RUMELI HISARI (THE EUROPEAN FORTRESS)

Rumeli Fortress; The city had been beseiged many times before the final seige by the Conqueror in 1453, but had managed to defend itself with the help of the Roman city walls, Even during long seiges, provisions were brought into the city from sea. Therefore, to prevent any reinforcements and help coming from the Black Sea during the seige,before the final seige started, a fortress was built on the European shore, opposite the other Turkish fortress built earlier on the Asian shore.The fortress was completed in an amazingly short time of four months in 1452. This largest and strongest fortress of the Middle Ages was no more important right after the fall of the city. A fine example of classic Turkish fortress  architecture, this impressive fortress is another element adorning the Bosphorus. It was restored in the 1950s and turned into a museum. During the annual Festival of Arts, gardens of the fortress is used as an amphitheatre.

It is viewed best from the asian shores or from the boats operating on the Bosphorus. The campus of Bogazici (BOSPHORUS) University is spread on the slopes behind the fortress. Robert College, the first American educational institution established outside the United States, used to occupy this campus. In 1967, the college was turned into a universtiy.

ANADOLU HISARI (THE ANATOLIAN FORTRESS)

The Kucuksu Pavilion and the fortress are situated by a park on the Asian shores of the Bosphorus. It is quite a small fortress built between 1390 and 1391, before the European Fortress on the opposite shore, by Sultan Bayezid, to control the traffic on the Bosphorus, and as a step in the preparations fort he final seige of Istanbul. A street passes through this picturesque fortress, situated at a strategic location by the sea, next to stream that drains into the Bosphorus. There are old wooden houses resting against the small towers of the fortress.

The Kanlica district, which comes after the fortress, is famous for its yoghurt and seaside cafes.The Asian tower of the new Faih Bridge is also situated here.

THE PRINCES'S ISLANDS

The archipelago known as the Princes’ Islands consists of nine various sized islands in the Sea of Marmara and is only an hour away by boat from the pier in the Golden Horn. It is known that during the Byzantine era there many monasteries here. Some of these were used as imperial summer residences and some were used to house the exiled.

Heybeli Ada is the second islands in the archipelago. A small church (the last Byzantine structure built before the fall of Byzantium) dedicated to the Virgin is situated in the inner courtyard of the Naval School on the island. In the beginning of the 19th century, when steamboats started serving the islands, the population of the islands started to increase.

The four larger islands are popular summer resorts with ideal picnic areas and beautiful beaches. The islands are heavily populated from May until the end of September, and then become almost desolate in the winter. Scheduled ferry boats serve the islands from the mainland. Throughout the summer and especially on weekends, private boats, yachts and sail-boats anchor in the beautiful coves around every island.Motor vehicles are not allowed on the islands, the shores of which are lined by seaside mansions, beaches and picnic areas. Horse-drawn carriages are the only means of transportation.Woods and parks cover the hills on the islands while residences line the northern shores that face the asian side of Istanbul.The first island seen from the ferry boat after leaving the pier is the conical shaped, desolate Hayirsiz Ada. Next to is the flat Yassi Ada. Although there are military installations on this island, projects are underway to use them for tourism.Kinali Ada is the first inhabited island with a beautiful bay in the back, and beaches opened to the public. Burgaz, with its rocky beaches,comes after Kinali. There are watersports clubs on the island.By the square next to the pier at Heybeli Ada and between its two hills, are the buildings of the Naval Schools. Beaches occupy its two beautiful coves. The large buildings of the Orthodox Church were used as a scholl fort he monks in the old days.Between Burgaz Ada and Heybeli Ada is a small private island Kasik Adasi (Spoon Island) due its shape.

Turkish The Hippodrome Museum Turkish and islamic arts Haghia Sophia Blue Mosque Topkapi palace The Covered Bazaar Archaeological Museum GoldenhornandEyupSultanMosque the Suleymaniye Mosque Restaurant,Bar,Pub in istanbul Istanbul Airports Advent Istanbul General Info the Bosphorus the Asian and European Kariye Museum the Dolmabahce Palace the GalataTower Hotel Istanbul SITEMAP Istanbul hotels,Guide,Travel,Tourism Services,ISTANBUL.ALL CONTENTS COPYRIGHT © ISTANBULSTAY.COM.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.Istanbul Airport Transfer