Though Ankara is the capital of Turkey, Istanbul is the most populated and popular city in Turkey. Considered a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is unique as it is where one continent ends and another one begins.
From its fortress and mighty city walls, which once protected Constantinople (old name of Turkey), the Old City of Istanbul reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here.
Several mosques can be found around the city. We visited two of their most popular and iconic mosques. The Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Church of Divine Wisdom, features a soaring 6th-century dome. It served as the cathedral of Constantinople and was the largest cathedral in the world for a thousand years. It then became a mosque then later opened as a museum. The grand interior features several preserved historical artifacts and rare Christian mosaics. Going up and down of the Mosque can just be challenging, especially for the seniors. But the sights are all worth it.
In the Sultanahmet district, stands the world-renowned Blue Mosque, another architectural masterpiece. It has a majestic exterior with a big courtyard while the interior was intricately designed. One can see the traces of royalty in the mosque.
Just outside the Blue dome is the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome, which was for centuries the site of chariot races and other sports game in the Byzantine period. It is now a town square, where the Egyptian obelisks, like Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent column and column of Constantinople, still stand. It’s a great feeling to stand and walk where the Emperors stood and walked centuries ago.
A one hour cruise along the Bosphorous Strait allowed us to marvel at the views of the stunning iconic landmarks of both sides of Europe and Asia, like the Topkapi Palace, Leander Tower, the medieval Rumeli Fortress and the upscale areas where the rich and famous live. Along the Strait are two suspended bridges that connect the East and West.
Visit to Istanbul won’t be complete without a detour to their Grand Bazaar which houses hundreds of jewelry, pottery, spice, delicacies and carpets shops. Restaurants serving Turkish menus can also be found. The bazaar is a haven for tourists looking for local finds and souvenirs. Just make sure you know how to haggle. It’s like our Divisoria or Greenhills, but bigger and cooler.
Istanbul offer the best of both worlds. The historic center, where the mosques are located, is named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while hosting the headquarters of several Turkish and foreign companies, accounting for a big share of Turkey’s economy.
No wonder that in 2023, Istanbul has surpassed London and Dubai, to become the most visited city in the world, with more than 20 million foreign visitors.
Be sure to include Istanbul in your travel bucket list. I just ticked it off from mine!
