Constantinople, today Istanbul, also greatly influenced many countries’ history. I also visited this metropolis spread over two continents. I spent one day in the Sultanahmet district. In this article, I will focus on the places I recommend to see.
Sultanahmet, also called the Old City, is the historical part and, at the same time, the heart of Istanbul. It was the centre of the Ottoman Empire and was named after the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. Istanbul is known as the city of seven hills, and Sultanahmet is the first hill of Istanbul.
I started the morning at the Little Hagia Sofia, only 3 minutes from my hotel, Sokullu Pasa. Inspirations on where to stay in this neighbourhood are in this article. From there, on the way to the Blue Mosque, I looked at the displays in the Arasta bazaar.
Little Hagia Sophia
Little Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Küçük Ayasofya Camii) is a former Greek Orthodox church that was dedicated to Sergius and Bacchus. There is a legend of the emperor’s nephew Justinian, accused of plotting against the emperor Justin I, connected to this church. Justinian was charged with conspiracy against the emperor and sentenced to death. But he avoided death after Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared to Justin and vouched for Justinian’s innocence. Justinian promised to dedicate a church to these two saints when he became emperor.
Ottomans changed this church into a mosque.
Tips:
- Entry is free.
- You have to take off your shoes before entering. Women must cover their heads, so I recommend carrying a scarf with you.
- Opening hours: every day. It is closed to tourists during prayer times.
Arasta Bazaar
Arasta Bazaar is located between the Blue Mosque and Toruk Street. It is just one street with small shops. During the day, many tourists look at traditional Turkish products, from jewellery and clothes to carpets.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque, also known as The Sultan Ahmed Mosque(Turkish: Sultanahmet Camii), is a famous historical mosque in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district. The blue tiles that can be seen throughout the interior of the mosque contributed to the naming of this mosque. These unique ceramic tiles were created in Iznik and featured over 50 different tulip designs.
It was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I at the beginning of the 17th century (1616). Since 1985, the mosque has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is visited by millions of tourists worldwide every year. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque was the first of two Turkish mosques with six minarets.
Useful Info:
- Free entry.
- You have to take off your shoes before entering. Women must cover their heads, so I recommend carrying a scarf.
- Opening hours: every day. It is closed to tourists during prayer times.
- It is ideal to visit in the morning or in the evening to avoid waiting in line.
Sultanahmet Square – Constantinople Hippodrome
On Sultanahmet Square, once called the Hippodrome of Constantinople, there are two obelisks – Theodosius and Walled, Serpent Column and German Fountain.
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
The entrance to the museum is from Sultanahmet Square. Initially, this museum was part of the Suleymaniye Mosque. Afterwards, in 1983 was moved to the palace of Ibrahim Pasha near the Blue Mosque. The museum building is one of the oldest preserved palace buildings.
Tips:
- Entrance is 390 TL
- You can buy the ticket on the official website of the museum here.
- Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Yerebatan Street
Yerebatan Street is popular among tourists mainly because of the colourful houses that serve as cafes and restaurants. In addition, there are also the Talat Pasha Mansion and the Remains Of The Lala Hayrettin Mosque, which unfortunately is not accessible to the public.
Bazilica Cistern
Istanbul has many cisterns, and the Basilica is probably the most famous. It also houses the legendary head of Medusa.
Tips:
- Open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Entrance is from 33 TL to 400 TL
- I recommend buying a ticket online to avoid waiting in line
- You can buy the ticket online on the official website here
Hagia Sophia
The construction of the Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya Kebir Camii) began in 532 AD under the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It was completed four years later, in 537. For almost a millennium, this temple served as the Byzantine Empire’s main church, known as the Great Church of Holy Wisdom.
After the recapture of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans converted this temple into a mosque. They added Islamic features such as minarets and mihrabs (a niche or mosque chamber indicating Mecca’s direction). Subsequently, this beautiful and unique building was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Tips:
- Free entry.
- You have to take off your shoes before entering. Women must cover their heads, so I recommend carrying a scarf.
- Opening hours: every day from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Visiting in the morning or evening is better to avoid waiting in line.
Sultan Ahmed III Fountain
The Sultan Ahmed III Fountain was built in 1729 and replaced the Byzantine fountain named Perayton. Sultan Ahmed III himself designed its shape and decoration under his artistic name.
Soguk Cesme Street
Soguk Cesme Street is located between Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace. The street boasts nine wooden houses from the Ottoman Empire, also called Ayasofya Konakları (Hagia Sophia Mansions).
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace was built by Sultan Mehmed II, known as Mehmed the Conqueror, in 1459 and took six years to complete. In addition to housing the sultan’s entire family, the palace was also used as the administrative and educational centre of the state. The most important state affairs and events in history took place in the palace.
The shape of the palace was constantly changing, and each new sultan had new buildings demolished or added. After many earthquakes and fires, it underwent significant reconstruction twice. In 1924, it was turned into a museum.
In the palace courtyard, there was also a place for the execution of the condemned. According to local guides, the original stone on which the executioners shaved their heads is said to have been preserved.
Tips:
- Entrance is 750 TL for foreign tourists, and locals pay 150 TL
- I recommend buying a ticket online to avoid waiting in line. Official web site is here.
- Opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Closed on Tuesdays
Hagia Irene
Located in the outer courtyard of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene is the oldest Christian church from the Byzantine Empire. Hagia Eiréné originally meant “sacred peace” and was dedicated to God’s peace. It was also the second-largest church in Istanbul after Hagia Sophia. It became famous mainly because it was the only church without images.
In 1924, it became the first museum in Istanbul. Due to its excellent acoustics, concerts are also held there.
Tips:
- Entrance is 350 TL for foreign tourists, and locals pay 60 TL
- The ticket is part of the entrance to Topkapi Palace. But it can also be bought separately here.
- Opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Closed on Tuesdays
Archaeology museum
The Istanbul Archaeological Museum has about a million artefacts from different cultures brought from countries worldwide. Mehmed the Conqueror had already started collecting various artefacts. Currently exhibiting examples of Turkish tiles and ceramics, the Tile Kiosk Museum is one of the oldest examples of Ottoman civil architecture in Istanbul.
Tips:
- Entrance is 340 TL for foreign tourists, and locals pay 60 TL
- You can buy tickets on the official webpage here.
- Opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Park Gulhane
Gulhane Park has existed since 1806 as a part of the Topkapi Palace but opened only in 1912 to the public. Consequently, this park served as a Zoo. The officials took care of the animals, which escaped and threatened people in the vicinity several times. After many complaints, the Zoo was moved to another location.
Today it is a popular place to rest and escape from the busy city. The park has many fountains, statues, a cistern, and remains of buildings from the Ottoman Empire.
Tips:
- Free entry
- Opening hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- The cistern in the park has free admission. It is closed on Mondays.
Conclusion
The Old City, Sultanahmet, has a rich history and offers visitors a glimpse into the past through many preserved buildings.
Tips for Turkiye/Turkey
