Istanbul
The city of Abu Ayyūb (r) is strategically located on the Bosphorus peninsula between the Balkans and Anatolia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Istanbul was successively the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, and then famously the Ottoman Empire.
Istanbul was unique in creating building types and mosques that comprised of caravanserai, religious seminaries, medical schools, libraries, hospices and imperial tombs; which provide remarkable examples of palaces and religious complexes of the Ottoman period. Istanbul has been a source of inspiration for numerous artists with its history and natural beauties, thus with countless poems having been written and songs composed of this famous city.
Tomb of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari(r)
Khalid b. Zayd b. Kulayb of Banu Najjār, the great companion known as Abu Ayyūb of Medina. He (r) had the honour of hosting the Prophet (s) on his arrival for seven months whilst the Prophet’s mosque was built, thereafter he was his (s) neighbour and would frequent the Prophet’s house.
His tomb is honoured in the eponymous locale Eyüp Sultan and is visited day and night by the Turkish populace and foreigners alike
Topkapi
Built in 1478 Topkapı Palace is the largest and oldest palace in the world to survive to this day. The spiritual beauty lies within the Palace’s section of the Sacred Relics, which the Ottomans preserved in Topkapi Palace for centuries paying it utmost respect.
They include some of the most personal objects of the blessed prophets; from the Mantle of the Prophet Muhammad (s), his blessed sandal, swords, Staff of Prophet Moses (a), and a cooking vessel of Prophet Abraham (a).
Sultan Ahmet Mosque
(Blue Mosque)
This mosque is one of the greatest examples of classic Turkish architecture. It is commonly known as the Blue Mosque, because of the blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior designs and it is the only mosque that was originally built with six slender minarets.
The mosque also comprises of beautiful arranged domes that rise one above another in perfect harmony, and it’s these domes together with its minarets that distinctively makes the mosque dominate the skyline of Istanbul.
Boat Trip
The best way to enjoy the Bosphorous is via the boat trip, where you can cruise past the Istanbul modern Art Museum, several Ottoman palaces, forested hills, and shore villages with Ottoman architecture.
Okçular Vakfi
Okcular Vakfi is Renowned as Turkey’s oldest and largest archery complex, the foundation was established by Sultan Mehmet II about 565 years ago. The original stone pulpit (namazgah) used for meetings and prayer stands tall to this day
constructed on an area of approximately 5,000 square meters, it consists of a mosque, museum and a library amongst others.
the traditional archery team at Okcular Vakfi has steadily grown and now consists of 70 members and offers weekly traditional archery classes to both children and adults.
Jumu’a
jumu’a' Will be prayed in the Süleymaniye Mosque. The masjid is Known for its grand design and breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.
Sokullu Ahmet Pasha Mosque
the mosque was built in 1571 by the master architect Sinan, and is considered one of his most beautiful mosques due to its architectural harmony.
The mosque is further complimented by 6 stained glassed windows and famously contains four fragments from the sacred Black Stone of the Ka’ba at Mecca. These are placed in the entrance, in the pulpit and in the mihrab within the mosque
Fatih Mosque
The Fatih Mosque stands atop on one of the highest hills in Istanbul and is also known as the ‘Mosque of the Conqueror’, named after Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the Ottoman sultan who captured Con-stantinople in 1453. Construction began in 1463 and was completed in 1470.
Basilica Cistern
One of the magnificent ancient buildings of istanbul is the Basilica Cistern,
this grand underground water reservoir is called as Yerebatan Cistern among the public because of the underground marble columns.
It remains one of the most popular attactions in Istanbul today, offering a soothing break from the central Sultan Ahmet district.
Grand Bazaar
The heart of Istanbul’s Old City and has been as so for centuries, is the colourful and chaotic Grand Bazaar.
attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its arts & crafts, jewellery, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops.
Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahçe means ‘Furnished Garden’, it is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world.
The construction of the palace took 13 years and cost five million Ottoman gold pounds (approx. 35 tons of gold today ). It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last 6 sultans as well as the 31st Sultan Caliph Abdulmecit I.
Carsamba religious quarter
known as one of the most conservative but peaceful religious areas of Istanbul. The Çarşamba quarter in particular has a strong religious tradition where you will see some of the most observant Muslims residing here.
