Best Istanbul Attractions in Sultanahmet

Gokce Nacar

Jul 23 1090 read

Best Istanbul Attractions in Sultanahmet

Every year, a large number of beginner and experienced visitors and tourists visit Istanbul to view the Sultanahmet attractions and famous monuments. The city's status as a major center for commerce, trade, finance, education, and tourism is already well established. The Sultanahmet region, on the other hand, is more ingrained in the global chronology due to its illustrious history as the capital and governing center of both the Ottoman and Byzantine empires.

The importance of this is critical for first-time visitors to grasp. Emperors and sultans made choices that influenced events across the globe and changed the course of history from the structures in this area. Visiting the tourist sites, all of which are timeless structures and monuments, is the simplest way to comprehend and appreciate its worldwide impact. Whether you enjoy history or not, their presence and mysteries from the past fascinate everyone.

Museum of Arcaheology in Istanbul

Thousands of items are housed in three distinct parts, creating one of the finest collections in the world. It is within walking distance of Topkapi Palace and Gulhane Park, reflecting the world's history and the criss-cross impact of different civilisations. Many renowned artifacts, such as the Gezer calendar, which dates from the 10th century BC and is one of the earliest instances of Hebrew writing, get a lot of attention from history buffs.

Hippodrome of Sultanahmet

After leaving the museum, cross the street to the old hippodrome. Unfortunately, its present look does not reflect its historical significance as the Byzantine empire's social and political scene. Take a time to reflect on what occurred here, particularly the infamous Nika riots of 532, in which authorities murdered an estimated 30,000 people.

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia, which is immediately across the street, was originally the world's largest domed structure and served as a church and mosque until becoming a museum in the 1930s. Although the structure itself is a work of art, the prize jewels are the Islamic plague calligraphy and Christian mosaics that may be seen inside its walls.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is a medieval mosque in Istanbul's Fatih neighborhood. In Turkish, it is known as Sultanahmet Mosque. The mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because its interior design has a lot of blue tiles. It was designed by I. Ahmed and constructed by architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Aa.

The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's most important structures. It is Turkey's first mosque with six minarets. With its history and grandeur, the mosque attracts its tourists and is an essential asset of Istanbul. The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultanahmet Camii, is an excellent location to start the trip since, in addition to being a highly recognized historical monument, it also depicts daily life for Muslims in Turkey's biggest city. The 17th-century mosque, which is open to the public outside of prayer times, is an outstanding monument that reflects Ottoman architecture's grandeur.

Basilica Cistern

Visitors enter a rather magical realm where James Bond once pursued the villains after descending a stone flight of stairs. The Basilica Cistern, which was included in one of his films, is renowned for numerous things, including the upside-down heads of Medusa, the stone columns, and the once-famous visitation of Mark Twain. The Basilica Cistern, situated in the Fatih district, southwest of Hagia Sophia, is one of Istanbul's most beautiful ancient structures. Emperor Justinian I ordered the Basilica Cistern to be constructed. It was constructed between the years 527 and 565. The cistern was constructed to satisfy the city's water requirements. The cistern's majestic columns continue to astonish visitors. The two Medusa Heads that serve as foundations under the two columns at the cistern's corner are masterpieces of Roman art. It is the Basilica Cistern's most visited area.