For interesting places to visit in Europe, look no further than Istanbul. This historic city in Turkey has one foot in Asia and the other in Europe and is jam-packed full of ancient sites that are just waiting to be discovered.
With a particularly interesting history, the grand Hagia Sophia is the top place to visit for many tourists. Conceived by Emperor Justinian, the current building was constructed on the site of two earlier monumental buildings. It was first built as a church and later used as a mosque, but this colossal building is now a busy museum.
In 1453, when the city was conquered by Sultan Mehmed, the church was converted to become the first Imperial mosque in Istanbul. In 1935 the building began a new life as a museum, when the plaster was carefully removed from the mosaics and the structure began to be carefully restored.
From the outside the enormous, asymmetrical building looks like a jumble of extensions and domes of various sizes. These additions are mainly structural reinforcements and alterations, which were added over time to sustain and rebuild this ambitious edifice through earthquakes, fires and riots. Inside, the structure is far grander, with a tremendous square nave which is topped by a large glittering dome and is surrounded by spectacular domed alcoves.
Be sure to climb the ramps to the upper galleries once you've admired the grand scale of the architecture and the detailed mosaic designs from the ground floor. From there, you'll be able to gain a new perspective over the main hall and get a closer look at the intricate Byzantine mosaics.
Getting around the city by public transport is a breeze for visitors. The wide network strings together the different districts, as well as connecting the city with the international airport, while tokens for the trams, trains and buses can be bought from multi-lingual machines.
With a particularly interesting history, the grand Hagia Sophia is the top place to visit for many tourists. Conceived by Emperor Justinian, the current building was constructed on the site of two earlier monumental buildings. It was first built as a church and later used as a mosque, but this colossal building is now a busy museum.
In 1453, when the city was conquered by Sultan Mehmed, the church was converted to become the first Imperial mosque in Istanbul. In 1935 the building began a new life as a museum, when the plaster was carefully removed from the mosaics and the structure began to be carefully restored.
From the outside the enormous, asymmetrical building looks like a jumble of extensions and domes of various sizes. These additions are mainly structural reinforcements and alterations, which were added over time to sustain and rebuild this ambitious edifice through earthquakes, fires and riots. Inside, the structure is far grander, with a tremendous square nave which is topped by a large glittering dome and is surrounded by spectacular domed alcoves.
Be sure to climb the ramps to the upper galleries once you've admired the grand scale of the architecture and the detailed mosaic designs from the ground floor. From there, you'll be able to gain a new perspective over the main hall and get a closer look at the intricate Byzantine mosaics.
Getting around the city by public transport is a breeze for visitors. The wide network strings together the different districts, as well as connecting the city with the international airport, while tokens for the trams, trains and buses can be bought from multi-lingual machines.
About the Author:
Steve Alexander has been writing about the best things to see in Istanbul. Find more information about Turkey by clicking here or go to Hotels4u for the latest deals.
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