"THE CITY WHERE FAITHS MEE ..." a Istanbul Travel Page by marsistanbul

I'd been deleted two times of all my VT travel pages,tips,and pictures,etc,and I decided never come back,but I couldn't..pls do not ask me why:) Anyway,I know very well every parts of Istanbul..I know very well all expensive,cheap,stylish,poor,restaurants,cafes,hotels,museums,historical places,etc.But,I do not want to write any tips about her,no more and never..I just wanted to keep my promise to someone and,therefore,I want to introduce you the most enthusing,amazing and unique work of art of Istanbul.. the ARAP Camii or ARAP MOSQUE..Please visit there and feel of its divine and mystic spirit..Don't be routine,please create the differences of your Istanbul journey or adventure..She is look like a woman,you never get hold her,you never know her well...Constantinople or Istanbul was the capital of Roman Empire(330-395),the Byzantine/East Roman Empire(395-1204 and 1261-1453),the Latin Empire(1204-1261) and the Ottoman Empire(1453-1922) and now our Istanbul..The biggest city of our Turkish Republic.
Today,I want to present you the oldest and first mosque of Constantinople,and I think that I am the only one,and never find any tip about the Mosque on VT pages.Most of VT members of Istanbul don't know,where is the Arap Mosque:)..Frankly I must say that I was the same before.I think,4 years before,I was walking on the narrow street of backyard of PERSEMBE PAZARI(KARAKOY district-very near to GALATA BRIDGE),accidently,I found it..but I shocked..and I was very angry to myself that I said shame on you..
OK:) please join and follow me,Iam going to tell you its legend..

Mosque of Arab(former church of Saint Dominica)
Saga has it that during the surround of Costantinople in 715 A.D,the Arabs had raised a small mosque in this place(build by Mesleme Bin Abdülmelik).Later the christians turned into the Orthodox church,then the Latins(1204-1261) are improsed their religion by dedicating at St.Paul and Saint Dominic.In 1492,some refugees Maurisques-Moorish of Spain came to Stamboul-Islambol and Sultan gave them this place in "fair" return things.It is the only religious building,which was converted into a mosque after the capture of the city.
The first signs written on the building dates back to 1232,under the of Saint-Hyacinthe,but the Dominicans gave it its appearance today than in the late 13th century.It is typical Latin style campanile with its minaret which serves as today.During the renovation of 1913,it was discovered under the slabs,the tombs of Dominicans who were transferred to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.The wooden galleries are an addition of muslims.The western gate of the the court in an oriental style that opens on a street of wooden houses.

Constantinople-Kostantiniye-Stamboul-Islambol-Istanbul is the former capital city of 3 empires.East Roman,Byzantine and Ottoman.The Roman Emperor Constantine the Great transferred his capital from Roma to the rich eastern city and the city took his name(Constantinople).After numerous failed attemps,Turks did fulfill their own prophecy.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet,finaly conquered the city(1453) and the city emerged with the name it has today.Without a questions,Istanbul merits its title"city of mosques".The skyline is drawned with the classic Ottoman mosques,the long thin minaret,its sharp painting cone and the large central dome..The mosque ,despite their age are still in use and not been converted into empty,bland,tourist spots.The most famous mosques are Sultan Ahmet camii(Blue Mosque),Süleymaniye(Great Architect Sinan's)-he built for the Süleyman the Magnificant,Yeni Camii(new mosque) which is located on the Eminonü,Beyazit Camii,built for Sultan Beyazit II(located near the Istanbul University),Firuz Aga camii,built by Beyazit's head treasurer,Atik Ali Pasa camii,Rüstem Pasha camii,Yeralti Camii(underground mosque),Nuruosmaniye Camii(which stands at the entrance to one of the gates into the Grand Bazaar),other notable mosques are located in Beyoglu,including Azap Kapi camii,KILIC Ali Pasha camii..There's nothing like mosque-building programme to celebrate defeating a rebellion;to this end Mahmut II had his Armenian architect Baylan,built Nusretiye Camii(mosque of victory) to celebrate the defeat of the Yeni Ceri( jannisary corps )...
WARNING:Over 95 percent of the Turkish population is Muslim.Mosques can be visited outside prayer times.Visitors should dress appropriately(no short skirts or shorts)and women should cover their heads with a scarf.Always remove your shoes before entering mosque..