| Istanbul is the jewel of Turkey, the land of exceptional | | | | Another less known jewel is Chora (Kariye) Museum |
| cultural and natural treasures, country of contrasts and | | | | hidden in Edirnekapi district of Istanbul. The dictionary |
| contradictions, and history filled with epic episodes. If | | | | meaning of Kariye (Chora) is "outside of the city", or |
| you already had chance to visit this beautiful city, | | | | "rural" in old Greek, probably stemmed for being |
| probably you're waiting for the day to go back. If you | | | | located out of the ancient city walls; today it is located |
| still haven't, treat yourself with a trip to this amazing | | | | close to the Edirnekapi city walls over the Golden Horn. |
| city, the crossroad of modern Europe and mystic Asia; | | | | Kariye Museum is the most important Byzantine |
| Istanbul should be definitely included into your Turkey | | | | monument in Istanbul after Haghia Sophia and houses |
| tour package. | | | | the best examples of Byzantine mosaic art. The |
| Almost everyone who arrives in Istanbul begins with | | | | neighbourhood has a relaxed atmosphere, with narrow |
| the classic Sultanahmet (old city) tour. Visit will include | | | | and steep alleys, traditional wooden and colorful |
| Topkapi Palace Museum and Haghia Sophia Museum | | | | Turkish houses and small cafes where you can enjoy |
| along with other Sultanahmet highlights. Well known | | | | a cup of tea. |
| Topkapi Palace was the imperial residence of the | | | | Dolmabahce is another effulgent palace and museum |
| Ottoman Sultans for four centuries and houses | | | | at the shore; five million Ottoman gold pieces, the |
| examples of Ottoman architecture, large collections of | | | | equivalent of 35 tonnes of gold was used at its |
| porcelain, robes, weapons, shields, armour, Ottoman | | | | construction. The Palace was the official residence of |
| miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, as well as a | | | | several Ottoman Sultans in the 19th and early 20th |
| display of Ottoman treasure and jewellery. Second | | | | centuries. Dolmabahce visit is usually offered as |
| major highlight Haghia Sophia, the "Church of Holy | | | | optional in many itineraries, but you can also visit it on |
| Wisdom", was built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th | | | | your own with a short taxi ride from Sultanahmet. |
| century. After 916 years as a church, in 1453, shortly | | | | The other shore of the Bosphorus houses another |
| after the conquest, Haghia Sophia was converted into | | | | palace, Beylerbeyi, the summer palace of the Ottoman |
| a mosque. In 1935 it was transformed into a museum. | | | | sultans. After palace visit you can stop at the |
| These main museums will help you in understanding | | | | Beylerbeyi town center, a small fishing town where |
| the country's history and appreciating the richness of | | | | you can enjoy scrumptious sea food with the |
| its culture. | | | | tranquilizing view of the Bosphorus. |
| However, there are numerous other treasures you | | | | Finally, make sure you pay a visit to the Basilica |
| can discover in Istanbul. For example The Archaeology | | | | Cistern, also known as the "Sunken Palace". Usually |
| Museum in Gülhane Park is a place not to be | | | | guides do not include it to their itineraries but it is |
| missed while in Istanbul and is only steps away from | | | | conveniently located across St. Sophia, at the centre |
| Topkapi Palace. It is certainly one of the best | | | | of the historic hotels. Cistern was constructed by |
| museums in Turkey and a must see for anyone with | | | | Justinian in 532 to supply (water) the Byzantine Palace |
| any interest in archaeology. A nice definition used by | | | | primarily. It is the largest of all Istanbul's ancient cisterns; |
| travelers for this museum is that it is country in nutshell. | | | | today the walkways have been constructed right |
| Turkey has many archaeological sites and the | | | | through the cistern and subdued illumination lends the |
| museum offers visitors a sample of what the country | | | | place a suitably mysterious atmosphere. |
| has to offer in terms of archaeological treasures, from | | | | Istanbul is full of historic and cultural sights; it is a vibrant |
| the prehistoric times to the Ottoman period. This | | | | and colourful city offering surprises to its residents and |
| complex is divided in three buildings, the Archaeological | | | | visitors every single day. It was usually described as |
| Museum, the Museum of Oriental Antiquities, and the | | | | beautiful and flirtatious woman in the old poetry, |
| Tiled Pavilion. The star attraction is the Alexander | | | | seductive but variant. So next time you visit Istanbul, |
| Sarcophagus which is remarkable for stunning carvings | | | | discover your own treasures, in other words, make |
| on the exterior detailing the battles and the life of | | | | sure you'll have couple of free days to have Istanbul |
| Alexander the Great. | | | | on your own way. |