Top Turkey Arts & Design - page 12

In this package, you will learn the history of Cappadocia from 8500 BC to the present day. You will have the chance to taste local Cappadocia food and meet local people. You will learn the secret places of Cappadocia. You will also have the chance to see the current popular tour routes.

Starting from 1856, the palace hosted six successive sultans—Sultan Abdülmecid (1839–1861), Sultan Abdülaziz (1861–1876), Sultan Murad V (1876), Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876–1909), Sultan Mehmed V Reşad (1909–1918), and Sultan Mehmed VI Vahideddin (1918–1922)—as well as the last Caliph, Abdülmecid (1922–1924). Following the proclamation of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed in the palace intermittently for a total of four years between 1927 and 1938, conducting his official work and ultimately passing away there. The palace served as the presidential residence during İsmet İnönü's term until 1949, and in 1984, it was opened to visitors as a museum-palace, restored to its original layout and furnishings from the Ottoman era.

Unlock the secrets of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks at your own pace. Hagia Sophia: The Eighth Wonder Experience 1,500 years of transformation in one single space. This audio guide will lead you through the transition from a Byzantine cathedral to an Ottoman mosque, pointing out: The Impossible Dome: Discover the engineering secrets that allow a 180-foot golden dome to appear as if it's floating. A Sacred Blend: Learn why massive Islamic calligraphy discs hang alongside golden depictions of Jesus and Mary. The Blue Mosque: An Ottoman Masterpiece Step into the ultimate architectural challenge. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I to rival the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, this mosque is a symphony of light and color: 20,000 İznik Tiles: Get the story behind the handmade ceramic tiles that give the mosque its famous blue glow. The Six Minaret Scandal: Hear the legendary tale of how the mosque’s unique design once caused a stir in the Islamic world.

Step back in time to the most pivotal moment in Istanbul's history: May 29, 1453. The Panorama 1453 History Museum isn't just a place to look at artifacts behind glass; it is a full-sensory immersion into the day Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople. If you are looking for an experience that bridges the gap between a history lesson and a cinematic masterpiece, this is it. Most panoramas use a flat image to create depth. This museum features a massive, 360-degree "infinity" painting that wraps entirely around you. Because there is no visible beginning or end to the canvas, and because the foreground is filled with 3D objects like real cannons and ammunition, your brain is tricked into thinking you are standing on a hill overlooking the city walls during the final assault. It’s an atmospheric experience that makes the history feel urgent and alive.

The museum building used to be the grand vizier Ibrahim Pasa's house, a gift from Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Over 40,000 artifacts from early Islamic empires (like the Umayyads and Abbasids) through to the Seljuks and Ottomans are displayed in the museum. Quick Tip: Don't forget to go to the museum's second floor terrace cafe for amazing viewpoints of the Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet Square.