Beyazit Square features the main entrance to Istanbul University. Beyazıt Square (officially named…read moreHürriyet Meydanı, "Freedom Square," but no one uses that name except some cartographers) is a spacious plaza and busy , the university gate used to be the entrance to the Ottoman Ministry of War. It's next to the Grand Bazaar and the Old Book Bazaar (Sahaflar Çarşısı). The Romans called it the Forum Tauri, the Byzantines expanded it and renamed it the Forum of Theodosius. It's now the stone-paved stage for the dramatic backdrop of the university gates. You can meet some nice cats here.

This is one of the million of the Attraction point that you must see in Istanbul…read more This square is in front of the Ottoman Empire Fatih Sultan Mehmet's biggest University Called Istanbul University They have a very big and spectacular Gate. That Beyazit Square also connects you every other locations you need to go and it is also the center of the public transportation. One of the closest attraction point is Famous Grand Bazaar. Go there and take couple pictures and experience it

A hideaway from the city, in the midst of green forests and village houses. This is one of the best…read moresmall villages around Istanbul, located on the Asian side . Getting here without a private car might be a little problematic but you can use public transportation such as taking local busses. of Istanbul. You can go there with family or just with your girlfirend or spouse, have a Turkish tea or Turkish coffee in the caffee in the town center, or breakfast or brunch in one of the hotels or restaurants. You can even overnight in many small hotels and pensiyons here. But just check the prices, some of the small hotels cost like a 5 stars hotel! You can also trek or walk in the forest, or mountain bike. In the nearby village of Cumhuriyet you can have a BBQ or just have fun with a paintball match or drive ATV's in the off-raod. There is something for everyone.

Located across from the gate number one entry to the Grand Bazaar, the Nuruosmaniye Mosque is a…read morebeautiful place that should be added to a trip to Istanbul. We stopped in because I asked our guide, Art from Latitude Tours, about it as we walked by this mosque on our way to the Grand Bazaar. I was so glad that she took our family inside this special place for a quick visit. Built in the Ottoman-Baroque style from 1748-1755, it has the many distinctive and unique features. It has the fourth largest dome in Istanbul after the Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque and Faith Mosque. The courtyard has a circular horseshoe shape which is also a classical Baroque architectural detail. The dome is supported by iron bracing. The mosque also features 174 windows which flood the interior with light. The name, Nuruosmaniye or "The Light of Osman," references both these lights as well as Sultan Osman III who commissioned the completion of the construction of this mosque. Instead of the Iznik tilework found in many other Sultan mosques, the interior is lined with gold calligraphy with prayers from the Koran. There is also an active cistern under the mosque. Since it does not have the name recognition that the Blue Mosque possesses, it is less visited by tourists although it is an active mosque that is still used as a place of worship for daily prayers. It was very nice for our family to visit this very peaceful and serene mosque and quietly reflect.

I am unsure about how I feel about Nuruosmaniye Mosque, the center of worship for the eastern part…read moreof the Grand Bazaar. I think it is a beautiful mosque, but it is also an architectural abomination. Commissioned by Sultan Osman III, Nuruosmaniye Mosque ("Light of the Osman" after the sultan) was designed during the time of experimentation. The mid-18th century Istanbul saw the emergence of the new architectural style that emphasized curved line - the Ottoman Baroque style. Consequently, Nuruosmaniye was designed such that the single dome was bizarrely buttressed by a single arch on each side of the building. However, while the exterior left me ambivalent, the interior of the mosque was undeniably beautiful to me. True to its name, Nuruosmaniye interior was designed to intake as much light as possible through its stained window, so even at night, the inside of the mosque was beautifully and colorfully lit by the subtle light. Nuruosmaniye also held a special place in my heart too. After finally escaping the labyrinth-like Grand Bazaar, I entered this mosque only with the intention to rest my legs. Before I could leave though, the minarets called for evening prayer, and then the exit was blocked by a crowd rushing from seemingly nowhere into the formerly empty mosque to join the prayer. I decided that I was better off staying to witness the prayer unfold. Hence, Nuruosmaniye was the location where I unintentionally stumbled into my first observation of a Muslim prayer, which was one of the most amazing rituals I have witnessed. Anyway, Nuruosmaniye is located at the eastern exit of the Grand Bazaar, so why not take a break in this mosque so you can admire this interesting building? When you do have the opportunity to witness Nuruosmaniye, please let me know whether you agree or disagree with my ambivalent disdain for this Ottoman Baroque masterpiece.