Introduction
Istanbul has been called “the only city to straddle two continents,” and for good reason. With the Bosphorus Strait running through the middle of it, this city on two sides is a cultural and historic goldmine. But there’s more than just ancient history here; Istanbul also has plenty of hidden gems that are off-the-beaten track but well worth seeking out. Here are some of our favorites:
Ortakoy Mosque
Ortakoy Mosque was built in 1591, and is one of the most famous mosques in Turkey. The mosque is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and can be reached via ferry from Eminonu or Karakoy. This historical mosque was originally built with wooden galleries, but they were replaced with stone arches during a renovation project between 1760-1763. The Ortakoy Mosque has two minarets that are taller than those found at other Ottoman era mosques such as Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) or Suleymaniye Mosque because they were built after earthquakes struck Istanbul in 1766 and 1894 respectively; this required stronger foundations to support taller towers
St. Irene Church
St. Irene Church is a Byzantine church in Istanbul, Turkey, located in the Fener district. It was built in the 6th century during the reign of Justinian I and restored by Constantine IX Monomachos (1042-1055). The church ranks among Istanbul’s most important examples of Byzantine architecture and has been called “the greatest monument of Greek art in Constantinople”.
It was dedicated to St. Irene, who was born in Tyre but spent much of her life as an empress at Constantinople before retiring to Jerusalem where she died around 703 AD. After her death she became venerated as an Orthodox saint; her remains were returned to Constantinople by Emperor Leo III during his second reign (717-741). Her feast day on November 26th has been celebrated since at least 870 AD when it appears in an early calendar written down at Mount Athos monastery where she was buried until its destruction during World War II
Galata Tower
Galata Tower is located in the Galata district of Istanbul. It’s one of the most important landmarks in Istanbul, and it was built in 1348 by the Genoese as part of a chain that would allow them to control access to their colony, Pera (now called Beyoglu).
The tower has been rebuilt many times over its history and now stands at 80 meters (262 feet) tall with an observation deck offering stunning views over both sides of the city.
Fethiye Camii (Fethiye Mosque)
Fethiye Mosque is a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built by the order of Sultan Bayezid II in 1494.
The mosque is also known as Fethiye Camii (Fethiye Mosque) because it is located on Fethiye Street, which was named after it.
Dolmabahce Palace
The Dolmabahce Palace is one of Istanbul’s most stunning examples of Ottoman architecture, and it’s also one of its best-kept secrets. Located on the European shoreline of the Bosporus, on the northern shore of the Golden Horn, this palace was once home to Sultans Abdülmecid I (1839-1861) and Abdülaziz I (1861-1876). It was built between 1843 and 1856 by architect Sarkis Balyan with help from his father Hovsep Balyan, who had previously constructed Topkapi Palace during Sultan Mahmud II’s rule (1798-1808).
While many tourists choose not to visit this site due to its distance from other attractions–it requires about an hour by car or public transportation–the Dolmabahce Palace offers some fascinating insights into life during Ottoman times that are worth experiencing for yourself!
Underground Cisterns of Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern is located under the Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most famous attractions. The cistern was built in 532 and is the largest of its kind in the city. It was used to store water for the Great Palace of Constantinople, which stood where the cathedral now stands.
The cistern consists of 336 columns supporting a dome that spans 55 meters (180 ft) across–the largest such structure ever built by humans until modern times. The columns are made mostly from marble quarried near Mount Athos in Greece; other materials include greenstone and limestone from Egypt or Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).
Grand Bazaar, also called Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar)
The Grand Bazaar is a sprawling complex of shops and restaurants that has been a fixture in Istanbul for over 600 years. Located in the heart of the city, it’s easy to get there from anywhere by walking or taking public transportation, though you may want to consider hiring a taxi as well if your destination is farther away than you can comfortably walk.
The Grand Bazaar was built by Sultan Mehmed II between 1455 and 1459 as part of his efforts to rebuild Constantinople after conquering it from its previous rulers (the Byzantines). The site was chosen because it was outside the walls surrounding old Constantinople but still accessible via two main roads leading into town: one coming from Asia Minor; another connecting Europe with Asia Minor via land routes through Bulgaria and Serbia respectively.
As part of its construction process, workers cleared out an existing marketplace called “Kapali Carsi” (“closed market”) since they needed space for their new project–a large open area where goods could be sold freely without any restrictions whatsoever! This decision proved very controversial among merchants who preferred having more control over their businesses; thus today we have both terms being used interchangeably when referring specifically either one place: Kapali Carsi vs Grand Bazaar.”
Baltacilar Sokagi (Baltacilar Street)
Baltacilar Sokagi (Baltacilar Street) is a narrow street in the Eminonu neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. It runs from the Galata Bridge to the Golden Horn and is named after the balta (axe) makers who once lived there.[1]
The street contains several wooden houses built during Ottoman times, as well as newer buildings such as apartment blocks and shops.[2] The area has become popular with tourists since 2007 due to its proximity to other attractions such as Karakoy Square and Ortakoy Mosque.[3][4]
Uncovering the City’s Best-Kept Secrets
Istanbul is a city of many secrets, but not all of them are hidden. You can find one such gem in Taksim Square, where you’ll discover a small shop called “Taksim Gece Evi” (Night Club). This underground club is tucked away behind some trees and looks like any other building from the outside. Once inside though, you’ll be transported into another world–a world where there are no rules or restrictions; a place where everyone can let loose and dance until dawn with complete strangers who become friends by morning.
Conclusion
Istanbul is a city that has been around for thousands of years, and its history is evident everywhere you look. The best way to get an understanding of this city’s rich past is by exploring its many hidden gems–things like mosques, churches and palaces that are not well-known outside Turkey but hold great significance for locals.
