A large number of greatest historical and architectural monuments are located in Turkey
In particular, during the trip it is worth setting aside time to see what the capital of Turkey – Istanbul – can surprise you with. Many magnificent monuments are located in one district – Sultanahmet.
The former capital of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul has preserved numerous monuments. Many of them are so famous that they are mentioned in news from Ukraine and moreover, are declared UNESCO cultural heritage.
A monument of the Byzantine Empire today is the Hagia Sophia Cathedral. During the Ottoman Empire, this Orthodox church was converted into a mosque: minarets and a mihrab pointing towards Mecca, sacred to Muslims, were added. And in 1935, Hagia Sophia became a museum. Its beautiful mosaics were once again revealed to visitors.
Not far from Hagia Sophia is one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul – the Blue Mosque. It got its name because the interior is decorated with white and blue handcrafted tiles. It was built in the 17th century by Sultan Ahmed, who decided to appease Allah to grant him victory in wars.
In the old part of the city is the second most important and largest mosque, Süleymaniye. In the mausoleum of the mosque are buried Sultan Suleiman the Lawgiver and his wife Roxelana, whose name is known to the Slavic people.
The Istanbul Archaeological Museum also deserves attention. Its exhibition contains unique sculptures of Ancient Greece and Rome, a collection of Ottoman coins, artifacts of ancient civilizations.
A curious landmark of Istanbul is the Tünel – a small metro. However, metro is too strong a word, since the line is only 573 meters long and only two carriages run on it. It was built at the end of the 19th century and works on the funicular principle.
Tired of sightseeing, you can take a stroll along the waterfront and observe the daily life of Istanbul, which is no less picturesque than its history.
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