Pierre Loti Hill
- 26 Dec 2007 12:25
Balat
 Balat is known as a Jewish quarter--with a small Armenian population-- dating back to the Byzantine period. Balat's winding streets provided a meeting ground for navigators, seafarers, street vendors and porters. Following the earthquake of 1894 and a series of fires that affected not only the neighbourhood but whole city of Istanbul, the social structure of Balat underwent significant changes: The wealthiest section of the inhabit Fener
 MiniaTurk Istanbul
 And there's still more. On the same day you can see the house in Thessaloniki where Ataturk was born and you can see the Mescid-i Aksa in Jerusalem. Moreover, they are side by side. The Mausoleum of Mevlana in Konya, the Halikarnasus Mausoleum that is now in the British Museum, the Altar of Zeus found in the Pergamon Mus Eyup and the Golden Horn
Established at time of the conquest, Eyup was Istanbul's first Ottoman Turkish settlement. The district is located beyond the city walls on the south bank of the Golden Horn and takes its name from the tomb of Eyyub al Ensari, a companion of the prophet Mohammed, who is believed to have died there during the Muslim siege of Istanbul in the 7th century. Eyup began to develop shortly after the conquest. The first tangible sing of this were the tomb that Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror, had built over the grave of Eyyub el-Ensari after his mentor, Aksemseddin, saw the place in a dream and beside it a mosque. The first settlers were from Bursa and the first eight neighborhoods given What to do in Istanbul
Sultanahmet Topkapi Palace  Open between 9.30 am and 5 pm, closed on Tuesdays, entrance 3 US$ for the palace and 1,50 US$ for the Harem. This is of course a sight which is not to miss. Try to go there first thing in the morning. Once inside you also need separate tickets for the harem. Buy this ticket as soon as you get inside, because entrance is limited there Istanbul Helicopter Tours
 Golden Horn + Historica |