Istanbul, the only city in the world on two continents is sharing its over 2,000 years of History. The former capital of three successive empires, still preserves the legacy of its past while looking forward to a modern future. Historical landmarks of the city are in harmony with the wonderful Turquoise blue waters of Bosphorus, which creates an unbeaten landscape.
*(Istanbul has recently been elected as European Capital of Culture for 2010)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Two videos about my homecity and its culture
and Tiny Toons in Istanbul. (There are no camels in Istanbul, I must warn you, Turkish people are very sensitive about this issue, :), but still a very funny cartoon)
History? Well, it is literally everywhere.
· Haghia Sofia: Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The basilica was looted in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in 1930's.
· Topkapi Palace: The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court in the entrance to the Harem (admission extra) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphoros are spectacular.
· Sultanahmet Mosque (aka Blue Mosque): With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside.
· Basilica Cistern: It doesn't sound like much, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consacrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere.
· Galata Whirling Dervish Hall: A dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut down in 1925 along with all other 'reactionary' movements in Turkey. Today the building houses the Museum of Divan Literature.
· The Museum of Archeology: A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets!
· Dolmabahce Palace: See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahce shore. Build on 110.000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years.
· Grand Bazaar: Istanbul's grand old bazaar with an estimated 4400 shops lined along covered walkways. It is said to be the world's oldest shopping mall, covers several blocks and features a labrynth of side streets to keep you lost for the better part of a day. The shops seem organized around their wares, e.g. the silver jewlers are clustered together, the carpet shops are clustered elsewhere and the shoe shops are bunched together somewhere else.
· Miniaturk: Istanbul has a new Maquette park which has began to operate as of April 23rd,2003. The mini Turkey park called Miniaturk and have mini models of old ottoman architectural works in Turkey. On miniaturk Turkey's rich historical and cultural heritage is being displayed with their maquettes.
· Chora Church is the most interesting Byzantine church after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The importance of the church does not come from the building itself , the frescoes and the mosaics are superb and reflect the magnificent heritage of Byzantine Art.
· Hippodrome: The square in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient " Hippodrome ", one of the most famous areas in Byzantine Constantinople. There are various monuments in Hippodrome Area. The most attractive one is the "Egyptian Obelisk".
· Galata Tower: Galata Tower has dominated Beyoglu skyline since 1348 and still offers the best panoramic views of the city. Until the 1960s Galata tower was a fire lookout tower. Now the upper floors hold an uninteresting restaurant-nightclub, and a panorama balcony.
· Topkapi Palace: The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court in the entrance to the Harem (admission extra) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphoros are spectacular.
· Sultanahmet Mosque (aka Blue Mosque): With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside.
· Basilica Cistern: It doesn't sound like much, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consacrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul. A wooden walkway winds between the pillars, and lights and piped music add to the eerie atmosphere.
· Galata Whirling Dervish Hall: A dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut down in 1925 along with all other 'reactionary' movements in Turkey. Today the building houses the Museum of Divan Literature.
· The Museum of Archeology: A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets!
· Dolmabahce Palace: See the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahce shore. Build on 110.000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman empire was administered in the last 150 years.
· Grand Bazaar: Istanbul's grand old bazaar with an estimated 4400 shops lined along covered walkways. It is said to be the world's oldest shopping mall, covers several blocks and features a labrynth of side streets to keep you lost for the better part of a day. The shops seem organized around their wares, e.g. the silver jewlers are clustered together, the carpet shops are clustered elsewhere and the shoe shops are bunched together somewhere else.
· Miniaturk: Istanbul has a new Maquette park which has began to operate as of April 23rd,2003. The mini Turkey park called Miniaturk and have mini models of old ottoman architectural works in Turkey. On miniaturk Turkey's rich historical and cultural heritage is being displayed with their maquettes.
· Chora Church is the most interesting Byzantine church after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The importance of the church does not come from the building itself , the frescoes and the mosaics are superb and reflect the magnificent heritage of Byzantine Art.
· Hippodrome: The square in front of the Blue Mosque covers the site of the ancient " Hippodrome ", one of the most famous areas in Byzantine Constantinople. There are various monuments in Hippodrome Area. The most attractive one is the "Egyptian Obelisk".
· Galata Tower: Galata Tower has dominated Beyoglu skyline since 1348 and still offers the best panoramic views of the city. Until the 1960s Galata tower was a fire lookout tower. Now the upper floors hold an uninteresting restaurant-nightclub, and a panorama balcony.
What can one learn about Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Istanbul?
Technology: SmartKids Robotics Programme Smartkids is a dynamic learning center providing activities in Lego, technology, electronics, robotics, science, industrial arts, and digital multimedia. At smartkids, traditional front of class teaching "at" students is replaced with mentors providing students with meaningful, hands-on experiences. http://www.smartkids.com.tr/english/about_smk.htm
Science/Technology: The Rahmi M Koç Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of Transport, Industry and Communications. Housed in magnificent buildings - themselves prime examples of industrial archaeology - on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, the collection contains thousands of items from gramophone needles to full size ships and aircraft. With the aid of museum’s Education Pack teachers and students can not only learn in much more detail about selected objects and displays, but can also be taught to consider the objects in wider contexts - for example history, sociology, and the environment. http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/english/education/tumu.pdf
Geometry: Symmetry, tesellations, geometrical designs of Ottoman and Byzantine art; including tiles and calligraphy will be studied before the trip and a follow up will continue.
“The Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are two famous sites in Istanbul, Turkey, which use many tessellating patterns in their design. Sometimes the designs painted on the tiles form their own geometric shapes that when viewed from a distance appear as a tessellating pattern.”
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/discussions/TessellationsWorld/
Statistics: Demographical analysis of Istanbul will be researched, population growth over the years, area calculations and numerical comparisons of two parts of the city will be studied.
Design Technolgy and Geometry: Bridges of Istanbul will be discussed in terms of their design and their weight capacity. Students will design the third bridge on Bosphorus by using a software. http://www.jhu.edu/~virtlab/bridge/bridge.htm
Science/Technology: The Rahmi M Koç Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of Transport, Industry and Communications. Housed in magnificent buildings - themselves prime examples of industrial archaeology - on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, the collection contains thousands of items from gramophone needles to full size ships and aircraft. With the aid of museum’s Education Pack teachers and students can not only learn in much more detail about selected objects and displays, but can also be taught to consider the objects in wider contexts - for example history, sociology, and the environment. http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/english/education/tumu.pdf
Geometry: Symmetry, tesellations, geometrical designs of Ottoman and Byzantine art; including tiles and calligraphy will be studied before the trip and a follow up will continue.
“The Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia are two famous sites in Istanbul, Turkey, which use many tessellating patterns in their design. Sometimes the designs painted on the tiles form their own geometric shapes that when viewed from a distance appear as a tessellating pattern.”
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/discussions/TessellationsWorld/
Statistics: Demographical analysis of Istanbul will be researched, population growth over the years, area calculations and numerical comparisons of two parts of the city will be studied.
Design Technolgy and Geometry: Bridges of Istanbul will be discussed in terms of their design and their weight capacity. Students will design the third bridge on Bosphorus by using a software. http://www.jhu.edu/~virtlab/bridge/bridge.htm
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Skyscrapers of Istanbul