Four Astounding Sites in Istanbul, after the Hagia Sophia

In Istanbul–a city teeming with historical sites, remarkable views, and iconic buildings–where does a visitor begin? Istanbul is simply breathtaking, thanks to the legacy of the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and modern Turks. You can marvel at the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, for instance, sail down the Bosphorus and back again, stroll across the Galata Bridge, and get lost in the stories and artifacts of the Islamic Museum.

But don’t stop there. The buildings and monuments across Istanbul are a beautiful homage to the artistry, engineering, and architecture undertaken in the city across the centuries. Public works, places of worship, and local markets highlight this expert artisanal and architectural work. Today we explore four of those sites, some of my favorite spots in Istanbul.

The Aqueduct of Valens

The Aqueduct of Valens (Bozdoğan Kemeri in Turkish) towers over Ataturk Boulevard, whose traffic-filled lanes flow directly under its arches. Commissioned by the Roman emperor Valens in the 4th century AD, the aqueduct continued to be used, maintained, and expanded in the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Water flowed through the aqueduct until the 18th century (over 1,400 years!) and the remaining section is over 900 meters long.

I love the grandeur of the aqueduct and the many ways you can celebrate its majesty. Marvel at its imposing height and length. Spot this prominent landmark from afar or carefully examine its beautiful limestone construction up close. Then pause for an energizing drink at one of the cafes nestled under its tall archways.

Kariye Mosque (Formally the Chora Church)

Over the centuries, this site has been a church, a mosque, a museum, and now a mosque again. Originally established in the 4th century AD, it was renovated and rebuilt in the 11th and 14th centuries. Right now, in fact, it is closed for renovation as well. The magic of this building is inside though, where elaborate mosaics and frescoes decorate the walls and domed ceilings.

Funded in the 14th century by Theodore Metochites, a rich Byzantine Greek statesman, these works of art depict the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary. I love the sheer number of stories told in this small building. There’s the journey to Bethlehem, the flight into Egypt, portraits of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and more. One mosaic even depicts Metochites himself, presenting the church to the seated figure of Christ. And the frescoes feature religious tales too, including one of the Resurrection (see the final picture below), as Christ reaches down to pull Adam and Eve from their graves.

Rustem Pasha Mosque

Another one of my favorite sites in Istanbul is this 16th-century mosque, an exquisite example of Ottoman architecture. Designed and built for Rustem Pasha, the grand vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent, the mosque is perched above street level, atop a popular shopping area. But what fascinates me about this site in particular is its color.

The dome, colonnade, and interior are covered in Iznik tile work (so named for the town south of Istanbul). The tiles feature rich blues, like finely polished sapphire and turquoise, with accents in vibrant reds and leafy greens. Curving decorations of floral arabesques flow across the tiles too, as painted vines sprout up and across the walls.

The Bazaars of Istanbul

Looking to shop? Start with the biggest market, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. In the heart of the old city, it stretches across 61 streets and over 30,000 square meters of total space. It is astonishing to think that it began as two domed warehouses (bedestens) in the late 15th century, growing into the large expanse of covered streets and alleys we see today.

A short walk north of this market district is the spice bazaar, also called the Egyptian Bazaar as it was first endowed with taxes on Egyptian wares. These shops and stalls, established in the 17th century, host carefully sculpted mounds of spices, a photogenic rainbow of color, as well as collections of herbs, nuts, sweets, and dried fruit.

Markets like these beautifully caress and assault the senses at the same time. I love the colors, the noise, the people, and the expert craftsmanship and design of the buildings, the stalls, and the wares themselves.

What Next?

What did you think of the art and architecture of these historic monuments? For me, these four sites are a perfect example of the magic of Istanbul and its immense beauty. The city rests on centuries of history and powerful empires, but also centuries of artistry, engineering, and architecture. And these four places bear witness to those architectural and artistic feats.

So what now? Well, go see these places for yourself if you can! Or read more — check out the Istanbul section of travel guides like Lonely Planet or Rick Steves. You can also travel virtually through the excellent work of Archnet, an architecture site that focuses on societies and places where Muslims are or have been a significant cultural presence. I’ve linked to their work above, but be sure to check them out for more pictures and descriptions of Istanbul and other magnificent structures around the world.

Want to learn more about Middle Eastern history and culture? Here at Other Things, we recently explored famous buildings in Marrakesh, toured the oasis of al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia, and visited Bahrain to examine a set of historic sites. If you want to add books to your reading list, we’ve covered Middle Eastern literature from Kuwait to Egypt to Tunisia and beyond. For those who like cooking or trying new dishes (who doesn’t?), we’ve written this epic list of Middle Eastern cookbooks. Want to expand your interests in music or art? We’ve covered several Middle Eastern bands and singers in our Music section and different kinds of painting, graphic art, and illustrations in our Art section. Check these out!