What is the Golden Horn in Istanbul? Horn of Byzantium what bay

If you take the tram along the Mesa and go an extra three stops after Hagia Sophia, then it is absolutely not necessary to cross the Galata Bridge on it. It’s much better to get off at the Eminönü Square pier and admire one of the most lively and charming places in Istanbul. First of all, because of the fantastic landscape: the waters of the Golden Horn meet the Bosphorus and the Sea of ​​Marmara; in the background is the confusion of Galata's buildings, crowned with a pencil of a Genoese tower, and the Asian hills are blue in the distance. Well, they would turn blue if it were clear :)

But before we cross the bridge to the other side, let’s take a look at the large square of the New Mosque. Here is one of the most historical trading places in the city and is still home to the Spice Bazaar, otherwise known as the Egyptian Bazaar, a market opening towards the Golden Horn. Once upon a time, the trading center was on the shores of the Golden Horn: merchant ships unloaded here, customs officers weighed spices, and African pirates hired to escort the cargo lazily fought in port taverns with equally bored Janissaries.

In terms of the number of pigeons, the square can compete with San Marco in Venice; pensioners even sell food for them in booths. And I went to the New Mosque. The novelty of Yeni Camii is very relative - after all, it is 1633, and it was built by the same spice merchants as a market holy place. There is nothing inside that is not there in other mosques I have already visited, but like all large mosques in Istanbul, the New one is spacious, bright, uncrowded, with beautiful tiles on the walls and dome and a soft carpet underfoot.

At the mosque, merchants cannot help but sell something, and so it is here: along one of the walls of the mosque there are numerous shoe shiners, a peculiar landmark of Istanbul, who are ready to polish even beautiful shoes or sandals to a shine for the appropriate baksheesh. But I often saw both the Turks themselves and tourists cleaning shoes, so this type of activity will not go to waste.

On the other side of the square is the one-minare Rüstem Pasha Mosque (Rüstem Paşa Camii), which was built in 1561 by Mimar Sinan, already known to us. Both inside and outside it is covered with tiles from the 16th century; the external photograph did not really turn out because of the backlight, but inside, in terms of the elegance of its decoration, it competes with the Blue Mosque itself. And maybe even became a model for her.

Let’s not delve into the Egyptian bazaar; I actually went to the bazaars on the penultimate day of my stay, bought souvenirs and gifts, and didn’t really try to get a camera to capture this continuous anthill. It’s better to cross to the northern shore of the Golden Horn along the Galata Bridge. I immediately give advice to order some kind of fried fish in the numerous restaurants between the bridge supports, it is very tasty and inexpensive, despite its purely touristic orientation. I myself ate a gorgeous fried halibut there, which doesn’t seem to be a Black Sea fish, but it’s still fresh and filling.

There are no problems with fresh fish in Istanbul, because all the railings of the Galata Bridge are dotted with fishermen - this is a very popular hobby in Turkey. You can also buy bait and wooden stands for fishing rods here. I don’t know what the environmental friendliness of one of the busiest sea arteries, which is the Bosporus, is, but I suspect that it is suspicious. However, fish are being caught to the delight of the local cats.

After the Galata Bridge, the hiking trails usually fork in two, either straight towards Dolmabahce Palace, or left and up the hill to the lone Genoese tower that dominates the area. I started my walk around the area from the tower.

Beyoğlu is a district on the northern bank of the Golden Horn, a new city opposite Old Constantinople. Foreigners and people of other faiths have long settled here: Genoese merchants once founded the colony of Galata on the shore of the bay and, after helping in all internal Byzantine disputes, achieved almost complete extraterritoriality from the Byzantine emperor; even the local governor was appointed from Genoa. The symbol of the independence of the Italian colony - the stern Galata Tower - still towers over the Golden Horn. In general, Galata in Constantinople was something like the German Lefortovo Settlement in Moscow - but it was as if Franz Lefort was rich and powerful, and Tsar Peter was poor and pitiful. And so it went on. Under the Turks, who did not want to quarrel with the powerful Italian city-states, Galata for a long time continued to remain a European quarter inhabited by Italian sailors and merchants. But the Moors expelled from Spain and the Arabs also lived here; the Armenians were bankers, and the Greeks kept taverns, and Turkish children were frightened by the wicked Galata, where supposedly drunkards lay in the streets day and night.

I don’t remember exactly how much a ticket to the observation deck of the Galata Tower costs, I just remember that it’s expensive, like twenty dollars, but there’s still a queue. Unfortunately, I was a little unlucky with the weather that day, so the photos came out cloudy. But still, this is the best place in Istanbul with a fantastic view of the Bosporus, the Golden Horn and the historical quarters of the city, and getting there is as mandatory as visiting Sofia or the Blue Mosque. The photo below shows the Golden Horn, Galata Bridge on the left and Suleymaniye on the right.

If you climb onto the Isakia observation deck in St. Petersburg, you can see the devastation of the courtyards and the deterioration of the roofs. Just like all the old quarters of any city in the world. These are views of the Bosporus and the dead end of the bay.

When it became crowded on the shore, Galata began to climb up. On the hillside grew respectable Pera (whose name comes from the Greek "za" - "beyond Galata"). Luxurious palaces of foreign embassies stood here, and the central street was named in the French way - Grande Rue de Pera. Now the entire area bears the Turkish name Beyoğlu; Pera became Independence Street (İstiklal Caddesi), but the old name is still in use. And if you continue to rise from Galata, you first come out into the narrow streets in front of Istiklal, into the quarter that historically sold musical instruments and gramophone records. There I bought two rare Jethro Tull collections from 2001 and 2007 and the only album by the super-group Blind Faith. Istiklal itself is like Arbat, only twice as long and with a tourist tram in the middle. As one of the tourist centers (and also a nightlife center with fashionable clubs), it is full of people.

The street musicians, by the way, are very professional to my ears; the club band probably earns extra money.

Now we will return to the Galata Bridge and will not go up the streets to the tower, but straight along the street, towards the Dolmabahce Palace. On the road on the left we will meet an interesting museum of medieval maps, converted either from a former mosque or from a madrasah.

Along the road on the right there is the elegant mosque of Kilic Ali Pasha ("kilic" means "sword" in Turkish), a famous pirate and admiral from the time of Suleiman the Magnificent, built by Mimar Sinan himself, commissioned by a sailor. It is a bit reminiscent of the Selim Yavuz Mosque in architecture. And inside, like any creation of a great architect, it is light and spacious.

And then the road leads us to the Dolmabahce Palace - the largest and most magnificent of the imperial residences on the Bosphorus. Its name means “filled garden”: there used to be a bay in this place, which was filled in for many years before the palace gardens were laid out here. Somewhere here, Mehmed the Conqueror pulled his ships out of the water in order to bypass the Byzantine chain and drag them to the Golden Horn.

By the middle of the 19th century, Topkapi Palace finally went out of fashion, and the Armenian architect Nikogos Balyan built the palace focusing on European Versailles-like residences mixed with oriental splendor. The result was a building in the style of the new Russians, with downright ostentatious and tasteless luxury. However, the customer, Sultan Abdulmecid, really liked it. The palace was completed in 1853, during the Crimean War, but it turned out to be so expensive that it was considered indecent to celebrate a housewarming party during the hardships of war. The court moved here only in 1856, leaving the old Topkapi Palace forever.

The Golden Horn in the capital of Turkey is one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the whole world. During the time of the Sultan, merchant ships of the Ottomans and Byzantines, and even warships, were located in these places. Today, pedestrian sidewalks and landscaped parks stretch along the banks. This place is visited by many tourists.

The Golden Horn Harbor is a bay of the Bosphorus, which, thanks to natural disasters and currents, has acquired a curved shape and digs deep into the shore. The length of the bay is about 13 km, and the width is 120 m, the depth of the Bosphorus is 47 m. In the western part of the bay, two rivers flow into it: Kiathanesu, the so-called ancient Barbizes, and Alibeisu, or ancient Kidaros. These waters wash the shores of the European part of the city of Istanbul. There are 4 bridges across the bay: the Old Galata Bridge, but it no longer fulfills its functions, as well as the Galata Bridge and the Halic Bridge and another Ataturk Bridge.

About 7,000 years ago, the local waters of the Bosphorus Bay and the Alibey and Kagythane rivers, which still flow into the Golden Horn, merged into one and formed a natural, very beautiful harbor, which is shaped like a horn. For many centuries, the Golden Horn has been considered one of the world's most beautiful natural harbors. Its waters were full of fish, and the fertile soil along the shores of the bay produced rich harvests, which attracted the local aborigines, who eventually settled on both sides of the harbor. The Golden Horn Bay was also called the cornucopia, and it is also believed that Byzantium himself named this bay in honor of his mother, whose name was Keroessa, from the Greek Golden Horn sounds - Krysokeras. There is another myth that under the bright rays of the shining sun, the water surface of the bay shimmers with real gold.

Golden Horn Bay in Istanbul

Today the Golden Horn is called Halich-i Dersaadet, which means “Bay of the Gate of Bliss” in Turkish.

In summer, during the peak period of tourism in the Golden Horn, the weather is very changeable. The prevailing wind is south and southeast, with frequent rain and fog. Autumn and winter are also windy, but the wind blows from the north and northwest.

In the Balat and Fener districts, located in the very center of the Golden Horn Bay, there are numerous streets with ancient houses and churches, synagogues built during the era of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Now these are the shores inhabited by modern residents living in beautiful and modern buildings. Almost along the entire length of the bay, its shores are fortified with strong walls, which are equipped with berths and piers. The depth at the entrance to the Golden Horn Bay ranges from 20 to 27 meters, depending on the location.

This is an extraordinary beauty, having been at least once in this place, you can feel the period of the Sultanate and the former antiquity, this warm summer air will transport the soul to nirvana. After such a rest, no depression is scary.

Location

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At school, everyone wants to take part in a quiz show like the one on TV. Therefore, first we conduct a qualifying round, and then those who pass it successfully continue the game.
Questions can be on different academic subjects. Here are examples of those questions from the qualifying round and the main game that relate to geography.

1. Arrange these continents in the order of their discovery, starting with the earliest:

Antarctica
Africa
South America
Australia

2. Arrange these planets in order of distance from the Sun, starting with the first:

Mars
Venus
Earth
Mercury

3. Arrange these plants in order of increasing height:

Eucalyptus
Lilac
Poppy
Birch

4. Arrange the vertices by height, starting with the smallest:

Chomolungma
Kosciuszko
Belukha
Aconcagua

Main game

1. Name the third planet of the solar system. (Earth)
2. Name points on Earth, to determine the position of which it is enough to indicate only their latitude. (North and South Poles)
3. Where is it warmer during the day in summer weather - in the forest or in the field? (in field)
4. Name a point on Earth, to determine the position of which it is enough to know only longitude. (there is no such thing)
5. Is it possible to ever see the sun in the north somewhere in Russia? (beyond the Arctic Circle at noon in summer)
6. What is the modern name of Burma? (Myanmar)
7. What is the name of the set of measures to increase land fertility or general improvement of the area? (reclamation)
8. What is the name of the water shell of the Earth? (hydrosphere)
9. When was the Strait of Magellan discovered? (first trip around the world, 1519-1521)
10. What is the destruction of soil horizons and parent rocks by surface water called? (soil erosion)
11. What is the name of the device for measuring atmospheric pressure? (barometer)
12. Which US state does the Arctic Circle pass through? (Alaska)
13. Which continent do all meridians cross? (Antarctica)
14. The spread of what type of transport led to the introduction of standard time? (railway)
15. What is the top fertile layer of the earth called? (the soil)
16. Many bays, straits and islands have made the coast of this country the longest in the world. (Canada)
17. Is it true that the entire landmass of the Earth could be located in an area equal to the area of ​​the Pacific Ocean? (Yes)
18. You are flying from Rome to Belgrade. What sea can you see from the porthole? (Adriatic)
19. What is the name in South America for what is called steppe in Russia and prairie in North America? (pump)
20. Which city is called the “city of the Golden Horn” and in which state is it located? (Istanbul, Türkiye)
21. Which city is called “granite” and in which country is it located? (Aberdeen, Scotland)
22. Which city is called the “lily city” and in which country is it located?

Istanbul Map

(Paris, France)
23. In what place do southern winds always blow? (at the North Pole)
24. Where is it colder - at the North or South Pole? (on Yuzhny)
25. Which sea has no shores? (Sargasso)
26. What is the name of the air shell of the Earth? (atmosphere)
27. Name the largest river that does not flow into the World Ocean. (Volga)
28. Which states are located in two parts of the world? (RF, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia)
29. Name four seas that have colored names. (Black, White, Red, Yellow)
30. Name the largest and deepest sea off the coast of Russia. (Beringovo)
31. Name the shallowest sea on Earth. (Azovskoe)
32. Name the coldest and most icy sea off the coast of Russia. (East Siberian)
33. Name the largest peninsula of Russia. (Taimyr)
34. Name the largest island in Russia. (Sakhalin)
35. Name the longest mountain system in Russia. (Ural)
36. Name the highest peak in Russia. (Elbrus)
37. Name the deepest lake in the world. (Baikal)
38. Name the longest river that flows only through the territory of Russia. (Lena)

The Golden Horn Bay is one of the best and most natural harbors in the world. In the old days, merchant ships of the Byzantines and Ottomans, as well as warships, were stationed here. Today, landscaped parks and pedestrian sidewalks line the banks.

The Golden Horn Harbor is a curved Bosphorus bay that juts deep into the land. The length of this bay is 12.2 km, the width is 91-122 m, the depth is 47 m. Two streams flow into the bay in its western part: Ali-bey-su, also called ancient Kidaros, and Kiat-khane-su - ancient Barbizes . On both banks is the European part of one of the largest cities in Turkey - Istanbul. Four bridges span the bay - the Galata Bridge, the Old Galata Bridge, which is no longer in use, the Ataturk Bridge and the Halic Bridge.

The Golden Horn Bay is protected from all waves and winds, except stormy ones. Between Cape Tiger and Cape Goldobina, located 1.2 miles from it, it goes deep into the northern shore of the Eastern Bosphorus Strait. The bay is limited by the Shkot Peninsula, located in the north-west. This coast of the Golden Horn Bay is very hilly, and its southern part is steep and deep throughout. The northern, southern and eastern shores of the bay are elevated, but in some places they also have cliffs and are framed by a low and very narrow coastal strip, which was artificially leveled and in some places expanded for port facilities. The shore at the top of the bay is low. A valley opens up to it, through which the Explanation River flows.

Somewhere around seven thousand years ago, the waters of the Bosphorus and the Kagythane and Alibey rivers, which still flow into the Golden Horn (its northern part), merged and a natural harbor was formed. For many centuries, the Golden Horn or Altin Boynuz has been called one of the best natural harbors in the world. The waters of this bay, which really is shaped like a horn, were full of fish, and the very fertile land along the shores of the harbor yielded very rich harvests. The bay was often called the cornucopia, and it is also believed that this bay was named by Byzantium himself in honor of his mother, whose name was Keroessa, because in Greek the Golden Horn sounds like Krysokeras. There is, however, another interesting legend, which says that under the rays of the shining sun, the waters of the bay sparkle with real gold. The current Turkish name for the Golden Horn is Halic (halic, which means “bay” in Turkish). The full name of this harbor comes from the Ottoman Halic-i Dersaadet, which means "bay of the gate of bliss."

The weather in the Golden Horn Bay in summer is very changeable. Southern and south-eastern winds prevail here, it often rains and fogs appear. In autumn and winter, winds predominantly blow from the north and northwest. They bring dry and clear weather with a large decrease in air temperature, and at the same time an increase in atmospheric pressure. Fogs in the Golden Horn harbor occur from April to August. They can most often be seen in June - July. Fogs tend to appear here when southeast winds blow. When there is complete calm, they can be seen much less often. The winds that blow in autumn and winter are very long and can sometimes reach speeds of 6-8 m/s or more, and in spring and summer the wind speed is slightly lower.

In the Fener and Balat districts, which are comfortably located in the heart of the Golden Horn Bay, there are numerous streets of ancient houses and churches, synagogues built during the era of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. The shores of the Golden Horn Bay are fortified, almost along its entire length, with walls. They are equipped with piers and moorings. The depth at the entrance to the Golden Horn ranges from 20 to 27 m and further, towards the top of the bay, it gradually decreases. The soil in the bay is silt.

When the Turks came here, the shores of the Golden Horn turned into a popular vacation spot. Rich mansions and summer residences began to be built here. But, despite this, over time, a large number of workshops and factories began to appear on these lands. Uncontrolled industrial development gradually led to horrific environmental pollution and the waters of the Golden Horn turned into a real cesspool. City sewage and industrial waste were dumped here by everyone who was not too lazy. The situation changed for the better only in the 1980s. The Istanbul Municipality has decided to return this ancient area of ​​the city to its former beauty. Nowadays, green cozy parks and its coastal neighborhoods are once again spread along the banks of the Golden Horn, which still preserve wooden houses built in the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, synagogues and churches on their streets, and the sunset again covers the waters of this beautiful bay with gold.

Talk about beauty Istanbul caressed by the waters Bosphorus, is as difficult as describing the enchanting sounds of music or love itself. Théophile Gautier said about him: “He is so unusual and beautiful that you involuntarily begin to doubt his reality,” and you cannot argue with that. Just look at the incredible, incomparable intoxicating aroma, in which everything is mixed: the smell of the sea, exotic trees, flowers and oriental sweets. You can spend hours looking at the sea hugging the sky, watching, accompanied by the cry of restless seagulls, how “Arguing with a tight wave and a fresh wind, beautiful large ships rush to the expanses of the Sea of ​​Marmara.” Looking at the panorama that opens, one cannot restrain one’s admiring exclamation: “Here it is - the alluring fairy tale of the East - the Golden Horn!” Dividing the European half of the city into two parts, it reflects the spirit of old Istanbul in its waters.

History of Istanbul Harbor

The history of its origin goes back to the distant past. About 7,000 years ago, thanks to a natural cataclysm, the Alibey and Kagythane rivers overflowed their banks and merged with Bosphorus, forming a fantastic bay.
According to one of the ancient Greek legends, during a sacrifice performed by Byzant (the son of the god Poseidon and the nymph Keroessa, the daughter of the mighty Zeus), a large eagle appeared in the sky. Grabbing the heart of the sacrificial bull, he soared into the sky and flew away. The brave warrior saw a bird that had dropped its prey on the bank of the creek. Taking this as a divine sign, he founded a city there, named in his honor. This is how the legendary Byzantium was born here, becoming the center of three great empires that have become a thing of the past. Changing its names several times, the city managed to maintain its amazing charm and grandeur, as evidenced by the architectural masterpieces scattered like pearls along the shores of the picturesque bay.
At first the bay was called Byzantine Horn. It was a large port where life was in full swing. There were so many fish here that the residents managed to catch them with their bare hands, and the coastal lands, covered with generous vegetation, were distinguished by unprecedented fertility. But people ruined this paradise of the earth when in the 19th century. Along the coast, like mushrooms after rain, numerous industrial plants have sprung up, discharging sewage along with the city sewerage into the turquoise waters. The primitive floating bridge separating it from the Bosphorus aggravated the problem. The fish have practically disappeared, and shipping has come to a standstill. The wonderful natural creation was dying, turning into a swampy pond. It was only in 1984 that the local municipality decided to clean it up. Human stupidity was too costly: restoration required considerable financial expenditure, and the authorities agreed to it. By removing industry from the coastal zone, replacing the old crossing with a new one, and relocating the townspeople to other neighborhoods, it was possible to revive the splendor of the Golden Horn. And again his heart began to beat. A fish appeared in the clear expanse of water. Now it is impossible to imagine the Galata Bridge without fishermen. Speedboats are crowded with passengers wanting to explore the unique beauty of the coastal areas - the real pride of the residents. When the tired Istanbul sun slowly sets behind the horizon, the purified waters of the bay, wriggling in the shape of a large horn, “flare up” with golden fire, sparkling in the sun’s rays, justifying the name of the backwater. Almost 13 km long and up to 122 m wide, the bay is one of the world's best lagoons, attracting thousands of tourists every year. There’s a lot to admire here, it’s just a pity that the walls can’t talk. The unique architectural monuments have a lot to tell about; they have seen a lot in their lifetime: wars, triumphs and defeats, epidemics, deceit and betrayal, love and hatred. In the colorful branch of Vefa, you should definitely see the mosque built by the Great Suleiman during the period of prosperity of the Ottoman Empire.

Visit Sulaymaniyah

The construction is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of Suleiman, who was considered the tenth Ottoman padishah. The construction was entrusted to the talented architect Sinian, who said that it would last forever. Indeed, he did not deceive: the amazing brainchild of the brilliant author, built without modern technologies, adequately withstood 89 strongest (more than 7 points) earthquakes. The architectural model was Hagia Sophia, built ten centuries earlier.
The building, which can accommodate more than 5 thousand believers, has a large dome of 53 m. 136 windows let in light, and thousands of light bulbs light up inside. In the courtyard there are two turbines, the Sultan and his wife. Four minarets mean that the Sultan is the fourth padishah after the Turkish capture. At the end of the courtyard there is a cemetery, which serves as a real museum. The main attention is drawn to two burials belonging to Suleiman and his incomparable wife Roksolana. Her mausoleum, located opposite, is decorated with slabs depicting the Garden of Eden; poems are written here glorifying a woman’s angelic smile and perky disposition. In the center is the grave of his grandson, on the left is Suleiman’s sister and chief vizier Ibrahim Pasha. It is interesting that death united this trinity. Ibrahim and his sister hated Roksolana fiercely, but it turned out that their daughter was buried next to her. The architect Sinian found his resting place in this cemetery. There is an opinion that the building is slowly sliding into the bay.
Is it possible to explore the protected areas of Istanbul in one day? The question will only cause a sarcastic smile, but in the miniature park located on the coast of the backwater, everything is possible. It's worth going there.

Stunning Miniaturk Park

It is located in the charming place of Sütlüce. Here the historical and cultural heritage of the Turkish people is on display. You can even look in miniature at objects that have ceased to exist, such as the Temple of Artemis. The huge park, covering an area of ​​100 thousand m2, was opened in April 2003. The exhibition includes 105 models (the number of exhibits is expanding), skillfully made on a scale of 1:25. It is impossible to look without admiration at a miniature railway, a highway with moving vehicles, an airport with marvelous models of all kinds of airplanes. And how captivating are the ships sailing along the sea channels! Takes your breath away, admiring the Cathedral of St. Sophia, Church of St. Irina, Topkapi and Dolmbahce palaces. What a joy it is to see with your own eyes the Altar of Zeus, the Monastery Bridge, the Mausoleum of Mevlana and many other stunning models! Little tourists are delighted with the electric mini-train, which they can ride around the park. A playground was equipped for children with a wooden Trojan horse installed, which greatly delighted the little ones. In the "Panorama of Istanbul" hall you can get acquainted with the exhibition telling about the Battle of the Dardanelles in the First World War. In Miniaturk you can find out in a short time all the masterpieces produced by human hands. Visitors can not only view, but also listen to detailed information about each object using the sound system. Unfortunately, today it is only available in Turkish or English. Cozy cafes and restaurants with excellent cuisine welcome you here.
It is better to look at the picturesque view of the enchanting region from the height of the hill. Anyone will admire the picture they see.

A charming picture from the observation deck

The cable car will take you to the top in a matter of minutes, but you can run up the stairs to get there. From here, in full view, the fabulous eastern city appears in all its charm: in the distance, against the background of the heavenly blue, in the rays of the bright sun, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Galata Tower flaunt. Fantastic! It’s not for nothing that the French writer Julien Viau under the pseudonym Pierre Loti loved this place. One day, having arrived in a wonderful city, he was so captivated by it that he stayed forever. I spent a long time in a cafe, from where I watched white-winged gulls swinging on the waves for hours, listened to the whisper of the wind, admired the amazing sunsets, receiving inspiration for writing novels. “When the moon is round on the Bosporus, you will hear a tender, tender melody, suddenly a drunken tambourine and timpani will ring in your soul, and your head will go spinning,” this is how the local landscape was perceived by the Turkish poet Melich Andai. And he was right. No one can remain indifferent here. Enchanted by the rustle of the surf, mental wounds dissolve, sadness recedes, anxieties go away. The Frenchman loved this city so much that he happily wore a fez and smoked a hookah. He spent entire days and often nights drinking coffee at the coffee shop, becoming such a frequent visitor that it was named after him.
Muslims have a special relationship with coffee: for them it is a mysterious divine nectar that brings joy and mood. They drink it in complete silence, enjoying it. After drinking a strong aromatic drink, you can move on to the first Istanbul autocephalous church.

Treasures of the Patriarchate of Constantinople

Cathedral of St. George (former convent), where the Patriarch's residence was moved after the fall of Constantinople, burned and was rebuilt several times. The patriarchate consisted of several buildings protected by a high fence. To the right was the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarch himself. Just outside the gate is the Church of the Great Martyr George, built in the 18th century. She greets those who come with mysterious silence and pleasant coolness. The Royal Doors are decorated with a double-headed eagle - the coat of arms of Constantinople. Inside there is a gilded iconostasis. Wooden stasidia (chairs) are placed along the walls, decorated with icons, and the armrests are decorated with griffin heads.
Pilgrims come here from all over the world to worship the shrines. Trembling feelings fill the soul at the sight of the column on which a piece of the ring that once held the once chained son of God during torture has been preserved. Rumor has it that it was brought from Jerusalem by Queen Helena in 326. The relics of saints who are worshiped are kept here. Among them are the remains belonging to Euphemia the All-Praised, who refused to sacrifice to pagan deities. Faithful to the Christian faith, the courageous woman was able to say directly that mountains would sooner turn over than her soul would depart from the true God. During the torture, the lips cried out in prayer to the Lord for salvation, but the will was unshakable. The plea was heard: despite the torment, she remained unharmed. Observing the miracle taking place, many joined the faith of Christ. The seven sons of Solomonia (her skeletons are here) protested to King Antiochus Epiphanes, who had desecrated the temple of God in Jerusalem. For this they were tortured to death in the presence of their own mother, who courageously watched as they mocked and killed her children. Unable to bear the grief, she died. Nearby lie the remains of Feofania, who shared the fate of her husband, Emperor Leo VI, who was convicted and thrown into prison for 3 years. Being a faithful wife, she knew that she was unloved by him. Upon release, she spent the rest of her life in prayer.
It would be unforgivable to miss another architectural miracle, the shrine in the Ivan Saray area, which played a huge role in the destinies of many Christians.

Miracles of the Church of Our Lady of Blachernae

Only St. Sophia played the same important role in the history of Byzantium as the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Empress Pulcheria refused to believe in the resurrection of the Mother of God. She wrote a letter to the Patriarch in Jerusalem with a request to send her the relics of the Mother of the Lord, opening her grave. The tomb was opened, but only clothes lay there; a piece of it was sent to Pulcheria, reproaching him for unbelief. After which, in 450, the empress immediately began building the cathedral, but did not have time to complete it. After her death, her husband Markian completed the construction work. A separate room was built to store the delivered shroud of the Virgin Mary. Justinian had to expand the temple complex, since the previous one could not accommodate all the pilgrims who wanted to visit the blessed place.
Many miracles were observed here. Every Friday, the veil with which the icon of the Mother of God, painted by the Evangelist Luke himself, was hung, rose on its own, revealing her face. More than once, the Virgin defended Constantinople, raising waves in the bay, sinking enemy ships, putting enemies to flight with her appearance. Various enemies experienced the power of the miraculous robe. When in the IX Art. The pagan Rus raided Tsar Grad, and the Mother of God, who appeared, covered the defenders with her cover. Having lowered the robe into the depths of the sea, at the same moment a terrible storm arose, scattering the Russian ships. The strangers were numb from what they saw. The surviving soldiers fled in horror. When Christianity was adopted in Rus', Intercession began to be considered the most important religious holiday. The ancient building was not destined to survive in its original form; visitors see a new version. It is famous for its life-giving spring with holy healing water (they say these are the tears of the Virgin), which helps with various ailments. A service is still held here to this day, you can pray, give a note for health and peace.
Not far from here there is another rather interesting structure that deserves attention.

Secrets of the Tekfur-Saray Palace

The way life works is that most sacred buildings have to pass the test of time. Majestic palaces are ruthlessly destroyed, creating a renewed atmosphere for the new owners. This happened with the Great Blachernae Palace, from which the remains of Tekfur-Saray, which previously served as an additional wing to the magnificent imperial possessions, have been preserved.
The complex of buildings made of light marble was surrounded by green gardens. There were well-kept courtyards with swimming pools, churches, outbuildings for the palace retinue and servants. The numerous halls breathed unprecedented luxury. Ambassadors were received in the Golden Chamber and feasts were held. It was a spacious room with an octagonal shape, 16 windows with eight apses on the sides. The silver doors of the apse, installed opposite the central entrance, were decorated with an image of Jesus with the Mother of God. In the throne room, right in front of the ruler’s throne, lay 2 large golden lions. Behind him is a gilded tree, the branches of which were dotted with colorful birds, glowing with gold. When the ruler appeared in a jeweled robe to the magical sounds of organ music, lions rose up and began to roar loudly, birds flapped their wings, and the arriving ambassadors fell prostrate before the ruler.
During the period of Turkish rule, all that remained of the majestic complex was Tekfur-Saray, which turned into a menagerie. Animals were brought here from Africa for everyone to see. Then another drama followed: these walls turned into a brothel, then into workshops, and by the end of the 18th century. came to complete desolation. The remains of the three-story building remind of its former grandeur. The lower floor, consisting of arched galleries, is supported by marble columns. The space above the windows is decorated with intricate patterns of alternating red and white bricks. The wall decoration seems to be created from numerous honeycombs. Now the question of restoration has been raised.
We must move on. A real paradise for men, and not only others, will be a visit to the industrial museum waiting for tourists in the northern part of the bay.

The stunning Rahmi Koch Museum

One day, a Turkish millionaire had a chance to see Ford exhibits in America. He was so amazed that he became eager to create something similar in his homeland. He succeeded perfectly. Having bought the anchor foundry and restored it, he managed to open his own museum in 1994.
What's missing here! The lower tier is the kingdom of all kinds of steam engines and many cars of various brands, ancient and the most modern. The top floor is given over to scientific instruments and communications equipment. Is it possible to refuse to inspect an American submarine that took part in the battles of World War II? You are even allowed to get inside it and see the arrangement.
Those who wish can take the driver's seat in any car or temporarily feel like a pilot at the controls of an airplane. Or you can take an incredible journey back in time by boarding an ancient carriage that once belonged to Sultan Abdul Aziz, in which he traveled around Europe. Yachts, a variety of motorcycles, bicycles - all this is on display for visitors. The kids will see a sea of ​​interesting toys. The captain's bridge on a coast guard vessel is available to tourists. For convenience, the entire exhibition was divided into sections so as not to lose sight of anything.
You can take a photo next to a London double-decker bus or a Turkish fighter-bomber, or sit in an old tram. All models are in working condition. The abundance makes your head spin, the day runs by at an inexorable speed. I want to take time to admire it again and again...
But ahead lies a meeting with the pearl of the Golden Horn, an extraordinary example of chic Ottoman architecture with an extraordinary destiny.

The beauty of the Ainala Kavak pavilion

The colorful area used to be covered with centuries-old trees of forests and groves, overflowing with babbling, cheerful streams. This was a favorite hunting spot for the Byzantine emperors and then the sultans.
For the first time, ruler Ahmed I began to build here. The appearance of an exquisite structure surrounded by a fragrant garden is considered his merit. This is where his harem was located. All this burned down in a fire that broke out in 1677. The restoration was carried out by Mehmed IV in the 18th century. The buildings expanded. This period is considered the era of prosperity. The ruler built his own apartments, chambers for the chief eunuch looking after the harem, housing for guards, servants, a weapons storage room, and a prayer room. Among the picturesque landscape, fountains were pleasing to the eye, pavilions surrounded by flowers, swimming pools inviting people to relax, and there was even an aquarium.
The last ruler was considered Selim III, who loved this place. He was a creative person, a famous composer, and played many instruments. It was here that his best melodies were written. He had reverent feelings for the miniature French concubine Marie de Beauharnais, brought here by pirates, who was Josephine’s cousin, and spent a long time with her, learning French.
In the 19th century The palace building was used for lavish receptions of foreign guests. Today only the building of Ainala Kavak and its exquisite Venetian mirrors, presented as gifts by visiting merchants, speak of the former pomp. Thanks to Selim, the refined interiors of the rooms are filled with poetry in the literal and figurative sense. The decoration of the living room and cozy music room is the calligraphy of the talented Yezari and the delightful poems of Muslim poets Sheikh Ghalib and Enderuni Fazil. The rooms, made in different colors, are distinguished by high painted ceilings with gilding, thin elegant stained glass windows, and unusual furniture. Here, rich Ottoman and strict Western traditions are combined in an incredible cocktail. This can be seen in the European-style desk and chairs, but the ivory and mother-of-pearl designs indicate a Turkish style. The same can be said about the windows: in size and shape they are similar to the Western model, but the lower window, surmounted by a small upper one, is reminiscent of the Muslim style. The exhibition of various musical instruments located below is dedicated to the memory of the talented composer, who reigned for almost 20 years. Since he did not have any children of his own, power was transferred to his nephew Mahmud. Kutuzov, who visited this region as an ambassador, sharing his impressions of the amazing place with his wife, wrote that he wanted to cry from tenderness and enchanting beauty. It’s not for nothing that the famous fairy tales about Shaherizade and Ali Baba were filmed here.

The magical city of the East, it, “like Aladdin’s lamp, drowned in blooming greenery and grew, as if at the behest of a genie.” You can never be bored in Istanbul: it is too bright, extremely loud, incredibly colorful, like a Turkish carpet. Here you can only become infected with love of life and positivity for the rest of your life. It's hard to say goodbye to him. Or maybe people get used to good things too quickly?