"Visiting Istanbul - what to see?" Topic

I have to go to Turkey on 14th October for a Social Compliance Audit of a supplier.
I will have a free day on Saturday and will be in central Istanbul. I know there are several historic sites and museums. I am interested in Romans and Medievals.

What should I visit?

Thanks for suggestions.

Mick

Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia.

Take a copy of Justinian's Laws to read at night …

Constantinople but dont ask the locals for directions

YouTube link

specifically Roman, then it must be Hagia Sophia, looking at the spot where they crowned the emperors sent a shiver down my spine. The underground cistern just scross from Sophia ia amazing.Also the hippodrome, not a lot to see, but you can appreciate the size. Also if you have the time then the land walls are stunning. They have been doing major excavations near the blue mosque, but i dont know how much you can see.
The church of St Sergios and Bacchus if you can find it is good it still has Justinian's and Theodora's intials on the columns.

Just south of town and across the Bosporous is Hisarlik, it's an easy day trip as I understand. It would seem a shame to get so close and not see Troy. It is one of the places I've always wanted to go. Of course with only one day available this would be a bit tough.

Regardless pllease post pics when you get back, we'd all like to see them.

Have a safe and happy travel.

Donald~

Why did Constantinople get the works?

That's nobody's business but the Turks.

and people moan because I take the .

<roll eyes>

Mick, excellent news. I hope you have a great trip.

Istanbul Military Museum (Turkish: Askeri Müze)

link

Bring a digital camera. Snap away, don't worry about boring us. Upload the lot to one of the photo sharing web sites. They will be gobbled up by eager wargamers.

I want to put together an Ottoman army. So any snaps of Janissary or Sipahi gear will be greatly appreciated.

If you get to the Turkish Military Museum, schedule it so you can see a Mehter (Ottoman military band) concert--wonderful!

The Mosaic Museum near the old cavalry barracks (between the Blue Mosque and the Bosporus) is inexpensive, small, but fascinating and beautiful. It's basically just a preserved hallway, but so sumptuous you suddenly realize that if they spent that much on the halls, the great palace must have been mind-boggling.

Across from the underground cistern is a really great outside cafe--inexpensive, beautiful, and really good food.

Of course, drink Efes, the local beer.

And, ask your hotel to recommend a hamam (Turkish bath)--the bath experience is transcendent.

BUT, mostly I recommend learning some useful Turkish phrases. The Turks know their language is difficult and respect any outsider who tries to learn it. I got a free home-cooked meal from a beautiful young hamam manager who shared her lunch with me simply because I could chat (haltingly and barely) in Turkish.

FingerandToeGlenn,
I concur! If you're interested in Roman/Medieval, the military museum stretches back to the pre-Ottoman empire times and the siege of Constantinople, and even has a piece of the great chain used to close the Golden Horn. The Mehter band performance at the Military Museum is worth seeing for the uniforms.

istanbulmehter.com

YouTube link

second the underground cistern.

HEAVILY second the military band at the museum, if your timing works. Lots of kettle drums and whining horns, and after only three minutes of it I was all jacked up and wild-eyed and ready to go kill Bulgarians !!

Chick

Thank-you for the suggestions so far.
I will take my camera.
Mick

Mick, I spent 10 days in Istanbul and I would definitely recommend the following (in order):

(1) Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia (they are in the same area and can be seen in half a day if you rush it.

(2) Rumeli Hisari. This is Mehmed the Conqueror's fortress on the Bosphorus. It's an amazing fortress and you can (at least as of 4 years ago) still climb all over it. I went on a rainy day and there was only 5-6 people in the whole thing. You can take the ferry there and it takes about 30 minutes to get there. Definitely a great half-day trip. This would be my second-most favorite site and most people miss out on it.

(3) Askeri Museum. It really is one of the great military museums of the world. A must see. They have lots of European armour and history in that building as well.

I think the cistern is interesting, but you could skip it. To me, it's more atmospheric than historical.

I can't get enough kofta. Sure, there's good Turkish food throughout the world, but the kofta and the yogurt just isn't the same.

There is a naval museum.

Covers some naval events from WW1 we Brits would rather forget.

Below is a link to a general website for Turkish museums

greatistanbul.com/museum.htm

The cistern is worth a look but only if you are nearby.

There are two interesting modes of transport, the old trams and the tunel

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCnel

Avoid the football matches.

The cistern was a highlight of Istanbul for me, but watch out for pick pockets as it is poorly lit, and they are definetly down there !

I found the Archaeological museum quite fascinating – complete with the "Alexander Sarcophagus". It's close to Topkapi Palace.

You should try to take at least one trip on the Bosphorus. You get a perspective of the city as it is meant to be.

If you go to the Hagia Sophia do not forget to check out the Viking graffiti!

Dear Everybody,
Thanks for your help and suggestions

I got up early and did the Archeological Museum and was fascinated by the Alexander Sarcophagus – especially the full colour reproduction of some of the panels. Now I understand the gaudy yellow and red Persians in the Osprey book. Also interesting were carved friezes and also painted tombestones from the Roman period – real evidence for colours.

Next, I crossed town on three trams to the Askeri Muse – military museum. This was as you described excellent. Unfortunately, the 17th and 18th Century sections were closed. But still well recommended.

Then all the way back across town to where I started. I managed to cram in the Hagia Sofia, Tokapi Palace and the Basilica Cisterns.

There will be pictures but you will have to wait until I get back.

Thanks everybody

Mick

Some pictures of Alexander Sarcophagus showing the recoloured restoration done by Volkmar von Graeve

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Lots more to come
Mick

The Persians from the recoloured version of the Alexander Sarcophogus
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Mick in Switzerland:
Constantinople!
Rod Robertson.