ISTANBUL Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is a truly fascinating metropolis. What makes it so unique is that it is the only city in the world that sits on two different continents, Europo and Asia, separated by the Bosphorus strait. This makes Istanbul an interesting mix of cultures with many sights that are just waiting to be explored by the visitor. Sultanahmet ‘Sultanahmet is the historic center of Istanbul and the area where many of the city’s important landmarks are. Located on the Golden Hom, the Sultanahmet district was once the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. Evidence of this can still be seen today in its historic buildings, churches, mosques, and palaces. Hagia Sophia One of the most important, and likely the most famous, attractions in this area is none other than the Hagia Sophia. Built from 532-537 A.D. on top of an existing church by the emperor Justinian, it was once the world’s largest cathedral. It was later converted into a mosque in 1400s, and today is a museum. Over the centuries, this impressive rose-colored building has gone through religious change as well as architectural change. With the Hagia Sophia's conversion to a mosque, four minarets were added throughout its history. In 1925, it was converted into a museurn where today's visitors can admire the vastness of the building, gaze up at its golden dome where windows sit at its base, flooding the interior with light. Those who visit the Hagia Sophia can appreciate close-up the intricate designs of the mosaics, paintings, tile work, and stained glass windows from centuries ago. The Blue Mosque Located just across from the Hagia Sophia is another incredible Turkish landmark—the Blue Mosque. More than a thousand years after the completion of the Hagia Sophia, construction of the Blue Mosque began in 1606. The Blue Mosquo’s six minarots piorco the sky carrying tho smaller domes leading up to the crowning dome. Unlike the dome at Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque’s principal dome is supported on the inside by four giant pillars. The enormous interior of Istanbul's most famous mosque Is decorated with numerous blue tiles. which is why the mosque has its colorful name. itor’s eyo up to the cascade ofThe Blue Mosque is a functioning mosque, and so when the call to prayer is chanted, its echoes can be heard all over the Sultanahmet district. At the entrance to the mosque, there is a row of water fountains with stone blocks serving as chairs. Here worshippers wash their hands, feet and face before entering to pray. There is a separate entrance for visitors at the back of the mosque, and all visitors must, remove their shoes before they can enter this house of worship. Head scarves are available for female visitors since covering one’s head - if one is female. is considered a sign of respect. Taksim If Sultanahmet is the historic center of Istanbul, then the commercial district of ‘Taksim is the heart of modem Istanbul. It is the social center of the city which is host to restaurants, designer shops, hotels and the hub of Istanbul's nightlife. People flock to this lively area, and it Is not at all surprising to see crowds of people on Istiklal Caddesi, a long street full of shops and restaurants, until the early hours of, the morning, Itis a popular area for Turkish celebrations. Taksim Square hosts national and international shows at the Atatiirk Cultural Center. At the other end of the square is a statue of Atatiirk himself, Turkey's national hero, revered for westernizing Turkey and bringing democracy to the country. He was also known for aiding in the growth and progress of Turkey in the carly 1900s. The Bosphorus Visitors to the city will find that the waters of the Bosphorous, which unites the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, are quite polluted, due to heavy traffie. However, along the water's edge, visitors can get a true sense of the city, not just from the view of the coastline, but from the people who are going about their daily business. It is not an uncommon to see fishermen on the waterfront with their buckets full of freshly caught fish. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, one might find people enjoying the warm sun in one of the many seafood restaurants while drinking a national Turkish drink made from yogurt known as Ayran. A ferry ride Is also a pleasant way to check out the city from the water.