Istanbul is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, where history, culture and civilizations intersect. This unique city, where East and West, past and future, tradition and modernity blend, has witnessed thousands of years of history.
From the majestic churches of the Byzantine Empire to the magnificent palaces of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul, every corner of which reeks of history, takes us on a journey beyond time. In this article, we will explore this historical texture of Istanbul and the Byzantine and Ottoman buildings that make it unique in the world. From the soaring dome of the Hagia Sophia to the mysterious rooms of Topkapi Palace, from the fascinating tiles of the Blue Mosque to the tranquility of the Basilica Cistern, each building is proof of how this city is the cradle of civilizations. If you are ready, let’s dive into the stories of these timeless buildings of Istanbul and admire the history of the city once again.
Byzantine Buildings in Istanbul
1- Hagia Sophia
First built as a church in 537, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and a museum in 1935. In 2020, it was reopened as a mosque. It is one of the most famous works of Byzantine architecture.
The architecture of Hagia Sophia has a unique place in world history and is one of the most important examples of Byzantine architecture. It was first built in 537 by Emperor Justinian. The most striking feature of Hagia Sophia is its gigantic dome. Measuring 31 meters in diameter, this dome is considered an architectural marvel and was built as the largest dome in the world at the time.
The interior of the building gives the feeling of a large and bright space, with daylight flooding in through the large windows. The interior is decorated with rich mosaics and frescoes of Byzantine art. These mosaics depict religious scenes and important religious figures of the time.
Hagia Sophia’s architecture is influenced by both Byzantine and Islamic art, making it a symbol of Istanbul’s cultural diversity. In addition, the building has been subjected to earthquakes and other natural disasters many times throughout its history and has therefore undergone many restorations.
2- Kariye Museum (Chora Church)
Built in the 14th century, this church is famous for its mosaics and frescoes. Today it serves as a museum.
The Kariye Museum was originally built in the 6th century as part of a monastery and was eventually converted into a church in the 14th century, housing the most outstanding examples of Eastern Roman and Byzantine painting. It houses some of the world’s best-preserved mosaics and frescoes and also showcases the artistic values of the Renaissance Period. In 2019, Kariye was converted back into a mosque by a decision of the Council of State and opened for worship in 2020. The history of this building entered a new era in 1945 when it was converted into a museum, and restorations were carried out in 1948 and 1958. Started in 2013, restoration works continue today. Kariye was used as a church until 1511 and was converted into a mosque during the reign of Bayezid II. It offers a unique experience to its visitors with its historical value and artistic richness.
3- Basilica Cistern
Built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, this underground water cistern is famous for its impressive columns and atmosphere.
The Basilica Cistern is one of the most impressive historical buildings in Istanbul and dates back 1500 years.It was built during the Byzantine period to provide water for the palaces and administrative buildings in Sultanahmet, the center of Istanbul.This historic structure is just one of the hundreds of cisterns under the Fatih district of Istanbul.The cisterns met the city’s water needs throughout the Middle Ages.
The Basilica Cistern was built in the 540s by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.The architecture of the cistern draws attention especially with its dimensions; it is the largest cistern in Istanbul with its dimensions of 108 meters by 65 meters and its area of 9800 m².Inside, there are 336 columns taken from various Ancient Greek structures. It is understood that these columns come from different architectural orders and are not original. When you move towards the bottom of the cistern, you can see that large stones were placed under two very short columns and the face of Medusa was carved on these stones. The heads of Medusa were used for structural purposes and were placed under the columns as supports. However, Byzantine workers and slaves, fearing Medusa’s notoriety, tilted the Medusa heads to the side or turned them upside down.
4- Hippodrome
It was the center of the city’s social and sporting events. Today only a few monuments survive, among them an obelisk brought from Egypt.
While the Hippodrome was known as an important place where chariots raced during the Roman and Byzantine periods, it turned into a public square during the Ottoman Empire. In time, this historical place was renamed “Sultanahmet Square” and was used for religious festivals and palace weddings.It is also known as a place where janissary soldiers proved their courage and displayed their skills.
Among the most important monuments of the Hippodrome are the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpent Column from Ancient Greece and the Örmetaş, erected by the Roman emperors. These are some of the oldest historical monuments in Istanbul and each has its own story.In particular, the Obelisk of Theodosius is the most important historical monument in the center of the Hippodrome and is 3500 years old.The Serpent Column is 2500 years old and was built in honor of the Greek victory at the end of the Greco-Persian wars.The Örmetaş is known as a column decorated with bronze plates during the Byzantine period and these plates were stolen during the Latin Invasion in 1204.
5- City Walls
The Byzantine walls surrounding Istanbul protected the city from various invasions. Some parts of them are still standing today.
The Walls of Istanbul, historically known as the Walls of Constantinople, are the stone walls that surrounded and protected Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. These walls are a prominent structure in terms of military and urban engineering of the Roman Empire.
Built by Constantine the Great, these walls were expanded with various additions and modifications over time and became a complex urban fortification system. In the 5th century, the double walls known as the Theodosian Walls were built and protected the city from many sieges.However, in 1453, they could not withstand the powerful cannons of the Ottomans.
The Walls of Istanbul were largely preserved during the Ottoman period, and although some parts of them collapsed in the 19th century, most of them have survived.In the last two decades, a large-scale restoration program has been implemented.The walls of Istanbul have witnessed important historical events such as the rebuilding of the city walls by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus, the capture of the city by the Goths and Nicomedians, and the expansion of the walls by Emperor Constantine. After the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottoman Empire, the city walls played an important role in the entry-exit, economic, social and military organization of the city, but became dysfunctional over time. Today, these walls are works of art built with aesthetic concerns, but many parts are awaiting repair and some parts have been damaged.
Ottoman Buildings in Istanbul
1- Topkapi Palace
It was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the 19th century. The palace is famous for its magnificent architecture and collections.
Topkapi Palace is located in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul and was built in the 1400s. Considered one of the most important works of classical Ottoman architecture, this palace is visited by an average of 3 million people a year and consists of four large courtyards. The palace dates back to the 15th century and was built by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. Until 1856, Ottoman sultans and their relatives lived here. After the palace lost its importance in the 19th century, the sultans moved to Dolmabahçe Palace, but Topkapı Palace was not completely abandoned.
2- Blue Mosque
Built in the 17th century, it is famous for its six minarets and blue tiles in the interior.
The Blue Mosque is one of the most popular historical sites in Istanbul and has a history dating back to the 17th century. The mosque is also known as the “Blue Mosque” because of its decorations, especially the blue colored Iznik tiles. These decorations include geometric shapes, floral pen work and the writings of the best calligraphers of the period.
The mosque was built by Sultan Ahmed I in the early 1600s. Completed in 7 years by the architect Sedefkar Mehmed Aga, the mosque is today one of the most visited historical buildings in Istanbul. The architecture of the mosque resembles the style of the famous Ottoman architect Sinan and was inspired by the Şehzade Mosque. One of its most prominent features is the increase of the number of minarets from the 4 in other Şehzade mosques to 6.
The interior of the mosque is covered with Iznik tiles and decorated with blue, turquoise and pale red colors. The walls and ceilings are decorated with tiles and handmade pen works.
3- Süleymaniye Mosque
One of the most famous works of Mimar Sinan, this mosque was built for Sultan Suleiman in the 16th century.
Süleymaniye Mosque was built by Sinan the Architect in Istanbul between 1551-1557 on behalf of Suleiman the Magnificent. This mosque, one of the works of Mimar Sinan’s journeyman period, is part of the Süleymaniye Complex, which consists of madrasahs, a library, a hospital, a hospital, a sanatorium, a bathhouse, an imaret, a hazire and shops.
The dome of the mosque was built 53 meters high and 27.5 meters in diameter, with no cracks despite hundreds of earthquakes in Istanbul. The dome is supported by two half domes as seen in Hagia Sophia. The mosque has a simple structure in terms of decorations, the windows on the mihrab wall are decorated with stained glass and the calligrapher of the mosque is Hasan Çelebi. The mosque has four minarets and the ten balconies on these four minarets symbolize the tenth sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
The Süleymaniye Complex is considered the second largest of the Ottoman complexes after the Fatih Complex. Built on the highest hill of the Istanbul peninsula, the complex includes several structures, including Mimar Sinan’s tomb.
4- Dolmabahçe Palace
Built in the 19th century, this palace reflects the influences of the Westernization period of the Ottoman Empire.
Dolmabahçe Palace is an opulent structure built in the last years of the Ottoman Empire. A fusion of European and Ottoman architecture, the palace incorporates elements of Neo-Classical and Baroque architecture and was designed by Garabet Balyan and his son Nigoğos Balyan. The decoration of the palace is in the Western style and is enriched with furniture brought from France, chandeliers imported from England and decorations by Italian decoration masters.
5- Galata Tower
Built in the 14th century by the Genoese, it was later used by the Ottomans.
Galata Tower is an important military structure from the Byzantine period, offering panoramic views of Istanbul. Today, it serves as a museum and is affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism since 2020. The tower underwent a major restoration in 2020 and the restaurant on the top floor was removed, opening up more space for visitors.
The Galata Tower can be visited between 08:30 and 23:00, with ticket sales ending at 22:00. The museum is open every day of the week.