It is located on the promontory of the historical peninsula in Istanbul which overlooks both the Marmara Sea and the Istanbul strait. The walls enclosing the palace grounds, the main gate on the land side and the first buildings were constructed during the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmet (the Conqueror) (1451 – 81). The palace has taken its present layout with the addition of new structures in the later centuries. Topkap Palace was the official... 

In ancient times, the palatial hill from the Sea of Marmara to the Hippodrome. The palatial district extended from Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome to the cost line, where the sea wall acted as a mighty boundary of great military value. Its basic layout, first determined by Emperor Constantine, soon housed a collection of state buildings with courtvards, throne rooms and auidience rooms, churces and chappels gardens and fountains, libraries, assembly... 

RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS Small St.Sofia Mosque – Ss. Sergius and Bacchus Church Small St. Sofia Mosque is located between Cankurtaran and Kadrga quarters in Eminonu District, 20 km away from the southern seaside of Mediterranean ramparts. Although it is stated in some sources that there was a pavilion of Big Palace, which is known as Hormidas Palace, and a basically planned church established for Apostle Petrous and Pavlos near Small St. Sofia Mosque,... 

St. Irene, which is located on the 1st courtyard of Topkap Palace, was constructed by the Emperor Lustiniaus in the 6th century. It consists of atrium, narthex, naos with three nephs and apse. It is a typical Byzantine structure with its material and architecture. There have not been many changes in the building, as the church was not turned to a mosque after conquest of Istanbul in 1453. It was used as a booty and weapon warehouse for a long time.... 

RUMELIHISAR MUSEUM-YEDIKULEHISAR MUSEUM-ANADOLUHISAR MUSEUM The establishment purpose of Directorate of Hisarlar Museum in 1968 was to maintain and introduce Rumelihisar museum which was mainly repaired during 1952-1958 and Yedikulehisar museum which was mainly repaired during 1962-1968 as monument-museum, and also to repair Anadoluhisar in the same way and take it into service. Anadoluhisar The castle covering seven acre area and giving its name... 

MUSEUM OF CLASSICAL OTTOMAN (DIVAN) LITERATURE (GALATA MEVLEVI LODGE) The Galata Mevlevi Lodge (mevlevihane) or as it is also known the Kulekap Mevlevi Lodge which is now serving as a museum, is one of the institutions which reflect the culture of the era in the best possible way. The Mevlevi Lodges which for centuries combined scholarship with music had a great influence on the Turkish culture. A great number of those people who came together in... 

The Galata Mevlevi Lodge (mevlevihane) or as it is also known the Kulekap Mevlevi Lodge which is now serving as a museum, is one of the institutions which reflect the culture of the era in the best possible way. The Mevlevi Lodges which for centuries combined scholarship with music had a great influence on the Turkish culture. A great number of those people who came together in a Mevlevi Lodge environment were educated in various areas of fine arts... 

IMRAHOR MONUMENT ST. STUDIOS MONASTERY HAGIOS IONNES PRODROMOS BASILICA The building located in Yedikule is one of the oldest buildings of Byzantine in istanbul. It was built in the 5th century. Monastery and church were known as Studios due to their founder. Monastery was an important religious centre during Byzantine period. During Latin invasion church-monastery was destroyed considerably, and in the 13th century required repairs were made and... 

It is in Fatih – carsamba quarter of Istanbul. It is Pammakaristos monastery church constructed in Byzantine Period. A grave chapel has been added with the end of the Latin invasion in the 13th century. After the conquest, it remained under the control of Christians and used as a women’s monastery, in 1455 patriarchate has been moved to this building and the building has been used as patriarchate until 1586. This church has been converted... 

KARIYE (CARIA) MUSEUM Kariye is located at Edirnekap section of Istanbul. The dictionary meaning of Kariye (Chora) is “outside of the city”, or “rural” in old Greek. The existence of a chapel outside the city walls is mentioned in some very old sorces. The first Khora Church was built on the site of this chapel by Justinianus. The building which managed to survive until the times of the Commenos with various additions and...