Istanbul is one of the most interesting places to visit in Europe. With one foot in Asia and the other in Europe, this historic city in Turkey, Istanbul is full of ancient sites that are just waiting to be discovered.
The grand Hagia Sophia is the top place to visit for many tourists, due to its particularly interesting history. This colossal building is now a busy museum after first being built as a church and later used as a mosque. The current building was constructed on the site of two earlier monumental buildings after been conceived by Emperor Justinian.
The church was converted in 1453 to become the first Imperial mosque in Istanbul after the city was conquered by Sultan Mehmed. When the plaster was carefully removed from the mosaics and the structure began to be carefully restored, the building began a new life as a museum in 1935.
A jumble of extensions and domes of various sizes can be seen from the outside of this enormous, asymmetrical building. Added over time to sustain and rebuild this ambitious edifice through earthquakes, fires and riots, these additions are mainly structural reinforcements and alterations. The structure is far grander from the inside though, with a tremendous square nave, topped by a large glittering dome and surrounded by spectacular domed alcoves.
Once you have admired the grand scale of the architecture and the detailed mosaic designs from the ground floor, be sure to climb the ramps to the upper galleries and you'll be able to gain a new perspective over the main hall and get a closer look at the intricate Byzantine mosaics.
Getting around the city by public transport is a breeze for visitors. The wide network strings together the different districts, as well as connecting the city with the international airport, while tokens for the trams, trains and buses can be bought from multi-lingual machines.
The grand Hagia Sophia is the top place to visit for many tourists, due to its particularly interesting history. This colossal building is now a busy museum after first being built as a church and later used as a mosque. The current building was constructed on the site of two earlier monumental buildings after been conceived by Emperor Justinian.
The church was converted in 1453 to become the first Imperial mosque in Istanbul after the city was conquered by Sultan Mehmed. When the plaster was carefully removed from the mosaics and the structure began to be carefully restored, the building began a new life as a museum in 1935.
A jumble of extensions and domes of various sizes can be seen from the outside of this enormous, asymmetrical building. Added over time to sustain and rebuild this ambitious edifice through earthquakes, fires and riots, these additions are mainly structural reinforcements and alterations. The structure is far grander from the inside though, with a tremendous square nave, topped by a large glittering dome and surrounded by spectacular domed alcoves.
Once you have admired the grand scale of the architecture and the detailed mosaic designs from the ground floor, be sure to climb the ramps to the upper galleries and you'll be able to gain a new perspective over the main hall and get a closer look at the intricate Byzantine mosaics.
Getting around the city by public transport is a breeze for visitors. The wide network strings together the different districts, as well as connecting the city with the international airport, while tokens for the trams, trains and buses can be bought from multi-lingual machines.
About the Author:
Steve Alexander is a travel writer with a passion for holidays in Turkey. Click this link for lots of useful information about Turkey or take a look at the latest hotel deals by visiting Hotels4u.
