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Top Rated Attractions in Istanbul

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Dolmabahçe Palace

Boasting of hundreds of opulent rooms, lavish Turkish baths and entrances which look like gateways to heaven, Dolmabahçe Palace is ostentatious. Nestled along the picturesque coast of Bosphorus, this elegant palace was built close to the mid-1800s, under the orders of the then-Sultan Abdülmecid I. Bearing a stately Neoclassical visage adorned with finial decorations, and fronted by ornamental gardens and jubilant fountains, the palace boasts an interior which is a different world in itself. Flamboyant, and unabashedly luxurious, the insides of this palace are a paradisaical mosaic of gilded ceiling work, effervescent chandeliers, crystal stairways and authentic bearskin rugs. Particularly noteworthy are the Pink Hall, the Medhal Hall, the Blue Hall and Ataturk’s Room, where the revered revolutionary took his last breaths. Also lodged on the palace grounds is the glorious Dolmabahçe Clock Tower and the ornate Dolmabahçe Mosque, both of which hearken back to the palace's bygone, yet everlasting splendor. A canopy of unhindered extravagance, the waterfront Dolmabahçe Palace reserves a special place in the hearts of the Turkish people.

Hagia Sophia

The magnificent Hagia Sophia was built at the behest of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 BCE, then known as the Church of the Holy Wisdom. A remarkable testament to the ingenuity of the Byzantine architects, the Hagia Sophia was built upon a design that was rather unique for its time. The Turkish conquest of Constantinople marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Hagia Sophia. Re-purposed by Mehmed II to be used as a mosque, its gold mosaics and frescoes were painted over with Islamic motifs and patterns. A few of these have since been uncovered, preserved for centuries beneath layers of plaster. The emperor also added minarets and added massive discs bearing Arabic calligraphy to the grand scheme. Secularized by President Kemal Atatürk and converted into a museum in 1935, the Hagia Sophia is an ode to both the Byzantine and Ottoman penchant for art and architecture.

Basilica Cistern

A vision soaked in cavernous magnificence, Yerebatan Sarnıcı or Basilica Cistern is the largest of many cisterns thriving in the underneath Istanbul. Constructed in the 6th-century during Emperor Justinian I's reign, this cistern served as an incredible nexus of water filtration systems for many medieval empires. Historical records establish that once situated on the grounds of the cistern was a basilica, complete with an ornate facade and ornamental gardens. Filled with traces of timeworn Middle-Eastern architecture, curious explorers wander along wooden pathways, ancient pillars, carved columns and mystical arches. To the northwest lie the bases of two Medusa-headed beams that can be traced back to the Roman era. Such is its allure that the cistern has also been a setting for Hollywood blockbusters including one from the James Bond series. Permeated with a transcendental aura, this subterranean cistern is the only site of its kind which has been restored for public viewing.

Topkapı Palace

Resting on a peninsular hilltop in Istanbul with sweeping views of the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus strait, the grand Topkapı Sarayı was once the exalted seat of the Ottoman sultans. The palatial structure was built at the behest of Sultan Mehmet II in 1453, in the wake of the Conquest of Constantinople. From the 15th to the 19th Century, the palace was the cornerstone of the Ottoman Empire, until its gradual decline in the later years, when its power was relinquished to the newer Dolmabahce Palace on the Turkish waterfront. As is the case with any palatial residence, the Topkapi also underwent a slew of additions and renovations as various sultans reigned over the city over a 400-year-old span, but the core architectural form of the palace remained predominantly Middle Eastern. When the sun set on the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the palace was promptly converted into a museum by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The essence of this bygone empire still lingers in various corners of the palace's chambers, its treasury, and its imperial harems. Several items from the peak of the Ottoman Empire adorn the museum today, from illuminated manuscripts and age-old weaponry, to diamonds and intricate miniatures. The Topkapı Sarayı Museum is part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul.

Maiden's Tower

A graceful medieval marvel, Maiden's Tower lies nestled in the middle of the glimmering blue waters of the Bosphorus. Having served as a toll booth, watchtower, lighthouse, quarantine site, and in today’s date, an upscale Turkish restaurant, the tower is enshrouded in many legends which speak of emperors, oracles and a Greek goddess. Since its construction by Alexius Comnenus in the year 1110, the tower has been an important landmark and a continuous source of myth in Istanbul. Several private ferries shuttle guests to and from the island throughout the day from multiple points along the Bosphorus. Fringed by a tapestry of distant, verdant hills and Turkish minarets, this historic tower is entrenched in legendary Ottoman and Athenian roots. A mellow, effervescent wonder come night, the tower affords outstanding views of the Bosphorus, and across the charming old city.

SEA LIFE Istanbul

Located in the Forum Istanbul center, Istanbul SEA LIFE Aquarium is Turkey's pioneering public aquarium. Home to thousands of marine creatures, a visit is a to this majestic aquarium is a fascinating recreational activity for the whole family. Several interactive exhibitions and educational programs, as well as social events are organized here. Marvel at octopus, groupers and piranhas from the glass enclosures, or get friendly with sharks on a diving adventure. Fun sleepovers for children and birthday parties are popular activities here.

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