If you are planning to visit Istanbul, consider the Hotel Büyük Keban, in the center of the Historical Peninsula on the city’s European side. We offer an ideal and convenient base from which to explore the fascinating cuisine, architecture, music, history, cinema, fashion, and culture of Istanbul.
Visit All of Istanbul’s Must-See Destinations
From the Hotel Büyük Keban, you have the distinct advantage of being just an easy walk from numerous must-visits, such as the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, the Sultanahmet Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, the Topkapi Palace, the Gulhane Park, the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, the Basilica Cistern, the Süleymaniye Mosque, and the Beyazit Tower.
The Topkapi Palace: the UNESCO World Heritage Home of the Ottoman Sultans
One of Istanbul’s absolutely not-to-be-missed locations is the Topkapi Palace - referred to in Turkish as the Topkapı Sarayı. One of our city’s finest and most fascinating highlights, the Topkapi is situated just a short and pleasant walk away on the Historical Peninsula. From the mid-15th century to the mid-19th century, this palace served as home and locus of power to the sultans who ruled over the transcontinental Ottoman Empire.
Today, the palace still houses a remarkable collection of priceless artifacts from the Ottoman period as well as precious treasures from across the Muslim world. The Prophet Muhummad’s cloak and sword, along with numerous Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, are on display in its museum. The Topkapi Palace itself is listed among the "Historic Areas of Istanbul" monuments, which received the distinction of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and has been cited by UNESCO as one of the top examples of palace architecture of the Ottoman era. The complex also made its mark on European culture: the Topkapı Palace was the inspiration and setting for Mozart’s legendary 1782 opera “The Abduction from the Seraglio” and the classic 1960s film Topkapi.
Ottoman Opulence at the Süleymaniye Mosque
Just nearby is also the Süleymaniye Mosque - without question one of Istanbul’s most stunning landmarks. The elegant and imposing masterpiece of Ottoman architectural styling was designed by the great Ottoman-era architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and was originally constructed over an eight-year period between 1550 and 1558. Today, the Süleymaniye dominates the city skyline and is equally impressive from up close. The Süleymaniye is in fact not just one building, but rather a vast and extensive complex of religiously-oriented buildings and courtyards that blend Islamic and Byzantine architectural elements. The architect combined tall, slender minarets with large domed buildings, which were supported by half domes in the style of the Byzantine church Hagia Sophia (which the Muslim Ottomans then converted into the mosque of Aya Sofya). Recently restored to its original splendor, the Süleymaniye is considered the finest of the 42 surviving mosques that Sinan designed for Istanbul.
Enjoy Istanbul from its Very Heart - Stay with Us
For your upcoming trip to Istanbul, choose convenience and stay central. There’s no reason to sacrifice convenience or comfort for price - Hotel Büyük Keban offers you all three in a welcoming and friendly package. Contact us today to book an affordable and comfortable room in the center of European Istanbul!
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