Turkish Islam Pieces of Art Museum on 1908. It is also opened as Fatih Pieces of Art Museum on 1953. Çinili Mansion, Kubbealtı Arzodası (Under Dome Submission Room), Hasoda, Treasury, Pantries and Expeditionist like barracks, a part of kitchens, patients room, hamam, now a library, Ağalar Mosque, stables and other buildings' construction is followed and finally structure is completed with the construction of main gate at Sultanahmet direction, known as Bab - ı Humayun and Palace ramparts on 1478. Palace residents, which were approximately 750 persons during Fatih period, become more crowd and during XIXth century, it reached to 5000 during normal days and extraordinary days like festivals 10.000. For this reason, new additions had been made to this palace. Topkapı Palace Harem division is constructed between 1574 -1595 during IIIrd Sultan Murad period and then Harem residents in Bazayıt had been moved to this place. Harem residents were 474 persons at the beginning of XIXth century. There were Black Eunuch in Sultans Palace Chamber while entering the Harem, and on the upper level of it, Prince's School for little princes. In the course of time, Enderun School, Master Doctor's Room, Enderun Pharmacy, mansions within internal courtyards and summer mansions at Sarayburnu coasts are constructed in the Palace, kitchens and stables are widened, and new mosques and libraries had been added

Telephone and Fax Numbers of Topkapı Palace Museum

Tel : (0212) 522 44 22 / 512 04 80-5 lines
Fax : (0212) 528 59 91

Side of Dolmabahçe Palace, built by Sultan Ist Abdülmecit during 19th century is lying for 600 m at European coast of the Bosporus. Dolmabahçe Palace, is constructed between 1843 and 1856 as a mixture of European art methods. It is one of the pieces of art of Sultan Abdülmecit's architect, Karabet Balya. There were always lots of palaces of Ottoman Sultans. But main palace is left after completion of Topkapı, Dolmabahçe Palaces.

Dolmabahçe Palace was three leveled and symmetric planned. There are 285 chambers and 43 halls. It has a 600 m long wharf on the sea, and two monumental gates, one is too much decorated on the land. In the middle of this coastal palace, which is surrounded by well - kept and beautiful garden, there is a ceremony and ball hall, which is higher than other divisions. Huge, 56 coloumned greetings hall lost visitors in the amazement with its 750 light illuminating and 4.5 tones of crystal chandelier.
Entrance side of the palace is used for greetings and meetings of Sultanın, and division at the opposite side of the ceremony hall is used as harem division. Internal decoration, furnitures, silk carpet and curtains and all other objects are remained till today with no defect like the original. Dolmabahçe Palace has a richness and magnificence, which is not present in all other palaces. Walls and ceilings are decorated with tones of golden adornments and European artists' pictures of that period. Everything has same tone and color in important rooms and halls. All floors are covered with too much decorated wooden parquet which are different from each other. Famous Hereke silk and wool carpets, most beautiful pieces of Turkish art, are lied on various places. European and Far Eastern rare decorative hand made pieces of art are decorating all over the palace. Clear crystal chandeliers, candlesticks and chimneys are showing their beauties within various rooms of the palace.
Biggest ball hall of the palaces of the world is in this place. A gargantuan crystal chandelier weighting 4.5 tones is suspending from its 36 m. high dome. This hall, which is used during important political meetings, congratulations and balls, was previously heated by an under oven like arrangement. Central heating and electricity system had been added to the palace afterwards. One of the six hamams within Men's greeting hall, is decorated with unique, beautiful adorned alabaster marbles. Upper galleries of this hall is separated for orchestra and embassies.
In the harem division, which is reached with passing long corridors, there are sultan's bed rooms and sultan's mother's division as well as other women and servants' divisions. North addition division of the palace is alloted for princes. Structure, whose entrance is at Beşiktaş district, is serving as Picture and Statue Museum. Most important thing in the palace, used by Atatürk as a resident during his visits to Istanbul during Republic period, is the death of Atatürk on 1938. (It is always open except Mondays and Thursdays.) 

Beylerbeyi, in which Asian Tower of Bosporus Bridge is erected, is a beautiful district allotted for palaces since Byzantium. Sultan Abdulaziz built the Beylerbeyi Palace instead of a former wooden palace between 1861 and 1865. Eastern and Turk motifs are used with Western adornment elements on sides and internal decoration. Structure with three floors, which holds the atmosphere of Dolmabahçe Palace, is composed of 26 rooms and six halls, which includes harem and men's greeting rooms. Inside of this small palace is decorated with Bohemian

chandeliers, which are small treasures, each, Yıldız product tiles and ceramic vases. Furniture with silvering as well as its marvelous carpets are giving a separate beauty to this place. Authentic furniture, carpets, curtains and other property had been preserved as their original conditions. Sea facing side adornments, well - kept garden and pooled hall in the middle division as well as spiral stages are places drawing attention. A huge pool, terraces and stables, which are the beautiful samples of their kind, are placed at back cliff. A former road and a tunnel used until 1970, was passing under palace garden. It was offered to the most distinguished foreign dignitaries for their visits in the palace which has a two small course mansion at coast. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday). 

Most beautiful places of Bosporus and Golden Horn are allotted for palace and mansions to sultans and important persons. Most of these are vanished in the course of time. A big palace, Çırağan is burned on 1910. Architect Serkis Balyan is appointed to construct the Palace by Sultan Abdülaziz on 1871 on the ruins of old palace. Intermediate division and ceiling of the structure, which is cost four million golden coins within four years is covered with wood, and walls are covered with marble.

Columns, which are the superior samples of the masonry, are completing rich adorned places. Rooms are decorated with rare carpets, furniture, golden silvering and nacre unit works. Like the other palaces of the Bosporus Çırağan was also hosted for an important meeting. There were colored marble decorated sides, monumental gates and connected to Yıldız Palace, which is at the back side via a bridge. Street side is surrounded by high walls. Ruin, which remained as a residue for years, had been enlivened as a result of great repairs, and turned into a 5 star, beautiful hotel with the additions made to its side. 

Hagia Sophia, which is assumed as the first and the only unique application in connection with its architecture, magnificence, size and functionality; is a product of east - west synthesis which inspired the Ottoman mosques on the basis of thoughts. This piece of art is one of the most important monuments, remained till today of the world architectural history. For this reason, Hagia Sophia had drawn attention of all humans with its architecture, mosaics and Turkish era structures besides its historical background during centuries. Hagia Sophia was church for 916 years, and mosque for 481 years, and now functions as a museum since 1935.

Kız Kulesi (Virgin Tower), symbol of Istanbul, is a small cute tower established on a small island at the entrance of Bosphorus. The tower which is also used as watch tower, lighthouse within the course of history is now allotted for tourism. Western sources mention about this place as Leander's tower, who was drowned while swimming for reaching to his lover Hera. According to another story, this place was a tower where the daughter of an emperor, who saw that his daughter will be bitten by a snake in his dreams, is put for her security. The snake, which came here within a fruit basket, had caused a tragedy. 

This mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I during 1609-1616 in the square carrying his name in İstanbul. The architect is Sedefhar Mehmet Ağa. It is the only mosque in Turkey with six minarets. The mosque is 64 x 72 m in dimensions. The central dome is 43 m in height and is 33.4 m in diameter. 260 windows surround the mosque. Due to its beautiful blue, green and white tilings it has been named the "Blue Mosque" by Europeans. The inscriptions were made by Seyyid Kasım Gubari.The interior furnishings of Sultan Ahmet Camii are typical of those of the

other imperial mosques in Istanbul.The most important element in the interior of any mosque is the mihrab, a niche set into the center of the wall opposite the main entrance.The purpose of the mihrab is to indicate the kible, the direction of the holy city Mecca, toward which the faithful mast face when they perform their prayers.In the great mosques of Istanbulthe mihrab is invaribly quite grand, with the niche itself made of finely carved and sculptured marble and the adjacent wall sheathed in ceramic tiles.To the right of the mihrab we see the mimber, or pulpit, where the imam stands when he is delivering his sermon at the time of noon prayer on Fridays or on holy days.The mosque is flooded with light from its 260 windows

The ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, stood in the area that is now in front of the Blue Mosque. The area is now named for the mosque, Sultanahmet. Of the monuments which once decorated it only three remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Remains from the curved end of the Hippodrome wall can be seen on the southwest side of these three monuments. Today the square forms the center of Istanbul's historical, cultural and touristic pursuits. Take particular note of the surrounding wooden houses, especially the 18th century homes on Sogukcesme Street. Delightfully restored, they have a new lease on life as small hotels; one houses a fascinating library of books on Istanbul.

A stay in Istanbul is not complete without a traditional and unforgettable boat excursion up the Bosphorus, that winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendor and simple beauty. Modem hotels stand next to yali (shorefront wooden villas), marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses, and elegant compounds neighbor small fishing villages. The best way to see the Bosphorus is to board one of the passenger boats that regularly zigzag along the shores. You embark at Eminonu and stop