Istanbul is one of the most prolific cities in the world, with its famous tourist attractions that have been able to achieve a great resonance on the global level, and it is one of the main reasons that made this city witness all those busy tourist seasons that competed with the most important European countries.
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What are the most important tourist destinations in Istanbul?
If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit Istanbul, you must have heard a lot about its famous tourist places, especially the historical ones, and through the following paragraphs, we will highlight ten of them:
First: Hagia Sophia Mosque
The Hagia Sophia Mosque is one of the most magnificent buildings in the world and was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and later converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Turks and has many features that make it unique, such as its massive size, beautiful architecture, and rich history.
Hagia Sophia is one of the largest mosques in the world, and can accommodate up to 60,000 people. It is also one of the oldest mosques in existence, and its architecture is truly unique. Hagia Sophia contains a central dome about 100 feet high, and its walls are decorated with thousands of intricate mosaics. The mosque also has four minarets, which are tall towers used to call for prayer.
The history of Hagia Sophia is also interesting and it was originally built as a Christian cathedral, and it was the seat of the Eastern Orthodox Church for several centuries. However, after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque and during this time, many Christian mosaics were covered with Islamic calligraphy.
Second: Topkapi Museum
The Topkapi Museum is one of the most visited museums in Istanbul and is located in the Topkapi Palace, which was the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years and includes a large collection of artifacts from the Ottoman era, in addition to a number of important Islamic antiquities.
Some of the museum's most notable features include the Imperial Treasury, which contains a wealth of precious jewels and ornate objects; and the Arms and Armor Gallery, which displays a wide range of Ottoman weapons and armor.
Third: Sulaymaniyah Mosque
The Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Istanbul. It was built by the great Ottoman architect Sinan in the sixteenth century. It is located on top of a hill. It has four minarets and a large central dome. It is decorated from the inside with beautiful Islamic calligraphy.
Fourth: KidZania Istanbul
Here are some of the exciting features offered by KidZania Istanbul:
- Over 60 different role-playing activities.
- Four-dimensional cinema.
- A realistic replica of an actual city, complete with buildings, streets and vehicles.
- Highly trained staff are always available to help.
Fifth: Dolmabahçe Palace
The palace complex consists of three main sections: the ceremonial halls, harem and selamlik (private quarters for the sultan and his family) and ceremonial halls lavishly decorated with crystal chandeliers, mosaics, stained glass and luxurious Turkish carpets.
The harem is where the sultan's wives and children lived; It is a more intimate space with smaller rooms and more modest décor. The Selamlik was where the sultan worked and entertained guests, and features stately reception rooms as well as more private areas.
Now a museum, Dolmabahçe Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul and visitors can tour all three sections of the palace complex and witness the luxury that the Ottoman Sultans lived in.
Sixth: the sign of the girl / Virgo
The Maiden's Tower, also known as the Leander Tower due to the legend associated with it, is a tower located on a small island at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. The tower has been used as a lighthouse, watchtower, and quarantine station throughout its history and today, it serves as a popular tourist destination and restaurant.
The tower is cylindrical in shape and made of white limestone with a height of 36 meters and a diameter of 12 meters. The tower consists of nine floors, each with its own balcony. The tower can be reached by boat from both sides of the Bosphorus Strait.
The legend associated with the Virgo Tower says that an ancient king built it to protect his daughter from a prophecy that said she would be bitten by a snake on her 18th birthday. To prevent this from happening, he locked her away in the tower. However, on her 18th birthday, a snake actually found its way into the tower and bit her.
Seventh: The Chocolate Museum
Istanbul's Chocolate Museum is one of the most unique and interesting museums in the city and is dedicated to the history and production of chocolate, offering a variety of interactive exhibits and displays.
One of the highlights of the museum is the chocolate-making workshop, where visitors can learn about the process of making chocolate from start to finish. The workshop is led by experienced chocolate makers, and it is a great way to learn about the craft of making chocolate.
Another highlight of the museum is the collection of vintage chocolate wrappers. The collection includes wrappers from some of the world's most famous brands, and is a great way to see how chocolate packaging has changed over time.
Eighth: The Wax Museum
The Istanbul Wax Museum is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Istanbul, as the museum houses a collection of more than 200 life-size wax figures of famous people from all over the world and they are so realistic that they seem as if they could come to life at any moment!
Famous figures on display at the museum include Barack Obama, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and Princess Diana. Visitors can also take pictures of the wax figures, making them a great souvenir of their trip to Istanbul.
Ninth: Amirjan Park
Emirgan Park is one of the most beautiful and largest parks in Istanbul. It is a great place to spend a day with family or friends, especially if you enjoy nature and being outdoors, as the park has many features that make it distinctive, including:
- Stunning views of the Bosphorus.
- Beautiful flowers and trees.
- Variety of birds and other animals.
- Children's playground.
- Picnic areas.
- Tea garden.
- Cafe.
Tenth: Istiklal Street
Istiklal Street is one of the most popular shopping streets in Istanbul and it is also one of the busiest, as an endless stream of people come and go at all hours of the day and night. The street is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs and shops of all kinds, making it the perfect place to spend a day or night in the city.
These are the most important destinations that tourists choose to visit in Istanbul, and there are certainly many other places that are worth visiting and getting to know them and their features and importance.
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