Istanbul Things to Do Tips by danchatman

The Topkapi made me wish I had visited in spring instead of January (I'll HAVE to revisit). The grounds are huge, and wandering about was a true pleasure.

ABout the Treasury: I didn't think it was worth the ($9 USD) admission price, but here is why. It mainly features jewel-decorated items that in their own right are splendid, but not my thing, personally. If you seek works of art that are more expressionistic or decorative, there are better places to spend your time and money. Status-reaffirming ems just don't thrill me. But if they thrill you, there won't be any disappointment at the Treasury.

About the Harem: do see it, as the Iznik tile work alone make it worth the time, as do the architectural elements in general - it's special. My favorite part was the Dining Room of Ahmet III, or the Fruit Room. Beautiful. Who thinks these things up???

I did have one experience at the Topkapi I will never forget. There is an exhibit there - I think it's permanent - on religious objects and Korans. It's a great exhibit. The entire time I was there, I heard music, and didn't think anything of it until I walked into a room to see a man in a glass-enclosed cublicle (of sorts) singing the Koran. It may be one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard, and I must have stood there for 20 minutes listening to him. That day I made it a point to stop in a music shop and purchase a CD of a man singing the Koran, but it was not nearly as eloquent as what I had heard in person (if anyone knows of an outstanding recording of such a thing, please let me know!). Because of the song, I felt further immersed in the culture I was viewing. If you happen to be there, take time to listen... it has its own fruitful rewards.

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Address: Babihumayun Cad

It's sometimes tough to compare museums - admittedly, New York has some great museums, and the Islamic collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is outstanding, so perhaps I'm a little spoiled.
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts was one of the most impressive museums I visited in Istanbul, and the collection is well worth seeing. The highlight: the gallery of carpets. They're hung side by side, surrounding a large room. It's impressive (and they won't try to sell you one!)

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Phone: (0212) 518 1805
Address: Atmeydani Sok
Directions: Sultanahmet

This was the one place where the Iznik tilework stood out the most. Believe me, they are everywhere, in every combination imaginable - a visual feast. We also had the entire place to ourselves, and it was a privilege to be able to check out the tiles at nose length in solitude.
It may be difficult to find at first, but don't give up.

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Directions: right in the middle of the spice market