The Most Featured Attractions of Istanbul

Istanbul is among the coolest European and Asian cities where travelers get an opportunity to live the past. The amazingly stunning landmarks also amalgamate cultures and religions which bring wonderful surprise to tourists.

A perfect amalgam of East and West, Istanbul is the destination where you can still witness the past grandeur. The city boasts of its stretch of neighbourhoods sprawling across the corners of Asia and Europe.

Hagia Sofia

Situated in Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia used to be a basilica made for the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I in the 6^th century. It remains as finest piece of Roman engineering. This massive dome measures around 31 m or 102 feet in diameter that remained as the largest enclosed space in the world for around 1000 years. It was looted in 1202 and became a mosque in the 15^th century when The Ottomans subdued the city. It was converted into a museum in 1935 and is among the major attractions of the place.

The Blue Mosque

It faces Aya Sofya across a tiny park and reflecting its domed portrait. Dating back to the early 17^th century, the mosque is among several mosques in the world to take pride in six minarets. If you wish to observe its architectural fineness, enter the side entrance from the Hippodrome. Then pop your head into a structure the size of a tiny mosque on the edge of the complex where you will come across the site of the tomb of Sultan Ahmed. He gave his name to mosque and the neighbourhood.

The Basilica Cistern

Built to cater to the needs of water for the city, it was constructed in the 6^th century CE. The Cistern is actually an underground chamber of 138 x 64.6 m. The spacious area is divided by a forest consisting of 336 marble columns, aesthetically supported by arches and strong columns. Enveloped by a firebrick wall with 3.5 m thickness, the cistern is coated with a mortar making it waterproof. Forming the bottom of a column, the upside-down head of Medusa is a wonder to watch. The fact remained unknown why the antique Medusa and Gorgon heads were carried to the Basilica Cistern.

Mount Nemrut

This 2134 m high mountain located in southeastern Turkey is a must visit attraction on Istanbul tour. Known for the huge statues of 1^st century BC on its apex, the mountain positions itself around 40 km north of Kahta. Constructed on the mountain peak a tomb-sanctuary encircled by statues that measure a height of 8-9 m of him, lions, eagles and numerous American, Greek and Persian Gods. Excavated in 1881 by Kal Sester, the Mt. Nemrut has failed to disclose the tomb of Antiochus and the area is believed as his burial. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

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