Monuments to visit Istanbul & Marmara Region

Founded in 1732 by the main imperial architect Mehmet Ağa for Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754). Beautiful facades decorated in the purest rococo style and a white marble cage.

Monumental in appearance with its immense facade, it was completed in 1908 by two German architects and more than 1,000 Italian stonemasons. This is where trains departed for Ankara, the East or the Southeast. In 2015, the station is no longer in operation and becomes a museum and exhibition space. In any case, it is possible to visit it and sit at the station café for tea, coffee or even a full meal. For an unforgettable sunset, go on the steps, facing the sea, at nightfall.

The story of this place is incredible! It is known as Galata Evi ("Galata House"), a restaurant since 1999, but it was built as a real prison in 1904. The English, occupying the city, transformed the prison into a police station. It is possible to have lunch at the same locations that served as a cell and office. On the menu, dishes from various origins: Russian, Georgian or Tatar. To try for the originality of the place!

The French Passage is a small city created for the use of the French colony of Istanbul, within the framework of the agreements signed with the Ottoman Empire, known as the Capitulations. When the treaty, which was extremely damaging to the Ottoman Empire, ended in 1909, the history of the passage came to an end. Today, it is a magnificent passage very well maintained and flowered which offers pretty Art Deco shops and chic restaurants where you can eat in a European style.

Flanked by two fountains, this is the famous gate (bab) that inspired the Westerners and whose name is sometimes used to designate the Ottoman Empire. It is said to represent the real entrance to the palace of Topkapı. Built by Mehmed the Conqueror in 1478, it housed the residence of the Grand Vizier. The Sultan could monitor the comings and goings from the Parade kiosk (Alay Köşkü), a balcony located just across the street in the wall of Topkapı. After the proclamation of the Republic, the governor's residence is established here.

The Göksu River is bordered by wooden houses, gardens that the Ottomans call hasbahçe, they like to go there by boat, in the company of musicians... Its reputation is such that the Westerners call the river "Fresh waters of Asia", which seems difficult to imagine today when you follow this river suffocated by pollution. Divittar Mehmet Paşa decided to have a small two-storey wooden palace built there in 1749 for his Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754). The fountain in his backyard dates back to that time. Abdülmecid's arrival in power (1839-1861) was the beginning of Westernization but also the era when Istanbul had many palaces, some of whose architects came from the same family, the Balyans. He had the original wooden one replaced by the current marble pavilion that can be seen. Inaugurated in 1857, it was designed as a secondary residence, where the sultan would come to rest or hunt. This is reflected in the architecture: no impassable walls, but a more homely spirit. The decorator of the Vienna Opera will be invited to Istanbul to bring the elegance of Western palaces. On the occasion of his visit to Turkey in 1861, Abdülaziz organized a dinner in honour of King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales. The Republic (1923) also used it for a time for distinguished guests and, like all the other imperial residences in the city, it was transformed into a museum.

The Ihlamur Valley (Valley of the Lime Trees) is a place for walks and excursions in the 18th century. It then became an imperial garden, and continued to be a fashionable destination under Abdülhamid I and Selim III. The acceleration of the construction of new buildings during the time of Sultan Abdülmecid led to the construction of the Ihlamur pavilions. Surrounded by a high surrounding wall and located inside a wooded area, the two kiosks, built between 1849 and 1855, were built by Nikogos Balian, and replaced the small hunting lodge where Sultan Abdülmecid had received Lamartine in July 1850. Designed and used for celebrations, the Ceremonies booth (Merasim Köşkü) is a small rockery style building. With a double external horseshoe staircase and two lateral balconies (the first Ottoman building to have one), the façades are decorated with high reliefs of flowers, garlands, scallops and other motifs. Inside, European furniture of different styles and floor elements have brought a certain balance to the whole. The stewardship kiosk (Maiyet Köşkü) is smaller in size and has a more airy architecture. The Ihlamur pavilions were classified in 1966 in the list of national palaces under the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The Ceremony Pavilion is now a museum palace. The garden part is also occupied by a café.

This amazing Art Nouveau staircase, with its undulating shapes, was built at the end of the 19th century to allow the illustrious banker Camondo to return to his residence. At the bottom of the stairs, there are monumental buildings including the Karaköy Palas built by the architect Giulio Mongeri and the Ottoman Bank of the architect Alexandre Vallauri. As the headquarters had moved, the building was used for archiving and part of it was transformed into a museum.

Nestled in a small courtyard behind the mosque, this book market is located on the very site once occupied by the Chartoprateia, the book market of the Byzantine era: a tradition that has been perpetuated for several centuries! At the dawn of the Ottoman Empire, manuscripts from all over the Empire were unearthed, a real treasure trove. The site is now frequented by students from the neighbouring university, creating a bohemian atmosphere conducive to strolling.

Built in 1870, it was designed as a private residence, and Sultan Abdülaziz even had an apartment there. Today, it is emblematic of Istanbul's "alternative life" and hosts many shops mainly for young people. There are thrift stores, some baroque souvenir shops and second-hand clothes. There is the Atlas cinema, the Sadri theatre Alışık Tiyatrosu Küçük Sahne, a tattoo artist and bars.

It dominates the entrance to the Black Sea, which is constantly used by large tonnages. A tradition links this 14th century fortress to the Genoese, but it is Byzantine. It was disputed many times and eventually became an Ottoman at the end of the same century, under Yıldırım Beyazıt (1389-1402). With a length of 500 m and a width of 30 m to 60 m, it will be restored and equipped with a small mosque as part of a large programme undertaken by the Sultan Bayazıt II (1481-1512). During his trip to Egypt in the second half of the 16th century, the German traveller Michael Heberer Von Bretten described it in his book as being in very good condition; he took the opportunity to make an engraving. It was not abandoned until the 19th century. Note that you can also go there by several other points than Anadolu Kavağı, all along the coastal road (more deserted) or by the center of Beykoz from where the journey is a little longer and more complicated (1 hour). It is the Umurbey Yolu road that leads to it. To take it, you have to leave Beykoz along the sea: Fevzi Paşa Caddesi, then Ahmet Paşa Caddesi, junction, Yalıköy Çayırı Caddesi (left), well after school take a left (Deri ve Kundura Fabrikası Caddesi, bridge, not very beautiful), it is the Umurbey Yolu, which zigzags to the goal. A saint would rest in the mausoleum. No source proves it, but the believers do not agree with it, so they regularly visit it (huge tomb!).

Built in 1729 just at the entrance of the Topkapı palace, in front of the imperial gate. Public fountains are located at the four corners of the monument and pools are installed in niches placed in the middle of each of its facades. Decorated and enhanced with colours, the fountain is one of the most representative monuments of the Tulip Age; the work of bronze and stone is remarkable for its finesse. Verses by the poet Vehbi appear on the walls in gold letters.

The only Byzantine prison that remains today. Anemas is the name of a Byzantine general of Arab origin. Imprisoned in 1107, after a plot against the Byzantine Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118), he left his name on one of the towers, the other being called Isaac Angel. Everything suggests that only personalities were kept in the dungeons. It is the emperor's daughter, Anne Comnene, who is said to have helped Anemas escape. The site has been renovated.

This passage was conceived in 1885 by a businessman from Aleppo in Syria. It housed the Pera circus at the rear, a theatre and opera room as well as specialized music stores. Even after numerous alterations and restorations, this theatre still remains (Ferhan Şensoy Tiyatrosu): of modern appearance, it mainly attracts a young clientele. Cinémas and Pera cinemas. By its functions, this passage is very lively, especially in the evening.

Covering an area of more than 18 ha, it is located on a hill overlooking the Bosporus and shelters several century-old trees. It has several terraces that offer superb panoramic views, walking trails and playgrounds for children. The pavilion is on a steep slope. Designed by an Italian architect for the last Khedive of Egypt, Abbas Hilmi Paşa (Abbas II, 1892-1914), who wanted a replica of one of his properties on the banks of the Nile.

Named after a Turkish architect, and not our famous singer, this passage was built in 1883 and restored in 1993. It once housed the Café du Commerce. Shortly after the entrance, souvenir shops of all kinds. It extends over two floors. On the left, you can take a staircase to the basement. There is a bar, comic book shops (only in Turkish) and clothing shops. There is also a billiard room and a sports hall.