The Galata Tower, with its distinctive beauty and many tales, is surely one of \u0130stanbul\u2019s most noteworthy attractions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Galata Tower holds many stories and legends. The most recent is found in The Atlas of Misty Continents, written by one of Turkish literature\u2019s most sincere authors, \u0130hsan Oktay Anar. From the book: \u201cIt was rumored that the first ships of the Genoese group to arrive here were guided by a white seagull flying in the dark. After they arrived safely, the unbeliever Pundus, who was their helmsman, sought this seagull as the Messiah and found this seagull\u2019s nest. Since it was Sunnah to eat the flesh of Jesus according to their beliefs, he fried the seagull and ate it. As the ancients narrated, the Genoese tribe built a high tower on the place where this seagull\u2019s nest is located on the top of this majestic building \u2013 later called the Galata Tower \u2013 it is said that mansions chose the lofty mountain of Bursa – Uludag, with binoculars and the valiant men with their naked eyes.\u201d Today, enormous construction projects between the Galata Tower and Uludag make it impossible to gaze upon the mountain from the Tower. But when you do climb the stairs to the top of the Galata Tower, we hope you remember this story! \u263a<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Love story of Galata Tower and the Maiden\u2019s Tower<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another tale of the Galata Tower is the love between it and the Maiden\u2019s Tower. According to legend, the Galata and Maiden\u2019s towers are in love, but they are separated by the Bosphorus. The Galata Tower writes letters to the Maiden\u2019s Tower but cannot send them. Hez\u00e2rfen Ahmed \u00c7elebi, the Ottoman scientist, becomes the unlikely Cupid for these structures. When he ascended the Galata Tower for his famous flight over the Bosphorus, the Tower whispered its love in Hez\u00e2rfen\u2019s ear. Hez\u00e2rfen, borne by the peculiar wind of the Bosphorus, arrives at the Maiden\u2019s Tower carrying the message of love from the Galata Tower. The Maiden\u2019s Tower, hearing of this devotion, becomes even more stunning, and the Galata Tower realizes that its love is requited. The two towers become even more majestic after that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legend: you will marry the person you climb the Galata Tower with<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another tale about Galata Tower dates from the Roman era. According to legend, a man and a woman who climb the Galata Tower together will marry. The spell could be broken if one of the parties had previously climbed the Galata Tower. As well, if the couple were not destined to reunite, they would be continuously prevented \u2013 somehow \u2013 from climbing the Tower together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A journey in faith: <\/b>St. Mary of Blachernae (Ay\u0131n Biri Church) <\/b>and the Balat Iron Church<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Balat Iron Church, which opened in 1898, is the world\u2019s only surviving iron church. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Church of St. Mary of Blachernae (Ay\u0131n Biri Church) and St. Stephen\u2019s Bulgarian Orthodox Church, also known as the Iron Church, are both in \u0130stanbul\u2019s Fatih district. Set on the coastline of the Golden Horn, the Iron Church is a notable \u0130stanbul destination. Opened in 1898, it is made entirely of cast iron and is the world\u2019s only surviving iron-built church; there were two other iron churches, one in Argentina and one in Austria, but these have vanished. Following a seven-year renovation, the Iron Church was reopened in 2018. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another notable attraction is St. Mary of Blachernae, also known as the Vefa Church or the Ay\u0131n Biri (First of the Month) Church. On the first day of every month, visitors to the Greek Orthodox church can \u201cmake wishes\u201d. A small sum is donated, symbolic trinkets are chosen, and the wishmaker can enter the church to light candles and pray. Traditionally, the trinkets are returned to the church when the request is granted. The ritual attracts a considerable number of people, with long queues sometimes forming. Whether or not you have wishes, the Ay\u0131n Biri Church is one of \u0130stanbul \u2019s loveliest sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rejans 1924: Mustafa Kemal\u2019s reminiscence<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The famed Rejans 1924 served historical personages such as Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, and novelist Agatha Christie; located on the Olivia Pass (Olivia Ge\u00e7idi), off Istiklal Street, this venerable restaurant continues to serve Eastern European delicacies. Rejans 1924 is a true \u0130stanbul classic, established by Russians fleeing the Red Army and seeking refuge in \u0130stanbul after the 1917 October Revolution. Still featuring many of its original details, the ambiance of Rejans 1924 is somewhat otherworldly. It is one of our top places to visit in \u0130stanbul, both for the atmosphere and the delicious food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A contemporary underground sanctuary: Sancaklar Mosque<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe exterior of the B\u00fcy\u00fck\u00e7ekmece Sancaklar Underground Mosque was designed to harmonize with its surroundings, reflecting the significance Islam accords to the environment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe exterior of the award-winning B\u00fcy\u00fck\u00e7ekmece Sancaklar Mosque is a sloping landscape of rock and grass. Also known as the \u201cUnderneath Mosque\u201d, it was designed by architect Emre Arolat, to harmonize with its surroundings, reflecting the significance Islam accords to the environment. Inside the simple, streamlined structure, \u200cthe sun\u2019s rays penetrate via slim openings in the qibla wall. In addition to its tangible beauty, the design has a spiritual meaning: those who come to pray at the Sancaklar Mosque leave the outer world behind and become one with the earth as they descend the stairs. The Sancaklar Mosque, with its architectural structure and spiritual depth, is one of \u0130stanbul\u2019s must-see attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A refreshing escape from the city: The Islands of \u0130stanbul <\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u0130stanbul\u2019s islands \u2013 places of exile for royalty and nobility during the Roman and Byzantine eras \u2013 should certainly be visited! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe \u0130stanbul islands, just a ferry ride from the city, present a beautiful break from the chaos of the city at any time of the year. The islands offer numerous cultural and historical sites dating from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras, as well as the Republic. You can discover more about \u0130stanbul \u2019s islands in our comprehensive guide: \u201cA handkerchief, Turkish delight, the secret keepers: Islands of \u0130stanbul\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other side of the sea: City Lines Ferries<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCity Lines arose from the merger of three separate businesses founded in the nineteenth century, and its history spans nearly two centuries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTossing bits of simit (Turkish bagel) to seagulls from a ferry is one of \u0130stanbul\u2019s charms, wherever the journey may take you. The City Lines ferries have provided one of \u0130stanbul \u2019s most significant modes of urban transportation since the mid-nineteenth century and, today, carry approximately 40 million passengers every year. In addition to being a practical way to travel, the City Lines ferries are an essential part of Dersaadet\u2019s city culture. They even have kiosks where passengers can purchase tea and snacks. A ferry ride offers a respite from traffic and stress, and an opportunity to gaze at the Bosphorus. Even better, most of the must-see destinations on our list are accessible via ferry! \u263a<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three Be\u015fikta\u015f experiences: <\/b> <\/span>Hope in Barbaros, Post-Match Joy, and a Patisserie and Lights<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBe\u015fikta\u015f, one of \u0130stanbul \u2019s most dynamic districts, has unique attributes: Among them, a stately tree-shaded boulevard lined with portraits of Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk; the road extends from the bazaar to the former \u0130n\u00f6n\u00fc Stadium (now Vodafone Park) and Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHome to several universities, as well as the Be\u015fikta\u015f Gymnastics Club, one of \u0130stanbul \u2019s three major sports clubs, Be\u015fikta\u015f is a lively district, especially before, during and after a football match! In addition to numerous cafes, bars and restaurants, Be\u015fikta\u015f has its own ferry terminal, replete with places to sit, eat and drink. Barbaros Boulevard, the main road, winds down to the seafront to intersect with Dolmabah\u00e7e Boulevard, a tree-shaded avenue lined with portraits of Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk. Elegant Dolmabah\u00e7e Boulevard stretches from the Be\u015fikta\u015f bazaar and ferry terminal to the former \u0130n\u00f6n\u00fc Stadium (now Vodafone Park) and the Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace. Another highlight of the district is the decades old Hakan Patisserie, a popular place to meet with friends or simply enjoy a snack. Surrounded by lights, Hakan Patisserie is easy to find!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Index: The story of the Galata Tower: The Towers\u2019 Love and Other Legends A journey in faith: St. Mary of Blachernae (Ay\u0131n Biri Church) and Balat Iron Church Rejans 1924: Mustafa Kemal\u2019s Reminiscence A modern underground sanctuary: Sancaklar Mosque A refreshing escape from the city: The Islands of \u0130stanbul The other side of the sea: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":31077,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[959,243,320,147,239],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-31936","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-unique-destinations","8":"category-istanbul-travel-guide","9":"category-popular-resorts","10":"category-trip-ideas","11":"category-city-vacation"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31936","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31936"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31936\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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