Taksim Square
Taksim Square sits at the end of Istaklal Caddesi, which is also the start of the main financial and conference district. The square itself is unspectacular, but there are several interesting buildings around it, including the Atatürk Cultural Centre and the Military Museum. The Military Museum has about 10,000 weapons and armors from the Turkish and foreign militaries. Even if you are not particularly interested in military exhibitions, go for the Ottoman band, which plays at 3pm and 4pm when the museum is open. If you are a fan of military museums, plan to visit the Naval Museum, next to the ferry terminal in BeÕiktaÕ. The museum has wonderful miniature wooden ships and real steam engines and cannons. The museum is smaller and will be more enjoyable for younger children.
Cross the road from the Naval Museum to Ortabahçe Caddesi, a long road leading through a shopping area to Ihlamur Royal Lodge. Ihlamur Kasirlari was designed as a smaller version of nearby Dolmabahçe Palace between 1849-1855. It was used as a summer residence. There are actually two lodges: the living quarters, or harem, and the official lodge where visitors would be received. The lodge is decorated with a mixture of Turkish rugs, French furniture and English porcelain. In summer, Ihlamur runs painting and drama class for children.
Nearby, is the Yildiz Palace Museum, which houses a good collection of porcelain commissioned by Sultan Abdulhamit.
On the banks of the Bosphorus in BeÕiktaÕ is Dolmabahçe Palace, a decadent imperial palace built on the orders of Sultan Abdul Mecit as a replacement for Topkapi Palace when Beyo
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