Istanbul is Turkey’s rich historical land that is appraised for its packed lanes, elaborate architecture, and balloon-filled skies. It is home to a number of world-famous monuments in Istanbul. Ottomans, Romans, and Byzantines all have left a mark in this country. If you want to look deep in the history of this place then you must visit the monuments in Istanbul. These monuments speak of the independence war, sacrifices, and struggle that the citizens of Istanbul have to go through. They have attracted thousands of tourists every year owing to which Istanbul is fast becoming one of the top tourist destinations in the world because of historical monuments in Istanbul.

Monuments List of Istanbul

1. Topkapi palace

If you are visiting in Istanbul do not forget to miss the home of emperors of 3 continents. It shows the best example of middle eastern architecture.  This historical palace features different 27 towers, hundreds of rooms and courtyards. If you are thinking about the famous monuments in Istanbul, you can’t miss this place. Tourists can also explore the government worked collection such as old weapons used by the sultans, large porcelain collections in the kitchen area and different collections of jewelry used by them. It is the best place to take pictures of beautiful golden views.

2. Taksim Square and Galatasaray

With regards to exploring Beyoğlu, Taksim Square has been the characteristic beginning stage of any touring visit for a long time. It is one of the best monuments in Istanbul. Although the scenery of the square has dramatically changed, there are several noteworthy places within a short walking distance from this spot, which will help you see the neighborhood in the right light. The main pedestrian boulevard of Beyoğlu, İstiklal Caddesi, will be our main reference point for directions.

3. Blue Mosque or Süleymaniye Mosque

The mosque is giant, with intricate architecture decorated with tiles, designs, and stained glass windows. For those of you who want religious monuments in Istanbul or have visited mosques over the course of your lifetime, you’ll note that most are actually quite sparsely decorated on the inside. But the Blue Mosque is unique in size, architecture, and interior décor and it is not to be missed! 

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4. Hagia Sophia 

Dating back to 325, Hagia Sophia is a former church and mosque and declared as one of the world’s greatest architectural works and accepted as the 8th wonder of the world. Hagia Sophia is also one of the most visited monuments in Istanbul Turkey and museums in the world.

5. Istanbul Archaeological Museum

This is the largest building which is covered by three museums: the archaeological, tiled kiosk and ancient orient museums. If you are going to this most popular monument in Istanbul then do not forget to see the different collections of ceramic arts, Islamic coins, artifacts in the display, a first-century tomb and many more interesting things. Add this remarkable Istanbul attraction to your holiday list.

6. Topkapi Palace Museum

Topkapi Palace Museum is one of the world’s richest museums and the top monuments in Istanbul, are a magnificent oriental palace and one of the world’s greatest architectural works. It was the residence of the Ottoman sultans as well as the administrative and educational center of the Empire. It houses the finest samples of the seal, bookbinding, jewelry, and box craftsmanship as well as inscriptions.

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7. Galata tower

It is 67 meters high tower which offers breathtaking views of the old Istanbul town. Galata Tower is the 13-century tower and today it features cafes, restaurants, night clubs to its 9th floor. The best place to take pictures and popular monuments in Istanbul. If you want to visit this place then come early so that you can avoid the crowd and huge lines for the tickets.

8. Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

The Museum of Turkish combining the Turkish and Islamic works and Islamic Arts is an impressive museum of the world. Located at the Ibrahim Pasha Palace, one of the most important buildings of 16th-century Ottoman civil architecture, in Sultanahmet. You can witness to very unique, more than over 40,000 items at the carpet, manuscript, wood, glass-metal-ceramic and ethnography sections. It considered in one of the ancient monuments in Istanbul.

9. Basilica Cistern

Basilica as a beautiful monument in Istanbul, but it is definitely a cool site. It’s the largest of the hundreds of ancient cisterns located in Istanbul, with rows of old columns and one of the Istanbul attractions in winter. A couple of the column bases actually have Medusa’s face on them! The cistern was a water filtration system for the palace at one point and has been in a bunch of movies. Either way, it’s a really interesting example of ancient infrastructure.

10. Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art is the first private museum of Turkey to organize modern and contemporary art exhibitions. A great place for modern art lovers. hosts a broad array of interdisciplinary activities that include permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, a photography gallery, and spaces for educational and social programs. It is counted in one of the Turkish monuments in Istanbul.

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11. Aviation Martyrs’ Monument

This monument Turque Istanbul was dedicated to the soldiers of the Ottoman Airforce who were killed in flight accidents during the war. Two monoplanes crashed in Palestine that killed three out of four military aviators in 1914. Just after the incident, work on constructing a monument started to honor the killed aviators. A ceremony is organized every year in front of the monument on Martyrs’ Day.

12. Republic Monument

The Republic Monument, located in Taksim Square, was designed by Pietro Canonica, an Italian sculptor. The monument to visit in Istanbul was built to commemorate the formation of the Turkish Republic and it also showcases the figures of the founders. A number of tourists come to explore this place and click a photo of the 11 meters tall monument.

13. Dolmabahce Palace

This magnificent monuments in Istanbul named Dolmabahce Palace used to be a residence of the Sultans. It is used to be the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1853 to 1922. This is known to be a ” Versailles ” of the Ottomans. It is very luxurious, the exterior is made of white marble and the interior decked with gold. It houses a rich collection of art and exceptional pieces such as a beautiful collection of Baccarat chandeliers. Atatürk even made it his presidential residence during the last years of his life, this is one of the most beautiful monuments of Istanbul.

14. Hippodrome

You may not notice the last of the city’s Byzantine structures in this area, the Hippodrome, but as you walk across from Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern to the Hagia Sofia you are walking over this famous racecourse where chariot races were often held. It was the center of Byzantine life in its day. But today you see the only three of its many obelisks and statues remain. It is one of the amazing monuments in Istanbul. Don’t miss the carvings at the base of the obelisk that depicts Theodosius and his family and guards watching the chariot races.

15. Grand Bazar or Kapali Çarsi

Istanbul city has an eye-catching shopping bazaar with more than 5000 markets. This is the favorite place of travelers who love to shop. There are millions of tourists who come here every day. The market features a variety of shops such as jewelry, crafts, handmade paintings by local artists, spices, old coins, furniture, gems, collections of weapons and other traditional items of the Turkish culture.

16. Rüstem Pasa Mosque

Hidden in a small alleyway not far from the Spice Bazaar, The Rüstem Pasa Mosque. Even before you enter the mosque, you will notice the panels of Iznik tiles on the facade. Inside the mosque, beautiful Iznik tiles also cover the walls. This iconic monument in Istanbul was his way of showing off his wealth designed by Mimar Sinan for Rüstem Pasa, the son in law of Suleyman the Magnificent. It is a very peaceful mosque, one in which you will want to stop and take in these breathtaking tiles. There are two stairways that take you up to the Mosque. The mosque is closed at Prayer times.

17. Chora Museum 

The most famous monuments in Istanbul shouldn’t be missed is about 20 minutes from Sultanahmet, close to the old city walls. The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora is one of the finest examples of a Byzantine Church with 14th-century mosaics and frescoes. It is also known as the Chora Museum. It later became a mosque and finally a museum, in a similar fashion to the Aya Sofia. Wander around the cobblestone streets with their wooden Ottoman houses before taking in the view from the nearby fifth-century city walls, whilst you are here. 




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