Istanbul, Agva

Ağva... a pretty little town located at the Blacksea Coast, north of Istanbul... A wonderful weekend away from the city...

Ağva is a heaven in this world with its all natural beauties. Black Sea coast on one side, forrest is on the other side. The name of the town comes from the word 'Aqua' because it is surrounded by two rivers.

You can find a lot of boutique hotels and motels in this town with a reasonable price. And most of those hotels are in the coast of Göksu river. Basically, a peaceful vacation is waiting for you in Ağva, during four seasons.

If you like seafood, you will find a variety of them in this little town. Also, you can go and chat with the fishermans in their boats. Even, you can go fishing with them.

You can of course swim in the refreshing Black Sea. But if you’re looking for a well maintained beach by the Black Sea with plenty of facilities, Şile is a better choice. Ağva is better suited for a relaxing holiday in one of the hotel gardens by the rivers. Nature is the keyword.

It has some waterfalls ending in the Black Sea and coves that can only be reached via the sea. So taking a boat tour on the sea is an option as well as a boat trip on the rivers. Places of interest are the Kilim Cove (Kilim Koyu), Kadirga Cove (Kadırga Koyu), the Bride Rock (Gelin Kayası) and the Hidden Lake (Saklı Göl).
Some hotels have their own canoes to get to the sea and back. You can also find canoes for rent and boat tours along the Göksu river.

Since almost all kinds of fish are available thanks to the diversity of the Black Sea and the fresh water of the rivers, you can even go fishing with the local fishermen.

Ağva used to be only a summer holiday destination. Because it is close to Istanbul, recently it has become popular for any season escapade. Some go especially in winter for hunting quail, woodcock, duck, gazelle, jackal and boar.

Istanbul, Topkapi Palace

On a finger of land, at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara stands, the Topkapi Palace, the maze of buildings that was the focal point of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. In these opulent surroundings the sultans and their court lived and governed. A magnificent wooded garden fills the outer, or first, court.

In the second court, on the right, shaded by cypress and plane trees, stand the palace kitchens, which now serve as galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain. To the left is the Harem, the secluded quarters of the wives, concubines, and children of the sultan, charming visitors with echoes of centuries of intrigue. Today the third court holds the Hall of Audience, the Library of Ahmet III, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. In the center of this innermost sanctuary, the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle enshrines the relics of the Prophet Muhammed brought to Istanbul when the Ottomans assumed the caliphate of Islam.

When the construction for Topkapi Palace started is still unknown. According to some resources, the foundation dates back to 1460.

Topkapi Palace was not constructed based on a definite plan, was expanded in time and underwent several changes. This change was due to necessity of adding of new buildings or the reconstruction in place of the original buildings destroyed by fire or other causes.

Apart from the mansions for residence of sultans and harem section, Topkapi Palace also features many structures such as wards for palace guards, a very spacious kitchen for use of palace residents, dormitories for palace servants, Kubbealtı where Divan meetings were held, Hirka-i Saadet section where belongings of Hz. Mohammed and the Caliphs are kept, Gülhane Hospital, Sultan Ahmed the 3rd Library, Palace School, Treasury Office, a stable for the horses of sultan, and St. Irini Church which was used as a weapon storage for some time.

Topkapi Palace was abandoned in the middle of 19th century and lost its significance as the state center. Indeed, part of a railroad was built on the outdoor garden of Topkapi Palace which was is a desolate state in the following years. Most recently in 1924 Topkapi Palace was turned into a museum and opened for exhibition.

Address: Saray içi, Sultanahmet – Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 512 04 08
Open every day except Tuesday.

*inistanbul.com