Guvenlik Memorial

In Guven Park, in the city centre of Kizilay, it was made in 1935 out of local stone. Because it was presented as a gift to the Turkish national police, it is known as the Security Memorial.

Mithat Pasa Memorial

In 1966, the Turkish Republic Agricultural Bank commissioned Professor Huseyin Anka of the Fine Arts Academy in Istanbul to make this sculpture. It is located beside the General Headquarters of the bank in Ulus.

Ulus Republic Memorial

This was erected in 1927 in honour of the heroes of the Turkish War of Independence, and lies in Ulus Square.

Triumph Memorial

On Ataturk Boulevard in Yenisehir in front of Ordu Evi, the Triumph Memorial is a bronze statue of a uniformed Ataturk, standing on his feet and leaning on his sword.

The Bust of Lady Zubeyde

In front of the Ismet Pasa Girls Institute, the bust of Ataturk’s mother Zubeyde was erected March 31 1964 by the United Turkish Women’s Centre, in honour of the greatest of all Turkish mothers.

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum : Aya Sophia was built, for nearly a thousand years ago, is the largest enclosed space in the world, and still seen as one of the world’s most important architectural monuments. It is one of Turkey’s most popular attractions, drawn by the sheer spectacle of its size, architecture, mosaics and art.

It used to be a church for 916 years, then a mosque for 481 years, and since 1935 has been a museum. Thought to have been constructed by Emperor Konstantinos I (324 – 337) it was burned down during a revolt. Rebuilt by Emperor Theodosium II, it was opened for worship in 415 and once again was burned to the ground, during the Nika revolts of 532.

Emperor Iustanianus (527 – 565) wanted to construct something even bigger than the original two and appointed architects Isidoros from Miletos, and Anthemios from Tralles to build the Aya Sophia which still stands. Columns, heads, marble and coloured stones were imported to Istanbul from ancient cities in Anatolia for the purpose.

The construction began on 23 December 532, and was completed exactly five years later. The main, central section measured 100m x 70m, covered with a 55m high dome which was a mammoth 30m in diameter – appearing to be a great feat of design. The mosaics are of great importance, and the oldest ones are dominated by geometric and plant motifs decorated with gold.

The worst desecration of the church was in 1204, ransacked by Catholic soldiers during the Fourth Crusade. In 1453, after a failure of the Byzantine Church to fend off the Turks, Mehmet the Conqueror captured the city, rode into Aya Sofia and immediately turned it into a mosque. It was repaired several times, and Islamic ornamentation added, for example an extract of the Koran by calligrapher Izzet Efendi inscribed on the dome. The other reminders of its previous status as a mosque include huge wooden plaques bearing the names of Allah, the Prophet Mohammed and the first four caliphs.

The marble and mosaics remain the most interesting aspects today. The columns supporting the gallery are made from antique marble, and in the western gallery is the green marble which marks the position of the throne of the Empress. The impressive figurative mosaics include Virgin and Child flanked by two emperors, dating back to the late 10th century, and one depicting Christ, the Virgin, and St John the Baptists. Even though there is partial damage, the haunting images on their faces remain as strong as ever.

Hagia Sophia Museum - Mahmut I Library

Archeology Museum

Topkapı Palace Museum

Fethiye Museum (Pammakaristos)

Museum of Classical Ottoman (Divan) Literature (Galata Mevlevi Lodge)

Small St.Sofia Mosque - Ss. Sergius and Bacchus Church

St. Irene (Aya İrini) : This ranks as the first church built in Istanbul. It was commissioned by Constantine in the 4th century, and Justinian later had it restored. The building reputedly stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple.

Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum: Built in 1524 by İbrahim Pasa, the Grand Vizier to Suleyman the Magnificent, this was originally a palace and the grandest private residences in the Ottoman Empire – and one of the few which have survived. Some of it, however, was destroyed and rebuilt in stone to the original designs in 1843.

Now home to the museum, this is considered one of the finest collections of Islamic art in the world, with a superb display of ceramics, metalwork, miniatures, calligraphy and textiles, as well as some of the oldest carpets in the world. Equally as impressive is the grace of the building, with the central courtyard giving something of an insight into the atmosphere of the residence.

Opposite is the Great Hall, which houses a collection of Turkish carpets, with exquisite antique carpets and kilims and one of the finest collections in the world, the oldest exhibit dating back to 13th century.

The Great Palace Mosaic Museum :The Mosaic Museum preserves its situation exceptionally fine 5th and 6th century mosaic pavements from the Grand Palace of the Byzantine emperors. Because of the way they are exhibited, it is easy to understand their size and scale especially because many of them can be viewed from a catwalk above.

Kariye (Caria) Museum : This is actually Kariye Mosque, once the 11th century church of St Saviour in Chora, is considered to be the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul, after Aya Sofia. Whilst unremarkable in its architecture, the interior walls are decorated with superb 14th century mosaics. Illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, these brilliantly colored paintings embody the vigour of Byzantine art. The restored wooden houses in the surrounding area are a good place for relaxation and refreshment.

The church was probably built in the early 12th century, of which only the nave and central apse remain. Theodore Metochites rebuilt it between 1316 and 1321, the same years from which the mosaics and frescoes date, which depict the life of Christ in picture-book fashion. There is a series of mosaics in the form of devotional panels in the narthexes, the theme of which is reflected in the frescoes in the nave and funerary chapel.

Museum of Turkish Carpets : Across the street from the Ibrahim Pasa residence is the Museum of Turkish Carpets which contains exquisite antique carpets and kilims gathered from all over Turkey. Open days to visit: Everyday except Monday

Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Cistern) : Nearby Aya Sofia is the 6th century Byzantine underground Basilica cistern, with 335 massive Corinthian columns supporting the immense chamber’s fine brick vaulting. This is one of several buried into the city’s foundations, and the first to have been excavated and renovated. Thought to have been built in the 4th century by the emperor Constantine, then enlarged two centuries later, it was supplied with water from Belgrade Forest, amd supplied it to the Great Palace and Topkapi Palace.

It fell into disuse and was then restored in 1987 with the mud and water removed, and narrow raised pathways providing easy access for visitors. It is the largest covered cistern in the city, measuring 140 by 70 metres.

Aviation Museum : The Aviation Museum in Yesilkoy traces the development of flight in Turkey.

Closed Tuesdays.

Military Museum : Highlight of this museum is definitely the Mehter Takimi, the Ottoman military band, which performs every afternoon between 15.00 – 16.00. It also has a good collection of Ottoman military memorabilia, like the cotton and silk tents used by the sultans at war, and armour and weaponry like heavily decorated jambiyah daggers.

The band, which originated in 1289, became an institution which came to symbolise the power and independence of the Ottoman empire, and these musicians, who were janissaries, always accompanied the Sultans into battle. But quite apart from their benefit on the battlefield, they came to create new musical styles in Europe, and even influencing Mozart and Beethoven.

Opening hours: 09.00 – 17.00, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Maritime Museum : The collection is divided into two buildlings: The one facing the water has seagoing vessels, and the one opposite the road has exhibits relating to maritime history of the Ottoman Empire and Turkish Republic. Highlights include items from Ataturk’s yacht, the huge wooden figureheads of tigers and swans, and the imperial caiques of the sultans, the largest dating back to 1648, which needed 144 oarsmen to power it.
Opening hours: 09.00 – 12.30 & 13.30 – 17.00, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Atatürk Museum : Ataturk’s former residence in Şisli, 2 km from north of Taksim Square, now serves as the Ataturk Museum and displays his personal effects.

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Naval Museum : The grand imperial caiques used by the sultans to cross the Bosphorus are among the many many other interesting exhibits of Ottoman naval history that can be seen at the Naval Museum located in the Besiktas district. Open days to visit: Everyday except Saturday and Sunday.

Museum of Fine Arts This collection is in the east wing of Dolmabahce Palace, once the apartments of the heir to the throne. Although closed for some time following damage after the 1999 earthquake, it is best known for its late 19th century and early 20th century work, which gives an insight into the life of the late Ottoman Turks. Osman Hamdi is one of the best artists exhibited.

Opening hours: 12.30 – 16.30, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

City Museum : Located inside the gardens of Yıldız Palace, this museum preserves and documents the history of Istanbul since the Ottoman conquest, including ornaments and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries reflect the way of life. Also within the gardens are the Yildiz Palace Theatre, and the Yıldız Sarayı Theatre (Museum of Historical Stage Costumes), with richly decorated scenery, stage and costumes. Also exhibited are portraits of some of the stars who appeared here, including Sarah Bernhardt.

Opening hours: 09.00 – 16.30, Closed Mondays.

Rahmi Koç Industry Museum : The museum is set in an Ottoman-period building, an 18th century factory which produced anchors and their chains. It was recently converted, although has retained many of its original features, and restored by Rahmi Koc, who is one of Turkey’s most powerful industrialists. It was essentially done so he could house his private collection of models, machines and vehicles which he had collected from all over Europe, and exhibits include original penny-farthing bicycles, a ship’s bridge, and an engine from the Kalender steam ferry. The museum is trying to raise the Australian navy’s first submarine sink of gallipoli in World War I.

Opening hours: 10.00 – 17.00, closed Mondays.

Sadberk Hanım Museum : Up the Bosphorus and shortly before Buyukdere, the collection of an Armenian civil servant fills two charming 19th century wooden villas. The larger of the two villas belonged to the Armenian, who became a politician and died in the great Beyoglu fire in 1922. His collection was put together in memory of Sadberk Hanim, wife of millionaire businessman Vehbi Koc.

A private museum which originally displayed only Turkish decorative arts, was recently expanded to include a new collection of archeological exhibits. This is the oldest section, and includes sixth-millenium BC mother goddesses. In the ethnography section, there are maternity and circumcision beds, clothing and jewellery.

Opening hours: 10.00 – 18.00, closed Wednesdays.

After his conquest of Istanbul Mehmet the Conqueror had ordered a palace to be built on a site which is now the grounds of Istanbul University. This palace, consisting mainly of small, wooden pavilions, was surrounded by thick walls. When the building of the new palace at Sarayburnu (the Topkapı Palace) was completed it was renamed Esk Saray (old palace), or Saray-ı Atik and became a residence for the wives and favourites of dead sultans. As it lost its importance the Saray-ı Atik steadily declined and crumbled away leaving no detailed evidence of its architecture and layout. It is only a steel engraving by the English artist Thomas Allom, executed in the first half of the l9th century that depicts a ceremonial entrance with extremely wide eaves resembling the baroque entrance of Babıali on the Alayköşkü side. The location of this palace is marked on old maps of the water supply systems. The New Palace (Yeni Saray), otherwise known as Saray-ı Cedid, or the Topkapı Palace, at Sarayburnu was gradually enlarged with the addition of new buildings and pavilions. This process continued until a preference for a new, European-style palace by the Bosphorus emerged. The Topkapı Palace which had initially adopted the name of a small summerhouse on the coast, developed into a complex of buildings surrounded by gardens. A protective wall, known as Sur-ı Sultanî, was built around it on the inland side and a strong defence system established.

The buildings of the Palace on the Ahırkapı and Sirkeci sides (by then it resembled a small town) have all been destroyed by fire or neglect during the past 100 years. Thus no trace remains of buildings such as lnciliköşk, Mermerköşk, Gülhane Kasrı, Serdap Köşkü, Balıkhane Kasrı, Yalı Köşkü, Topkapı Kasrı and Bostancıbaşı Köşkü. (Note: the word “köşk” means “pavilion” or “summerhouse”, and “kasır” means “palace” or “summerhouse”.) Only a few pictures remain of lnciliköşk, commissioned by Grand Vizier Sinan Paşa from the architect Davud Ağa, to give us some idea of its appearance. This summerhouse, which was set on high, arched foundations and surmounted by domes, overlooked the Sea of Marmara. The lower part of the building can still be seen on the Coast Road. Yalıköşkü, situated at Sirkeci, from which the sultans saluted the fleet as it set sail, was a single-storey building; however, it was sacrificed for the building of the railway. An old engraving tells us what it looked like. Until very recently a magnificent galleon and the royal caiques were kept between the arches of the lower storey of the nearby Sepetçiler Summerhouse, which are high because it once surmounted the city wall. This summerhouse was first built in the reign of Bayezıd II but an inscription in verse over its door tells us that it was rebuilt in the reign of Sultan Ibrahim (1640-1648). In the l9th century alterations were made and it was turned into a warehouse. However lengthy restoration work which started in the 1960’s restored the building to its l7th century state. Reference to old pictures made this possible. The summerhouse had been built on top of the city wall near the Topkapı (cannon) Gate , from which it acquired its name, and we see from an old engraving that it had two towers.

There was also a large waterside palace at the very tip of the cape known as Sarayburnu. This was known by foreigners as Harem d’ete (the Summer Harem). This palace is depicted in old engravings and was embellished with various items brought from the West in the reign of Osman III (1754-1757). Details of its exterior can be seen in photographs taken between 1855 and 1860. It was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1863 and was completely demolished shortly afterwards to make way for the railway.

There are two pavilions remaining in the outer courtyard, entered through a huge gate (known as Babıhumayun) of the Topkapı Palace. One of these is the Çinili Köşk, (tiled pavilion) built by Mehmet the Conqueror, and the second is the Alay Köşkü (Regimental Summerhouse), built in the reign pf Mahmud II in 1810. Çinili Köşk, completed in 1472, is incomparable as far as its architecture and its enamelled wall tiles are concerned. It is the oldest of the remaining pavilions. This is a two story building which has a balcony supported by pillars which run the length of the building. Although in some places it is embellished with blue tiles with a gold monogram, a wider variety of tiles and exquisite inscriptions can be seen on its large exedra. In spite of the fact that some changes have been made to the Çinili Köşk during the past five hundred years we still have examples which are set in stone of the structure with four exedras and a central dome of the style that has prevailed in Turkish architecture from the time they were in Central Asia to the present day. For this reason it is considered that there was once a wooden roof with wide eaves, referred to in a contemporary chronicle as “tarz-ı kadim” (the style of old) covering the building. It is highly probable that the gallery with columns at the front of the building was added at a much later period. By looking at past documents we can see that there was once another pavilion in a different architectural style opposite this building, on the site now occupied by the Archaeological Museum, and that there were a number of small pavilions in the immediate area. The Alay Köşkü, which surmounted one of the towers in a corner of the wall surrounding the palace, was, judging by its name, a pavilion built so that the sultan could watch the regimental parades. This pavilion which was in the form of a large room surrounded by windows on all sides, displays certain western features that were manifesting themselves in Turkish architecture at the time.

The Topkapı Palace, which was declared a museum in 1924, begins from the big gate with two towers at the far end of the outer courtyard. Next to this gate is a well-like structure which belonged to the water supply system of the Palace. As one enters the second courtyard through the gate known as Babü’s-Saade (gate of happiness) one sees on the right the royal kitchens, which were designed by Sinan the Architect and were able to provide food for thousands, together with the cooks’ dormitories and adjoining buildings. The palace catered for by these impressive kitchens has seven dormitories, ten mosques, fourteen Turkish baths, two hospitals, five schools, twelve libraries, twenty two fountains and two cisterns, and comprises 348 rooms, thus resembling a small town. This statistical information relates to the present situation. If we bear in mind that a large number of summerhouses and pavilions have disappeared over past centuries it becomes obvious that this total should have been much higher. The building known as Kubbealtı, in which the viziers assembled under the chairmanship of the Grand Vizier, was built in the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent. The tall tower behind it was built in the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror; however it attained its present form in the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz. The oldest photographs of Istanbul had taken in between 1855 and 1860, point to the fact that the pavilion on top of the tower, which bears some Empire features, was made of wood. Access to the Harem, which exhibits features belonging to various periods, was provided by a door next to the Council Chamber (Kubbealtı).

The former is a veritable labyrinth of buildings, dormitories and pavilions. At the end of the second courtyard is a gate known as Babü’s-Selâm, used at one time for ceremonial processions, leading into the third courtyard. Here we see the Arz Odası, or Audience Chamber built by Mehmet the Conqueror for receiving foreign ambassadors. However, considerable changes were made to the building in later years. Following these is the large and beautiful library built for Ahmed III was built, and this is surrounded by the buildings of the Enderun, or Inner Palace. Finally, on the left is the building referred to as Hırka-ı Saadet (the Robe of Happiness), in which sacred relics of the Prophet Mohammed are kept. Further away are three graceful pavilions that are major works of Turkish art - the Mustafa Paşa, the Baghdad and Revan pavilions. The l8th century Mustafa Paşa Pavilion is a gracefully decorated wooden summerhouse, which, in spite of its low ceiling, is most restful. The Revan Pavilion was built in 1635, in the reign of Murad IV, and the Baghdad Pavilion in 1640 after his Baghdad campaigns. The latter is an incomparable work of art in terms of its architecture, its enamelled wall tiles, its richly decorated dome and doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl. In a corner of this garden overlooking the sea, which is the fourth courtyard of the Palace, is the newest of the palace buildings, standing over the cellars of a pavilion built in the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror. This is the Mecidiye Summerhouse, built in the middle of the last century in an entirely Western European style. The collections of wall tiles, Chinese porcelain, manuscripts, gold inlay, miniatures, book bindings embroidery, pictures, fabrics, weapons, inscriptions, carriages and sets of harness exhibited in various parts of the Palace, and on the other hand, the archives, the treasury and the libraries full of extremely valuable manuscripts. The Sacred Relics all go to make up an incomparable collection of wonders.

It would not be possible for a book containing general information about Istanbul to provide detailed information regarding all parts of the Topkapı Palace. In terms of their decorations alone, such places as the Chamber of Murat III, the Imperial Bath, the Dining Room of Ahmet III, the School of the Crown Princes and the Pavilion of Osman III are all well worth a visit. The Pavilion of Osman III has a marble-paved courtyard in front of it. Below this courtyard there is a large pool built by Sinan, which is not visible from other parts of the Palace because of the high walls surrounding it. It is obvious that the sultans enjoyed watching their concubines disporting themselves in this pool. In the third courtyard, a short distance from the Audience Chamber is the Ağalar Mosque (which served the eunuchs in the Harem). This was restored in the 1930’s to serve as a library for the various handwritten books scattered all over the Palace. Work is under way to collect and classify the historic documents that have accumulated in the palace over the centuries and to produce a catalogue.

When it comes to the waterside palaces along the Bosphorus, we know that the Ottoman sultans were in the habit of taking occasional trips along that waterway and that they had a number of summerhouses and palaces built for the purpose. However, these were only in use for short times in certain seasons of the year. Thus, there was a summer palace of this nature on the Asian side between Salacak and Haydarpaşa. However, the last memory of this palace, the exterior of which can be seen in pictures, is the name of the Harem Quay. There was another waterside palace at Beykoz, also on the Asian side, built on piles driven into the bed of the sea as it was on a promontory. A foreign traveller who saw the palace in the l7th century notes that among the interior decorations were casidas (commemorative poems of not less than fifteen couplets) inscribed in gold leaf on the wooden panels of the walls.

From the reign of Maqhmud II (1808-1839) onwards, palaces along the Bosphorus were built with permanent occupancy in mind. Such palaces had previously been made of wood but they were now made of brick and stone and were entirely Western in appearance. Abdülmecid and Abdülaziz continued in the same vein and, abandoning the Topkapı Palace, concentrated on the building of more new palaces along the Bosphorus.

The Beylerbeyi Palace, which lies in spacious grounds on the Asian side of the Bosphorus, was built for Abdülaziz in 1865 by the architect Balian in an entirely western style. This palace, with its richly decorated interior, was envisaged as a summer residence. The Çırağan Palace, built on the site of an older wooden palace in 1871, (again for Abdülaziz by the same architect), served as a place of internment for 27 years for Sultan Murad V, who had been toppled from his throne. Later, it provided a roof for the National Assembly during the Second Constitutional Govemment. Shortly afterwards in 1910 it was completely destroyed by fire. The ruins of this palace, the marble decorations of which are particularly striking, were unfortunately abandoned to decay for many years. Its magnificent marble doorways and Turkish baths were plundered. In recent years it was restored by people who clearly had no idea about restoring an old building, and part of it is in use as a hotel. However, a great deal of the marble was removed in the process and is now in private hands.

The Yıldız Palace stands in magnificent woodland on high ground overlooking the Bosphorus. In fact, it consists of a number of l9th century buildings grouped round a summerhouse built for the mother of Sultan Selim III. It was the favourite residence of Abdülhamit II (1876-1909) and he further extended it by having the Şale, Malta and Çadır summerhouses built. The Italian architect D’Aramco was involved in this work. Thus, the Yıldız Palace complex became the third royal palace complex of the Ottoman period.

The biggest of all the palaces on the Bosphorus is the Dolmabahçe Palace, completed in 1853, again in the European style, for Sultan Abdülmecid. It possesses a magnificent Ceremonial Hall. The last Ottoman sultans, with the exception of Abdülhamid, all lived here. Adjacent to this palace, which due to the excessively elaborate l9th century decorations executed by the French decorator Sechan, is an unsuitable environment for exhibiting pictures but it is an art gallery housed in the former suite of the Crown Prince. It is now the Museum of Art and Sculpture. It was in 1938 that Atatürk passed away in this palace. The private theatre of the Dolmabahçe Palace was demolished to make way for the road leading to Ayaspaşa. The royal boathouse was pulled down in 1956 and its private harbour partially filled in as well.

The names of some of the small summerhouses intended for short periods of royal residence are as follows: the Küçüksu Kasrı (summerhouse) on the Bosphorus, the Tophane Kasrı at Tophane, by the side of the Nusretiye Mosque (this building now belongs to Mimar Sinan University), the Ihlamur Kasrı in the Beşiktaş district, the Küçük Çiftlik Kasrı, which once stood on the site of the gasometer at Dolmabahçe but was demolished some time after the 1930’s, the Alemdağ Kasrı, gutted by fire in the 1940’s, the Kalender Kasrı, destroyed by fire but later partially restored, the Güreş Kasrı on the banks of the Kurbağalıdere Creek (built for Abdülaziz). This building was demolished on thequiet. All of these summerhouses were of Western style and their furniture and decorations were all from Europe.

The Sâdâbâd Palace stood on the bank of the Kâğıthane Creek. It was originally built in the 18th century as a copy of western palaces such as Fontainbleu and Marly, which were adorned with ornamental fountains, for Ahmed III (1703-1730) by Grand Vizier Damat Nevşehirli İbrahim Paşa. A hundred years later it was pulled down by Mahmut II and rebuilt according to contemporary taste. It was then demolished on the orders of Sultan Abdülaziz and the architect Balian built the Çağlayan Summerhouse for the third time. This L-shaped, 2-storey building was entirely of European style. However, it too was completely demolished by General Fahrettin Altay in the 1940’s.

A large summer palace was built on the banks of the Golden Horn in the Hasköy district at a time when this waterway still preserved its natural beauty; its name was the Tershane (shipyard) Palace. Apart from the royal suite, there were separate suites for the harem and the sovereign’s mother, as well as Turkish baths in this beautiful palace, which stood on piles driven into the bed of the Golden Horn. The exterior of this residence is depicted in old paintings, which provides us with some clues as to its interior plan. However it was demolished at the end of the l9th century to make way for the shipyards, and factories that Selim III wished to set up nearby. The Aynalı Kavak Summerhouse, a small but extremely ornate building, was built in the grounds of the old palace so that Selim would have somewhere to rest when he came to view the new facilities. This summerhouse was in accordance with Turkish architectural traditions and at the same time, embellished with dazzling Baroque ornamentation. Unlike most of the other palaces it has managed to survive intact and in a good state of preservation to this day.

The Davud Paşa Palace, built in a place outside the city walls from where sultans would salute their troops as they set out westwards on campaigns had a royal suite, Turkish bath, harem suite, servants’ quarters, a mosque and separate suites for the sovereign’s favourites and for his mother. It was a complete palace on a small scale. This palace, the walls of which were covered with enamelled tiles was built at the end of the l6th century and was greatly loved by Mehmet III, who was fond of all his residences and had further extensions added. After the building of a barracks nearby in the l9th century the palace fell into a state of neglect and only the main building, known as Taşkasır, and the ruins of the single-storey Sancak Summerhouse remain. Another of these small royal summerhouses is the Poligon Summerhouse at Kâğıthane, built so that Abdülhamit II could try out the new guns he had purchased. This single-storey building was built at the end of the l9th century and consists of an ornate drawing room and small rooms adjoining it. This was also silently demolished in 1956 to make way for a gasworks.

Not many of the private palaces which belonged to members of the royal family remain. Under a misguided policy many of them were handed over to be used as schools or to other institutions during the Republican period, this in turn led to their rapid deterioration. All that remains of the waterside palace of Esma Sultan by the Golden Horn at Eyüp is an engraving of its interior. The interior of the huge Hatice Sultan Palace, which was once stood at the foot of what is now the Haliç Bridge at Ayvansaray, survives only in an engraving by the English artist A.I Melling (1763-1831), a close friend of this royal lady who was a sister of Selim III. The Fikirtepesi Summerhouse, which was occupied in by Murad V when he was crown prince, was demolished in the 1960’s to make way for a school. The summerhouse of Abdülmecid, who was the last Caliph, on the hills above Beylerbeyi is now the property of Yapı ve Kredi Bank. However, it is empty and is surrounded by a number of ugly modern buildings that have sprung up in the woods around it. The Sultan Palace at Akıntı Burnu first of all became the Boğazici High School but was demolished in 1957 for widening of the coast road.

The summerhouse of Adile Sultan at Koşuyolu was turned into a preventorium and her large and magnificent palace at Kandilli became Kandilli Girls’ High School. This impressive building which commanded a view of the Bosphorus was burnt down in 1986 while it was being used as a dormitory. The summerhouses on the hills above Çengelköy that were lived in by Sultan Mehmed Vahidettin VI when he was crown prince was demolished in the 1970’s but at the end of the 1980’s they were reconstructed with the help of old photographs and became accommodation for official visitors. On the other hand, the Ayazağa Summerhouses, comprising three separate buildings that resemble a small-scale European stately home, were restored in 1936 and handed over to the miltary administration. They were well-maintained and in use for a number of years, but after being vacated in the early 1990’s they rapidly deteriorated and are more or less in ruins. The main building was richly decorated but the most interesting of them is the Çiniliköşk, a single-storey music pavilion consisting of a single large room that stands at the head of a pool. The walls of this pavilion are covered with tiles made in Europe. The Beykoz Summerhouse is a palace presented to Sultan Abdülaziz as a gift. It is somewhat astonishing that this building, which was designed as an extremely impressive venue for balls rather than as a residence, should have been turned into a sanatorium for children. A more suitable function could have been found for this palace, with its grand Italian staircase and impressive entrance hall. An artificial grotto in its grounds which extend as far as the sea is a reflection of what was fashionable in l9th century European landscaping.

Nemrut Lake

City: Bitlis

Provinces: Tatvan, Güroymak

Surface Area : 4500

Altitude : 2247 m

Protection: N/A

Bird Species: It gains important bird areas status with kadife ördek (max. 20 pairs) and kaya kartalı (1 pair).

Main Characteristics: sweet water lake, mountain

Sodalıgöl

City: Bitlis

Provinces: Adilcevaz

Surface Area : 1500

Altitude : 1650 m

Protection: N/A

Bird Species: Boz ördek (10 pairs), Macar ördeği (30 pairs) are dikkuyruk (30 pairs) most important ones reproducing within the region.

Main Characteristics: salt lake

Erçek Lake

City: Van

Provinces: Van Merkez

Surface Area : 9520

Altitude : 1803 m

Protection: N/A

Bird Species: It gains important bird areas status with kılıçgaga (50 pairs) and büyük cılıbıt. Important numbers of kara boyunlu batağan (max. 4430) and angıt (max. 5600) can be observed.

Main Characteristics: salt lake

Van Lake

City: Van, Bitlis

Provinces: Van Merkez, Edremit, Gevaş, Tatvan, Ahlat, Adilcevaz, Erçiş, Muradiye

Surface Area : 390.000

Protection: partially

Bird Species: It gains important bird areas status due to Van Reed bed breeding yaz ördeği (5 pairs), Sodalıgöl’s (important bird areas status no. 94) just east present peninsula reproducing toy (during reproduction period max. 32 individual) as well as Ahtamar Island (80 pairs), Çarpanak Island (500 pairs) and probably other areas breeding Van Lake martısı (max. 3285 individual). Ak kanatlı sumru can be seen during immigration period.

Main Characteristics: salt lake, islands

The location of İstanbul could be placed in a circle, lying roughly at the intersection of the 41 st parallel and the 29th meridian. A number of the world’s important cities also lie on, or near the same parallel-cities such as Peking Salonika, Naples Madrid and New York. İstanbul is the place where the two continents Europe and Asia. It was founded at the point where the Black Sea is linked to the Mediterranean and the islands by the Sea of Marmara. Istanbul is where roads link East and West, where the sea brings North and South together. This geographical feature of the city is further stressed by the presence of the Golden Horn, which throughout history has served as a natural harbor for ships of all kinds.

İstanbul was able to develop into three separate cities. The first of these is the historic part within the old city walls which is triangular in shape; this part of the city has a very ancient history. It has seen many different stages of development, and could rightly be described as its nucleus. Galata, which lies on the north bank of the Golden Horn, developed as a city in its own right, and is the nucleus of the many districts that have grown up around it during the past century. Üsküdar was founded on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and, until the arrival of the Turks, was an unimportant settlement; it resembles a purely Turkish provincial township which has blossomed just outside of İstanbul, like a second city. During the time of the Ottoman Empire, the three parts of the city were referred to as Bilâd-ı selâse.

It has been established that there were no during the Early and Middle ages. If the few coastal villages which lay close to the city could be settlements of any importance on either side of the Bosphorus regarded as exceptions, then examples of habitation dating from the Byzantine period consist of a few isolated monasteries lying on the coast, or on the hillsides overlooking the Bosphorus. After the advance of the OttomanTurks it is probable that they were abandoned.

Both shores of the Bosphorus experienced their main development during the Turkish period, when villages sprang up at intervals along both sides, and a large number of waterside residences adorned the coastline between them. It was in the l9th century that a number of palaces were built along the Bosphorus, this added even more to its importance. It is a great pity that in our day and age, a blind eye has been turned to the construction of a number of ugly buildings that have spoiled the landscape of this waterway. Many of the old waterside residences have been demolished. A number of facilities such as coal yards and oil storage tanks, factories and workshops, which are not in keeping with their surroundings, have been built along the shores of this natural channel, which is surely one of the most beautiful places in the world, and have done a great deal to detract from the beauty of this “promenade”. If we add to this damage, all that has been done in the past, the shanty towns that have also sprung up with incredible rapidity in recent years, then there is no doubt that the shore of the Bosphorus has lost much of its beauty. The law that was put into action in 1985 to save the Bosphorus deserves to be criticized as far as its terms and its enforcement are concerned.

As it is impossible to come enough close to birds, binoculars are the most basic equipment for close observation. In open areas, distant lands, telescopes made for this aim are also very beneficial. During the observation period, a note book, which is required for registry, should not be forgotten. Also a guide book including bird species will be very beneficial.

During the observation, there are some basic rules to be obeyed. First of them is not to disturb the birds. You should not enter their nesting areas, and take eggs or nest material. At the end of the observation no property should be left within the region.

Height: 70 m.

Location: This is an extension of the Central Taurus mountains, lying between the Northern Anatolian and the Southeastern Taurus Mountains in the vicinity of Tunceli and Erzincan.

Best time for Climbing: Between mid-June and late August.

Characteristic: These limestone mountains have a very broken and jagged appearance. There are numerous lakes and in some places the snow never melts, and coverage of high meadows. The Munzur Valley National Park is located on the Ovacik road.

Climbing: To reach the peak of Akbaba in the Mercan Mountains, follow Mercan Creek north of the village of Ovacik. Every climber can choose an ascent that matches his level of skill.

Zelve

About 5 km from Avanos and 1 km from Pasabaglari, Zelve was founded on the steep northern slopes of Aktepe. Consisting of three separate valleys, the ruins of Zelve is the area with the most ‘fairy chimneys’ - a famous sight special to Cappadocia - which here have sharp points and thick trunks. It is not known exactly when people began living in the dwellings carved into the rock, found in places like Uchisar, Goreme, Cavusin and Zelve. What is known is that Zelve was an important Christian community and religious centre in the 9th and 13th centuries, where, the first religious seminars for priests were held in the vicinity.

Çavuşin (Nicephorus Phocas) Church

It is beside the Göreme-Avanos road 2.5 km out of Göreme. The narthex of this church has fallen down. It has tunnel vaults, a high nave and 3 apses. It dates back to 964-965 AD.

Güllüdere (St. Agathangelus) Church

It is located in the far left draw of the Güllüdere valley about 2 km from the village of Çavuşin. It was founded at the mouth of the draw on top of a steep slope.

The design of the nave is square with a flat ceiling and it has a single broad apse. The apse was added in the 9th or 10th century to the main structure dating back to the 6th - 7th century. There are 2 or 3 layers of frescoes in the apse which indicates that it was painted regularly. Symbols of Gospel authors are drawn symmetrically and are sitting on the right and left of an enthroned Jesus.

In the middle of the flat ceiling is the relief of a cross in the middle of a circle surrounded with palm leaves and garlands. This sort of relief most likely belongs to the Iconoclastic period. The people of the area had a great love for the cross and it continued to be used as a motif after the Iconoclastic era because it symbolized the “Holy Cross” in Jerusalem.

Özkonak Underground City

Located 14 km northeast of Avanos, this underground city was built on the northern slopes of Mt. Idis in an area with lots of strata made up of volcanic granite. The extensive galleries of the city are spread out over a large area and connected to each another by tunnels. The underground cities in Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, are very narrow (5 cm) and there are long holes between the different levels of the city that used to provide communication between the different levels of the city. The ventilation of these neatly carved out rooms was provided by these holes when the city was sealed up against enemies.

The city was discovered in 1972 by the local muezzin and farmer Latif Acar, when he was trying to find out where the water disappeared, which was tending to his crops. First of all, he found an underground room which, , was revealed a whole city housed with an incredible 60,000 people for up to three months, after excaveted. A total of 10 floors were discovered, to a depth 40m, although now only four are open.

It is unlikely that the other underground cities in this area, besides the rolling stone doors, there were holes above the tunnels used for dumping hot oil on the enemy. Similar to Kaymakli and Derinkuyu, Ozkonak has a ventilation system, a water well, a winery and rolling stone doors.

Opening hours: Summer 08.00 - 19.00; winter 08.00 - 17.00