HAGIA SOPHIA:This ancient basilica,built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century,is one of the architectural marvels of all time.

SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE:Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior deceration of blue Iznik tiles.

HIPPODROME:Ancient Hippodrome,the scene of chariot races,with the three monuments;the obelisk of Theodosius,the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.

GRAND COVER BAZAAR:In this labyrint of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area:the goldsmits' street,the carpet sellers,Turkish arts and crafts,such as handpainted ceramic plates,hand-honed copperware,brasware and trays,water ewers,onyx-ware and merschaum pipes.

TOPKAPI PALACE:The great palace of the Otoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exguisite collection of cyrstal,silver,and Chinese porcelain,robes worn by the sultans and their families,the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury,miniatures,the holy Mante;ensrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.

SÜLEYMANIYE MOSQUE;The mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent was built between 1550 and 1557 by the fomous architect Sinan whouse wish was to surpass the buiders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by the four minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard.