Haha A new 20 km walking again, i love this city :)

Yesterday i walked around Europe side of istanbul about 6-7 hours and took some new shots, i was really tired at the end and decided to back home :D well next week, probably i ll walk again on the islands of istanbul to take photos, so it was a training for me :D

Well, i visited Topkapi Palace, Rumeli Castle, bebek, İstinye, Emirgan, Çengelköy, Bogaziçi University and İstanbul technical university, i met afew friends on the way, spend afew hours and then backed to walk and take new shots again, it was a tiring but a great day for me, here are some explanations about the place where i visited and the photos,  ENJOY :) :) :)


Topkapi Palace:

Topkapı Palace Museum open days :

  Topkapı Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. On other days, the museum is open between 9.00-17.00 hours.

2008 Religious and Official Holidays ;

January 1 New Year's Day, April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Festival, May 19 Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day, August 30 Victory Day, September 29(a half day) Romadan Festival, October 28 (a half-day) Republic Day, October 29 Republic Day, December 7 Feast of the Sacrific.

The museum is open to visitors after 1 o'clock on the first days of religious festivals.

How can I buy entrance tickets and what is their cost?

Topkapı Palace Entrance Tickets can only be obtained from the ticket windows located at the 1st Courtyard of Topkapı Palace Museum. A separate ticket is required for Harem (women’s quarters) visits.

The entrance fee for Topkapı Palace Museum is 10 (ten) YTL for domestic and foreign visitors.

The entrance fee for Harem is 10 (ten) YTL for domestic and foreign visitors.

Harem entrance tickets are sold at the ticket window in front of the Harem entrance.

Topkapı Palace constructed by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, (the Conqueror) in 1478 has been the official residence of the Otoman Sultans and center of State Administration around 380 years until the construction of Dolmabahçe Palace by Sultan Abdülmecid. The palace having around 700.000 m.² area during the foundation years has currently 80.000 m.² area.

Topkapı Palace was evacuated by the accommodation of the Palace inhabitants in Dolmabahçe, Yıldız and in other palaces. Upon abandoning by the Sultans, Topkapı Palace where many officials resided had also never lost its importance. The palace was repaired from time to time. A special attention was taken for the annual maintenance of Mukaddes Emanetler Dairesi (Sacred Safekeeping Rooms) visited by the sultan and his family during Ramadan.

The opening of Topkapı Palace for visits as museum happened firstly in the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861). The belongings within Topkapı Palace Treasury was shown to the contemporary English ambassador. Later on, it has become a tradition to show the antics within the Topkapı Palace Treasury to the foreigners and during the era of Sultan Abdulaziz (1861-1876), showrooms are made in French style, and these antics are started to be shown to foreigners in these showrooms within Treasury. During the period when Sultan II Abdulhamid was dethroned (1876-1909), it was thought to open the Treasury Room to public visits on Sundays and Tuesdays, yet it never realized.

By the order of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Topkapı Palace firstly affiliated to the Istanbul Asar-ı Atika Museums Directorate and opened to public visits on date of April 3, 1924, then it started to service as Treasury Chamberlain, after it was renamed as Treasury Directorate and finally it was renamed as Topkapı Palace Museum Directorate and it still continues its services.

Upon the performance of small repairs and taking some administrative cautions in 1924, Topkapı Palace was opened to service as a Museum on October 9, 1924. The sections opened to visit at that time were Kubbealtı, Arz Odası, Mecidiye Köşkü (Pavilion Mecidiye), Hekimbaşı Odası (Room of Chief Doctor), Mustafa Paşa Köşkü (Pavilion Mustafa Pasha) ve Bağdad Köşkü’dür (Pavilion Baghdad).

The palace is an extensive complex rather than a single monolithic structure, with an assortment of low buildings constructed around courtyards, interconnected with galleries and passages. Few of the buildings exceed two storeys. Interspersed are trees, gardens and water fountains, to give a refreshing feeling to the inhabitants and to provide places to rest. The buildings enclosed the courtyards, and life revolved around them. Doors and windows faced the courtyard in order to create an open atmosphere for the inhabitants as well as provide for cool air during hot summers.

The palace compound when seen from above has the shape of a rough rectangle, divided into four main courtyards and the harem. The main axis is from south to north, the outermost (first) courtyard starting at the south, with each successive courtyard leading north. The first courtyard was the most accessible one, while the innermost (fourth) courtyard and the harem were the most inaccessible, being the sole private domain of the sultan. The fifth courtyard was in reality the outermost rim of the palace grounds bordering the sea. Access to these courtyards was restricted by high walls and controlled with gates. Apart from the four to five main courtyards, various other small to mid-sized courtyards exist throughout the complex. The total size of the complex varies from around 592,600 square meters to 700,000 square meters, depending on which parts are counted.

The southern and western sides border the large former imperial flower park, Surrounding the palace compound on the southern and eastern side is the Sea of Marmara. Various related buildings such as small summer palaces (kasrı), pavilions, kiosks (köşkü) and other structures for royal pleasures and functions formerly existed at the shore in an area known as the Fifth Place, but have disappeared over time due to neglect and the construction of the shoreline railroad in the 19th century.

The last remaining seashore structure that still exists, constructed in 1592. The total area of Topkapı Palace was in fact much larger than what it is today.

Topkapı Palace was the main residence of the sultan and his court. It was initially the seat of government as well as the imperial residence. Even though access was strictly regulated, inhabitants of the palace rarely had to venture out since the palace functioned almost as an autonomous entity, a city within a city. Audience and consultation chambers and areas served for the political workings of the empire. For the residents and visitors, the palace had its own water supply through underground cisterns and the great kitchens provided for nourishment on a daily basis. Dormitories, gardens, libraries, schools, even mosques were at the service of the court. Attached to the palace were diverse imperial societies of artists and craftsmen collectively called the Ehl-i Hiref (Community of the Talented), which produced some of the finest work in the whole empire.

A strict court ceremonial codified daily life, in order to ensure imperial seclusion from the rest of world.One of the central tenets was the observation of silence in the inner courtyards. The principle of imperial seclusion is a tradition that was probably continued from the Byzantine court. It was codified by Mehmed II in 1477 and 1481 in the Kanunname Code, which regulated the rank order of court officials, the administrative hierarchy, and protocol matters. This principle of increased seclusion over time was reflected in the construction style and arrangements of various halls and buildings. The architects had to ensure that even within the palace, the sultan and his family could enjoy a maximum of privacy and discretion, making use of grilled windows and building secret passageways.

And i found this information on internet, might be helpful for you;

Walking tours

Museums and such: Haghia Sophia, then on to the Topkapı museum (these two should take at least three to five hours), preferably along the road in the back of the Haghia Sophia, where there are some nicely restored houses.

Then on to the Blue Mosque and the square with the obelisks on it (At Meydani). Along its side is the very good Museum of Islam Art. Descend slightly and find the small Haghia Sophia with its nice garden (it was under restoration, but you probably can get in). Then uphill to the Sokollu Mehmet mosque complex, top notch tiles inside.

Take a tram or walk to Eminönü (where the boats leave for trips to Asia or up the Bosphorus). Visit the New Mosque at the back, then the Egyptian Bazaar next to it, and going further in that direction, locate the Rüstem Pasha mosque with its excellent tiles. It's on a raised platform near an old clothes market, you may have to ask directions. Then take a cab or find a bus to Eyüp mosque complex, a mile or three up the Golden Horn. Visit this Eyüp complex at your leisure (the mosque is not particular, the court is, and the milling of believers, with many boys-to-be-circumcised amongst it; a Friday might be a good day to do this). Then, if you have the stamina, it might be nice to walk back too; maybe all the way (five miles or so), but taking a route along part of the city wall to first the famous Kariye Church with its mosaics, then on to Selimiye Mosque with its great view on the Golden Horn (and a fine mosque by itself), then the Fatih Mosque (passing through some very religious and lively neighbourhoods), then on to the well-restored Sehzade mosque, and next to Süleymaniye (don't forget to enjoy the view from the Golden Horn side). If you have some energy left, you might go on to the University complex, and by then you are very close to the Beyazit mosque. A book market (it’s small) is behind this good, unexceptional (nice courtyard though) mosque.

Once again go to Eminönü, but this time take the boat (those large ferries) to Üsküdar. You will arrive before a fine mosque in front, another one four hundred meters off to the right, slightly inland behind a traffic roundabout, and a third, very small, at the sea front. See the market stretching inland, walk about and don't forget to walk along the shore, maybe eating a fish meal in one of the bobbing boats along it. This is a good visit for late afternoon, early evening, fleeing the city. You will be joined by thousands of people going home from "town" but the way back will be on a near-empty ferry.

The frequency of ferries will go down in the evening, so make sure there is a connection back.

Go to the railroad station and find a Sirkeci-Halkali suburban train, and get out at (from memory, Yedikule station). You will be quite close to Yedikule, a nice fortress, and will have fine views of the city walls. The trains leave every 15 minutes or so, the ride is peculiar (the material is bad, but if you are in luck every second stop another salesman will enter and try selling his wares, it’s fun). The ride is takes anywhere from twenty minutes to half an hour. This is not a "must", but it can be great fun.

You will have missed the covered bazaar in all this. That is because you will get there anyhow. If you go to Beyazit and the book market you are almost at two of its many entrances. Try and find the Nuruosmaniye Mosque and its complex at the other side, it’s worth it. And after having explored the covered part, take a relaxing walk downhill, into the general direction of Eminönü, where it is "uncovered bazaar" all the way. Cross the Galata bridge to see some things on the Northern side (for instance take the "tünel" teleferik ride up much of the hill (entrance close to the opposite side of Galata bridge, ask around)), then continue to Taksim. Shops are of the international variety. 

Rumeli Hisarı:

is monument-art built in the narrowest part and flowing in the section of the Istanbul Bosphoreus just opposite Anadolu Hisarı. It is on the Europian side of the Boshporus. It is a castle commisioned by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1452 to prevent the aid to Byzantine from the north. It was completed in four months with the work of 1000 craftsmen and 2000 workers. Since the constructions of the three big towers were undertaken by Çandarlı Kara Halil, Saruca and Zaganos Pashas, these towers are called by their names.

The castle which has five gates is situated on an area of 30.000 m².

To enjoy the Bosphorus...

 

We are so sure that even after you have left Istanbul, the Bosphorus, the greatest gift of God to Istanbul, remains deep traces in your memories. When you still have the chance, please listen to our advise and bring your enjoyment to maximum level.

·  Gaze the deep blue of the Bosphorus and breathe the fresh air in.

·  Take pictures in front of the splendid seascape.

·  Take a fishing line and join people fishing.

·  Attend Bosphorus tours from Ortaköy and Beşiktaş.

·  Take a walk at the shore of the Bosphorus, beginning from Kuruçeşme and gaze the magnificient seascape of the Bosphorus, and well-cared and seaside mansion and pavilions.

·  Go to one of the best night clubs of the world in the Bosphorus shore where you will get intoxicated by the scenery.

·  Gaze at the delightful Bosphorus scenery while you are passing the Bosphorus Bridge.

·  Buy gifts from the Ortaköy Bazaar for you and your loved ones.

·  Taste pancakes in Ortaköy.

·  Sit in the parks in Kuruçeşme or Bebek and gaze around.

·  Sit in “Pafuli Restaurant” in Kuruçeşme and taste the dishes of Black Sea cuisine.

·  Get on the boats anchored in Arnavutköy and Bebek and have a great dinner with the sound of the waves.

·  Drink a bubbly Turkish coffee in Bebek Cafe and play backgammon.

·  Buy almond paste from Bebek Badem Ezmecisi.

·  Wander around by eating an ice-cream from the famous Güneş Dondurmacısı in Bebek.

·  Enjoy the Bosphorus from above by going up to Rumeli Fortress.

·  Visit Tulip Garden in Emirgan Grove.

·  Sit at the “Kale Çay Bahçesi” next to Rumeli Fortress and taste the tea served with a teapot.

·  Have an enormous breakfast in Deniz Kafe in Rumeli Fortress.

·  Drink your tea in a street cafe shop in Emirgân.

·  Have a delicious breakfast with honey and cream in the shore of Emirgân.

·  Taste pastry in “Sarıyer Börekçisi” in Sarıyer which resembles more to a shore town.

·  Inhale the fresh green air of Emirgân and Yıldız Woods which takes you to a fascinating world, and have a delicious meal in one of the villas.

·  Drink a sage tea in Emek Kahve next to pier in Yeniköy.

·  Enjoy rakı and fish in Kavaklar.

·  Gaze around in Yuşa Hill in Anadolu Kavağı.

·  Taste mussel and squid or fish in Beylerbeyi.

·  Sit in the famous meyhane of İsmet Baba in Kuzguncuk and watch the gorgeus sunset.

·  Sit at the Çınaraltı Kahvesi in Kuzguncuk and taste the Turkish coffee brewed in a copper coffee pot in Kuzguncuk

·  Walk through the judas trees in Fethi Pasha Woods in Kuzguncuk.

·  Eat pastry in Historical Çengelköy Pastry Shop.

·  Taste the famous Çengelköy cucumber.

·  Taste the meatballs of Recep Usta in Çengelköy.

·  Taste the famous yoghurt with castor sugar in Kanlıca.

·  Taste the delicious soups in Beykoz.

Unless you have completed the list, you would not enjoy the Bosphorus!,,,

Sources:     http://www. travellinkturkey.com/topkapi_palace.html   &  http://wikitravel.org/en/Istanbul