**Istanbul, also known as Queen of Cities ****is the only city in the world that is located in two continents, Europe and Asia. Istanbul **is also the only city in the world which was capital for three empires. Rome, Byzantium and Ottomans. This definitely makes Istanbul most historic city in the world.
Good job Galatia!! I was there Last December and got to see most of Istanbul :k: People travel between 2 continents every day - it is kind of hard to imagine but I think we went back and forth atleast 4 times
Thanks for good comments, people. And let me continue,
Today, our subject is Wonders of Istanbul
First wonder is Hagia Sophia. Built by Anthemius as church, served as Mosque and finally converted to museum by secular Turkish Government (Aya Sofya).
In 532-537 emperor Justinian-I erected the greatest Church in the ancient Christian world. The bold structure was a combination of Roman Basilica and domed Roman central building, the central element of which was a dome with a diameter of 31 m and a height of 49 m.
After the capture of Istanbul by Turks, Turkish engineers were jealous about Hagia Sophia. Upon the order of sultans, Mimar Sinan, legendery chief architect of Ottomans, built Suleymaniye Mosque and Medrese (means university) Actually it was somewhat counter attack of Ottomans to Hagia Sophia…
and of course the Blue Mosque.The Blue Mosque was built from 1610-1619 under Sultan Ahmed I. beside the Hagia Sophia on the site of the Great Palace of Byzantium, separated only by a small park. With the unusual number of six minarets and a great cascade of domes and semi-domes, which billow heavenward towards the mosque’s great dome, the Blue Mosque is a worthy pendant to the Hagia Sophia.
The interior is of great beauty and grandeur and surprises with its bright atmosphere. Numerous stained glass windows as well as domes and semi-domes surrounding the main dome create a charming play of light and give the walls an amazing transparency (second picture below). The walls are decorated with an abundance of
marvellous tiles and precious materials, its name however the Blue Mosque didn’t get because of the blue tiles but because of the elaborate painted decors.
Most architecture historians believe that these two mosques are the masterpieces of Islamic arts. The mosques built by Sinan are considered the greatest architectural triumphs of Islam and possibly the world. More information about Sultan Suleyman and Mimar Sinan can be found here
It may be cold but not that much. Istanbul tends to be hot in summer, cold in winter. The average daily maximum and minimum temperatures are as follows: Jan.-April, 36-60°F; (2-16°C); May-Sept., 53-82°F (12-28°C); Oct.-Dec., 41-68°F (5-20°C).
However, you may witness Istanbul under snow if you’re lucky. Man, this is amazing. But one may say, “Hey, Galatia you’re talking too much, shut up and be wise, let the pictures talk instead of you”. So here we go again, Snow and Queen
Ok thanks for all nice words. Let’s return to our subject, Wonders of Istanbul.
Today, our subject is **Dolmabahce Palace. **Dolmabahce means filled garden, (Dolma=filled, bahçe = garden). They call it filled garden, because entire palace was built on a land which was gained by filling the sea (Bosphorus).
The palace served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1923.
The Sultans moved here since the old Topkapi Palace lacked any modern luxuries that the Dolmabahçe could provide. The palace is composed of three parts; the Mabeyn-i Hümâyûn (or Selamlık; the quarters reserved for the men), Muayede Salonu (the ceremonial halls) and the Harem-i Hümâyûn (the Harem; i.e. the apartments of the family of the Sultan). The palace has an area of 45,000 m² (11.2 acres), and contains 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths (hamam) and 68 toilets. The famous Crystal Staircase has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany.
Mimar Sinan (Mimar means architect in Turkish) was a muslim, half Turkish, half Armeninan.
And furthermore being Ottoman is nothing about being Turkish. It's like being an American, it's not sth. ethnic. Any Greek, Arab, Jew could have been an Ottoman in those times.
And more, Turks don't have strict Turkish ethnical roots. Generally, a Turk in Turkey is supposed to be a mixture of Turks, Slav(Bosnian and Macedonians immigrants) and Greek. In east parts, people may also be mixed with Arabs and Persians.
And this thread being is a gem (no doubt), it would be sad to see it getting wasted by using eternal links from imageshack. (They will be removed after a while and then the whole essence of this thread will be lost)
**
Absolutely superb!
AWESOMEE PICTURES!
