Istanbul 2026

Istanbul 2026 The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi) is an architectural marvel marvel built in 537 AD as a Byzantine cathedral. The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) constructed between 1609 and 1617. The Bosphorus is a vital 32-kilometer (20-mile) strait in Istanbul, Turkey, that physically connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Topkapı Palace is a sprawling historic complex in Istanbul, Turkey. Built in 1459 by Sultan Mehmed II, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years until 1856. Today, it functions as a prominent museum showcasing imperial treasures, religious relics, and stunning Ottoman architecture.