A haven for intrepid travelers, foodies and history buffs alike - Istanbul has something for everyone. If you are up to the challenge of the only city so cosmopolitan it straddles two continents, Istanbul is not to be missed. The list of sights, sounds, and tastes is so long it would take a lifetime to cross them all off. Fortunately, Istanbul is still an affordable destination - and with some travel smarts you can live like a sultan on a peasant budget. Even in the center of the city, there are great deals to be found - and the Hotel Büyük Keban is one of them.
A three-star hotel offering four-star amenities, the Hotel Büyük Keban is conveniently located on Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula - all the better to visit the city’s most amazing sites. So allow us to suggest a visit to one of the true highlights of Istanbul: a place where European and Asian histories met, where conquerors and conquered merged, where legends, operas, and films took inspiration: the incomparable Topkapı Sarayı.
Topkapı Sarayı: A Unique Reflection of Istanbul History One of the most remarkable must-sees of Istanbul, the Topkapı Sarayı - or Topkapı Palace - is located on the European side of the city, on its Historic Peninsula. For nearly four centuries - from the mid-15th century to the mid-19th century, the Topkapı Palace served as a center of power and home to the Ottoman Sultans who ruled the vast and transcontinental Ottoman Empire. Its various constructions throughout the ages included an elaborate series of courtyards, gardens, pavilions, chambers and reception rooms that marked a distinctive combination of architectural styles. It housed the Imperial Treasury, astonishing libraries and opulent mosques. Yet the importance of the Topkapı Palace lay not just in its seat of power or its setting for royal entertainment and state occasions.
Today, the palace still boasts a remarkable collection of artifacts from the Ottoman period as well as precious treasures from the Muslim world as a whole - the Prophet Muhummad’s cloak and sword, along with numerous Islamic calligraphic manuscripts, are housed within its museum. The Topkapı 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 Topkapı Palace was the inspiration and setting for Mozart’s opera “The Abduction from the Seraglio” and the classic 1960s film Topkapi.
Great Deal on Accommodations Near the Topkapı
When planning your visit the Topkapı Palace, consider choosing the Hotel Büyük Keban located closeby. Our newly renovated and refurbished hotel has been welcoming guests to central Istanbul for over 40 years, and we are proud to offer luxury service and amenities at reasonable rates to travelers from all over the world. The Hotel Büyük Keban has a range of room styles and sizes available to fit your needs, and is proud to serve its famous breakfast buffet - a huge spread of Meditteranean specialties guaranteed to tickle any traveler’s taste buds.
In addition, our authentic Turkish spa - including a sauna, jacuzzi and traditional Turkish bath - is the perfect place to rest and renew your weary feet after an exciting day exploring the Topkapı Palace and all the other wonders of the surrounding Historic Peninsula. We are also on hand with our round-the-clock bar and game room for an enjoyable and relaxing evening. Still not convinced? In a recently completed travelers’ survey, Istanbul was voted Europe’s best destination by www.europeanbestdestinations.org. Quite a distinction in a continent chock-full of must-sees! Contact us at The Hotel Büyük Keban today - we will be honored to welcome you to Istanbul!
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