FurtherDistractions

Eyüp
This religious district, about 8km (5 miles) from Sultanahmet, is best known for its huge Ottoman cemetery with stunning views over the Golden Horn. It is crowned with the famous Pierre Loti Café (tel: (0212) 616 2344) - best enjoyed for alfresco tea. The walk from the village is delightful, from the highly revered Eyüp Mosque, past market stalls selling religious books and headscarves, and up the hill through the ancient tombstones.

Kariye Muzesi (Kariye Museum)
Originally an 11th-century church (and sometimes still referred to as Chora Church) this contains Istanbul's finest Byzantine mosaics, as well as superb 14th-century religious frescoes. Although converted to a mosque after the Conquest, the mosaics were merely whitewashed over, and have been preserved for display in what is now a secular museum.

Kariye Camii Sokak, Edirnekapi
Tel: (0212) 631 9241.
Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 0930-1630.
Admission charge.

Rahmi Koç Industrial Museum
 Originally the 19th-century anchorage foundry, in a building dating back to the 12th century, this private collection of wealthy industrialist Rahmi Koc includes various modes of transport from all eras. It contains machinery related to aviation, an American bomber aircraft, an amphibious 1960s Amphicar and scientific equipment in one of the city's most unusual and eclectic collections. It is especially popular with children.

Hasköy Caddesi 27, Hasköy
Tel: (0212) 369 66 00/01/02.
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1000-1700; Sat-Sun 1000-1900.
Admission charge.

Divan Edebiyati Müzesi (Whirling Dervish Monastery)
The whirling dervishes, a mystic sect only nominally connected to Islam, were banned in the early days of the Republic, so this monastery is officially the Museum of Classical Ottoman Poetry and Musical Instruments. Dervishes still perform their ritual dance (sema) on some Saturday and Sunday afternoons (check for details).

Galip Dede Sokak 15
Tel: (0212) 245 4141.
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 0930-1700.
Admission charge. 

    

      

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