Where is the Historical Peninsula?
The Historical Peninsula lies within the boundaries of today’s Fatih district. The peninsula is bordered on the north by the Golden Horn, and on the south by the Sea of Marmara. Its eastern border is on the Bosphorus. To the west of the Historical Peninsula are İstanbul’s historic city walls.
Why is the Historical Peninsula important?
Perhaps İstanbul’s most significant historical and touristic center, the Historical Peninsula has been continuously inhabited from the 7th century BC to the present day, and houses some of the world’s momentous structures, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern. The area’s extraordinary legacy makes it a worthwhile destination.
Must-visit places on the Historical Peninsula
Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
Opened in 1663, the Spice Bazaar is among İstanbul’s oldest and most notable covered bazaars. Set within the New Mosque Complex, the lively Spice Bazaar is still active, attracting numerous visitors who come to buy extravagant fabrics, alluring jewelry and souvenirs, along with spices, and dried fruits and nuts.
Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)
Ever popular and almost always crowded, the Grand Bazaar was commissioned by Sultan Mehmet II and opened in 1461, shortly after the conquest of İstanbul. Over the centuries, further building took place, enlarging the bazaar to its current dimensions, housing 3,600 shops across an area of 45,000 square meters and receiving up to half a million visitors per day. Intended to serve as a commercial complex in the city, the bazaar functioned as a financial and trade center; in fact, the Grand Bazaar is widely regarded as the world’s oldest and largest shopping center. Today, the Grand Bazaar is home to shops selling a vast range of products, including carpets, textiles, jewelry, gold and tiles. One of the most famous covered bazaars in the world, the Grand Bazaar is in Beyazıt and is certain to be a highlight of any Historical Peninsula sightseeing route.
Obelisk of Theodosius (Dikilitaş)
In the center of Sultanahmet Square is the Hippodrome, an area used in antiquity for chariot races. And in the center of the former Hippodrome is a remarkable and delicate pillar. The marble and granite obelisk, known as Dikilitaş, was commissioned by a 15th-century BC Pharoah and brought from Egypt at the request of Constantine I or II, the Eastern Roman Emperor. Erected in the Hippodrome in 390, the granite obelisk features reliefs of Egyptian gods while the marble base has inscriptions in both Latin and Greek.
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı)
Almost opposite the Hagia Sophia is the Basilica Cistern, without a doubt one of the most magnificent structures on the Historical Peninsula and in İstanbul. The cistern –140 meters long, 70 meters wide, and featuring tall marble columns – was established to meet the water needs of the city and of the Topkapı Palace gardens. Featuring fine architectural details and a distinctive atmosphere, the Basilica Cistern is considered a key stop on the Historical Peninsula sightseeing route. Carved depictions of Medusa’s head, serving as bases for two of the columns in the cistern’s northwest section, are among the few surviving examples of Roman sculpture art.
Hagia Sophia Mosque (Ayasofya Cami)
The Hagia Sophia Mosque, one of the world’s most important historical buildings, has stood the test of time. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian I erected Hagia Sophia as a cathedral between 532 and 537, and it was used as such until the conquest of İstanbul in 1453. Still considered the world’s oldest cathedral, Hagia Sophia was institutionalized in 1935 by the Council of Ministers and served as a museum until 2020, when it was reopened for worship as a mosque. The Hagia Sophia Mosque, on the Historical Peninsula in the heart of old İstanbul, continues to carry the glorious legacy of the past into the present.
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Cami)
The Blue Mosque was erected in the 17th century by Sedefkâr Mehmet Ağa, a student of Mimar Sinan. Called the “Blue Mosque” because of the 21,043 blue-white İznik tiles on its walls, the Blue Mosque is a favorite destination for tourists and residents alike. As an integral element of the skyline of the Historical Peninsula, the graceful Blue Mosque includes an inner courtyard featuring arches made with marble sourced from around the world. The tiles in the interior of the mosque have patterns of tulips, lilies, carnations and roses. At the mosque’s entrance, a chain connects might and aesthetics and architectural intelligence and talent: the sultans were said to have entered the mosque with their heads bowed to avoid hitting this chain – and reminding all those who come in that they are equal before Allah.
Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)
Overlooking the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the Sea of Marmara, Topkapı Palace, served as the residence for the Ottoman sultans and as the state’s administrative hub during the Imperial era. Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror constructed the palace between 1460 and 1478; it was expanded over the next centuries, serving as a royal residence until the middle of the 19th century. In 1924, following the proclamation of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk decreed that Topkapı Palace to be turned into a museum. Now called the Topkapı Palace Museum, its rich collection, stunning gardens and illustrious history make it a must-see destination for visitors touring the Historical Peninsula.
Beyazıt Square – İstanbul University
Beyazıt Square, the palace square of the Ottoman Empire, was, during the Byzantine era, considered to be among the largest squares in existence. Today, Beyazıt Square is also known for its historic entrance gate, which is now the symbol of İstanbul University, one of Türkiye’s leading educational institutions. Set approximately in the middle of the Historical Peninsula, Beyazıt Square is among the key components of İstanbul’s historical and cultural identity.
Getting to the Historical Peninsula
If you’re not yet in İstanbul, you can find İstanbul flights here. For readers who are in the city, here’s an İstanbul transportation guide for first-time visitors.
Meanwhile, the simplest and most practical way to reach the Historical Peninsula is via public transportation. The Marmaray, tram and city line ferries offer convenient access; at the Marmaray’s Sirkeci station, you can travel by foot to many of these sites; alternatively, you can transfer to the tram and get off at the Sultanahmet or Beyazıt stations.
