped minarets are more than 60 metres tall and are among the tallest ever constructed during that time.

78. Restoration Works at Hagia Sophia

Research, repair and restoration works have been continued until this day. In the centre of the dome, you will find huge scaffoldings with hoardings, which are used for the never-ending restoration of the impressive dome.

79. Hagia Sophia Interior

Hagia Sophia was the ancient world’s second-largest dome (the biggest was Pantheon dome in Italy). Hagia Sophia combines a longitudinal basilica and a centralised building, with a huge 33 -metre diameter main dome supported on four pendentives and two semi-domes, one on either side of the longitudinal axis. In plan, it is about 82 metres long and 73 metres wide. The dome crown rises 55 meters above the pavement.

80. The First Four Caliphs of Islam

The First Four Caliphs of Islam with Arabic calligraphies were put on the pillars of Hagia Sophia, flanking the apse and the entrance of the nave.

81. Theotokos (Virgin Mary with the Christ child)

Picture of Theotokos (Virgin Mary with the Christ child) is flanked by the huge Arabic calligraphy inscribes the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.

82. Hagia Sophia Interior

Hagia Sophia was the ancient world’s second-largest dome (the biggest was Pantheon dome in Italy). Hagia Sophia combines a longitudinal basilica and a centralised building, with a huge 33 -metre diameter main dome supported on four pendentives and two semi-domes, one on either side of the longitudinal axis. In plan, it is about 82 metres long and 73 metres wide. The dome crown rises 55 meters above the pavement.

83. Hagia Sophia Interior

Hagia Sophia was the ancient world’s second-largest dome (the biggest was Pantheon dome in Italy). Hagia Sophia combines a longitudinal basilica and a centralised building, with a huge 33 -metre diameter main dome supported on four pendentives and two semi-domes, one on either side of the longitudinal axis. In plan, it is about 82 metres long and 73 metres wide. The dome crown rises 55 meters above the pavement.

84. Hagia Sophia Window

A view from Hagia Sophia window.

85. Hagia Sophia Interior

Hagia Sophia was the ancient world’s second-largest dome (the biggest was Pantheon dome in Italy). Hagia Sophia combines a longitudinal basilica and a centralised building, with a huge 33 -metre diameter main dome supported on four pendentives and two semi-domes, one on either side of the longitudinal axis. In plan, it is about 82 metres long and 73 metres wide. The dome crown rises 55 meters above the pavement.

86. Hagia Sophia Interior

Hagia Sophia was the ancient world’s second-largest dome (the biggest was Pantheon dome in Italy). Hagia Sophia combines a longitudinal basilica and a centralised building, with a huge 33 -metre diameter main dome supported on four pendentives and two semi-domes, one on either side of the longitudinal axis. In plan, it is about 82 metres long and 73 metres wide. The dome crown rises 55 meters above the pavement.

87. Dome of Hagia Sophia

88. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral built in Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was called as Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom. The church was built in the 6th century (532-537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The church has been standing for 1,500 years and become the most important Byzantine structure and one of the greatest monument in the world. In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was ended, and the Constantinople fell to the armies of Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman converted the church to the mosque.

In 1934, the government of Turkey secularised the Hagia Sophia and turned it into a museum. Hagia Sophia is now an important site for tourism in Istanbul as a place that has been part of the cultural fabric of the city in both ancient and modern times.

89. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral built in Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was called as Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom. The church was built in the 6th century (532-537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The church has been standing for 1,500 years and become the most important Byzantine structure and one of the greatest monument in the world. In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was ended, and the Constantinople fell to the armies of Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman converted the church to the mosque.

In 1934, the government of Turkey secularised the Hagia Sophia and turned it into a museum. Hagia Sophia is now an important site for tourism in Istanbul as a place that has been part of the cultural fabric of the city in both ancient and modern times.

90. A Snapshot of Istanbul Restaurants Taken from the Rooftop

91. Blue Mosque at Dawn

92. Two Men Play Traditional Turkish Checkers

93. High School Students Play Soccer

94. High School Students Play Soccer

95. High School Students Play Basketball

96. Students of Sultanahmet Suphi Paşa Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi

97. Students of Sultanahmet Suphi Paşa Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi

98. Students of Sultanahmet Suphi Paşa Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi

99. Students of Sultanahmet Suphi Paşa Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi

100. Girls of Sultanahmet Suphi Paşa Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi

101. Students of Sultanahmet Suphi Paşa Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi

102. Shisha Smoking

103. Istanbul Sightseeing City Tours

104. Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) was built from 1609 to 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. The Blue Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes. The design incorporates some Byzantine Christian elements of the neighbouring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered as the last great mosque in the classical period.

105. Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) was built from 1609 to 1616 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. The Blue Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes. The design incorporates some Byzantine Christian elements of the neighbouring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered as the last great mosque in the classical period.

106. A Tourist in Disguise

107. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral built in Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was called as Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom. The church was built in the 6th century (532-537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The church has been standing for 1,500 years and become the most important Byzantine structure and one of the greatest monument in the world. In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was ended, and the Constantinople fell to the armies of Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman converted the church to the mosque.

In 1934, the government of Turkey secularised the Hagia Sophia and turned it into a museum. Hagia Sophia is now an important site for tourism in Istanbul as a place that has been part of the cultural fabric of the city in both ancient and modern times.

108. Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral built in Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was called as Church of the Holy Wisdom or Church of the Divine Wisdom. The church was built in the 6th century (532-537) under the direction of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. The church has been standing for 1,500 years and become the most important Byzantine structure and one of the greatest monument in the world. In 1453, the Byzantine Empire was ended, and the Constantinople fell to the armies of Mehmed II, sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman converted the church to the mosque.

In 1934, the government of Turkey secularised the Hagia Sophia and turned it into a museum. Hagia Sophia is now an important site for tourism in Istanbul as a place that has been part of the cultural fabric of the city in both ancient and modern times.

109. Halı Müzesi (Carpet Museum)

110. Halı Müzesi (Carpet Museum) with Blue Mosque at the Back

111. Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi

The Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapi Palace) meaning the Cannon Gate Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The Topkapi Palace was constructed under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, which began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. The palace complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire.

After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance. The sultans of that period preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosphorus. In 1856 Sultan Abdulmejid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace. Topkapı still retained some of its functions, including the imperial treasury, library and mint.

After the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Turkish government decree dated April 3rd 1924 transformed Topkapı into a museum. The Topkapı Palace formed a part the historic area of Istanbul, and UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

112. Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi

The Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapi Palace) meaning the Cannon Gate Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The Topkapi Palace was constructed under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, which began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. The palace complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire.

After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance. The sultans of that period preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosphorus. In 1856 Sultan Abdulmejid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace. Topkapı still retained some of its functions, including the imperial treasury, library and mint.

After the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Turkish government decree dated April 3rd 1924 transformed Topkapı into a museum. The Topkapı Palace formed a part the historic area of Istanbul, and UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

113. Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi

The Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapi Palace) meaning the Cannon Gate Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The Topkapi Palace was constructed under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, which began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. The palace complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire.

After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance. The sultans of that period preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosphorus. In 1856 Sultan Abdulmejid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace. Topkapı still retained some of its functions, including the imperial treasury, library and mint.

After the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Turkish government decree dated April 3rd 1924 transformed Topkapı into a museum. The Topkapı Palace formed a part the historic area of Istanbul, and UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

114. Ottoman Clock and Watch Collection at Topkapi Clock Museum

115. Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi

The Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapi Palace) meaning the Cannon Gate Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The Topkapi Palace was constructed under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, which began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. The palace complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire.

After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance. The sultans of that period preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosphorus. In 1856 Sultan Abdulmejid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace. Topkapı still retained some of its functions, including the imperial treasury, library and mint.

After the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Turkish government decree dated April 3rd 1924 transformed Topkapı into a museum. The Topkapı Palace formed a part the historic area of Istanbul, and UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

116. Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi

The Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapi Palace) meaning the Cannon Gate Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The Topkapi Palace was constructed under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, which began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. The palace complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire.

After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance. The sultans of that period preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosphorus. In 1856 Sultan Abdulmejid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace. Topkapı still retained some of its functions, including the imperial treasury, library and mint.

After the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Turkish government decree dated April 3rd 1924 transformed Topkapı into a museum. The Topkapı Palace formed a part the historic area of Istanbul, and UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

117. Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi

The Topkapı Sarayı (Topkapi Palace) meaning the Cannon Gate Palace is a large museum in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. The Topkapi Palace was constructed under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, which began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. The palace complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquake and the 1665 fire.

After the 17th century, Topkapı gradually lost its importance. The sultans of that period preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosphorus. In 1856 Sultan Abdulmejid I decided to move the court to the newly built Dolmabahçe Palace. Topkapı still retained some of its functions, including the imperial treasury, library and mint.

After the end of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Turkish government decree dated April 3rd 1924 transformed Topkapı into a museum. The Topkapı Palace formed a part the historic area of Istanbul, and UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1985.

118. Bosphorus Strait

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and also the only city in the world that lies on the two continents, i.e. Europe and Asia. The Bosphorus strait that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara divides the city into its European parts (Avrupa Yakası) and Asian parts (Anadolu Yakası). The city’s historical and commercial centre lies on the European side, and only about a third of its population lives on the Asian side.

119. Kid Chasing Pigeons

120. Blue Mosque and Sultan Ahmad Maydan Fountain

121. Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmad Maydan Fountain

122. Tram to Hagia Sophia

123. Istanbul Night Landscape

124. Hagia Sophia at Night