Sultanahmet-Old City

Chora Church

Also known as the Church of St Saviour in Chora chora translates "countryside" in Byzantine Greek, which refers to what the site of the church exactly was when it was built, this is 1000 year old Byzantine church, an example of a church somewhat out of the traditional center, but is an absolute must see with precious mosaic frescoes and a captivating mood inside. The early church frescoes had been covered with plaster for nearly 500 years, as the building had been converted into a mosque, but were uncovered in the mid-twentieth century and have been partially restored. Mindblowing frescoes and mosaics now cover the entire inside of this church. An impressive section of Theodosian walls is right next to the church.

Patriarchate of Constantinople

Arguably the centre of World Orthodoxy, housed since 1586 in Church of St George Greek: Agíou Geōrgíou, Turkish: Aya Yorgi, which is, despite its religious importance, an otherwise unremarkable and unimpressive building from outside, though its lavishly decorated interior is worth a look. While you are around, don't forget to check out the Phanar Greek College Fener Rum Lisesi just next to the St George, which has an imposing tower made of red brick which seems to appear straight out of medieval times.

Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Camii; about 15-20 min walk away from Beyazıt tram stop/Grand Bazaar, also same distance away from Eminönü, but you should walk uphill from there. On the top of a hill overlooking Golden Horn is a work of Sinan, an Ottoman architect of the 16th century. The mosque is a fine example of Ottoman architecture of the era, and inspired the architects of the Blue Mosque Sultanahmet which was built later. Comparing these two mosques, Süleymaniye is noted for its gloomier and more atmospheric feeling. Next to the courtyard of the mosque are tombs of Sinan himself, Sultan Suleiman the Magnicifent, and his Ukrainian spouse, Roxelana known as Hürrem Sultan in Turkish. Free admission both the mosque building itself and tombs in the courtyard. As of June 2010, the mosque is under construction with very little of the interior available to see. Currently, best seen from a distance.

Yedikule Fortress

This fortress in the very southwest of old city, next to the city walls was Porta Aurea, i.e. "Golden Gate" of Roman times, when it was main ceremonial entrance into the capital, used especially for the occasions of a triumphal entry of an emperor into the capital on the occasion of military victories. During Ottoman era, a fortress was built next to it "the Fortress of Seven Towers", direct translation of its current Turkish name and during late Ottoman period, it served as a state prison for high-level detainees like ambassadors or pashas.

Zeyrek Mosque

Located in the neighbourhood of Zeyrek close to Fatih, Zeyrek Mosque is made by joining two former churches and a chapel all located next to each other. It represents the most typical example of architecture of the Byzantine middle period and is, after Hagia Sophia, the second largest religious edifice built by the Byzantines still extant in Istanbul. A really picturesque place, so prepare your camera! One word of caution, it is located in a somewhat rough neighbourhood, so better visited when there is still daylight.

Old City Walls

The old city walls, which were built during the reign of Byzantine emperor Theodosius II r. 408–450, and enclosing entire western boundary of the peninsula from Golden Horn to the coast of the Sea of Marmara, are mostly intact although partially dilapidated, suffering from unsightly restorations of early 1990s, and occasionally pierced by wide avenues into the old city. For a complete and detailed walking route along the walls, see "Theodosian Walls Walk" section of main Istanbul article. Those too lazy to do the entire route may check out easily accessible sections around Chora Church, Pazartekke station of T1 tram line, or Yedikule Fortress.

 

Hagia Sophia

Aya Sofya, Sultanahmet Square by tram: Sultanahmet, +90 212 522-17-50. Tu-Su 9AM-6PM. Dating from the sixth century, it was originally a basilica constructed for the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The church was looted by the fourth Crusaders in 1204, and became a mosque in the 15th century when The Ottomans conquered the city. It was converted into a museum in 1935. Don't miss the excellent mosaics, including those in the gallery, reached by a stone ramp to the left of the entrance. As of August 2012, the overpriced entrance fee is 25 TL credit cards & Turkish currency accepted, with no student deductions. You can also hire a guide at the entrance of the museum. NOTE: As of Dec 2011, the museum consists of a few poster boards of pictures and a little information.

Topkapı Palace

Topkapı Sarayı (http://www.topkapisarayi....), Bab-i Hümayün Caddesi by tram: Gülhane/Sultanahmet, +90 212 512-04-80. M,W-Su 9AM-5PM. The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for four centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court of the entrance to the Harem admission extra, only by joining a guided tour and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. Both Islamic and Christian relics, rugs, china. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular. You can also see Prophet Mohammed's belongings. 20 TL no concessions, credit cards and Turkish currency accepted. Harem 15 TL extra.

BEWARE Any bus or tram with a sign or indication that it heads for or calls at Topkapı will NOT take you anywhere near Topkapı Palace. Rather, it is going to a neighborhood named after the city gate near which it’s situated “cannon gate”, which may be worth a trip to take a look at the impressive city walls. Topkapı neighborhood is located in the extreme western part of the old city, near the city walls, while Topkapı Palace is located in the extreme eastern part, which means the distance between each other is at least 7-8km. ‘Topkapı’ alone almost always refer to the neighborhood, not the palace. Taking a bus heading for Topkapı to go to the palace is a common mistake made by travelers. For the palace, the stop/station you should look for is 'Sultanahmet'.

Hagia Irene

Hagia Irene, which you will notice to your left after entering the outer yard of Topkapı Palace, is one of few Byzantine-era cathedrals which was never converted to a mosque though not used for religious purposes either during the Ottoman period, although access to the interior is not allowed unless you have a ticket to the classical music concerts sometimes taking place inside the building.

Great Palace Mosaics Museum

Located in Arasta Bazaar, this museum hosts the pavement mosaics of the Byzantine-era Great Palace of Constantinople, which once occupied all the way from Sultanahmet Square, then the Hippodrome, to the coast of the Sea of Marmara.

Soğukçeşme Street

A car-free downhill cobbled street just behind Hagia Sophia, with renovated or totally re-built traditional wooden houses two- or three-storeys tall typical of Ottoman era, leaning against the outer wall of Topkapı Palace grounds/Gülhane Park. Worth a look to see what typical streetscape of Istanbul was like before the concrete came over. While around there, don't forget to check out Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III, at the square in front of the outer gate of Topkapı Palace, a huge standalone fountain building built in typical Ottoman rococo style in 1728.

Many of Istanbul’s historical gems, mostly consisting of Byzantine and Ottoman-built monuments are in Old City. Most are located a short walk away from, if not immediately on the edges of, Sultanahmet Square. Some other sights are dispersed throughout the peninsula.