Historical Places in Istanbul

Access and experience Istanbul's glorious museums and historical places from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul. The hotel's unique location allows you to go on a historical journey.
 
Dolmabahce Palace, One of the most Glamorous Palaces in the world: 

Dolmabahce Palace, built in the 19th century, is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative centre of the late Ottoman Empire and where the last of Ottoman Sultans resided there. Dolmabahce Palace is located at Besiktas and 10 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul on foot.

Topkapi Palace, Ottoman Homeland:

Topkapi Palace is a large palace that was used by the Ottoman Sultans and as administrative headquarters between the 15th and 19th centuries. Topkapi Palace is home to traditional and religious examples of many cultures and historical overviews. It is located in Fatih district, 20 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.


Basilica Cistern, Largest of several hundred ancient cisterns: 

The Basilica Cistern, or Cisterna Basilica, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. This historic place hosts hundreds of thousands people each year. The Basilica Cistern is located in Fatih district, 20 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.


Galata Tower, Historical Tower of Istanbul: 

The Galata Tower, called Christea Turris by the Genoese, is a medieval stone tower in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, just north of the Golden Horn's junction with the Bosphorus. The tower is also known as "Christea Turris" or "Tower of Christ". The Genoese were involved in trade with the Byzantines and the tower was used for surveillance of the harbour in the Golden Horn. After the conquest of Istanbul by Mehmed II, it served to detect fires in the city. The tower is 67-m high and it was built in 1348.


Maiden Tower: One of the icons of Istanbul:

The Maiden Tower, also known as Leander's Tower since the medieval Byzantine period, lies on a small islet located at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait, 200 m from the coast of Uskudar in Istanbul. Kizkulesi dates back to the 5th century when it was built by the Athenian general Alcibiades on a rock at the entrance of the Bosphorus for the surveillance of the waterway. A chain was pulled from the land to the tower to stop passing ships, serving as a checkpoint and customs area. After several restorations in wood and stone, Emperor Alexius Comnenos built a strong defense tower in the 12th century and called Arcla, meaning "Small Tower". The tower was used as a lighthouse and control tower during the Ottoman period after the Conquest of Constantinople. Final restoration was done in 1998. Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul's many of rooms and suites provide a view of this historical and impressive tower. Book now to enjoy this stunning view.


Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Blue Mosque: 

Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque by many tourists because of its bluish interior decoration, is the most important mosque of Istanbul standing next to the Byzantine Hippodrome in the old city centre. It is located in Fatih district, 20 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.


Grand Bazaar, one of the largest markets in the world: 

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops in a 30,700 sq m of space, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. This Grand Bazaar is located in Fatih district, 20 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.


Rumeli Fortress, Boğazkesen Castle: 

Rumeli Castle or Boğazkesen Castle is a medieval fortress located in Istanbul, on a series of hills on the European banks of the Bosphorus. This fortress also lends its name to the immediate neighbourhood around it in the city's Sariyer district. Rumeli Castle is an Ottoman fortress dating back to 1452. It was built by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror) in preparation of the conquest of Istanbul.


Haghia Irene, Second largest church of the Eastern Roman Empire:

The second-largest church of the Eastern Roman Empire, following Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene was built on top of an older temple, out of wood. It is located in Fatih district, 20 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.


Anatolian Fortress, Oldest surviving Turkish architectural structure in Istanbul:

The oldest surviving Turkish architectural structure in Istanbul Anatolian Fortress, known historically as Güzelce Hisar, is a medieval fortress located in Istanbul, on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus. The complex is the oldest surviving Turkish architectural structure built in Istanbul. It lends its name to the neighbourhood around it, in the city's Beykoz district. Sultan Yildirim Bayezit built this fortress in 1395 on the ruins of an old temple dedicated to Zeus. The fortress is much smaller (7,000 sq m) in size when compared with Rumeli Fortress on the European side of Istanbul. Its towers are about 25 m (82 ft) high and 2-5 m (7-16 ft) wide. Today, Anatolian Fortress is an open-air museum but only the outer walls can be visited. The road passes through it.


Beylerbeyi Palace, just by the Bosphorus Bridge: 

Beylerbeyi Palace, meaning "Lord of Lords", is found in the Beylerbeyi neighbourhood of Üsküdar district in Istanbul, the Asian side of the Bosphorus. An Imperial Ottoman summer residence built in the 1860s, it is now situated immediately north of the Bosphorus Bridge.
 

The Museum of Great Palace Mosaics: 

The Museum of Great Palace Mosaics is located in Arasta Bazaar within the Sultan Ahmed Mosque compound. The museum contains an old mosaic pavement that is partially intact in the northeast section of the arcaded yard of the Great Palace from the East-Roman period. It is an organisational unit of Hagia Sophia Museum.


Museum of Illusions: 

The Museum of Illusions in Istanbul is suitable for both social and entertainment tours into the world of illusions. It’s the perfect place for new experiences and fun with friends and family. Not only is it a venue for children, who adore coming here, but also a special place for parents, couples, grandmothers and grandfathers.


Archeology Museum: 

This superb Archeology Museum showcases archaeological and artistic treasures from the Topkapi collections. Housed in three buildings, its exhibits include ancient artefacts, classical statuary and an exhibition tracing İstanbul's history. This place is located in Fatih and 20 minutes away to Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.


Naval Museum: 

The Istanbul Naval Museum is a national naval museum, located at the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. It was established in 1897 by the Ottoman Minister of Navy Bozcaadalı Hasan Hüsnü Pasha. The museum contains an important collection of military artefacts pertaining to the Ottoman Navy. This museum is located 10 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by foot.


Madame Tussauds: 

Step into the spotlight at Madame Tussauds Istanbul, one of the best and most famous places for fun. Engage in immersive experiences and get up-close and personal with many lifelike wax figures of your favourite celebrities! Madame Tussauds is located in Taksim, Istanbul, 20 minutes away from Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.


Sakip Sabanci Museum: 

Sakip Sabancı Museum is a private fine arts museum in Istanbul, dedicated to calligraphic art, religious and state documents, and paintings of the Ottoman era. This artistic museum is located in Emirgan, 25 minutes away from Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul by car or bus.