Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
İstanbul's Top 10
1
History resonates when you visit this majestic Byzantine basilica. Built by order of the
Emperor Justinian in the sixth century AD, its soaring dome, huge nave and glittering gold
mosaics contribute to its reputation as one of the world's most beautiful buildings, and its
long and fascinating history as church, mosque and museum make it the city's most reveal-
ing time capsule. Looted by marauding Crusaders in the 13th century, stormed by Ottoman
invaders during the Conquest in 1453 and visited by millions of tourists since becoming a
museum, it is Turkey's greatest treasure.
Sultanahmet & Around
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