Wandering through İstanbul's hıstoric sites

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Istanbul is one of the world's most fascinating cities. It boasts a history reaching back thousands of years. Constantine declared it the capital of the eastern Roman Empire, calling Constantinople the "New Rome" in 330AD. For the next thousand years the city was the coveted gem in the crown of what came to be known as the Byzantine Empire. Many ancient remains of Byzantium can still be visited, the wonderful Aya Sofya remains one of the world's most beautiful buildings, as well as being one of the most interesting historically. Completed first in 537AD under Emporer Justinian, converted into a mosque in 1453, it was finally declared a museum by Ataturk in 1935. İt took over 10000 labourers and 800 master craftsmen to complete the task and its mınd boggling to conceive that even that kınd of labour force could pull it off. The massive dome is half concealed by scaffolding due to ongoing restorations, but this does little to diminish from the beauty and grandeur of the structure. It also contains mosaics of exquisite and haunting artistry, depicting Christian images as well as Emporers and Empresses long past. Istanbul has many other Byzantine remains, parts of the old city wall, other churches, some now are mosques such as the Kucuk Aya Sofya Camii, and a highlight is the Chora Church, now a museum. The Church is covered in wonderful frescoes and mosaics.Built in the 11th Century and decorated mostly in 1312, it was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest and it's frescoes and mosaics covered over.They are now being uncovered and are stunning and mysterious. Stories frome the bible, the lives of Mary and Jesus are depicted.
The Blue Mosque sits across a large and lush park from the Aya Sofya, two of the world's most beauteous structures thus facing each other, and you can enjoy many pleasant hours sitting between them in the grass, drinking tea and watching the masses of tourists going past. This great mosque was built under Sultan Ahmet I, 1603-17, and is the best known Ottoman mosque. It is a grande, perfectly balanced structure of many domes and 5 levels of windows. The interior is covered in blue Iznik tiles and the illumination created by the design of the windows creates a light but sacred atmosphere. Istanbul is full of other beautiful mosques, such as the Suleymaniye Camii, Rustem Pasa Camii and the Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Camii, all designed by the great 16th Century architect Mimar Sinan. There are many more, too many to name or visit in a week.
Topkapi Palace was the home of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. It was built under Mehmet the Conqueror, shortly after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. It is a vast complex of ornate and yet refined buildings, that were used for business of state, as well as dwelllings for the sultan, his harem and wives, officials and servants. The floors are of marble, walls covered in exquisite tiling and courtyards and fountains are grand. Everything is situated appropriately within 4 large courtyards, with views of the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara from it's position on the hill of Sultanahmet.
These are but a view of the highlights of Istanbul. One could go on and on.
Another important and exciting part of traveling here is just to wander around old, even ancient, neighbourhoods of narrow streets and picturesque houses, watching the kids play ball in the streets and stopping in to little bakeries for delicious flatbreads, and tea shops for refreshments. The people are welcoming and friendly, and ready to help you out if you get lost.

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