Hello Istanbul fans,

I would like to write about Sultanahmet since I first launched this web-site and before yesterday I went to Sultanahmet to experience it again. Of course I went to Sultanahmet  for many times before but I must have gone again to see, observe and feel before write for you. I am going to start to tell you from Haydarpaşa Train Station. Haydarpaşa Train Station is one of the symbols of Istanbul in Turkish people’s mind. It has been a meaningful place for most new comers due to being a greeting face of Istanbul, as the railways was used more often in the past. Haydarpaşa ( Or Haydarpasha for you) station building is historical and it has a different style of architecture. That is why it was built by Germans in the time of what good relations occured between Sultan Abdulhamid and Wilhelm II. In 1908, it began to service and still is main station of TCDD (State Railways of the Republic of Turkey). Haydarpaşa Station has a great location and is sorrounded by Marmara Sea in its three sides.

Just in front of the station, you can take a boat to go to Kadikoy, Eminonu and Karakoy. Due to our title is Sultanahmet, we are going to go Eminonu. There are two choices. You can choose public or private boats. They both have the same fare and almost arrive in the same time. When you get on the board. the nicest part of trip starts. You choose where to sit and to watch Istanbul. Also you may have a drink from a server who is going around with a tray on hand. I suggest you to have a hot tea, because you are in Istanbul It is very joyful to sip your tea in the middle of Marmara Sea while seagulls accompany your boat. During this trip, you are able to see Maiden Tower, Bosphorus Bridge, Galata Tower, Topkapi Place, Galata Bridge, New Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque.

When your boat is approaching to the land, you see very small boats that sell grilled fish. Smell of those grilled fishes will probably captivate you if you don’t hate eating fish.

First place to visit may be New Mosque. I saw lots of tourists visiting there. New Mosque( Yeni Cami in Turkish) has a wonderful architecture. The entrance of Mısır Çarşısı, one of the covered bazaars is in front of New Mosque.

To reach Sultanahmet, you can walk or take tramway but of course I suggest you to walk in road that is surrounded by historical structures. It may take 15-20 minutes to arrive Sultanahmet Square from Eminonu(the place you got out the boat) by walking.

I can say, people in this road are foreigner tourists in 50 percent or more. On the road, you will see the entrance of Gulhane Park on the left-hand side. This park is full of trees and flowers. So, you may pay a visit to have a rest in shadow of trees in hot days.

When you reach, firstly Hagia Sophia greet you and Sultanahmet Mosque is so close to it. Hagia Sophia was built in 532-537 after Christ by Byzantions. Hagia Sophia had been a church and was converted to a mosque after conquering by Ottoman Sultan and Commander Fatih Sultan Mehmed and lastly it is a museum. History of this structure is really deserve to be read. ( I appreciate if a christian tell us something about Hagia Sophia in terms of Christianity below) Its converting from a mosque to a museum is also a controversial issue for muslims.

The Blue Mosque ( Sultanahmet Camii) is unique mosque that has six minarets. In fact the mosque was a part of a complex, but other elements could not reach to now. The Blue Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed I and designed by architect Sedefhar Mehmed Ağa. Sultanahmet Mosque has been named the Blue Mosque due to its beautiful blue, green and white tilings by Europeans.

I took that last photo to show you yourself  Maybe, you were there and you were one of those people.

Sultanahmet Mosque also attracts many native visitors throughout the year and especially during Ramadan.

Those well known mosques may be counted as luxurious mosques due to stuff used to build them and other aspects. These mosques reflect the abundance of Ottoman Empire. At this point I should say something. As being a muslim, I am proud of what an islamic civilization had that abundance. Moreover, this wealthiness doesn’t only mean gold in treasury but also it means wealthiness in art, architecture, music, and etc. as a sum in civilization.

Sultanahmet Square is full of native and foreign visitors and also includes other historical structures that must be seen such as obelisks and German Fountain ( it is a present from Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdulhamid).

I mentioned very shortly about those places. Please share your questions,experiences in those places.

Click one of the pictures to see all pictures in bigger size.