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ALL TURKEY TOURS |
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INFORMATION |
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BOSPHORUS;
The Bosphorus, which connects Marmara Sea and Black Sea, is
one of the most exquisite places in the world, with a width
of maximum 3.200 m and minimum 550 m, maximum depth of 118 m
and its length is 31,5 km. It was naturally formed at the
beginning of the IVth Geological Era as the sea water
occupied the deep valley. During the ages of Byzantine and
Ottoman Empire small settlements Cropped up at both shores
of Bosphorus and it was very much esteemed by the sultans
and pashas where they built their kiosks and yalis
(water-side residences) as of the 18th century.
Wearing effect of time caused the wooden buildings demolish
and they were replaced with new ones. In place of the wooden
Besiktas Palaces there appeared the Dolmabahçe Palace and
also Beylerbeyi Palace was rebuilt while stone buildings
like Göksu were built and gave the Bosphorus its final
outlook. With its architecture matching its natural delights
the Bosphorus reached and incomparable beauty. The buildings
embroidering the shores of free-flowing waters, being
embraced by a green background as a whole offer a view of
unceasing delight. Such a wonderful cruise will provide
unforgettable memories. For this to attend a trip with a
tourist ferry taking off from the Eminönü Jetty will
suffice.
If you have the opportunity to take part in one of the
private boat cruises or yachts, the trip will be even more
delightful. Our tourist ferry will start leaving Topkapi
Palace, St. Sophia and Süleymaniye Mosque behind. The
Karaköy Jetty will be crossed arriving in front of Tophane.
Here we see the Nusretiye Mosque, built by Sultan Mahmut II
in Empiric style in 1825. The lead-covered mosque behind
this mosque is a work of Mimar Sinan, who dedicated it to
Kiliç Ali Pasha. Passing Findikli and the very lively
Kabatas Jetty, the Dolmabahçe Palace appears with its mosque
and Clock Tower.
The mosque was dedicated to Sultan Abdülmecits mother, Bezm-ialem Valide
Sultan and was built by Mimar Karabet Balyan in 1853. The
Clock Tower between the mosque and the palace is 27 m high,
and was built by Mimar Serkis Balyan in 1890 during Sultan
Abdülhamit's reign. The palace built by Karabet Balyan by
the order of Sultan Abdülmecit between the years 1843-1856
is 284 m long, and it is an ornament to the Bosphorus. The
palace has three stories consisting of the mens part,
entertainment hall and the harem.
The separate premises next to the palace used to be the
crown princes residence and today serves as the Paintings
and Statues museum. Our tourist boat will steer to the
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha Jetty named after the famous
Turkish sailor.
A bit further there is the Naval Museum where the imperial
boats of the Ottoman era are displayed. Behind the jetty,
Barbaros tomb designed by Sinan and Sinan Pasha mosque,
dating back to 1553, are visible. Past the State Guest
House, the Çiragan Palace offers a magnificent view. Sultan
Abdülaziz spent very little time in this palace which he
ordered to be built by Serkis Balyan between the years
1863-1867, while Sultan Murad IV lived here for 28 years.
After 1909 the palace was used as Meclis-i Mebusan
(Parliament) building and was destroyed by a fire on January
20, 1919. It was restored in recent years and is functioning
today together with an adjoining hotel.
The green background to the Çiragan Palace belongs to Yildiz
Park. Here takes place the Yildiz Palace with the sale
(Chalet) Kiosk which was opened as museum and the Çadir and
Malta kiosks which were recently restored and are being used
as cafés. After the Çiragan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque can
be seen with its lean minarets and exquisite craftsmanship.
Passing this mosque which Sultan Abdülmecit ordered to be
built by Karabet Balyan in 1854 in Baroque style, we see the
wooden yalis which Sultan Abdülhamid II gave to his
daughters and they sail under the bridge, a 20th century
symbol. The bridge which connects Europe and Asia is 1074 m
long and was opened to traffic in 1973. Then comes
Kuruçesme. Here, we see the Galatasaray Island, covering a
1499 sq.m. area.
The few remaining castles in the midst of green gardens offer an unique
view. Arnavutköys architecture of adjoining buildings is
different from the rest. Then we come to the pearl of the
Bosphorus, the Bebek Bay. With its yachts, houses and green
hinterland, Bebek is the most elegant district of Istanbul.
At the seaside, adjoining the park, the building of the
Egyptian Consulate built in Art Nouveau style can be seen.
This building was dedicated to the mother of Abbas Hilmi
Pasha, Governor of Egypt. A bit further there is the Bebek
Mosque built by Mimar Kemalettin between the years
1910-1913. The Kavafyan House dating back to 1751 and the
Bosphorus University surrounded by green scenery seem to
look down at the Bebek Bay. After Bebek, our boat steers to
Rumelihisari. Here we get face to face with the magnificent
Sultan Mehmed Bridge looking like the second collier of the
Bosphorus.
The view of Rumelihisari embracing the sea seems to melt
into the silhouette of the bridge. Before conquering
Istanbul, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror ordered Rumelihisari
to be built opposite to Anadoluhisari in 1452 to safeguard
the Bosphorus. The big tower next to the door was built by
Sadrazam Çandarli Halil Pasha, the towers to the north by
vizier Saruca Pasha, and the tower to the south by Zaganos
Pasha.
This magnificent monument was finished in 4 months prior to
the conquering of Istanbul. The building on top of the Hisar
surrounded by parks belonged to the famous Turkish poet
Tevfik Fikret and today is referred to as Asiyan Museum.
Sailing to Baltalimani, we see a building used as hospital
today which was built by the order of Büyük Resit Pasha and
given to Princess Fatma as gift. After Baltalimani, we reach
Emirgan. We see the Serifler Yalisi, which was built in 1635
by serif Abdülillah Pasha. This yali was originally
intended as summerhouse and the part remaining to be seen
today is the mens castle.The green hills belonging to
Emirgan Park, some historical castles in this park have been
restored and are now being used for touristic purposes.
After Emirgan with lots of green parks our ferry passes a
bay in Istinye and reaches Yeniköy where shores are adorned
by yalis. The Afif Pasha Yalisi is striking with its
exquisite craftsmanship.
One yali built in Yeniköy by Abbas Halim Pasha, Governor
of Egypt in the 19th century is known by the name of his
brother Sadrazam Sait Halim Pasha. On the other side of the
jetty we can see the Faik and Bekir Beyler yalis, the
Kalkavanlar Yalisi and many others. The Italian Consulate is
also an interesting architectural building.
Past Yeniköy and sailing towards Tarabya, the view is
enhanced by the Kalender Orduevi (army-house), Huber Pasha
Yalisi and Tarabya Grand Hotel. In Büyükdere, one of the
yalis was bought by the Koç family and converted into the
Sadberk Hanim Museum. Today the archaeology and ethnography
sections of this museum are noteworthy. Sariyer and
Rumelikavagi are known for their cheap and fresh fish
restaurants.
Opposite Rumelikavagi takes place Anadolukavagi. The boat
stays here for two hours.After eating fish at Rumelikavagi,
the sightseeing continues at the other side of the
Bosphorus. First we view the Beykoz Pavilion. This pavilion
amidst a green park was built by Mehmet Ali Kavalali,
Governor of Egypt and given as a gift to Sultan Abdülmecit
in 1854. Then we steer to Pasabahçe where the Bottle, Glass
and Raki factories are situated and pass Çubuklu where on
top of a hill we see the Kuleli building and the Hidiv
Pavilion.
Being built by Abbas Hilmi Pasha, Khedive of Egypt this
castle has been restored in recent years and now is used for
touristic purposes. After Çubuklu we pass the poetic Kanlica
bay and arrive in Anadoluhisari. This Hisar (castle) was
built in 1395 by Yildirim Beyazit. The oldest yali between
Kanlica-Anadoluhisari is the Amcazade Hüseyin Pasha Yalisi.
From this red vaccine painted yali dating back to 1699,
there remains only the Divan house today. The ceiling plated
with gold and flower panel-covered walls are very
interesting.
They were restored recently. Another Yali in Kanlica is the
Etem Pertev Yalisi, a wooden embroidery which stood up to
the year by preserving its original outlook. Still another
striking yali is the red painted Hekimbasi Salih Efendi
Yalisi between Kanlica and Anadolu Hisari. This Yali
consists of one-floor, two-floor and three-floor premises
and was built by Sultan Abdülmecits Chief Physician Salih
Efendi in 1848. Sailing past Hisar, the Küçüksu Pavilion
near the Küçüksu Stream displays an exquisite stone
craftsmanship. It was ordered to be built as a three-story
building by Sultan Abdülmecit in 1856.
The interior part is decorated with elegant pencil drawings.
The graceful fountain in front of the pavilion, built in
Empiric style, was dedicated to Sultan Selim IIIs mother
Princess Mihrisah in 1806. When our boat reaches Kandilli,
we see the Count Ostrorog Yalisi with a background of green
forest. This red-painted yali with plenty of windows was
built by a Polish count.
The count arrived in Istanbul in 1900 and became a legal
adviser to the Ottoman Empire. Next to this yali is the
Mehmet Emin Pasha Yalisi, which has a long frontage towards
the sea and was built by Mehmet Emin Pasha who became
Governor of Aleppo in 1850 and later a Grand-Vizier.Between
Kandilli and Çengelköy, we see the Kuleli Askeri Lisesi
(Military School) a stone building with long frontage,
dating back to 1863. A bit further to the jetty in Çengelköy
we can see the red vaccine painted Sadullah Pasha Yalisi.
Built in the 18th century, this building passed from hand to
hand until it was acquired by Sadullah Pasha in 19th century
and became known under his name. The original drawings in
the oval room of this two story building are striking. When
our boat comes to the vicinity of Beylerbeyi Jetty, we can
see next to the jetty the mosque built by Sultan Abdülhamid
I for his mother Princess Rabia in 1778. Then we are face to
face with the magnificence of Beylerbeyi Palace which
contrasts with the Bosphorus bridge.
It was built as a summer palace by architect Serkis Balyan
upon the order of Sultan Abdülaziz between the years
1861-1865. It has three floors consisting of mens
(selamlik) and womens (harem) divisions. The furniture is
an example of that time. In the upper part of the wide
garden are three kiosks known as Yellow, Marble and Stable
kiosks. Past Beylerbeyi the Fethi Ahmet Pasha Yalisi in
Kuzguncuk known as Pink Yali was built in the 18th
century.
In Üsküdar we see a mosque built by Architect Sinan for
Kanuni Sultan Süleymans daughter Princess Mihrimah at the
jetty place that dates back to 1548 and at the shore there
is the Semsi Pasha Mosque built by the same architect in
1580. Not far from here is the Kiz Kulesi (Maidens Tower),
one of the symbols of Istanbul.
The tower was erected on rocks at 180 m. distance to the
shore in 1718 after the Byzantine original collapsed. We now
finish our trip between the historical monuments of the most
beautiful passage in the world. This tour amongst nature and
history will provide you unforgettable memories.
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