This week I thought we would look at some doors in Istanbul, Turkey. From the Sultania Hotel, near the historic district, we walked around the corner to a travel agency, where we met up with a small group, who were taking a boat tour around the Golden Horn! Istanbul is very modern…………. It is the link between Europe and the Middle East and is a fascinating blend of both worlds! I hope to show you that in my photos.
And then, there are the fabulous doors of the mansions and palaces on the Bosphorus Strait and around the Golden Horn. I want you to get the feel for the modern Istanbul first!
You may find that many of these buildings look familiar. They have been filmed many times for the James Bond Movies, especially the movie, From Russia With Love. Dolmabahçe Palace (below), was built by the thirty-first Sultan, when he didn’t think the Topkapı Palace was modern enough and keeping up with European standards. The construction of the new palace cost five million Ottoman gold lira, or 35 tons of gold, the equivalent of $1.5 billion in (2013) values. From 1856 to 1924 it was the home to six sultans. Dolmabahçe is the largest palace in Turkey. It is situated on 11.1 acres and contains 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets. The palace became the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920’s.
And this door is one of many in the Eyüp Cemetery on Pierre Loti Hill. The tour of the muslim cemetery was one of the best tours I have ever been on. If you would like to read what I wrote about it, look HERE.
But, I can’t leave without some food photos, now can I?
Next week we’ll explore the historic churches and mosques in Istanbul! See you then!
This is just one of many photos in the Thursday Door Collection featured by Norm2.0! Won’t you join in or take a peak at all the doors?
ThatTravelLadyInHerShoes 
Thanks for a tour of a place I’d love to visit some day, but probably won’t get to. One of the best things about blogging is getting to see so many wonderful a/o unusual places. I guess I could say it opens lots of doors. 🙂
janet
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Like Janet said, I will probably never get there myself but this was a lovely way to tour one of the top historical urban destinations in the world. Those palaces are stunning pieces of architecture.
I’m already looking forward to next week 🙂
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Istanbul has such a rich history … wonderful to see it through your camera lens. I often forget that there is also a modern part to these ancient cities, which this post highlights.
How interesting that the palace for all its rooms and toilets has only 6 baths!
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I missed this post! So glad I popped over to read it Cady! Love that palace and yes, I do recognise it. I may have to look into a weekend in Istanbul! How long did you go for?
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We were there for 4 days. We decided to make the most of it when we had to come back through there on a layover from Venice Italy! I have been watching a U.K. Program called Hidden Villages and will be adding a lot more English villages to my U.K. Itineraries! Several in Wiltshire I see! Host is Penelope somebody.
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Well that was a great lay over!
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Love the architectures and history of Istanbul. So much to explore.
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