No visit to Istanbul is complete without a visit to the Hagia Sophia, one of the most iconic buildings in the world. This former Christian church is now an Islamic mosque. It’s the place where the Council of Constantinople gathered to discuss the final version of the Christian creed after the Council of Nicaea. It was also the site of the coronation of the Byzantine emperors, from the time of Constantine the Great to the Fall of Constantinople in 1204 AD.
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is often referred to as the ‘Sultanahmet Mosque,’ after the nearby neighborhood, Sultanahmet, where it is located. The mosque is located on the site of an earlier Byzantine church and was built between 1609 and 1616 by Sultan Ahmed I. The mosque’s striking blue coloration comes from the blue and white Iznik tiles used in its decoration.
The Hagia Sophia
With its distinctive dome, the Hagia Sophia is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, and for good reason. The Hagia Sophia is an architectural wonder, an example of early Byzantine architecture, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the former house of worship of the Christian Church of Constantinople (now Constantinople, Turkey), and one of the greatest churches in the world.
The Grand Bazaar
The most famous part of Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar. This is one of the most famous shopping centres in the world. The bazaar consists of more than 1000 shops. It is located in the centre of Istanbul and was built in the 15th century as a place where merchants from different countries could sell their goods.
The Basilica Cistern
The Turkish word, “Istanbul” is derived from the Greek name for the city, Byzantium. The city’s most famous structure is the Basilica Cistern, built by Emperor Justinian in AD 532. This enormous underground cistern, which is located underneath Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, has a capacity of 12,500,000 cubic meters of water.
The Hippodrome
While the most famous attraction in Istanbul is undoubtedly the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome is also an important part of Istanbul’s history. The Hippodrome was initially created as a chariot racecourse in the 6th century AD, and has since been used for other sporting events as well as public executions. The Hippodrome was also the site of the last Christian council in AD 381, when 391 bishops gathered to discuss the Arian heresy.
The Topkapi Palace
The most famous part of Istanbul is undoubtedly the Topkapı Palace, an Ottoman imperial palace located on the shores of the Bosphorus. The name “Topkapı” means “Capped Palace” in Turkish and it refers to the capping stone that was placed on the southeast corner of the palace.
The Dolmabahár Palace
It’s difficult to single out one part of the city for being the most famous. The Dolmabahár Palace is one of the most famous attractions in Istanbul because of its stunning architecture and rich history, but as you’ll see below, there are plenty of other sights that stand out for their beauty and rich history. If you want to know what the most famous part of Istanbul is, you need to consider all of the options.
Conclusion
Most people will immediately think of the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, which is a great answer. It is the first and largest airport in Turkey as well as one of the leading airports in the world. The Ataturk Airport is the pride of Istanbul, and it is where millions of tourists from all over the world arrive every year.