Sultanahmet is the treasure chest of Istanbul. This is where the city all began – hence a lot of Istanbul’s landmarks are located here. Its contribution to world history and culture is recognized, especially with the fact that this district was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site back in 1985. Indeed, its 2,500 years’ worth of history (from the time it welcomed its earliest settlers, to the time it was known as Byzantium, to Constantinople and finally, to Istanbul) has blessed the areas with treasures from some of the greatest empires – amazing palaces, houses, mosques, churches and hamams all bear testimony to the role of this district in the affairs of the world during the height of its time.
This part of the city also used to be fortified by walls to its west, and it is also bounded by water, water, water. The Sea of Marmara to the south, the Golden Horn to its north and the Bosphorus to the west – these are basically why the area is called the historic peninsula. This area is essentially what Constantinople was during its golden era. The other districts used to be cities and towns separate from this center. These were later incorporated into Istanbul.
The district is named in honor of the builder of the fabulous Blue Mosque – Sultan Ahmet I.
It’s very easy to conduct a walking tour of the district. That is basically the best way when you are thinking of how you can travel and see all the desired spots.
Topkapi Palace (Bab-I Humayun Caddesi) Home of the Ottoman emperors and marked by the lavishness of the empire. It certainly does not lack for grandeur and majesty. The guided tours will show you how the royals during that time lived. The palace has four main courts, as well as expansive gardens filled with an array of flowers, plants and trees.
- The 1st Court holds a stable that used to house some 1,000 horses that formed part of the emperor’s army, as well as the Hagia Eirene. This church was built at about the same era as the Hagia Sophia. However, during the Ottoman times, it served as the empire’s armory.
- The 2nd Court was where the Empire conducted its business affairs. There are chambers where the emperor’s counselors met to discuss matters of the state. The emperor would watch these meetings through a grid in the wall. Here, visitors and dignitaries from other countries came to pay their respects to the emperor. As you look at this court, picture in your mind’s eye, dozens of exotic birds and animals (peacocks, gazelles, lions and tigers included) pranced about – the lions and tigers were tied, of course. When the sultan was in court, no one was allowed to speak, or even make a sound. A special sign language was devised so that the court was able to communicate, even in the sultan’s presence. This court also houses 10 kitchens, where some 1,000 cooks labored to feed the emperor, his family and the rest of the court. Off to the left of the court, you will see the entrance to the sultan’s harem.
- The 3rd Court is where you can find the treasury, the Audience Chamber and the Holy Relics room. At the Audience Chamber, you will find a fountain that made sure nobody could eavesdrop on the Sultan’s conversations with foreign ambassadors. The Treasury (although largely plundered after the fall of the empire) still holds some of the gifts offered to the empire by other countries, while the Holy Relics room exhibits some artifacts about the Prophet Mohammed. Other things to see in the court include the school for Christian slaves, the eunuch’s quarters and Ahmed’s Library. The 4th Court houses elaborately adorned kiosks – namely, the Baghdad, Itfariye, Mecidiye and Revan Kiosks. The Harem, forbidden to men, is home to the Sultan’s concubines and ladies assisting the Valide Sultan (the Sultan’s mother).
Hagia Sophia (Sultanahmet Square) Ahh… The Hagia Sophia! Much has been said about this basilica, especially in this guide. It is a testimony of the ingenuity of architecture – truly ahead of their time. Imagine, a huge dome (30 meters in diameter) is held up without you seeing any sign of how it is supported. For over a millennium, it used to cover the world’s largest enclosed space. No wonder this was considered the best church in all Christendom during its time! No expense was spared in the building of this church – marble, gold and silver adorned its interior. The emperor Justinian, who ordered it built, was said to have exclaimed in glee that he has succeeded in building something that can outshine the temple that King Solomon built. Such is the splendor of this building. Well, we’ll just let you see this for yourself. We must warn you, though, that a lot of the important relics and precious adornments were gone when the Latin Crusaders ransacked the church.
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) Built by Sultan Ahmet I, the mosques’ six minarets is a unique feature that has sparked a lot of debate at the time of the mosque’s completion. Only the mosque in Mecca had six minarets at that time, and many felt that the Sultan was being overly presumptuous in having the same number built at his mosque. The sultan, in response, financed the construction of a seventh minaret in Mecca and this quieted all criticisms. Saying that blue is the predominant color of the mosque would be an understatement. More than 20,000 Iznik tiles adorn its walls and gave the entire mosque the bluish effect that would earn it its nickname – the Blue Mosque.
Byzantine Hippodrome Beside the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the hippodrome is what used to be the center of activity during the Roman and Byzantine era. The hippodrome itself has long been destroyed but the sculptures and obelisks that surround it are mostly still there. This includes the German Fountain (given by Kaiser Wilhelm II), the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius, the Column of Constantine, and the Serpentine Column. The hippodrome used to be bustling with ceremonies, festivals and even sporting events. Many a chariot race and gladiator fight was held in the court.
Suleymaniye Mosque Another fine mosque and the work of the official architect – Sinan. It pales in glory to the Blue Mosque, but is still worth a visit. The mosque is also the final resting place of Sinan himself, as well as the royal couple – Sultain Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife, Roxalene.
Istanbul Archeological Museums Years and years of history all under one roof! This is perhaps one of the most important archeological museums in the world. It has an extensive collection of artifacts – sarcophagi, Sumerian tablets, marble statues (from the Roman and Babylonian empire) and other fascinating snippets of history.
Basilica Cistern Medussa-head pillars, graceful columns and arches provide an otherworldly feeling. Dating back to 532 A.D., this served to supply the city’s water requirements, particularly when the city is put under siege. The forest of 336 columns is truly a sight to behold.
Whew! This is quite a list, and we’re just getting started! Other sites of interest include the Chora Church, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Sogukcesme Sokak (Street of the Cool Fountain) with its cobble street lined with restaurants and the Cagaloglu Hamami (one of the oldest Turkish baths in the city).