ISTANBUL TURKEY HOTELS BOOKING CENTER
www.istanbulhotelsbooking.net

The Bosphorus, which connects Marmara Sea and Black Sea, is one of the most exquisite places in the world, with a width of maximum 3.200 m and minimum 550 m, maximum depth of 118 m and its length is 31,5 km. It was naturally formed at the beginning of the IVth Geological Era as the sea water occupied the deep valley. During the ages of Byzantine and Ottoman Empire small settlements Cropped up at both shores of Bosphorus and it was very much esteemed by the sultans and pashas where they built their kiosks and “yali”s (water-side residences) as of the 18th century. 

Wearing effect of time caused the wooden buildings demolish and they were replaced with new ones. In place of the wooden Besiktas Palaces there appeared the Dolmabahçe Palace and also Beylerbeyi Palace was rebuilt while stone buildings like Goksu were built and gave the Bosphorus its final outlook.

With its architecture matching its natural delights the Bosphorus reached and incomparable beauty. The buildings embroidering the shores of free-flowing waters, being embraced by a green background as a whole offer a view of unceasing delight. Such a wonderful cruise will provide unforgettable memories. For this to attend a trip with a tourist ferry taking off from the Eminonu Jetty will suffice. 

If you have the opportunity to take part in one of the private boat cruises or yachts, the trip will be even more delightful. Our tourist ferry will start leaving Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia and Suleymaniye Mosque behind. The Karakoy Jetty will be crossed arriving in front of Tophane. Here we see the Nusretiye Mosque, built by Sultan Mahmut II in Empiric style in 1825. The lead-covered mosque behind this mosque is a work of Mimar Sinan, who dedicated it to Kiliç Ali Pasha. Passing Findikli and the very lively Kabatas Jetty, the Dolmabahçe Palace appears with its mosque and Clock Tower. The mosque was dedicated to Sultan Abdulmecit’s mother, Bezm-ialem Valide Sultan and was built by Mimar Karabet Balyan in 1853. The Clock Tower between the mosque and the palace is 27 m high, and was built by Mimar Serkis Balyan in 1890 during Sultan Abdulhamit's reign. The palace built by Karabet Balyan by the order of Sultan Abdulmecit between the years 1843-1856 is 284 m long, and it is an ornament to the Bosphorus. The palace has three stories consisting of the men’s part, entertainment hall and the harem. 

The separate premises next to the palace used to be the crown prince’s residence and today serves as the Paintings and Statues museum. Our tourist boat will steer to the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha Jetty named after the famous Turkish sailor.

A bit further there is the Naval Museum where the imperial boats of the Ottoman era are displayed. Behind the jetty, Barbaros tomb designed by Sinan and Sinan Pasha mosque, dating back to 1553, are visible. Past the State Guest House, the Çiragan Palace offers a magnificent view. Sultan Abdulaziz spent very little time in this palace which he ordered to be built by Serkis Balyan between the years 1863-1867, while Sultan Murad IV lived here for 28 years. After 1909 the palace was used as Meclis-i Mebusan (Parliament) building and was destroyed by a fire on January 20, 1919. It was restored in recent years and is functioning today together with an adjoining hotel. The green background to the Çiragan Palace belongs to Yildiz Park. Here takes place the Yildiz Palace with the sale (Chalet) Kiosk which was opened as museum and the Çadir and Malta kiosks which were recently restored and are being used as cafés. After the Çiragan Palace, the Ortakoy Mosque can be seen with its lean minarets and exquisite craftsmanship. Passing this mosque which Sultan Abdulmecit ordered to be built by Karabet Balyan in 1854 in Baroque style, we see the wooden “yali”s which Sultan Abdulhamid II gave to his daughters and they sail under the bridge, a 20th century symbol. The bridge which connects Europe and Asia is 1074 m long and was opened to traffic in 1973. Then comes Kuruçesme. Here, we see the Galatasaray Island, covering a 1499 sq.m. area. The few remaining castles in the midst of green gardens offer an unique view. Arnavutkoy’s architecture of adjoining buildings is different from the rest. Then we come to the pearl of the Bosphorus, the Bebek Bay. With its yachts, houses and green hinterland, Bebek is the most elegant district of Istanbul. At the seaside, adjoining the park, the building of the Egyptian Consulate built in Art Nouveau style can be seen. This building was dedicated to the mother of Abbas Hilmi Pasha, Governor of Egypt. A bit further there is the Bebek Mosque built by Mimar Kemalettin between the years 1910-1913. The Kavafyan House dating back to 1751 and the Bosphorus University surrounded by green scenery seem to look down at the Bebek Bay. After Bebek, our boat steers to Rumelihisari. Here we get face to face with the magnificent Sultan Mehmed Bridge looking like the second collier of the Bosphorus.The view of Rumelihisari embracing the sea seems to melt into the silhouette of the bridge. Before conquering Istanbul, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror ordered Rumelihisari to be built opposite to Anadoluhisari in 1452 to safeguard the Bosphorus. The big tower next to the door was built by Sadrazam Çandarli Halil Pasha, the towers to the north by vizier Saruca Pasha, and the tower to the south by Zaganos Pasha.This magnificent monument was finished in 4 months prior to the conquering of Istanbul. The building on top of the Hisar surrounded by parks belonged to the famous Turkish poet Tevfik Fikret and today is referred to as Asiyan Museum. Sailing to Baltalimani, we see a building used as hospital today which was built by the order of Buyuk Resit Pasha and given to Princess Fatma as gift. After Baltalimani, we reach Emirgan. We see the Serifler Yalisi, which was built in 1635 by serif Abdulillah Pasha. This “yali” was originally intended as summerhouse and the part remaining to be seen today is the men’s castle.The green hills belonging to Emirgan Park, some historical castles in this park have been restored and are now being used for touristic purposes. After Emirgan with lots of green parks our ferry passes a bay in ‹Istinye and reaches Yenikoy where shores are adorned by “yali”s. The Afif Pasha Yalisi is striking with its exquisite craftsmanship.One “yali” built in Yenikoy by Abbas Halim Pasha, Governor of Egypt in the 19th century is known by the name of his brother Sadrazam Sait Halim Pasha. On the other side of the jetty we can see the Faik and Bekir Beyler yali’s, the Kalkavanlar Yalisi and many others. The Italian Consulate is also an interesting architectural building.