Istanbul (Turkey)

Istanbul (Turkish: İstanbul; contraction of the city's previous Greek name Constantinople) is the largest city in Turkey, and arguably the most important. It is located on the Bosphorus strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn (Turkish: Haliç), in the northwest of the country. It is officially in both Europe and Asia, but is generally considered European.

The ten closest neighbours in the database:

Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine) (953 km), Bratislava (Slovak Republic) (1,225 km), Vienna (Austria) (1,275 km), Rome (Italy) (1,375 km), Prague (Czech Republic) (1,512 km), Innsbruck (Austria) (1,559 km), Munich (Germany) (1,583 km), Regensburg (Germany) (1,591 km), Dresden (Germany) (1,614 km), Kaltenberg (Germany) (1,620 km)

Take a birds-eye view of the current location:

Google Maps, Map 24, MSN Virtual Earth, Yahoo!Maps

Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Blue Mosque in the heart of the old town
Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Blue Mosque by night
View south over Kumkapi to the Marmara Denizi
View south over Kumkapi to the Marmara Denizi
Freight ships waiting near the shores of Istanbul
View south-east over Kumkapi to the Marmara Denizi. In the far you can see the Prince's Islands.
The Obelisk of Tuthmosis III in the middle of the Hippodrome of Constantinople. The plaza is today called Sultanahmet Meydani.
Obelisk of Tuthmosis III in the middle of the Hippodrome of Constantinople. The plaza is today called Sultanahmet Meydani. The obelisk stands on top of two marble stones. The lower marble block describes how the monument was raised here in Constantinople. The block shown here praises the emperor and his family.
Hippodrome of Constantinople. The plaza is today called Sultanahmet Meydani.
One of the six minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
At its lower levels the interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) is lined with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles, made at Iznik (the ancient Nicaea). Its upper levels are painted. More than 200 stained glass windows with intricate designs admit natural light, today assisted by chandeliers. The decorations include verses from the Holy Koran, many of them made by Seyyid Kasim Gubari, regarded as the greatest calligrapher of his time.
Interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii). The most important element in the interior of the mosque is the mihrab, which is made of finely carved and sculptured marble, the adjacent walls sheathed in ceramic tiles. To the right of the mihrab is the mimber, or pulpit, where the Imam stands when he is delivering his sermon at the time of noon prayer on Fridays or on holy days. The mosque has been designed so that even when it is at its most crowded, everyone in the mosque can see and hear the Imam.
Interior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Entrance to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
One of the six minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) or Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) or Blue Mosque
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Hagia Sophia is covered by a central dome with a diameter of 31 meters (102 feet), slightly smaller than the Pantheon's. The dome seems rendered weightless by the unbroken arcade of arched windows under it, which help flood the colorful interior with light. The dome is carried on pendentives-four concave triangular sections of masonry which solve the problem of setting the circular base of a dome on a rectangular base. At Hagia Sophia the weight of the dome passes through the pendentives to four massive piers at the corners. Between them the dome seems to float upon four great arches.
Interior of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
One of the four minarets of the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Entrance to Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
The Basilica Cistern, also called the Yerebatan Sarayi or Yerebatan Sarnýcý, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that still lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. This cathedral-sized cistern is an underground chamber of 140 by 70 metres, capable of holding 80,000 cubic metres of water. The large space is broken up by a forest of 336 marble columns each 9 metres high. Curiously, the base of one of these columns is carved into the head of a medusa. The cistern was used as a location for the James Bond film From Russia With Love.
Basilica Cistern, turkish Yerebatan Sarnıçı or Yerebatan Sarayı
Basilica Cistern, turkish Yerebatan Sarnıçı or Yerebatan Sarayı
Head of the Medusa in the Basilica Cistern, turkish Yerebatan Sarnıçı or Yerebatan Sarayı
Basilica Cistern, turkish Yerebatan Sarnıçı or Yerebatan Sarayı
Basilica Cistern, turkish Yerebatan Sarnıçı or Yerebatan Sarayı
Tourist shop
Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı in Turkish, literally the "Cannongate Palace"), located in Istanbul (Constantinople), was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853. The construction of the Topkapi Palace was ordered by Sultan Mehmed II in 1459. It was completed in 1465. The palace is located on the Seraglio Point between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul, having a splendid view of the Bosphorus. It consists of many smaller buildings built together and surrounded by four courts.
The kitchen of the Topkapi Palace spans to the right. Over 6,000 meals where prepared here daily.
Topkapi Palace
Through the Gate of Felicity (Babüssaade) is the Third Court which is the heart of the palace, a lush garden surrounded by the Hall of the Privy Chamber (Has Oda) occupied by the palace officials, the treasury (which contains some of the wonderful treasures of the Ottoman age), the Harem and some pavilions, with the library of Ahmed III in the center.
Third Court in the heart of the Topkapi Palace
View from the Topkapi Palace over the Bosporus
View from the Topkapi Palace over the Bosporus. You can see the First Bosphorus Bridge spanning over strait.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace
View from the Topkapi Palace over Istanbul
Audience chambers of the Topkapi Palace
Library of Ahmet III in the Third Court of the Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Saray)
Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Saray)
Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Saray)
Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Saray)
Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Saray)
Entrance to the Grand Basar (Kapalı Çarşı)
Grand Basar (Kapalı Çarşı)
Grand Basar (Kapalı Çarşı)
Gate to the Istanbul University
Fishing boats south of the Kumkapi district
Ships on Marmara Sea (Marmara Denizi)
Ships on Marmara Sea (Marmara Denizi)
Reina Night Club
Reina Night Club
The Bosphorus Bridge, also called the First Bosphorus Bridge (Turkish: Boğaziçi Köprüsü or 1. Boğaziçi Köprüsü), is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosporus strait (Turkish: Boğaziçi). The bridge is located between Ortaköy (European side) and Beylerbeyi (Asian side). It is a gravity anchored suspension bridge with steel pylons and inclined hangers. The aerodynamic deck is hanging on zigzag steel cables. It is 1,510 m long with a deck width of 39 m. The distance between the towers (main span) is 1,074 m (World rank 2004: 12th) and their height over road level is 105 m. The clearance of the bridge from the sea level is 64 m.
Ortaköy Camii
Çiragan Palace Hotel Kempinski
Bosporus Bridge
Small fishing boats on the Bosporus strain
View from the Bosporus up to the Golden Horn with the Topkapi Palace on the left
Hunting Palace of the osman Sultans
The Fatih Sultan Bridge, also known as the Second Bosporus Bridge (in Turkish: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü or 2. Boğaziçi Köprüsü), is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosporus strait (Turkish: Boğaziçi). The bridge is situated between Hisarüstü (European side) and Kavacık (Asian side). It is a gravity-anchored suspension bridge with steel pylons and inclined hangers. The aerodynamic deck is hanging on double vertical steel cables. It is 1,510 m long with a deck width of 39 m. The distance between the towers (main span) is 1,090 m (World rank 2004: 11th) and their height over road level is 105 m.
The Fatih Sultan Bridge, also known as the Second Bosporus Bridge (in Turkish: Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü or 2. Boğaziçi Köprüsü), is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosporus strait (Turkish: Boğaziçi). The bridge is situated between Hisarüstü (European side) and Kavacık (Asian side). It is a gravity-anchored suspension bridge with steel pylons and inclined hangers. The aerodynamic deck is hanging on double vertical steel cables. It is 1,510 m long with a deck width of 39 m. The distance between the towers (main span) is 1,090 m (World rank 2004: 11th) and their height over road level is 105 m.
Rumeli Hisarı Fortress
Rumeli Hisarı Fortress
Rumeli Hisarı Fortress
Turkish Flag at the stern of the board
The Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) is a palace in Istanbul, located at the western, European, side of the Bosphorus. The palace served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1923. Dolmabahçe was originally a bay in the Bosphorus which was filled gradually during the 18th century to become an imperial garden, much appreciated by the Ottoman sultans (and from here comes the name, dolma meaning 'filled' and bahçe 'garden'). Various summer palaces were built here during the 18th and 19th centuries. The palace that stands here today was built in 1856 during the reign of Sultan Abd-ul-Mejid, on the site of the old coastal palace of Beşiktaş, by the Armenian architects Karabet Balyan and his son Nikoğos Balyan. The Sultans moved here since the old Topkapi Palace lacked any modern luxuries that the Dolmabahçe could provide, such as running water. The palace is composed of three parts; the Mabeyn-i Hümâyûn (or Selamlık; the quarters reserved for the men), Muayede Salonu (the ceremonial halls) and the Harem-i Hümâyûn (the Harem; i.e. the apartments of the family of the Sultan). The palace has an area of 45,000 m² (11.2 acres), and contains 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths (hamam) and 68 toilets. The famous Crystal Staircase has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Gate to the Dolmabahçe Palace
Guard in Front of the Dolmabahçe Palace
Guard in front of the Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
The famous Crystal Staircase in the heart of the Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany
The famous Crystal Staircase in the heart of the Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany
The famous Crystal Staircase in the heart of the Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany
The famous Crystal Staircase in the heart of the Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany
The famous Crystal Staircase in the heart of the Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany
The famous Crystal Staircase in the heart of the Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany
The famous Crystal Staircase in the heart of the Dolmabahçe Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı) has the shape of a double horseshoe and is built of Baccarat crystal, brass and mahogany
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Library in the Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Hamam in the Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Gate to the Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
One of the six minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
One of the six minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)
View from the gate of Sultan Ahmed Mosque to Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), also known as the Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), also known as the Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) seen from the distance by night
View on some of the minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), also known as the Blue Mosque
View over Kumkapi by night
    
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