istanbul city guide for beginners 2

Istanbul City Guide for Beginners - 2

The Bosphorus

Golden Horn: This horn-shaped estuary divides European Istanbul. One

of the best natural harbours in the world, it was once the centre for

the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests.

Today, attractive parks and promenades line the shores, a picturesque

scene especially as the sun goes down over the water. At Fener and

Balat, neighbourhoods midway up the Golden Horn, there are entire

streets filled with old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues dating

from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy resides at

Fener and a little further up the Golden Horn at Eyup, are some

wonderful examples of Ottoman architecture. Muslim pilgrims from all

over the world visit Eyup Camii and Tomb of Eyup, the Prophet

Mohammed's standard bearer, and it is one of the holiest places in

Islam. The area is a still a popular burial place, and the hills above

the mosque are dotted with modern gravestones interspersed with ornate

Ottoman stones. The Pierre Loti Cafe, at the top of hill overlooking

the shrine and the Golden Horn, is a wonderful place to enjoy the

tranquility of the view.

Beyoglu and Taksim:

Beyoglu is an interesting example of a district with

European-influenced architecture, from a century before. Europe's

second oldest subway, Tunel was built by the French in 1875, must be

also one of the shortest - offering a one-stop ride to start of

Taksim. Near to Tunel is the Galata district, whose Galata Tower

became a famous symbols of Istanbul, and the top of which offers a

tremendous 180 degree view of the city. From the Tunel area to Taksim

square, is one of the city's focal points for shopping, entertainment

and urban promenading: Istiklal Cadesi is a fine example of the

contrasts and compositions of Istanbul; fashion shops, bookshops,

cinemas, markets, restaurants and even hand-carts selling trinkets and

simit (sesame bread snack) ensure that the street is packed throughout

the day until late into the night. The old tramcars re-entered into

service, which shuttle up and down this fascinating street, and

otherwise the street is entirely pedestrianised. There are old embassy

buildings, Galatasaray High School, the colourful ambience of Balik

Pazari (Fish Bazaar) and restaurants in Cicek Pasaji (Flower Passage).

Also on this street is the oldest church in the area, St Mary's

Draperis dating back to 1789, and the Franciscan Church of St Antoine,

demolished and then rebuilt in 1913. The street ends at Taksim Square,

a big open plaza, the hub of modern Istanbul and always crowded,

crowned with an imposing monument celebrating Attaturk and the War of

Independence. The main terminal of the new subway is under the square,

adjacent is a noisy bus terminal, and at the north end is the Ataturk

Cultural Centre, one of the venues of the Istanbul Theatre Festival.

Several five-star hotels are dotted around this area, like the Hyatt,

Intercontinental and Hilton (the oldest of its kind in the city).

North of the square is the Istanbul Military Museum. Taksim and

Beyoglu have for centuries been the centre of nightlife, and now there

are many lovely bars and clubs off Istiklal Cadesi, including some of

the only gay venues in the city. Beyoglu is also at the centre of the

more bohemian arts scene.

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