Sultanahmet

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Sultanahmet, Istanbul

Haghia Sophia from Sultanahmet Park by Alan Cordova

Coordinates 41°00′N 28°58′E

Neighborhood of

Istanbul

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Location of Sultanahmet within Turkey.

Sultanahmet is a neighborhood in Istanbul province.

[edit] History

The area covered by Sultanahmet and Eminönü, is the oldest and longest inhabited part of contemporary Istanbul. This is the area where the Byzantine capital, Constantinople was located at the southern bank of the Golden Horn and parts of the defence wall of the old city are still remaining along the coast.

Located on the peninsula formed by the Bosporus Sea and the Golden Horn, the area provided a very significant strategic point for both military and trade purposes, providing a natural border by the sea and a juncture between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. For these reasons, it was chosen by Byzas from Megara, who built a Greek colony there in 667 BC, which was named Byzantium, after his name. Since then the city has faced rapid growth and expansion and consequently became the capital of the Eastern Roman and later the Byzantine Empire under the name Constantinople.

During the Byzantine period the city became the symbol of the Empire’s power and prosperity. The significance of the location was so immense that even after the decline of the Byzantine Empire, the city was the only territory left unoccupied from the emerging Ottoman forces, along with the Despotate of Morea.

The Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet Fatih II set as the ultimate goal of his reign to conquer the city, which he finally succeeded in 1453 after a long siege. It is indicative that the fall of Constantinople signifies the collapse of the Byzantine Empire, even though all of its territory had been conquered by the Ottomans almost a century ago. Right after the capture of the city, Sultan Mehmet Fatih II, transferred there the capital of the Ottoman Empire, from Bursa.

In the Ottoman Period the city became the administrative centre of the Empire and in the following centuries it witnessed further development and economic growth. The most important palaces and administrative buildings of the Ottoman Empire, such as the courts of justice, were located in the area. Some of them are still used by the government, accommodating some of the most important public services and ministry offices.

Until 1923 and the constitution of the Turkish Republic, when the capital was transferred to Ankara, the wider area of Sultanahmet and Eminönü was the core of Istanbul, the centre of the Ottoman Empire from where the city has expanded, covering both sides of the Bosporus Sea, taking its contemporary and impressive image.

[edit] Navigation

Eminönü and Sultanahmet are in the southern bank of the Golden Horn, after the Galata Bridge right opposite of Karaköy in the district of Beyoğlu.

[edit] Getting there

The best way to get there is by tram from Karaköy, which stops both at Eminönü and Sultanahmet. The central station of Istanbul, Sirkeci, is also located at Eminönü, where trains arrive from many destinations of north Western Turkey, but also Greece and Bulgaria. If you are coming from the Eastern (Asian) side of Istanbul then you can use the boat and the Eminönü pier.

[edit] Getting around

Since Eminönü and Sultanahmet have a large number of important and historical sites it is highly recommended to walk around the area, in order to get the best out of it. However, the tram is the best alternative, as there are stops very close to most of the significant tourist attractions.

[edit] See

Due to the history and cultural past of the area, the most important sites of Istanbul are located in Sultanahmet.

Ayasofya Müzesi (Hagia Sophia Museum) is an impressive piece of architectural art. Since 537 AC when it was built as an Orthodox Church, during the reign of Justinian, Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, it was the symbol of Constantinople. It was turned into a Mosque in 1453, when the city was conquered by Sultan Mehmet Fatih II and after 1923 and the foundation of the Turkish Republic it has been turned into a Museum.

Sultanahmet Camii (The Blue Mosque) is located opposite to Ayasofya and it is one of the most historical mosques in Istanbul. It was built in 1616 by Sultan Mehmed I and it has taken its name from the blue tiles that decorate its walls. It’s interior is very impressive and even though it is used as place of worship, many tourists have the opportunity to visit it on a daily basis. It is the biggest mosque in the city, with the unique attribute of comprising six minarets, while the vast majority of mosques around the world have one to four minarets.

Yerebatan Sarinci (The Basilica Cistern), is one of the largest cisterns in the city, which was constructed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Its ceiling is supported by 336 marble columns that were brought to Constantinople from different ancient Greek temples of Ionic, Corinthian and Doric Styles. It had been the main water depositor for the Palace during the Byzantine Period, continuing to provide water to the Topkapı Palace during the Ottoman Period.

Topkapı Sararyı (Topkapi Palace). It has been the central palace and the main residence of the Sultan in the Ottoman Empire between 1465 and 1856. It comprises four courtyards and numerous rooms, including the Imperial Carriages, the Palace Kitchen, the Imperial Council, the Tower of Justice, the Arms Collection, the Audience Chamber, the Harem, the Sanctuary of Holy Relics and many more. Topkapi Palace is an enormous arrangement of different buildings, so you will need about two hours in order to see all of them. So make sure you have enough time when you visit it.

The Byzantine Hippodrome. Next to the Blue Mosque is the place where the Hippodrome was located during the Byzantine period. It was built in the period of the Eastern Roman Empire, but remained in the Byzantine Empire the place where various events, contests and public gatherings were taking place. Nowadays there are only a few columns remaining from the Hippodrome, which has been turned to a park. One of these columns is the Egyptian Obelisk, which was brought directly from Egypt by the Byzantines.

Apart from the Blue Mosque there are also some other very important mosques in the wider area, like Yeni Camii (The new mosque) next to the Egyptian Market and Süleymaniye Camii, which was built in 1558 by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and it is the second largest Mosque in Istanbul. Sirkeci is Istanbul’s main train station. It is a beautifully decorated building and it is the station where the Orient Express used to commence its journey from.

Next to the Gülhane Park at the rear of Topkapı Palace are three of the most important museums in Istanbul; The Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Orient and the Musem of Islamic Art, exhibiting a wide range of artefacts from antiquity to the later period of the Ottoman Empire.

[edit] Do

Take a walk towards the tram line, leaving Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque behind and after a few minutes you will reach Kapalı Çarşı (the Grand Bazaar). This is the big closed market, built in the 15th century and one of the places that you should definitely visit. Kapalı Çarşı is like a small town, with hundreds of shops spread across the numerous streets of the market. In the market you can find almost every kind of products, including, of course, a huge variety of Turkish material culture and souvenirs.

In Eminönü, you will find Mısır Çarşısı (the Egyptian Market - Spice Bazaar), which is also known as the Spice Bazaar. It is also a covered market, much smaller than the Grand Bazaar, but similarly interesting and worth visiting. It is said that the market, which has been constructed in the seventeenth century, was the trade-centre of a huge variety of spices, brought from Egypt and this is where it has taken its name from. Nowadays, you will find many shops selling different kinds of spices, but also many other goods including food products. The Grand Bazaar is mostly visited by tourists, but the Egyptian Market is still a very busy market were local people do their everyday shopping.

In Eminönü, you can take a boat trip to the Bosporus Sea. It is an unforgettable experience, while you get the opportunity to see most important parts of Istanbul from the Sea. The Bosporous tour is a must for every visitor of Istanbul.

[edit] Eat

There are many restaurants and döner shops around Sultanahmed. Most of them are gathered on the two main streets of the area, where the tram is crossing, but there are also some very good places to eat on the smaller streets between Ayasofya and the Topkapi Palace. It is highly recommended to try Izgara Köfte (grilled meatballs) at one of the restaurants of Sultanahmed followed by some pilav (rice) and piyaz (bean salad). The area is very famous for this type of restaurants.

[edit] Drink

Sultanahmed, might not have the nightlife of Beyoğlu, but since it is the most touristic place in Istanbul, there are quite a lot of bars and cafeterias around. You will find them mostly on the main streets, where all the restaurants are. Of course, you can have some Turkish coffee or tea, at the smaller coffee-shops that you will find close to all historical sites in the area.

[edit] Sleep

You will find a wide range of hotels in Sultanahmet at many different costs. The area is also suitable for backpackers, as there are many low badget pensions and youth hostels around.