The best of modern Istanbul
Istanbul is a truly global city that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. It is a fascinating blend of eastern and western culture, bustling modern city with a unique identity. Its rich past coexists with youthful vitality. Although no longer the capital of Turkey, Istanbul remains the cultural and business center of the country. It is a city of contrasts, full of cacophony typical of life in the 21st century, and yet terribly beautiful. Situated on dazzling place, surrounded by water - thin Bosphorus Strait and tranquil Sea of Marmara separating Europe from Asia. Istanbul entered the two continents and has inherited the best of both. Under the names Byzantium, Constantinople and finally Istanbul, it was the capital of three empires, each has left its mark in the form of stunning palaces, castles, mosques, churches and monuments. Testament to its colorful past can be seen in every corner of the modern city. The plan of the city may first seem confusing. Bosphorus dividing the city of European and Asian part related to two magnificent bridges stretching between the continents, the first of which was opened in 1973 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic. Most visitors to the city, remaining only a few days, do not have many reasons to visit the Asian side, apart from the circumference of the Bosphorus by boat, which flies zigzag between the two sides to show the best of each. European part, however, is also divided into two parts or Halich Golden Horn (Haliç), who can say that separates historical Reset of old Istanbul - Sultanahmet (Sultanahmet) and Laleli (Laleli) - from the modern city. Is crossed by many bridges, the most famous of which is the pontoon - Galata Bridge (Galata). Most visitors, who come for a while, prefer to stay in the old town, as most of the places they visit are concentrated there. The most famous places in Istanbul - The Blue Mosque (Mavi Camii), Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı, Palace) and Kapala Charsha (Kapalı Çarşı) - a 30-minute walk from one another. It is easy to touring on foot or by tram, which regularly pass through the main street, which is the only pedestrian zone. As to finding a place to stay, there are already many luxury boutique hotels with character in Sultanahmet area, many of which are restored Ottoman wooden houses. They are ideal for those who really want to taste the authentic spirit of the old town. Visitors with fewer opportunities may consider the more modern hotels at affordable prices in the Laleli district, although it is much more busy and vibrant. Although convenient, the downside of staying in the Old Town is that since it is a residential area, you can feel the atmosphere of modern Istanbul, with its excellent restaurants, lively bars and cosmopolitan spirit. Some of the most elegant and luxurious hotels are either on the banks of the Bosphorus, offering stunning views over the straits, or in modern business districts. Moreover, near Pera (Pera), has some historical buildings that flourished in the beginning of the last century. At the heart of modern Istanbul's Taksim Square (Taksim) and the streets around it. The advantage of staying there is that you can walk to many restaurants and quiet bars nearby. Changa is a restaurant in established in 1999 and located close to Taksim Square. It is owned by restaurateurs Tarık Bayazıt and Savaş Ertunç and operated under the consultancy and supervision
of the renowned Kiwi chef Peter Gordon. In 2002, Changa was chosen 39th of the world's 50 top restaurants by the Restaurant magazine.
Wherever you choose to stay, it is not difficult to enjoy the city, and even three days would be enough to see the most interesting sights. This, however, is a big city that even visits it again and again, each time you discover something unknown. There are two convenient tram lines - one in the old town and a main shopping street in Pera - avenue "Avenue" (İstiklâl Caddesi). Istanbul has inspired many artists with its history and natural beauty. Countless have written poems and songs composed for Istanbul. Istanbul, which has fabulous charm, thanks to the historical and cultural wealth awaits those who want to see with my own eyes the great love between continents. Have you already heard about the historical part of Istanbul "Sultanahmet", "Grand Bazaar", "Hagia Sophia", etc? Have you tried some delicious local things like kebab or baklava? Perhaps that too. Are you walking along the Bosphorus? Are you drinking tea in a cozy cafe? Surely even you were in the Asian part of purchases Boulevard "Baghdad" - one of the busiest shopping districts in the city. If you have been to these places, you've probably seen the face of Istanbul. But if you want to try more or to dive more deeply into this city, we suggest places and things that you can do for free. Underground mosque (Yeraltı Camii), which is clear from the name, and is unlike any other mosques in the city underground. It occupied the crypt of what is left of the fortress "Galata", which was destroyed during the Ottoman conquest. The mosque has a low ceiling with thick columns with low arches that divide the mosque in narrow passages and small places of prayer. Tombs of two Arab soldiers are situated in a side chapel behind a glass window. In close proximity to the underground mosque is one of the most famous and old shops baklava in Istanbul- "Gülüoğlu", which according to many locals is the best city. The mosque is located in "Karaköy", one of the oldest and most historical neighborhoods of Istanbul, close to another large zabelezhitelnost- Tower "Galata". Visit the underground mosque can combine with another little adventure - traveling with the second most old subway in the world (1875). This line has only two stops and connects neighborhoods
"KarakĂśy" and "Beyoglu". Originally subway train were wooden and were two in number, powered by steam engines. One was intended for the transport of persons, as there were separate for men and women. Other railcar was used for transporting goods, animals and even horse-drawn carts. On April 28 in Istanbul will open museum of innocence of Nobel Prize winning writer Orhan Pamuk. He was inspired by the novel, which was published in 2008. Exhibits presents great love and longing of the hero in the work Kemal to his beloved Fyusun. The museum is housed in three-storey building in 1897 in Istanbul Chukurdzhuma. Like the 83 chapters in the novel, the exhibition has 83 parts, where there are thousands of items, ranging from movie tickets, matchboxes, liqueur cups, statuettes, photographs. All these represent life in Istanbul in the period 1950-2000, the Upon entering the visitor encounters a particularly powerful panel with 4213 cigarettes is smoked heroine Fyusun. The attic floor is located the room, setting out draft of the novel, written in the hand of Orhan Pamuk, and sketches of the museum, made personally by the author. Before the official opening of the museum Cotton first familiarize journalists with their idea. He said that began to collect belongings before writing the novel, and then writes them watched. Now thousands of objects that filled the house and office of Cotton, were transferred to the museum. Exposed are all objects that are described in the novel. The opening of the museum was delayed, but not out of laziness, says Orhan Pamuk. A lot of time it took the discovery of a suitable building. He traveled to all corners of the ancient quarters of Istanbul - Sultanahmet and Galata, and finally decided to be Chukurdzhuma. "My goal was to write a novel-like museum book." The Museum of Innocence "has the meaning of a local museum in Istanbul during the years when I lived in it. Unfortunately, so far there is a museum dedicated to this city that deserves thereof. My only a modest city museum, a grain of sand in the vast sea "says the writer. In the last six months Orhan Pamuk constantly engaged in work around the museum. He put it over 1 million. Dollars, ie all the money from the Nobel Prize. Admission is 15 Turkish lira, for students - 10 Turkish lira. In any instance in the Turkish edition of the novel between pages is one ticket to the museum. Istanbul is definitely not a good place to visit if you are on a strict diet. Already told you about where and what we ate. But sweet izkushenya so much variety and so much had to spend their special place. And - you can not stand them! Without being exhaustive, I will mention some of the local products that impressed us in Istanbul. This is definitely a city with many culinary trips! Halva is very popular in Turkey. In markets such as the Egyptian market, or in this Yuskudar (ĂœskĂźdar), could see large cakes - from 40 to 60cm in diameter, with pieces shaped like a sort of cake. Look attractive! But it has more convenient for tourists cuts. The species are very - clean and beige similar to Bulgarian. White, yet mekichka - peeled sesame. White with pistachios. With marble color. And much more. One of the most popular and expensive brands is KOSKA. In many places have stores - full of all other sweets, including diverse delight, and are available in supermarkets. In supermarkets there are other brands halva, cheaper than KOSKA. We bought white with pistachios 250g for 5 Turkish lira, which we like to taste. For comparison, the same kind of KOSKA to 100g price was 9 Turkish lira, so judge. We assume that there is a big difference in quality ... Turkish delight - The species are very numerous. Some are not so sweet - as usual and this, which is wrapped in chocolate. We tried pomegranate with pistachios - wonderful! Delight in the markets is mass, but in places like the Egyptian market or Grand Chareshi is more expensive as compared to
market Yuskudar or in supermarkets. There you can buy in bulk and packaged and variety is also very large.
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