ISTANBUL – THE CITY OF DREAMS

First Byzantium then Constantinople and now Istanbul, a city enriched with multiple cultures and traditions, one of the greatest cities on earth filled with overwhelming history over millenniums. For thousands of years, this city has been a crossroad for civilizations where east meets west. This magnificent metropolis on the Bosphorus strait occupies intense history than many places situated on planet earth. You can cruise through the golden horn, shop the historical grand bazaar, visit the magnificent Dolmabache palace, witness the history in Topkapi Palace, pray inside splendid ottoman empire’s mosques such as Sultan Ahmed Mosque (The Blue Mosque), lose yourself in the sea of enthusiastic crowd at Istiklal Avenue, drive through the Bosphorus bridge which connects Asia and Europe, walk through the Roman Hippodrome, visit historical Hagia Sophia and feel like walking in ancient times.

Without a shadow of a doubt, just like the great cities such as New York, London, and Paris, Istanbul is one of those marvelous cities where one should be at least once in a lifetime. The utmost unique thing about this city is that it is divided into two continents (Asia & Europe) which are connected through the Bosphorus bridge.

One of the main attractions of Istanbul is the beautiful ottoman mosques all around the city. These mosques were built so beautifully that even today we get shocked witnessing their marvelous architecture of Ottoman-era centuries ago. Sultan Ahmed mosque which is also known as the blue mosque is one of those magnificent pieces of architecture which was constructed between 1609 and 1616.

This masterpiece was designed by the grand architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa who was commissioned by Sultan Ahmed – I. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine churches that also stand tall in modern day Istanbul. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period of Ottoman Empire. The architect has applied the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty, and splendor.

Remains of the ancient Greeks and Romans will also leave you breathless and in such remains, there lies an ancient Roman cathedral Hagia Sophia. It was built over a millennium ago around 6th century as an orthodox christen church. Later when the Ottomans conquered this marvelous city, it has served as a mosque for many years and now in a present-day Istanbul, it became a historical museum showing the glimpse of both Byzantine and Ottoman eras.

Where the dream city is filled with beautiful ottoman’s mosque, there are few must-see spots from the ottoman’s empire. Topkapi Palace is one of those places which are enriched with Islamic historical artifacts. One can feel that thin air filled with spirituality when a person steps their foot inside the holy relics section of the palace. Here you can some of most sacred artifacts from the belongings of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) such as the mark of his footprints, hairs from Prophet’s beard, his holy seal, a part of his tooth and his swords.

There also lies the belongings of other prophets of ALLAH (SWT) such as the staff of Moses, a sword of King David, the turban of Prophet Joseph and metallic hand cover of prophet John. Some other sacred stuff is also placed in the other section of holy relics such as keys to the Kaaba, the gutters of the Kaaba and the casing of the Black Stone.

While so many overwhelming places are there to visit but none of them would even come close to the elegance and the glamour of Dolmabache Palace. As its name refers, Dolma (filled) and Bache (gardens) is a combined word in Turkish which means “filled in gardens”. This elegant masterpiece of work was ordered to build by the late Ottoman ruler Sultan Abdul Mecid, who made this palace the new administrative center of Ottoman Empire. It is one of the most glamorous palaces in the whole wide world and worth five million Ottoman gold lira, or 35 tons of gold, the equivalent of US $1.5 billion in today’s world.

One could have the most amazing experience of their lifetime by having ferry ride in this dream city. Nothing could even come close to the scenery that you will observe while riding a ferry in the Bosphorus sea and seeing the wonders around you everywhere. The horizon of Istanbul decorated with the masterpiece mosques of Ottoman Rulers and by feeling the cold breeze from Europe will give you the goosebumps to make you realize you are witnessing some moments that no amount words would be able to describe.

Out of many wonderful cities of the world, Istanbul is unlike any other city. Just like its Bosphorus bridge, Istanbul brings east and west together with a complex enthusiasm of modern influence, western secularism, and traditional Muslim faith. It’s a dynamic and stimulating city well worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.