Tourist Attractions & Monuments Istanbul

The Museum Pass Istanbul is a nominative card that covers all Istanbul's national museums, 13 in all (available on the website). The Basilica Cistern, Dolmabahçe Palace and Leander Tower are not included. The card is valid for five days from the date of first use. The card gives you access to discounts in souvenir stores and cafés. It can be purchased at any national museum, but we don't recommend Topkapı because of the crowds. It is possible to register online.

The park originally formed the fourth garden of the Topkapı Palace. It is the oldest park in the Ottoman city. On weekends, you can see families, lovers and many visitors. And to finish the walk in beauty, you must enjoy a tea in the çay bahçesi (tea garden) of course! In the park, there is the column of the Goths which bears a Latin inscription: Fortunae reduci ob devictos Gothos ("To prosperity returned with the defeat of the Goths").

Water has always been a problem in Istanbul. The Romans first, and their heirs the Byzantines, tried to overcome it as best they could. The Valens aqueduct carried water from outside the city to the Basilica and Philoxenos cisterns (Thousand and One Columns). It was during the time of Constantine I that work had to begin and be completed during the time of the Roman Emperor Valens (364-378), around 378. It will be restored several times.

According to the traditions of the time, a mosque was not considered only as a place of worship. Apart from the various outbuildings (library, school...), we used to add stores in order to create a source of income. Thus, in the former stables, the Arasta Bazar was created, one of the most famous places in terms of souvenirs for tourists (carpets, kilims, leather, jewellery...). It's a shame that the salesmen are annoying and fall back.

It comes from the Temple temple built by Tuthmosis III (1483-1450 BC). The hieroglyphs engraved on the four faces of this porphyry monolith a height of 26 m are dedicated to the god Horus and celebrate the victories won by the pharaoh. Transferred to Constantinople by Théodose I, he was in the middle of the hippodrome in 390. With an original height of 50 m, it breaks when unloading and only the upper part will be used. The column stands on a 6 m high marble pedestal, carved out of bas-reliefs representing Théodose and his family in the imperial gallery of the racecourse and handing over crowns to the race winners. The obelisk was surmounted by a bronze sphere, symbolic of the world, which collapsed during the earthquake of 865.

Its name comes from the actual racecourse that stood on this very spot in Sultanahmet Square. It was a venue for horse and chariot races and could accommodate up to 100,000 spectators. A race consisted of four quadrigas and seven laps of the track, or about 2,500 m. Each driver wore the colour of the Constantinople faction that funded him. The whites and blues represented the aristocrats and landowners, while the reds and greens represented the artists and merchants. The tension between the two factions led to several revolts. Two columns and an obelisk, which were part of the monuments placed in the central axis of the track and around which the races were held, are still intact. The site was named At Meydanı ("Horse Square") by the Ottomans, as the palace pages regularly played djirit, the ancestor of polo, here.

From north to south: the obelisk of Theodosius. It comes from the Karnak temple built by Thutmose III (1483-1450 BC). The hieroglyphs engraved on the four faces of this 26-meter-high porphyry monolith are dedicated to the god Horus and celebrate the victories won by the pharaoh. Transferred to Constantinople by Theodosius I, it was installed in the middle of the hippodrome in 390. The column stands on a 6 m high marble pedestal, sculpted with bas-reliefs representing Theodosius and his family sitting at the imperial tribune of the hippodrome and presenting crowns to the winners of the races. The Serpentine Column (Yilanlı Sütün). This is a trophy that the 31 Greek cities brought back from the temple of Apollo Pythian (Delphi), in 479 BC. This twist, formed by the winding of three snakes, supported a large tripod and a golden vase. Constantine the Great brought it back from Delphi to install it in the Hippodrome square. The snakes, demonic symbols par excellence, did not please either the Byzantines or the Muslims afterwards, and were mutilated several times. All the heads have disappeared over time. The walled obelisk. This 32m high obelisk was erected in the 4th century on the spina of the Hippodrome, probably during the reign of Constantine I the Great (306-337). Made of roughly hewn stone blocks, it remained like this until Constantine VII (912-959) had it covered with gilded bronze plates. These plates were removed during the Fourth Crusade (1204) to make coins.

Under his real name Louis Marie Julien Viaud (1850-1923), Pierre Loti was originally a naval officer, which allowed him to travel and thus consolidate a basis for his future writings. It was during a trip to Oceania that he decided to take the pseudonym Loti, named after an exotic flower (1867). With a very open mind, Loti feels close to the different cultures he meets during his travels, but Constantinople marks him for life. Her second trip to Istanbul (1879) allowed her to meet the woman who would give her name to her famous novel, Aziyadé, the Caucasian woman. Every time he is in Istanbul, he likes to come to Eyüp, in this café overlooking the Golden Horn. The "sacred mountain" he cites in his Aziyadé is that of this coffee. Surrounded by parks and gardens, and then known as Rabia Kadın Kahvehanesi, the café is gradually being mentioned with the name of the writer. After having changed hands several times and almost disappeared, it was bought back in 1964 to be restored to its original state. It is clear that at the time, the view must have been idyllic, because the beauty of Altın Boynuz (Golden Horn) was such that songs and poems loved to tell it. The clear waters of the Kağıthane river flowed into the inlet, the outline of which is described as green. Things have changed a lot, but the panorama remains unique, especially when it lights up at sunset, while the songs of the muezzins rise.

It was erected on May 11, 330 by Constantine the Great to celebrate the passage from Byzantium to New Rome. Made of porphyry, it is 35 m high but originally the top was surmounted by a statue of Apollo supposed to represent the emperor. It was said to have been encrusted with many relics of Christianity (nails of the Passion, piece of the true Cross, stick that Moses used to bring water out of the desert...) in order to protect the destiny of the city, but the various excavations did not allow them to be located.

This fountain is, above all, a very strong symbol: that of a time when the grandson of Queen Victoria of England, Emperor Frédéric Wilhelm II had great plans for the Middle East. He was isolated diplomatically and allied with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and was the flag of the Muslim world against the threatening imperialism of Russia, England and France. In 1898, he decided to make a great trip through the Ottoman Empire, whose sincere and faithful friend he wants. Received by Sultan Abdülhamid II, he testifies to his friendship and support by offering him this fountain which carved the hippodrome in 1901. It was on this occasion that the square was forested.

This imposing mosque, which is so popular to photograph from the Galata Bridge, is the last large ensemble (külliye) in classical style built in the city. Its construction was started in 1597 by one of Master Sinan's pupils, at the request of Sultan Safiye, Murad III's favourite (1574-1595). The task is not an easy one: the obstacle of water infiltration must be overcome, which considerably delays the work. To make matters worse, the architect died in the meantime and the project stopped. Almost in ruins, it was not taken over until 1660, on the initiative of Sultan Hatice Turhan, who then entrusted this mission to Mustafa Ağa. It remained faithful to the original plans and completed the complex in 1663, including imperial apartments, a Koranic reading institute, an elementary school (which has disappeared), a covered market (now the spice market), a public fountain (sebil) and a mausoleum. The resemblance to the Blue Mosque is obvious, but the central dome is much more elevated giving this imposing pyramidal sensation. It rests on a platform to which you can access by a small staircase that leads to the inner courtyard, bordered by a peristyle with domes. The octagonal ablutions fountain in marble is in the middle. Its dome is supported by columns with stalactite capitals. Inside, you can see that the central space is surmounted by a large dome supported by four arches resting on four pillars and four half-domes. Two-level side galleries are located on the east and west sides. The mihrab (niche) is decorated with golden stalactites and the minbar (pulpit) is decorated with interlacing and rosettes; both are in white marble. The earthenware on the walls inside the mosque is 17th century. The dome and arches are decorated with carvings. The pillars and walls, up to two thirds of their height, are covered with earthenware whose dominant tones are dark blue, light blue, white and green. The imperial apartments (Hünkar Kasrı or Valide Kasrı) are a three-storey building built around the arch on the southern corner of the mosque. With its glazed earthenware stoves, ceramic wall coverings, stained-glass windows, doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl and precious wooden fillets, this imperial pavilion is a small palace on its own.

Baroque inspiration and built by architect Mustafa Ağa assisted by Simon the Companion, the complex began in 1748 under Mahmud II and completed in 1756 under Osman III. It is the only sultan to have added a qualifier in the name of a mosque to "baptiser Osman" (Nuruosmaniye). Two large doors on the outside courtyard give access to the Nuruosmaniye district and the Grand Bazaar to which you access a beautiful monumental door. Shops were built from the beginning under the ramp leading to imperial apartments. The mosque, located in the centre of the whole, is built on a platform. The inner courtyard, of absidiale form, bordered by an peristyle surmounted by 14 domes supported by 12 columns, is the only of its kind in Istanbul. The main square of the mosque, of square shape, is covered with a large dome, with over 174 windows of baroque inspiration pouring waves of light inside. The absence of internal pillars, despite the boxes at the colonnade, helps to give a feeling of great decommitment. The classical mederasa is located south of the mosque and adjacent to the popular canteen building. A vestibule covered with a dome gives access to the inner courtyard around which the different rooms and rooms have been distributed. The public fountain is a dome building with wooden cornices supported by four columns of marble. The library is located east of the inner courtyard and has a large polygonal reading room with a dome and supported by four columns. The mausoleum, built on a square plane, is housed in a dome built on a high-placed drum. The calligraphy visible in the complex are the works of the masters of the day, Rasim, Yedikulelizade, Abdülhalim, Müzehhip Ali and Mehmed Refi.

It is near the shores of Salacak, about 180 m from the coast and marks the entrance to the Bosphorus. It is one of the symbols of the city, regularly the target of cameras and cameras. A James Bond movie, The World is not enough (with Pierce Brosnan and Sophie Marceau), was shot here. Several legends exist around this tower, they are illustrated inside by frescos. It is said to have been the home of the sweet and virginal Hero, one of the priestesses of Venus. In order to honor her goddess, Hero goes to a ceremony and meets Léandre. Love at first sight! Madly in love, Léandre throws himself, the same evening, in the waters to join his beautiful, with the light of a torch. The meeting between the two lovers happened more than once, but one day the torch went out. Unable to find his way back and exhausted, Léandre disappeared in the sea. Afflicted, Hero lets herself slip into the sea and disappears. In Turkish, this tower is called Kız kulesi (Tower of the girl). From a historical point of view, a first fortress was built on this islet by the Greek general Alcibiades towards the end of the^5th century BC in order to control the sea flow. The Byzantine chronicler Choniates tells us that the islet is again fortified in the 12th century on the initiative of Manuel I Comnenus in order to make it an anchor point for the great chain which blocked the Bosphorus and the entrance to the Golden Horn. It is then called Arcla, "small fortress". The Turks used it during the conquest of Constantinople. It is only in 1509, after an earthquake, that it becomes a lighthouse. At the same time, a water tank was added to it. In 1719, it was destroyed by a fire and then rebuilt under the control of the vizier Ibrahim Paşa, known as the Son-in-law. In the second half of the 19th century, as the fragile empire was often faced with serious threats, it regained its defensive use. Restored in 1944, it was transferred to the military in 1959. The maritime lines took possession of it in 1982. It was then used as a lighthouse, military hospital and radio station. Ten years later, the phase where we want to open it to the public begins between controversies and consultations. Today it is done, however important restoration work has begun in 2021 and in this new project there will be no café-restaurant. The crossing is regularly provided from Üsküdar.

This small palace, which was built between 1861 and 1865 under Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876), will certainly surprise by its relatively controlled elegance. Admittedly, a guided tour in a small group is required but, due to its small size (65 m long), its approach remains more personal. The site had already attracted the attention of the sultans, who did not fail to have pavilions built there where they would withdraw from time to time. We find the Balyan family at the origin of its architecture. It was conceived as a kind of understudy to Dolmabahçe, in a way a second home. It has also become above all the residence of statesmen. Many crowned heads, such as Tsar Nicholas II or King Edward VIII, have tasted the pleasures of the waters of the Bosphorus, but above all we like to mention a famous beauty, Empress Eugenie, daughter of the Count of Teba and wife of Napoleon III. In the company of the orientalist painter Charles-Theodore Frère, who was appreciated by the Court and the aristocrats in his time, the Empress visited Istanbul (1869) before travelling to Egypt as a guest of the Khedive Ismail Paşa for the inauguration of the canal. The aubergine purée owes its name to it: hünkar beğendi means "Her Majesty has appreciated". The internal decoration combines the Western and Eastern styles. The carpets in the six lounges and 24 rooms are admirable. The garden and the two pavilions, Mermer Köşk and Sarı Köşk, are the perfect complement to the whole.

It is the only Orthodox church in Istanbul to have remained a permanent place of worship of the Greek community in Istanbul since Byzantine times. This would essentially be due to an imperial decree bearing the seal and tenra of Mehmed the Conqueror, granting a kind of perpetual concession and preventing the transformation of the church into a mosque. The church was probably founded after the liberation of the capital from Latin occupation in 1261 by Isaac Doucas, nephew of the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII. There is still a fresco of the Last Judgment by the painter Modestos, who decorated the church in 1266. This church was dedicated to the Theotokos Panayiotissa (Our Lady Mother of God), and included a convent. Nevertheless, the history of the church is closely linked to that of Princess Maria Palaeologue from 1282 onwards. This princess had married the Mongolian khan in 1265 and lived at her court for more than fifteen years, converting them to Christianity. Back in Byzantium after her husband's murder in 1281, she retired to the convent. The fame of this sister, called Notre-Dame-des-Mongols, quickly made us forget the appellation of origin. The church is named after the Turkish name Kanlı Kilise (bloody church), with fairly violent fighting taking place in the immediate vicinity on the day of the capture of Constantinople. It is located on rue du Porte-Etendard, one of the flags of Mehmed the Conqueror who was killed on this climb.

This house dates from the 17th century, and was built on the initiative of Murad IV's mother, Sultana Kösem. A large part of the han is now dilapidated. A large square tower, 25 m high and located in the third courtyard, belonged to the Praetorium built by Arcadius, and was used as a prison in the Byzantine period. It is necessary to go up to the first floor by the stairs on the left after the entrance and go on the roof. From there, among the domes of the han, you can have an exceptional view of the Galata Bridge, the Bosphorus, the European shore, and the roofs of Sultanahmet.

The fortress, even if imposing, has no particular features. Its charm comes above all from its dream location on the banks of the Bosporus. Climb the steps of the 57-metre high Zaganos Tower to dominate the Bosporus. Even the strong wind does not spoil the pleasure. The quays are charming all around, and you will find small cafés and restaurants to recharge your batteries.

In 1452, Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror was determined to get his hands on the irreducible Constantinople. For several years now, he has been developing a vast conquest project, including the unprecedented design of super-powerful guns. Nothing should be left to chance and especially not the Bosporus Strait, which could well see the arrival of a Christian fleet landing from the Black Sea via the Danube. The sultan himself drew up the plans and more than 3,000 workers were busy working day and night. In 4 months and 13 days, a 250 m long fortress appeared. Facing a previous fortress (Anadolu Hisarı), it is the narrowest point of the strait without forgetting the currents that make navigation dangerous! Constantine XI Dragases, still unaware that he would join history forever as the last emperor of Byzantium, tried to oppose it. That's where the legend comes in. Byzantium excels in the art of negotiation, an ancestral tradition that has saved it from many adventures. Using his hunting activities as an excuse, the Sultan asked Constantinople for permission to build a pavilion there. The emperor accepts but delimits its size: it will be on the surface of an ox skin. The sultan nods: a skin is cut into very thin strips and distributed, end to end, to delimit its space. The sultan is a winner in reality as in legend and Byzantium falls, without the fortress really being of any use whatsoever. We'll quickly turn it into a small prison afterward. The Knights of Malta will be the first to suffer the consequences. In time, it will be abandoned to its fate, even seeing a population settling there. Restored between 1953 and 1958, it was converted into a museum and concert hall. It has 17 towers and 5 doors. Ottoman and European cannons are on display in the fortress, which is now a garden, as well as pieces of the chain that closed the Golden Horn to shipping as part of the Byzantine defence system.

The layout of the square and the pedestal of the monument are the work of the architect Monceri. The statues are by the Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica. On the side of the monument are scenes relating to the national liberation struggle led by Atatürk (1919-1921) while allegories of republican Turkey are on the opposite side. Statues representing Turkish soldiers holding banners are installed. The monument was inaugurated on August 8, 1928.

Built in 1890 especially for the famous Orient-Express which linked Paris to Istanbul. It is the work of the German architect Jasmund, who has managed to reconcile the different architectures present in the city. The exterior walls in stone and brick are in Byzantine style; the windows are topped with horseshoe-shaped arches. Lines to European cities are still operating from Sirkeci station. It also has a typical café where nostalgic people can stop for a break.

This is a trophy that the 31 Greek cities reported on the temple of Apollo Pythium in Delphi after their victory over the Persians during the Battle of Platée in 479 B.C. This pointes, formed by the winding of three snakes, supported a large tripod and a gold vase. Constantine the Great reported it from Delphi to install it on the Hippodrome square, while the tripod and the vase had already been looted. Snakes, demonic symbols par excellence, rained neither the Byzantine nor Muslims afterwards, and were maimed several times. Mehmed the Conqueror himself broke the mouth of one of the snakes after the capture of Constantinople. But, according to legend, this episode was followed by an invasion of snakes in the capital and then made the decision to protect them. All heads have nevertheless disappeared over time. One fragment of one of them is exhibited at the Archaeological Museum.

On the avenue (continuity of Cumhuriyet Caddesi), it is distinguished by its pinkish architecture and colour. The building where Ataturk lived from 1918 until 16 May 1919 was acquired by the Istanbul municipality on 28 May 1928. This house, where Ataturk began his thoughts on the struggle for national liberation, opened his doors to the public on 15 June 1942 under the name of the Kemalist Revolution Museum to highlight his personality and his radical reforms. A new exhibition of exhibition spaces is undertaken by the municipality as of May 19, 1989. An important part of the museum's collections is the personal clothing and objects of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Photographs relating to his civilian and military life, written documents of his hand are also exposed.

The oldest imperial sanctuary in the city, the mosque of Beyazıt is the first illustration of the central dome shape counter-butted by two half-domes. You can admire a kind of synthesis of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. Located on the ruins of the Theodosius Forum, this mosque is pleasant to visit and somewhat changes from the classic Ottoman architectural canons. This is the second imperial complex of mosques built in Istanbul after the Ottoman takeover of Constantinople. This complex was built between 1501 and 1506 for the Sultan Beyazıt II (1482-1512), son of Sultan Mehmed. Composed of a mosque, a medersa, a popular refectory (which now houses a library), a caravanserai, a school, a hammam and mausoleums, the külliye has been damaged by various earthquakes and has undergone several repairs and restoration. In a style inspired by Saint Sophia, the large prayer room is topped by a dome resting on four large square pillars, counterbalanced by two half-domes. Other elements, such as the columns and buttresses that support the domes, are inspired by the Fatih Mosque. The side naves are connected to the central space by two large arches that were originally dervish convents. Today, note that this mosque is a high gathering place for the city's fundamentalists. Impressive during the Friday prayer.

It is a private museum born of the will of Mr. Rahmi Koç, son of the founder and powerful industrial, Mr. Vehbi Koç (1901-1996). The Koç family is one of the best known in the country, with Sabancı (the SON we see everywhere). It is almost impossible to find a Turkish who does not know it. As for the museum, he has elected a home in a historic building, the Lengerhane, which serves as a main building, while an exhibit room is attached to it by a transparent ramp. Probably built in the time of Ahmed III, the building was a foundry and produced essentially marine anchors, hence its name De literally meaning in Turkish «house of anchors». Restored under Selim III, the building was then made available, after the proclamation of the Republic, to the State monopoly for tobacco and alcohol. Devastated by a fire in 1984, it was acquired by the Museology Koç Museology and Culture Foundation, restored and opened to the public on 13 December 1994.

The majority of the Museum's objects were selected from the private collection of the Rahmi Koç industry. These are genuine scientific, mechanical and industrial machinery, tools and objects, or their models. In 2001, the museum acquired a 93 m long submarine. Originally from Portsmouth Shipyard (1944), he served at the end of the Second World War and was transferred to the Turkish army in 1971. His visit is arranged according to the schedule displayed at the entrance. It is useful to note that the site is private, we can organize visits, provided that it is a group of at least 10 people.

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.

Sea lovers will be able to visit the tiny fishing museum on the coast. Contact the fishermen. Original and picturesque!

If Sarıyer is appreciated, purists prefer Rumeli Kavağı, charming, despite the disorder around the square. The Yenimahalle Caddesi, which leaves Sarıyer to the north, becomes the Karakütük Caddesi, then the Liman Caddesi, where is, on the side, opposite a great restaurant, the Telli Baba Türbesi (tomb of Baba Telli), a tomb where a saint, who is actually a saint, lies! In Islam, there are more saints than saints. Near the eponymous bus stop, it is the favourite address of young ladies waiting to convolve to the well-behaved world of marriage. Indeed, the young Turks have solved the problem of the perfect man! So, if you want an elegant, brilliant, loyal, respectful, devoted, kind, attentive husband... all you need to do is pray a little prayer and put a strand of hair or a piece of cloth on it. If you spend Friday (Holy Day) or weekend there, you will see people there! The origin of this popular belief is very touching: an employee of the small port notices a boat and its two young passengers, a boy and a girl, on a stormy day; the boat capsizes. Without hesitation, she dived and managed to save the girl from the raging waves. The boy, on the other hand, disappears. As the years go by, the miraculous woman becomes a woman ready to marry. She returned to the scene of the disaster to express her gratitude to her benefactor, but she is dead. She finds her tomb to meditate and lay a piece of her wedding dress on it...

Caddebostan is a district, but it is also a part of the green flow that runs along the Marmara Sea on the Asian shore. Very famous among Istanbul's youth, but also among families, many are those who rush to this large expanse of grass at the slightest ray of sunshine. Each one is equipped and organized: barbecue, picnic, camping chairs, tables... A real institution! The young people come to meet there to drink a few beers in front of the Bosporus. At nightfall, the bars in the streets of the district come alive in turn.

Those who prefer to discover the small traditional buildings, can visit this charming mosque. It was built in 1778, in memory of Abdülhamid I's mother (1774-1789), Sultan Rabia. Mehmet Tahir Ağa, the first architect of Sultan Mustafa III (1757-1773), was the designer. We find his particular touch, the baroque, a style adopted at the beginning of the century. With its 55 windows and unique dome, it contains Turkish and European earthenware.

How about a breathtaking experience where you can see Istanbul's historical, cultural and natural beauty from a helicopter? You will have a breathtaking view of the Bosphorus. It is possible to book a place in an organized tour (which you will share with 5 other people), only on Sundays. Possibility of cancellation at the last minute if the weather conditions do not allow flying or the helicopter has not filled up.

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.

You can only be struck by the grace and elegance of this mosque, which is unlike any other. Combining baroque and neoclassical styles, it has the particularity of having the finest minarets in the world! On the side, the clock of the Dolmabahçe Palace perfectly complements the softness of the landscape. Another marriage between the West and the East, its architect is Garabed Balyan, appointed by Sultana Mother Bezmi Alem, who built the building in the mid-19th century.

You will soon discover that Istanbul is a noisy and crowded city, and even for a short stay, a good breath of fresh air and greenery is sometimes welcome. The Belgrade forest is very popular with Istanbul residents, especially on weekends. As soon as the beautiful days arrive, families with their picnic baskets crowd into this green setting. The forest takes its name from an ancient community of Serbian loggers, once living in a village in the heart of the trees.

Literally "Underground Mosque", this unique building bears its name well: it has occupied the old cellars of Galata Castle since the mid-18th century and is therefore... underground! With its 54 pillars and labyrinthine corridors, it exudes a unique mysticism. At its location was a Byzantine fortress that was part of Constantinople's defence system. The famous chain that blocked the entrance to the Golden Horn started from this point.

These ancient Byzantine churches have been transformed into a mosque and a museum. Murad III converted the building into a mosque in 1591 under the name of Fethiye Camii (Conquest Mosque). The central part of the building is still a place of Islamic worship. The former chapel is a museum attached to Sainte-Sophie (visit on authorization). Its walls are covered with 14th century mosaics. We can see the famous bust of Christ Pantocrator surrounded by his twelve disciples.

Built in 1427 by Jews from Macedonia, this synagogue is the oldest, but also one of the largest in Istanbul. Still in use, it is the only synagogue founded during the Byzantine period. It takes its name from the city of Ohri in Macedonia, where this Jewish community came from in Byzantine times. The synagogue is known for its boat-shaped reading platform, called Tevah. She only admires herself from the outside.

She Tours offers everything you can imagine in a large radius around Istanbul. At your service, a team of more than 50 experienced multilingual guides, including French of course. Half-day or full-day city tours are well established. Strong point: the agency undertakes to carry out almost all the excursions even if you are the only one. Weakness: the quality of the tours varies greatly, depending on the tour and the guide. Be firm, when booking, about the itinerary and sites you want to visit.

The "yellow square" district, if we translate it, is known for its fishermen, its market and its fish restaurants. Sarı (yellow) is an allusion to the natural water sources and gold and copper ores once extracted here. You can admire superb wooden houses. Along the harbour, fish restaurants offer fresh produce. The district is also known for its börek (puff pastry) with meat or cheese. From Sariyer, there are dolmuş to reach Kilyos, a sandy beach on the Black Sea, in 20 minutes.

It is composed of a mosque, a medersa, an elementary school, a hammam, a mausoleum and shops. A real masterpiece! Once again, Sinan surpassed himself by building this complex (1560-1565) for Soliman's daughter, Princess Mihrimah, who died in 1558 and was buried in Süleymaniye. Mihrimah is an aerial building of exemplary simplicity. Considered as Sinan's "original experimentation", the central space of the mosque has been enlarged here and the half-dome, which usually supported the large dome with its north wing, has been removed, which rests, through pendants, on four pillars of blue and pink granite. If, seen from the outside, the mosque looks like a cube topped by a dome that no visible counter-butt comes to consolidate, the interior reserves the most beautiful surprises. Exceptionally bright, the mosque evokes the most beautiful cathedrals in the West. Four practically translucent eardrums, each pierced with 15 windows and 4 ox's eyes, light flows into an almost transparent space. The fountain of ablutions with sixteen columns and square and massive capitals is characteristic of the 16th century. The minaret was replaced in the 19th century by a baroque one. The double hammam, built on a cruciform plane, has canopies and angular cells. The large dome in the middle is supported by half domes. A fountain was added to the complex in 1778.

The history of this building, built in 1826 on the Golden Horn, is very unique. After the dissolution of the Janissary Corps by Sultan Mahmud II, the army was reorganized and the soldiers needed uniforms... The factory starts up and the fes, this red felt hat, symbolizes progress in clothing. Nowadays, this factory has been restored and is a centre used to organise events and congresses (Halıç Kongre Merkesi). There is a theatre, a museum...

A favourite neighbourhood for artists and bohemians, it has long been known for its cosmopolitan character. Foreigners working in Istanbul appreciate it, especially the French community. The chic trend coexists with the picturesque, which inevitably attracts young people from all walks of life. With a rebellious but irreverent soul, the district is open to all. The street on the right opposite the mosque, Akarsu Caddesi, is the beating heart of Cihangir.

Built from 1906 to 1912, the church was built according to the plans of the architect Guilio Mongeri. A place of worship of the largest Catholic community, it is one of the largest churches in the city. Made of red bricks, it is typical of Italian neo-Gothic architecture. The offices are in several languages. The apartments that are part of the complex are also the work of the same architect and house members of the Catholic community.

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.

To get to this district, it is possible to take the Yeni Çarsı Caddesi which runs alongside the Galatasaray high school. Then, by the second street on the left, you reach rue Française and Çukurcuma, a district that is mainly known for its antique dealers. In the first Hayriye Street, next to the Koyu Kahve, is the Apelyan building, which you will recognize by its yellow facade and Italian-style architecture. Dating from the 19th century and having belonged to the Apelyan family.

The easiest way to get there is to take a boat from Eminönü. The district is known for its fish restaurants and its military, a strategic point. The village, its narrow streets with wooden houses, its few shops are dominated by the hill Yuşa Tepesi. It is easy to get there in 30 minutes, for its fortress (Yoros Kalesi) and the wonderful view of the Bosporus and the Black Sea. Two fishing villages further away: Anadolu Feneri with its lighthouse (fener) and Poyrazköy with its small paying beach.

Attended assiduously since Suleiman the Magnificent as a place for hunting and relaxation, the park is part of a complex that saw the first buildings appear under the era of Ahmed I (1603-1617). Abdülmecit (1839-1861) wanted the building redeveloped and all the structures were demolished, but it was during the time of Abdülaziz (1861-1876) that the current buildings were built. Thus, he asked the architect Garabed Balian to build the pavilions of the Tent (Çadır Köşkü) and Malta (Malta Köşkü). Interior paintings often reflect the themes of hunting and serenity. But the park is best known for Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876-1909) who, suspicious of the Dolmabahçe palace, which he considered dangerous to his health and well-being, had chosen it as his first residence. Due to his hostility towards the constitutional monarchy and the nationalist movements that were then beginning to germinate, Sultan Abdülaziz was the victim of a putsch on 30 May 1876. His successor, Murad V, remained in power for only 96 days! Allegedly insane, he was dismissed in favour of Abdülhamid II. Passionate about carpentry and fond of art, contrary to the austere image he is given, he enriches the park with new buildings: theatre and opera hall, hammam, library, pharmacy, zoo...

Near the entrance, on the right, a path leads to the mausoleum (türbe) of Yahya Efendi,one of Islam's most famous saints. He was born in Trebizond on the same day as Suleyman the Magnificent. His mother being the Sultan's nurse, he accompanied him to Istanbul and became one of the most prominent theologians of his time. Going up to the left, you first arrive at the Tent Pavilion (Çadır Köşkü), now a café-restaurant. Continuing the slope, almost at the top, awaits you the most beautiful building in the park, the Şale Köşkü. Built and enlarged according to the will of Abdülhamid II, its name comes from the French "chalet", perhaps an allusion to its location. The whole thing was completed in 1898. Unlike Dolmabahçe, the architectural aesthetics give the impression of a simpler harmony, while remaining elegant and expressive. Moreover, the site was intended to accommodate foreign representatives and statesmen. To reach the Malta pavilion, also transformed into a café-restaurant, you must pass on the right wing at the end of the park. The Hamidiye Mosque is not within the park, a parallel (Müvezzi Caddesi) that starts at Çırağan Caddesi joins it (at the far right).

It is one of the oldest mosques in Istanbul, as evidenced by the epigraphy on the pediment of the front door dated 1471-1472. The prayer hall is an exception in Ottoman architecture, which tends to favour larger ranks of the faithful. It was built on the initiative of Has Hasan Paşa, which is illustrated during the wars waged by Mehmed the Conqueror against the Turkoman White Sheep dynasty, Uzun Hasan.

Along the road that runs along the sparsely populated coastal strip, you will come across the Austrian consulate, the summer palace of the German consulate, the Art Nouveau presidential residence and a villa belonging to the former Italian ambassador. This private mansion has become the property of the State. Tarabya has a beautiful small cove, unfortunately disfigured by an imposing hotel. In this upscale district of the capital, pleasure boats await their wealthy owners, facing fish restaurants, trendy bars and social clubs.