Ottoman Relics

OR-01, Saturday, June 2, 2012, 13.30-18:00
OR-02, Monday, June 4 2012, 09:30-13:30

Price: 50 EUR /per person

The 17th century Ottoman Blue Mosque is famous for its six minarets and magnificent blue Iznik tiles which line its interior. The next visit is to the magnificent Topkapi Palace, housing the richness of 700 years of the Ottoman Empire. Collection of jewels, porcelains, clothing and armory will be seen. Then proceed is to the Suleymaniye Mosque; "Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificient" to witness the greatness of Architect Sinan; best architect of all times during Ottoman Period. Last visit will be to the Covered Bazaar to explore the maze of over 4'000 tiny shops selling leather, copper, carpet, antiquities, souvenirs and jewelry.

Topkapı Palace Museum

Topkapı Palace constructed by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, (the Conqueror) in 1478 has been the official residence of the Otoman Sultans and center of State Administration around 380 years until the construction of Dolmabahçe Palace by Sultan Abdülmecid. The palace having around 700.000 m.² area during the foundation years has currently 80.000 m.² area.

Topkapı Palace was evacuated by the accommodation of the Palace inhabitants in Dolmabahçe, Yıldız and in other palaces. Upon abandoning by the Sultans, Topkapı Palace where many officials resided had also never lost its importance. The palace was repaired from time to time. A special attention was taken for the annual maintenance of Mukaddes Emanetler Dairesi (Sacred Safekeeping Rooms) visited by the sultan and his family during Ramadan.

The opening of Topkapı Palace for visits as museum happened firstly in the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861). The belongings within Topkapı Palace Treasury was shown to the contemporary English ambassador. Later on, it has become a tradition to show the antics within the Topkapı Palace Treasury to the foreigners and during the era of Sultan Abdulaziz (1861-1876), showrooms are made in French style, and these antics are started to be shown to foreigners in these showrooms within Treasury. During the period when Sultan II Abdulhamid was dethroned (1876-1909), it was thought to open the Treasury Room to public visits on Sundays and Tuesdays, yet it never realized.

By the order of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Topkapı Palace firstly affiliated to the Istanbul Asar-ı Atika Museums Directorate and opened to public visits on date of April 3, 1924, then it started to service as Treasury Chamberlain, after it was renamed as Treasury Directorate and finally it was renamed as Topkapı Palace Museum Directorate and it still continues its services.

Upon the performance of small repairs and taking some administrative cautions in 1924, Topkapı Palace was opened to service as a Museum on October 9, 1924. The sections opened to visit at that time were Kubbealtı, Arz Odası, Mecidiye Köşkü (Pavilion

Blue Mosque (Sulthanahmet)

One of the most famous monuments of Turkish and Islamic art, the mosque is visited by all who come to Istanbul and gains their admiration.

This imperial mosque is an example of classical Turkish architecture, and it is the only mosque that was originally built with six minarets.

It is surrounded by other important edifices of Istanbul, built at earlier ages. Istanbul is viewed best from the sea and the mosque is part of this magnificent scenery.

Although it is popularly known as the Blue Mosque, its real name is Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Befitting his original profession, its architect Mehmet Aga decorated the interior fastidiously like a jeweler. Built between 1609-1616, the mosque used to be part of a large complex, including a covered bazaar, Turkish baths, public kitchens, a hospital, schools, a caravanserai, and the mausoleum of Sultan Ahmet. Some of these social and cultural buildings have not survived to our day.

The architect was a student of Sinan, the greatest architect of classical Turkish architecture. He applied a plan used previously by his master, but on a larger scale.

Covered Bazaar (Grand Bazaar)

Grand Bazaar, located between Nuruosmaniye, Mercan and Beyazıt, is the oldest and largest shopping mall of the world with 64 avenues and streets, 2 covered bazaar (bedesten), 16 inns, 22 gates and about 3600 stores. It has indoor area of 45.000 meter square, and about 20.000 persons work and depending on the season, 300 to 500 persons per day visit. Being the oldest bank, the greatest and the oldest shopping mall, one of the most mysterious and gorgeous places in the world.

possibly the eighth wonder, Grand Bazaar is waiting to entertain the persons, who would adopt relics of our ancestors, not just as customers, but as partners and guests by its tradesmen and administrative committee determined to keep up with the time, and by Health Unit, Post Office, bank branches, private fire department, police station, Private Security Service founded in accordance with the laws, coffee shops and restaurants, and the historical and cultural treasury hidden inside

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