Civilization in Istanbul dates back to thousand years ago, and the city will provide you the old cultural soul you are looking for. Four corners of Istanbul is covered with historical places, cultural sites and museums. It is the central place for the synthesis of Anatolian and European culture: if we look back at the history, we will find many historical places in Istanbul that still exist up to date. Let's take a retrospective gaze upon the most important and popular touristic places in Istanbul, along with the most overlooked ones.
Maiden Tower
Kizkulesi was founded on a rocky outcropping at the mouth of the Bosphorus in the 5th century BC by the Athenian general Alcibiades to keep an eye on the waterway. A chain was dragged from the land to the tower, converting it into a checkpoint and customs area for passing ships. Emperor Alexius Comnenos constructed a powerful defense tower in the 12th century AD called Arcla, which means "Small Tower," after many restorations in wood and stone. Following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the tower was used as a lighthouse and control tower. The final restoration was completed in 1998, and the restaurant opened in 1999 after a 3 million dollar investment.
Kizkulesi is now a well-known and elegant restaurant and cafeteria-bar. It provides panoramic views of the Bosphorus and the old city, especially at night. At some times, shuttle boats run from the European side in Istanbul's Kabatas neighborhood and the Asian side's Salacak neighborhood to the tower. It's also a popular spot in Istanbul. On Mondays, the tower is closed.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Beylerbeyi is a palace overlooking the Bosphorus that was built between 1863 and 1965. Beylerbeyi is a rare location where history and historical characters blend with the present. It is a magnificent 19th-century monument that impresses with its set gardens and fascinates with its mansions.
Since the Byzantine Era, Beylerbeyi Palace and its surroundings have housed various structures. Sultan Abdülaziz had the house demolished and reconstructed after a fire in order to improve it. Between 1863 and 1965, the palace, along with its additional buildings covering a total area of 3000 square meters, took on its current look.
The main structure of the Mabeyn and Harem sections, as well as its additional structures serving various purposes, are open to tourists today: the sea pavilions, the historical tunnel linking Üsküdar and Beylerbeyi, Yellow Pavilion, Marble Pavilion, and the Barn Stables are all worth seeing. When you visit Istanbul, it is impossible to end your trip without seeing Beylerbeyi Palace.
Tiled Kiosk
Mehmet the Conquer designed the kiosk in 1472, and it is one of the earliest examples of Ottoman civilian architecture.
From 1875 to 1891, it served as the Imperial Museum. It was opened in 1953 as the Fatih Museum, which featured Turkish and Islamic art. Because of its location, it was given to the Istanbul Museum in 1981. The building has a single floor in the front and two floors in the back. During your Istanbul trip, pay a visit to this overlooked architecture. At the entrance, there is a marble arcade with 14 columns. Mosaic tiles are used to decorate the entrance. The museum and its storeroom include 2000 works in Kiosk.
Galata Tower
The Galata Tower, or Galata Kulesi in Turkish, is one of Istanbul's tallest and oldest structures. It is in Beyoglu district. The 63-meter-high (206-foot-tall) tower offers a panoramic view of the old town. It was constructed by the Genoese colony in the 14th century as part of the defense wall that surrounded their district at Galata, which was directly opposite ancient Constantinopolis. The tower was known as "Christea Turris," or "Christ Tower." The Genoese engaged in trade with the Byzantines, and the tower was used to keep an eye on the Golden Horn Harbor. It was used to detect fires in Constantinople after Mehmet II conquered the city.
Galata Tower was rebuilt after the Republic and reopened to the public in 1967. On top of the clock, there is a cafeteria, as well as a nightclub that was demolished after the last renovation in 2013. A couple of elevators will carry you up, but you'll need to ascend three more floors by stairs to reach the panoramic terrace, which is 52 meters above ground level. Within the tower, across from the ticket office on the entrance floor, is a small souvenir shop. You can also eat grilled fish in Istanbul next to Galata Tower!
https://www.iamistanbul.com/travel-istanbul-to-feel-the-old-city-soul
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