Capital city of Empires
Monday, September 18, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
Palaces of Istanbul
Beylerbeyi Palace
In the original wooden palace of Beylerbeyi, which was built by Sultan Mahmut II, his son Sultan Abdülmecit personally tested the new invention by Samuel Morse, the telegraph, in 1847. He immediately issued a royal patent to Morse, the world’s first patent for the telegraph. The palace later burned down, and Sultan Abdülaziz had a new one built in its place by his architect Sarkis Balyan.
Many famous guests, such as French Empress Eugenie, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, Persian Shah Nasireddin were received in this palace. Sultan Abdülhamid, who had been sent in exile to Salonica, was brought back to Istanbul in 1912 to spend the rest of his life at Beylerbeyi where he died in 1918.
Beylerbeyi
Tel: (0216) 321 9320 / 321 9321
Ciragan Palace
This palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1861, who ascended the throne after Sultan Abdülmecit. It was designed by Nikogos Balyan and the construction carried out by Sarkis and Agop Balyan. In 1876, Murat V was placed in house arrest at Çiragan on grounds that he was mentally ill and Sultan Abdülhamid took the throne. Murat lived at çiragan until his death in 1905.
In the original wooden palace of Beylerbeyi, which was built by Sultan Mahmut II, his son Sultan Abdülmecit personally tested the new invention by Samuel Morse, the telegraph, in 1847. He immediately issued a royal patent to Morse, the world’s first patent for the telegraph. The palace later burned down, and Sultan Abdülaziz had a new one built in its place by his architect Sarkis Balyan.
Many famous guests, such as French Empress Eugenie, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, Persian Shah Nasireddin were received in this palace. Sultan Abdülhamid, who had been sent in exile to Salonica, was brought back to Istanbul in 1912 to spend the rest of his life at Beylerbeyi where he died in 1918.
Beylerbeyi
Tel: (0216) 321 9320 / 321 9321
Ciragan Palace
This palace was built by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1861, who ascended the throne after Sultan Abdülmecit. It was designed by Nikogos Balyan and the construction carried out by Sarkis and Agop Balyan. In 1876, Murat V was placed in house arrest at Çiragan on grounds that he was mentally ill and Sultan Abdülhamid took the throne. Murat lived at çiragan until his death in 1905.
The palace was being used as the house of parliament when it burned down in 1910. Today the restored Çiragan Palace is a luxury hotel.
Ciragan Cad. No:84, Besiktas
Tel: (0212) 258 33 77
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace was built by Abdülmecid where formerly stood the more modest palace of Mahmud II. The Balyan family of architects finished construction on the clock tower, mosque and palace in 1853. 
The crystal hanging-lamp in the reciprocal room, which weighs 4.5 tons, was a present from Queen Victoria and is said to be the largest in the world. As Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, died here on November 10, 1938, this palace holds special significance for Turks.
Besiktas
Tel: (0212) 236 90 00
Topkapi Palace
When Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquered the city in 1453 he chose to build his palace on the site of the old Byzantine palace ruins that had been looted and destroyed by the Latins. This palace was used as the Ottoman residence for almost 400 years until the reign of Abdülmecid, and was therefore subjected to many changes as it passed from sultan to sultan. After Sultan Abdülmecid moved out, the palace started falling apart like any building does after it is abandoned.
In the 19th century, the first military museum of Turkey was opened there. It serves as a concert hall because of its excellent acoustics and imposing atmosphere. Babüsselam is the main entrance of the Topkapi Palace museum. The hospital, bakery, mint and armory are in this courtyard. The kitchen buildings are situated on the right side of the courtyard. In addition to kitchen equipment, a rich 500-year collection of glass and porcelain are displayed in this building. On the left side of the courtyard stand the palace chariots where there used to be stables, the weapon collection and the entrance to the Harem. After passing through the courtyard, one comes to the Babüssaade gate which gives way to the private sections of the palace. Facing the gate is the reception room where Divan members and foreign diplomats were received. Behind the reception room are the Enderun quarters from the 18th century where now are displayed various costumes of the Sultans, and the treasury chamber, where thrones, jewels, jewel-studded weapons and medals are displayed. Also exhibited in this chamber are the most beautiful examples of the thousands of miniatures which are everywhere in the palace In the Has Room are most extraordinary examples of calligraphy. In the Hirka-i Saadet chamber, objects belonging to the Prophet Mohammed and the first caliphs of Islam are displayed. In the fourth courtyard of the palace, there are different mansions built by various Sultans, including the Bagdat, Revan, Sofa and Mecidiye residences. The Mecidiye Residence functions as a restaurant today.
After a thorough restoration during the Republican era, Topkapi Palace was turned into a museum. The towered outer entrance of the palace, the Bab-i Hümayun entrance, comes down from the time of Sultan Mehmet.
Entering from the Bab-i Hümayun, one reaches the oldest church of the Byzantine period, St. Irene. After the conquest it was used as the armory of the Janisseries soldiers.
Sultanahmet
Tel: (0212) 512 0480 - 512 0484
Yildiz Palace
The area that comes into view after crossing the Besiktas shore to the northwest used to be a forest in Byzantine times. Beginning in the era of Suleyman the Magnificent, the sultans made it their hunting grounds. In the centuries to come, it remained as a grove behind the seaside residences. The first building was constructed in this area by Sultan Selim III. The real development of Yildiz Palace begins in the second half of the 19th century under Abdülhamid II. Architects Sarkis and Agop Balyan designed the mansions named Büyük Mabeyn, Sale, Küçük Sale, Malta and Cadir.
The winter gardens and greenhouses, guardhouse, harem, Yaveran mansion, stables, theater house and exhibition building were all planned by the architect d’Aronco.
The Yildiz complex of palaces, residences and administration, security and service buildings, scattered over 500,000 square meter park area, carry the memories of many events from Turkey’s recent history.
Barbaros Bulvari Yildiz Parki, Besiktas
Tel: (0212) 258 30 80
Capital city of Empires
Galata Tower
Constructed in 1348 by the Genoese, it was initially called the Jesus Tower and was designed to enhance the security of the Galata neighborhood and the surrounding area. When the Ottomans captured the city about a century after the construction of the Galata Tower they converted it first into a prison and later into a fire observation tower as its 60 m height lent itself ideally to this use.
The reform-minded Ottoman Sultan Mahmut II rebuilt the Tower that had been damaged by subsequent earthquakes and endemic fires. According to the existing plan the Galata Tower was restored once again in the 1960s. With its history and the breathtaking Istanbul view, the Galata Tower offers a unique insight into Istanbul.
Capital city of Empires
The reform-minded Ottoman Sultan Mahmut II rebuilt the Tower that had been damaged by subsequent earthquakes and endemic fires. According to the existing plan the Galata Tower was restored once again in the 1960s. With its history and the breathtaking Istanbul view, the Galata Tower offers a unique insight into Istanbul.
Capital city of Empires
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Welcome to Istanbul Airport
Your first location in Istanbul will be Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The airport is very busy as you can image that 20.050.000 passenger used the airport in the year 2005. But whenever you have landed, you will meet hot-blooded, friendly people and Turkish hospitality.
If you click on the map, you can see the location of Istanbul Ataturk Airport and the most important regions of Istanbul.
History of Hagia Sophia
Although there are no artifacts confirming it, it is said that Hagia Sophia was built on the site of an ancient pagan temple. Hagia Sophia underwent two phases of construction before attaining its present state.
Documents indicate that the first Hagia Sophia was built by Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantinos I, and was opened for services in 360 AD. Although very little is known about this church, it is assumed that it was a basilica-type structure with a rectangular floor plan, circular apse and timbered roof. It was similar to St.Studios, a basilica in Istanbul, the ruins of which still exist. Ancient sources emphasize that the eastern wall was circular.
Constantius donated gold and silver as well as religious objects to his church, but these were vandalized by Arians during the Council of 381 AD.
Hagia Sophia was first named "Megale Ekklesia" (The Great Church) as it was the largest church in Constantinople. The historian Socrates indicated that the church was named Sophia during the reign of Emperor Constantius. The name given to the church symbolized the second divine attribute of the Holy Trinity. Originally, Sophia, which means "Holy Wisdom", was a name given to Christ by 4th century theologians. Both names, Megale Ekklesia and Hagia Sophia are used today.
The original church was destroyed in 404 AD by mobs, during the riots, when Emperor Arcadius sent the Patriarch of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, into exile for his open criticism of the Empress.
Emperor Theodosius II built a new church which was completed in 415 AD. The architect of this second church was Ruffinos. The edifice was constructed in basilica-style and had five naves. In common with other basilicas of that age, it had a covered roof. The remains of this church, excavated in 1935, show that a staircase of five steps led to a columned propylaeum in front of the entrance of the building. Including the imperial entrance, there were three doorways in the facade. The results of excavations indicate that Hagia Sophia was 60 metres wide. The length is unknown, since further excavations inside the present-day edifice are not permitted.
During the rebellion of Monophysites in 532, Hagia Sophia was destroyed along with many other important buildings, among which were the Church of St. Eirene, Zorzip Bath and Samsun Hospital.
After resorting to bloodshed, Emperor Justinian succeeded in saving his throne. This revolt is known as the "Nike Revolt" in Byzantine history, since the rebels repeatedly shouted "Nike", the name of the goddess of victory.
Following these events, Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of a new church which was to surpass in magnificence all earlier churches. His ambition to make this new church unique, spurred him on to unremitting effort. Historians write that he personally supervised the construction and made full use of all his empire could offer. The two most famous architects of the age; Anthemius of Tralles (Aydin) and Isidorus of Miletus, were entrusted with the construction of the building. They supervised one hundred master builders and ten thousand labourers.
The finest and rarest materials from the four corners of the empire were brought to Constantinople to be used in the construction of Hagia Sophia. The prophyry columns previously taken to Rome from an Egyptian temple in Heliopolis, ivory and gold icons and ornaments from ancient temples in Ephesus, Kizikos and Baalbek were among them. The construction was completed in a very short time.
It took five years, ten months and four days, from February 23rd 532 to December 27th 537. During the dedication ceremony, Emperor Justinian put aside formalities of state and entered the church excitedly, to say a prayer of thanks to God for allowing him to fulfill his dearest wish. He cried with pride, remembering the temple in Jerusalem "Oh, Solomon, I have surpassed thee".
Later, the church was damaged many times by earthquakes and fires, and had to be repaired and reinforced.
On August 15th 553, January 14th 557 and May 7th 559, earthquakes destroyed the eastern side of the dome. The damage was repaired by the nephew of the original architect, Isidorus. He increased the height of the dome by 2.65 metres and built buttresses in the form of towers to support the dome.
On February 9th 869, during the reign of Emperor Basil I (867-886), an earthquake damaged the western side of the building. It was repaired in 870. On October 25th 986, a violent earthquake resulted in the collapse of the western apse and caused partial damage to the dome. The church had to be closed until the architect Tridat finished repairing it in 994.
In 1204, the church was sacked by the Fourth Crusaders. During the Palaeologian age, Emperor Michael VIII (1261-1282) had Hagia Sophia repaired by the architect Ruchas, and the buttressesin the south-west were added at that time.
In 1317, during the reign of Emperor Andronicus II, the north-eastern and south-western walls were reinforced on the exterior by pyramid-shaped buttresses.
In 1348, the eastern half of the dome collapsed and was afterwards repaired. In the first half of the 15th century, travellers and other sources described Hagia Sophia as being in a state of disrepair.
When the Turks conquered Istanbul(Constantinople) in 1453, the church was converted into a mosque, a place of Islamic worship. To begin with, Turks preserved the frescoes and mosaic figures of Christian saints which decorated the walls. However, in the 16th century, these were completely covered by plaster, since the Islamic code forbids figural representation.
After it became a mosque, the following changes, necessitated by Islamic architectural standards, were made:
Sultan Mehmed II "the Conqueror" built an altar (mihrap) in the east, since the apse should be in the direction of Mecca and the brick minaret on the south-east corner of the edifice.
Sultan Bayezid (1484-1512) added a minaret on the north-east corner.
The Turkish architect Sinan, built the two minarets in front of the church during the reign of Sultan Murad III (1574-1535). Murad III also had water urns of the Hellenistic period (300 BC) brought to the mosque from Bergama.
The pulpit (minber) and preacher's pew (muezzin mahfili) were added to the interior during the reign of Murad IV.
In 1739, Sultan Mahmud I built a library and a primary school (mekteh-i sibyan) in the south.
In 1850, Sultan Abdulmecit added the present day Imperial Pew. During his reign (1833-1861), important repairs were entrusted to the Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati. He removed the plaster covering the mosaics and then replastered them. He decorated these newly plastered areas with frescoes. The building was completely renovated inside and out. An horologion was built to the south of the structure.
In 1926, the government of the new Republic of Turkey, appointed a technical commission to investigate the architectural and static state of the building thoroughly. According to the commission's report, the foundation of the structure rested solidly on a bed of rock. Following Kemal Ataturk's orders, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum on February 1st 1935. Ataturk visited the museum a few days later, on February 6th 1935.
Capital city of Empires
Documents indicate that the first Hagia Sophia was built by Emperor Constantius, son of Emperor Constantinos I, and was opened for services in 360 AD. Although very little is known about this church, it is assumed that it was a basilica-type structure with a rectangular floor plan, circular apse and timbered roof. It was similar to St.Studios, a basilica in Istanbul, the ruins of which still exist. Ancient sources emphasize that the eastern wall was circular.
Constantius donated gold and silver as well as religious objects to his church, but these were vandalized by Arians during the Council of 381 AD.
Hagia Sophia was first named "Megale Ekklesia" (The Great Church) as it was the largest church in Constantinople. The historian Socrates indicated that the church was named Sophia during the reign of Emperor Constantius. The name given to the church symbolized the second divine attribute of the Holy Trinity. Originally, Sophia, which means "Holy Wisdom", was a name given to Christ by 4th century theologians. Both names, Megale Ekklesia and Hagia Sophia are used today.
The original church was destroyed in 404 AD by mobs, during the riots, when Emperor Arcadius sent the Patriarch of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, into exile for his open criticism of the Empress.
Emperor Theodosius II built a new church which was completed in 415 AD. The architect of this second church was Ruffinos. The edifice was constructed in basilica-style and had five naves. In common with other basilicas of that age, it had a covered roof. The remains of this church, excavated in 1935, show that a staircase of five steps led to a columned propylaeum in front of the entrance of the building. Including the imperial entrance, there were three doorways in the facade. The results of excavations indicate that Hagia Sophia was 60 metres wide. The length is unknown, since further excavations inside the present-day edifice are not permitted.
During the rebellion of Monophysites in 532, Hagia Sophia was destroyed along with many other important buildings, among which were the Church of St. Eirene, Zorzip Bath and Samsun Hospital.
After resorting to bloodshed, Emperor Justinian succeeded in saving his throne. This revolt is known as the "Nike Revolt" in Byzantine history, since the rebels repeatedly shouted "Nike", the name of the goddess of victory.
Following these events, Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of a new church which was to surpass in magnificence all earlier churches. His ambition to make this new church unique, spurred him on to unremitting effort. Historians write that he personally supervised the construction and made full use of all his empire could offer. The two most famous architects of the age; Anthemius of Tralles (Aydin) and Isidorus of Miletus, were entrusted with the construction of the building. They supervised one hundred master builders and ten thousand labourers.
The finest and rarest materials from the four corners of the empire were brought to Constantinople to be used in the construction of Hagia Sophia. The prophyry columns previously taken to Rome from an Egyptian temple in Heliopolis, ivory and gold icons and ornaments from ancient temples in Ephesus, Kizikos and Baalbek were among them. The construction was completed in a very short time.
It took five years, ten months and four days, from February 23rd 532 to December 27th 537. During the dedication ceremony, Emperor Justinian put aside formalities of state and entered the church excitedly, to say a prayer of thanks to God for allowing him to fulfill his dearest wish. He cried with pride, remembering the temple in Jerusalem "Oh, Solomon, I have surpassed thee".
Later, the church was damaged many times by earthquakes and fires, and had to be repaired and reinforced.
On August 15th 553, January 14th 557 and May 7th 559, earthquakes destroyed the eastern side of the dome. The damage was repaired by the nephew of the original architect, Isidorus. He increased the height of the dome by 2.65 metres and built buttresses in the form of towers to support the dome.
On February 9th 869, during the reign of Emperor Basil I (867-886), an earthquake damaged the western side of the building. It was repaired in 870. On October 25th 986, a violent earthquake resulted in the collapse of the western apse and caused partial damage to the dome. The church had to be closed until the architect Tridat finished repairing it in 994.
In 1204, the church was sacked by the Fourth Crusaders. During the Palaeologian age, Emperor Michael VIII (1261-1282) had Hagia Sophia repaired by the architect Ruchas, and the buttressesin the south-west were added at that time.
In 1317, during the reign of Emperor Andronicus II, the north-eastern and south-western walls were reinforced on the exterior by pyramid-shaped buttresses.
In 1348, the eastern half of the dome collapsed and was afterwards repaired. In the first half of the 15th century, travellers and other sources described Hagia Sophia as being in a state of disrepair.
When the Turks conquered Istanbul(Constantinople) in 1453, the church was converted into a mosque, a place of Islamic worship. To begin with, Turks preserved the frescoes and mosaic figures of Christian saints which decorated the walls. However, in the 16th century, these were completely covered by plaster, since the Islamic code forbids figural representation.
After it became a mosque, the following changes, necessitated by Islamic architectural standards, were made:
Sultan Mehmed II "the Conqueror" built an altar (mihrap) in the east, since the apse should be in the direction of Mecca and the brick minaret on the south-east corner of the edifice.
Sultan Bayezid (1484-1512) added a minaret on the north-east corner.
The Turkish architect Sinan, built the two minarets in front of the church during the reign of Sultan Murad III (1574-1535). Murad III also had water urns of the Hellenistic period (300 BC) brought to the mosque from Bergama.
The pulpit (minber) and preacher's pew (muezzin mahfili) were added to the interior during the reign of Murad IV.
In 1739, Sultan Mahmud I built a library and a primary school (mekteh-i sibyan) in the south.
In 1850, Sultan Abdulmecit added the present day Imperial Pew. During his reign (1833-1861), important repairs were entrusted to the Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati. He removed the plaster covering the mosaics and then replastered them. He decorated these newly plastered areas with frescoes. The building was completely renovated inside and out. An horologion was built to the south of the structure.
In 1926, the government of the new Republic of Turkey, appointed a technical commission to investigate the architectural and static state of the building thoroughly. According to the commission's report, the foundation of the structure rested solidly on a bed of rock. Following Kemal Ataturk's orders, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum on February 1st 1935. Ataturk visited the museum a few days later, on February 6th 1935.
Capital city of Empires
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
OTTOMAN MILITARY BAND
Ottoman military bands are the oldest variety of military marching band in the world. Though they are often known by the Persian-derived word mehter (مهتر) in the West, that word, properly speaking, refers only to a single musician in the band. In Ottoman Turkish, the band was generally known as
mehterân (مهتران, a plural of mehter), though those bands used in the retinue of a vizier or prince were generally known as mehterhane (مهترخانه, meaning roughly, "a gathering of mehters"). In modern Turkish, the band as a whole is often termed mehter takımı ("group of mehters").
You can listen mehter music by clicking on the below image.
Though Mehter band played a variety of frontier marches, Ceddin deden is one of the best known.
Lyrics of Ceddin Deden
(Seek) Your ancestors, your grandfathers, your generation, your father
Turkish nation have always been valiant,
Your armies, many times
Have been renowned throughout the world
Turkish nation, Turkish nation
Passionately love (your) freedom
Overwhelm the enemies of your (free) motherland
And make that cursed ones feel abjected
RUMELI HISARI
Rumeli Hisari. Another fort on the European side. This was built in 4 months in 1452 by the Ottoman Turks. This spot is one of the narrowest sections of the Bosphorus.The fort was built here to stop any ships passing through Bosphorus.
Capital city of Empires
Capital city of Empires
Bosphorus bridge
The Bosphorus Bridge also called the First Bosphorus Bridge (Turkish: Boğaziçi Köprüsü or 1. Boğaziçi Köprüsü) is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosphorus strait (Turkish: Boğaziçi). The bridge is located between Ortaköy (European side) and Beylerbeyi (Asian side). It is a gravity anchored suspension bridge with steel pylons and inclined hangers. The aerodynamic deck is hanging on zigzag steel cables. It is 1,560 m long with a deck width of 39 m. The distance between the towers (main span) is 1,074 m (World rank 2004: 12th) and their height over road level is 105 m. The clearance of the bridge from the sea level is 64 m.
Capital city of Empires
Capital city of Empires
Kuleli Military High School
Kuleli Military High School is the first military high school in Turey, located in Çengelköy, Istanbul. It was founded in September 21, 1845 by Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I, making it the oldest high school in Turkey as well.
Capital city of Empires
Capital city of Empires
Presentation of Istanbul
After watching these videos, you will know much about Istanbul and you will be impatient about visiting Istanbul
Capital city of Empires
Capital city of Empires
Monday, August 28, 2006
Zeyrek Mosque
The Zeyrek Mosque in Istanbul represents the largest and most significant monument in the city to survive from from the Middle Byzantine period. Built originally ca. 1118-36 by John II and Eirene Komnenos as three large, interconnected churches, the complex served as the core of the famed Pantokrator Monastery, an important site of Christian veneration, and as a imperial mausoleum, housing more than a dozen tombs of the rulers of an empire. The Pantokrator also played key role during the Latin Occupation (1204-61), as well as during Ottoman transformation of city following the conquest in 1453, when it was converted to a mosque.Although neglected in recent years, the Zeyrek Mosque retains its striking appearance: three great buildings side-by-side, topped by undulating vaults and five distinctive domes, with an irregular row of apses along its east façade, all decorated with niches and intricate brickwork. Stylistically, the building marks a critical point in the development of Byzantine architecture, as it shifts from monumentality toward complexity as the primary mode of visual expression.Capital city of Empires
Hagia Sophia
Probably Istanbul's most famous landmark, the Hagia Sophia (also spelled Ayasofya) was built by the emperor Justinian I in the year 537 AD. Built in only six years, the structure was designed by the architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus. On May 7, 558, the dome of the church collapsed due to a December 557 earthquake, and though a new dome was quickly rebuilt, historical records tell us that it was not identical to the original. Everyone who come to Istanbul, firstly visit Hagia Sophia. It is holy for christians and muslims. When Ottomans conquered Istanbul in 1453. Hagia Sophia is converted to mosque. After the establishment of Turkish republic, Hagia Sophia became a museum.
Capital city of Empires
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