| İstanbul Tips
and Suggestions
2nd Day, "Discovering Byzantium"
When you leave the Hotel you will find yourself in the center of the
Old City, within walking distance of most of the major sights. If you
turn left out of the Hotel and follow the road under the railway bridge
and up past the old walls of the Topkapı Palace, a 10-minute stroll will
bring you to the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III. To the right is the road
to the Topkapı Palace and facing you, the side of the Haghia Sophia. Enter
the Haghia Sophia and lose yourself in the atmosphere of old Byzantium.
The greatest church in Christendom, it was constructed 1500 years before
St. Peter's in Rome. After the arrival of the Ottomans in 1453 it remained
a place of worship, becoming a revered mosque.
 Most
of the magnificent mosaics were produced after the iconoclastic period
in the 11th century. As you leave, look back and up at the
splendid mosaic of Justinian and Constantine presenting the City as a
gift to the Virgin Mary.
 As
you leave the Haghia Sophia, across the road on your right you will find
the Cistern Basilica. Byzantium's unique position led to frequent attempts
at invasion, and for this reason a complex system of city walls and water
cisterns was constructed to sustain the city in times of siege. The largest
of these, the Yerebatan Cistern, was built by Justinian in the 6th
century to provide for the daily needs of the emperor's palace. Covering
9,800 square meters and supported by 336 columns, this historical structure
offers one of the most unusual atmospheres in the city. Don’t miss the
Medusa Columns…
 Next,
turn to the Hippodrome. Just as the Haghia Sophia was the religious center
of Byzantium, the Hippodrome was its civic center, where sporting events,
entertainment and public meetings were held for the populace. In addition
to being the venue for the vicious competitions of the chariot races,
the Hippodrome also witnessed many rebellions. During the Ottoman period
it was also used as an entertainment area where the circumcision celebrations
("sünnet" in Turkish) of the princes were held. The original
floor of the Hippodrome was approximately 15 feet below today's level,
but if you close your eyes for a moment and imagine some 100.000 people
waving and shouting at the chariot races, perhaps you will hear the voices
as well…
Lunch
If you are a meat-lover, go directly to the "Historical Sultanahmet
Köfte" restaurant on the main road where the tram runs, for "oriental
fast-food". Enjoy "köfte/piyaz/ayran": delicious grilled
lamb meatballs, salad with beans and a yogurt drink.
Afternoon
 After
lunch visit the Blue Mosque, built for the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III to
compete with the splendor of Justinian's Haghia Sophia. Before entering
the mosque, traditionally you must remove your shoes (a bag is provided
to carry them in, but you could also carry a bag with you). You may visit
at any time during the day except during prayer times. Then visit the
Topkapı Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th
through the 19th centuries. Make sure you have enough time to visit the
Treasury, Kitchen, Porcelain and Harem sections of the Palace and to see
some of the best views of Istanbul walking round the café to the Baghdad
Kiosk. As you leave the Palace, on your right is Haghia Irene, a splendid
13th century church that is used today as a concert hall for
the International Istanbul Music Festival, and also as a venue for exhibitions…
 We
know that you must be tired by now, but you are just a five-minute walk
down the hill to the Armada. After a rest, for dinner we recommend "Sabahattin
the Fisherman", a 5- to 10-minute walk from the Hotel. At Sabahattin's
you will find the most delicious seafood from the Sea of Marmara and the
Bosphorus, purchased fresh every morning by Sabahattin himself. What's
more, in this informal, "old Istanbul" dining style, all of
the fresh mezes will be served, so you won’t have the difficulty of choosing,
although you can decide which fish to have if you like.
«« Previous day | Next day »» |
Armada Hotel
