The only city in the world built on two continents and it stands on the shores of the uniquely beautiful Strait of Bosphorus. Istanbul has been the capital of three empires which dominated the world in the past. Today the province houses the precious remains of these civilizations and stands with all its glamour and mysticism as a harmonious link between East and West, past and present, antique and modern. It is one of the richest cities in historical background, as well as one of the most beautiful, enchanting and alive cities of the world. It has an atmosphere of its own with its life-style, people and numerous attractions. In Istanbul you will have to be generous with time since it has so much to show. The old palaces, the great mosques with soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums, bazaars, and others sights are definitely worth seeing.

SITES OF INTEREST: Silivri, Kumburgaz, Bosphorus, Kumköy (Kilyos), Şile, Prince Islands, Belgrad Forest, Abrahan Pasha Grove, Emirgân Grove, Yıldız Park, Çamlıca Hill and Gülhane Park, Tuzla mineral springs, İstanbul city walls, Bozdoğan (Valens), aquaduct, Binbirdirek and Yerebatan Cicterns, Ayasofya, Aya İrini, former church Bodrum, Fenari İsa, Fethiye, İmrahor, Kalenderhane, Kariye, Yeni İmaret and Zeyrek mosques, Bukoleon and Tekfur Palaces, Çemberlitaş, Dikilitaş, Yılanlı Sütun, Kıztaşı, Maiden Tower, Galata Tower, Fatih, Bayezid, Sultan Selim, Haseki Hürrem Sultan, Süleymaniye, Sokullu Mehmed Pasha, Kılıç Ali Pasha, Yeni Cami, Şemsi Pasha, Sultan Ahmed, Köprülü Mehmed Pasha, Çorlulu Ali Pasha, Amcazade Hüseyin Pasha, Laleli and Damat İbrahim Pasha mosque complexes, Rüstem Pasha and Gazanfer Ağa old theological schools (medrese) Anadolu and Rumeli Fortresses, Mağlova Arch, Ahmed III and German Fountains, Topkapı, Dolmabahçe, Beylerbeyi, Çırağan and Yıldız Palaces, Şale, Malta and Çadır Pavillions, Aynalıkavak, Küçüksu (Göksu), Tophane and Ihlamur mansions, Eyüb Sultan, Firuz Ağa, Sinan Pasha, Nuriosmaniye, Beylerbeyi, Selimiye, Musretiye, Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, Pertevniyan Valide Sultan and Cerrah Pasha mosques, Covered Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar, Simkeşhane, Büyük Valide, Balkapanı, Vezir, Cebeci and Çuhaci Inns, Silivri, Büyükçekmece, Küçükçekmece, Çobançeşme, Haramidere and Bostancı bridges, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower, Köprülü, Süleymaniye, Nuruosmaniye and Municipality Libraries, İstanbul Archeology, İstanbul Topkapı Palace, İstanbul Turkish and Islamıc Works, Ottoman Classical (Divan) Literature, İstanbul Art and Sculpture, Arasta Mozaic, Ayasofya, Yerebatan Palace, Turkish Caligraphic Arts, Military, Navy Tanzimat, Aşihan (Edebiyat-ı Cedide) and Şişli Atatürk Museums.