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AYASOFYA MUSEUM
Aya Sophia was, for nearly a thousand years, the largest enclosed
space in the world, and still seen as one of the world’s most
important architectural monuments. It is one of Turkey’s most
popular attractions, drawn by the sheer spectacle of its size, architecture,
mosaics and art.
For 916 years it was a church, then a mosque for 481 years, and since
1935 has been a museum. Thought to have been constructed by Emperor
Konstantinos I (324 – 337) it was burned down during a revolt.
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Rebuilt by Emperor Theodosium II,
it was opened for worship in 415 and once again was burned to the
ground, during the Nika revolts of 532.
Emperor Iustanianus (527 –
565) wanted to construct something even bigger than the original
two and appointed architects Isidoros from Miletos, and Anthemios
from Tralles to build the Aya Sophia which still stands. Columns,
heads, marble and coloured stones were imported to Istanbul from
ancient cities in Anatolia for the purpose.
The construction began on 23
December 532, and was completed exactly five years later. The main,
central section measured 100m x 70m, covered with a 55m high dome
which was a mammoth 30m in diameter – appearing to be a great
feat of design. The mosaics are of great importance, and the oldest
ones are dominated by geometric and plant motifs decorated with
gold.
The worst desecration of the
church was in 1204, ransacked by Catholic soldiers during the Fourth
Crusade. In 1453, after a failure of the Byzantine Church to fend
off the Turks, Mehmet the Conqueror captured the city, rode into
Aya Sofia and immediately turned it into a mosque. It was repaired
several times, and Islamic ornamentation added, for example an extract
of the Koran by calligrapher Izzet Efendi inscribed on the dome.
The other reminders of its previous status as a mosque include huge
wooden plaques bearing the names of Allah, the Prophet Mohammed
and the first four caliphs.
The marble and mosaics remain
the most interesting aspects today. The columns supporting the gallery
are made from antique marble, and in the western gallery is the
green marble which marks the position of the throne of the Empress.
The impressive figurative mosaics include Virgin and Child flanked
by two emperors, dating back to the late 10th century, and one depicting
Christ, the Virgin, and St John the Baptists. Even though there
is partial damage, the haunting images on their faces remain as
strong as ever.
Opening hours: 09.30 - 16.30,
daily except Monday.
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ÇINILI KÖSK (TILED
PAVILION)
The oldest secular building Istanbul, this was constructed as a mansion
in 1472. It was a type of grandstand from which the Sultan would sit
and watch wrestling or polo, and its interior is beautifully decorated
with Selcuk art. It now houses the Museum of Turkish Ceramics, containing
fine example of 16th century tiles from Iznik, as well as other renowned
examples of art and pottery from Selcuk and Ottoman times.
Closed Mondays.
AYA IRINI
This ranks as the first church built in Istanbul. It was commissioned
by Constantine in the 4th century, and Justinian later had it restored.
The building reputedly stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple.
Closed Mondays.
MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND
ISLAMIC ART
Built in 1524 by Ibrahim Pasa, the Grand Vizier to Suleyman the Magnificent,
this was originally a palace and the grandest private residences in
the Ottoman Empire – and one of the few which have survived.
Some of it, however, was destroyed and rebuilt in stone to the original
designs in 1843.
Now home to the museum, this is considered one of the finest collections
of Islamic art in the world, with a superb display of ceramics, metalwork,
miniatures, calligraphy and textiles, as well as some of the oldest
carpets in the world. Equally as impressive is the grace of the building,
with the central courtyard giving something of an insight into the
atmosphere of the residence.
Opposite is the Great Hall, which houses a collection of Turkish carpets,
with exquisite antique carpets and kilims and one of the finest collections
in the world, the oldest exhibit dating back to 13th century.
Opening hours: 09.00 – 17.00, closed Mondays
MUSEUM OF TURKISH CARPETS
Across the street from the Ibrahim Pasa residence is the Museum of
Turkish Carpets which contains exquisite antique carpets and kilims
gathered from all over Turkey.
Open days to visit: Everyday except Monday
YEREBATAN SARNICI(CISTERN)
Nearby Aya Sofia is the 6th century Byzantine underground Basilica
cistern, with 335 massive Corinthian columns supporting the immense
chamber’s fine brick vaulting. This is one of several buried
into the city’s foundations, and the first to have been excavated
and renovated. Thought to have been built in the 4th century by the
emperor Constantine, then enlarged two centuries later, it was supplied
with water from Belgrade Forest, amd supplied it to the Great Palace
and Topkapi Palace.
It fell into disuse and was then restored in 1987 with the mud and
water removed, and narrow raised pathways providing easy access for
visitors. It is the largest covered cistern in the city, measuring
140 by 70 metres.
Opening hours: 09.00 - 17.00 closed Tuesdays.
MOSAIC MUSEUM
The Mosaic Museum preserves in situ exceptionally fine 5th and 6th
century mosaic pavements from the Grand Palace of the Byzantine emperors.
Because of the way they are exhibited, it is easy to understand their
size and scale especially because many of them can be viewed from
a catwalk above.
Opening hours: 09.30 – 17.00,
closed Tuesdays.
KARIYE MUSEUM
This is actually Kariye Mosque, once the 11th century church of St
Saviour in Chora, is considered to be the most important Byzantine
monument in Istanbul, after Aya Sofia. Whilst unremarkable in its
architecture, the interior walls are decorated with superb 14th century
mosaics. Illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin
Mary, these brilliantly colored paintings embody the vigour of Byzantine
art. The restored wooden houses in the surrounding area are a good
place for relaxation and refreshment.
The church was probably built
in the early 12th century, of which only the nave and central apse
remain. Theodore Metochites rebuilt it between 1316 and 1321, the
same years from which the mosaics and frescoes date, which depict
the life of Christ in picture-book fashion. There is a series of mosaics
in the form of devotional panels in the narthexes, the theme of which
is reflected in the frescoes in the nave and funerary chapel.
Opening hours: 09.30 – 16.30,
closed Wednesdays.
AVIATION MUSEUM
The Aviation Museum in Yesilkoy traces the development of flight in
Turkey.
Closed Tuesdays.
MILITARY MUSEUM
Highlight of this museum is definitely the Mehter Takimi, the Ottoman
military band, which performs every afternoon between 15.00 –
16.00. It also has a good collection of Ottoman military memorabilia,
like the cotton and silk tents used by the sultans at war, and armour
and weaponry like heavily decorated jambiyah daggers.
The band, which originated in
1289, became an institution which came to symbolise the power and
independence of the Ottoman empire, and these musicians, who were
janissaries, always accompanied the Sultans into battle. But quite
apart from their benefit on the battlefield, they came to create new
musical styles in Europe, and even influencing Mozart and Beethoven.
Opening hours: 09.00 – 17.00,
closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
MARITIME MUSEUM
The collection is divided into two buildlings: The one facing the
water has seagoing vessels, and the one opposite the road has exhibits
relating to maritime history of the Ottoman Empire and Turkish Republic.
Highlights include items from Ataturk’s yacht, the huge wooden
figureheads of tigers and swans, and the imperial caiques of the sultans,
the largest dating back to 1648, which needed 144 oarsmen to power
it.
Opening hours: 09.00 – 12.30
& 13.30 – 17.00, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
ATATÜRK MUSEUM
Ataturk's former residence in Sisli, 2 km north of Taksim Square,
now serves as the Ataturk Museum and displays his personal effects.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
NAVAL MUSEUM
The grand imperial caiques used by the sultans to cross the Bosphorus
are among the many many other interesting exhibits of Ottoman naval
history that can be seen at the Naval Museum located in the Besiktas
district.
Open days to visit: Everyday except Saturday and Sunday.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
This collection is in the east wing of Dolmabahce Palace, once the
apartments of the heir to the throne. Although closed for some time
following damage after the 1999 earthquake, it is best known for its
late 19th century and early 20th century work, which gives an insight
into the life of the late Ottoman Turks. Osman Hamdi is one of the
best artists exhibited.
Opening hours: 12.30 – 16.30,
closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
CITY MUSEUM
Located inside the gardens of Yildiz Palace, this museum preserves
and documents the history of Istanbul since the Ottoman conquest,
including ornaments and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries
reflect the way of life. Also within the gardens are the Yildiz Palace
Theatre, and the Yildiz Sarayi Theatre (Museum of Historical Stage
Costumes), with richly decorated scenery, stage and costumes. Also
exhibited are portraits of some of the stars who appeared here, including
Sarah Bernhardt.
Opening hours: 09.00 – 16.30,
Closed Mondays.
RAHMI KOÇ INDUSTRY MUSEUM
The museum is set in an Ottoman-period building, an 18th century factory
which produced anchors and their chains. It was recently converted,
although has retained many of its original features, and restored
by Rahmi Koc, one of Turkey’s most powerful industrialists. It
was essentially done so he could house his private collection of models,
machines and vehicles which he had collected from all over Europe,
and exhibits include original penny-farthing bicycles, a ship’s
bridge, and an engine from the Kalender steam ferry. The museum is
trying to raise the Australian navy’s first submarine sink of
gallipoli in World War I.
Opening hours: 10.00 – 17.00,
closed Mondays.
SADBERK HANIM MUSEUM
Up the Bosphorus and shortly before Buyukdere, the collection of an
Armenian civil servant fills two charming 19th century wooden villas.
The larger of the two villas belonged to the Armenian, who became
a politician and died in the great Beyoglu fire of 1922. His collection
was put together in memory of Sadberk Hanim, wife of millionaire businessman
Vehbi Koc.
A private museum which originally
displayed only Turkish decorative arts, was recently expanded to include
a new collection of archeological exhibits. This is the oldest section,
and includes sixth-millenium BC mother goddesses. In the ethnography
section, there are maternity and circumcision beds, clothing and jewellery.
Opening hours: 10.00 – 18.00,
closed Wednesdays. |
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Kesit
Travel Agency
Caglayan Mah. 2007 Sok. No: 7 TR-07230 Antalya /
Turkey
Tel: + 90 - 242 - 323 90 09 - Fax: +90-242 - 323 96
66
E-mail :
info@kesit.com
Licence Nr : 3528
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