Are you planning to spend your holidays at some of the most iconic locations in Europe? You must have searched for such exotic locations where you can have an unforgettable vacation with your family and loved ones.
But wait, don't waste your resources further searching for the best location for your holidays. We are here to minimize your tension in planning a superb holiday.
How about Istanbul city in one of the most loved countries by tourists – Turkey?
Turkey is one of the most loved tourist destinations across the world. Many people choose Turkey to spend their valuable time alongside the beautiful mountains and sceneries that will have a rejuvenating and blissful experience for everyone.
Normally, people tend to visit hill stations and beaches to have a peaceful vacation, but they underestimate the historical places, which can bring them peace and refreshment.
Now, Turkey is known for its world-famous Turkish buses and some really exciting tourist places; it also has some really fascinating historical places that you must discover. And for that, you do not need to search the internet; here we are telling you which are the top historical places you can visit in Istanbul.
So, without wasting much time, let us start exploring the historical places in Istanbul! But don't worry, we are not going to spam your mind with lots of historical places. Here we will have a look at the top 5 historical places in Istanbul.
Top 5 Historical Places in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia –
The huge dome of Hagia Sophia is often recognized as the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture. It was built by Emperor Justinian I in 537 CE; it housed the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox Church until 1453.
The museum's stunning interior rooms are filled with golden mosaics, exposed following successive restorations, attracting more than 3 million tourists annually and making it the second most popular museum in Turkey after Topkapi Palace.
Topkapi Palace –
Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years (1465–1856) and the site of numerous imperial rituals. The palace is organized around four main courtyards and numerous minor buildings.
Tourists flock to the Blue Mosque because it houses some of the most important holy relics in the Muslim world, as well as exquisite architecture and collections of calligraphic manuscripts, robes, ceramics, and other precious artefacts.
Basilica Cistern –
This underground architectural masterpiece was commissioned by Emperor Justinian and is located about 150 metres (492 feet) west of the Hagia Sophia. The largest of hundreds of cisterns beneath Istanbul, it was constructed in the 6th century to filter water for the now-destroyed Great Palace of Constantinople.
It then continued to supply water to Topkapi Palace long after the Ottoman conquest of 1453. Covering an area of about 10 square kilometres (3.92 square miles), the Basilica Cistern is held up by a grove of tall columns topped with mostly Ionic and Corinthian capitals. Cool relief from the hot sun can be found in the moderate humidity and low lighting.
Rumelihisari –
The stronghold of Rumelihisar, commonly known as Rumeli Castle, is situated on a 16-acre of land. It was constructed by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II over the course of four months in 1452 on the European side of Istanbul, at the narrowest section of the Bosphorus Strait, in anticipation of a final attack on Constantinople and the eventual destruction of the Byzantine Empire. Numerous earthquakes have caused extensive damage to the city's interior. The site is now open to the public as a museum in the open air, and it often plays host to concerts and other acts in its Amphitheatre.
Galata Tower –
The Galata Tower, or Christea Turris as it was known during its construction in 1348, is a slender, cylindrical tower with a conical top that overlooks the Karakoy neighbourhood.
For hundreds of years, it stood as Istanbul's tallest building, and to this day, it still takes up a significant portion of the city's skyline. After standing in long lines and riding an often-packed elevator, visitors are rewarded with a breathtaking vista of the peninsula's rich history.
So, these are the top five historical places in Istanbul that can make your stay in the city a memorable as well as knowledgeable one. There are certainly many other exciting places you can visit, but if you are in Istanbul, the first five spots you must visit are these.
Now, as you have got to know about these top historical places, so why are you waiting? Just list these five places on your bucket list for your Istanbul visit and enjoy your holidays.
