A unique structure which hosting six minarets and a symbol of elegance on the Istanbul horizon. Its luminosity, spaciousness and simplicity put forth an astounding colour and visual richness. A symphony of domes and an almost poetic structure due to its dimensions, splendour and appearance. A "d...

The administrative centre of an empire that spanned three continents. The imperial residence of the Ottoman dynasty. An Outstanding center of education for the statesmen and their wives, preparing them for their future roles. An academy of art that nourished the Ottoman art, elevating it to a lev...

During Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror's siege of Constantinople (now Istanbul), Aksemseddine discovered the tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad. The Turksih Army considered this an early sign of the conquest's success. After the conquest of Constantinople, Mehm...

A wonder of the world dedicated to Sacred Wisdom. One of the most glorious monuments of human history with its beauty, architectural proportions and harmony making it a spectacular singular structure. For 916 years this monument had been the treasure of the Byzantine Empire and the centre of the ...

The capital marketplace of a global empire, spanning three continents. Shaped around the "Cevahir and Sandal Bedestens (markets)" throughout the period of 250 years, the Grand Bazaar is an intricate web of streets. The plan and architecture, which were shaped freely with time and changing needs, ...

The Rustem Pasha Mosque is renowned for the extraordinary ceramic tiles it houses, which flow from the façade to the interior. An astonishing gallery of art where all motifs used in Iznik tiles in Turkey. The 41 different types of tulip motifs in the mosque can give an idea of the richness of the...

Covering a long period of time from the earliest days of Islamic art to the 20th century, the museum offers a wide range of works from the Umayyad, Abbasid, North Africa, Andalusian, Fatimian, Seljuk, Ayyubid, Ilkhanid, Mameluk, Timurid, Safavid, Turkic, Caucasian and Ottoman civilisations. Most ...

One of the most oustanding and notable museums in the world. It was founded in 1869 with the name "Imperial Museum". During the period Osman Hamdi Bey served as the director, the museum became one of the most respected museums of the world. Build in 1891, the facade of the museum was inspired fro...

The Chora Church was founded in the 530s (CE) by Saint Theodore. Damaged by earthquakes, the church was restored numerous times. As it stands today, the church was completed in the 14th Century by the powerful Byzantine statesman, Metochites. In 1511, a minaret and a mihrab were annexed by Hadim ...

The 16th century architect Sinan is a Turkish cultural hero from the Ottoman era, but he is also the foremost architect in Islamic history.

As industrialisation has taken hold in the world, traditional arts and handicrafts are gradually disappearing. However, there are still master craftsmen and women keeping various traditional crafts alive.

Iznik pottery, or Iznik ware, named after the town of İznik in western Anatolia where it i...