This segment of post are on more pictures of the miniature buildings found in Miniaturk. Most of the miniature buildings have incredible details just like the real ones. It took us slightly more than an hour to go around Miniaturk. Although the day was bright and sunny, the temperature was around 18°. Nice weather.
For our return transportation to Sultanahmet, we choose the bus. It’s convenient as there is a bus stand in-front of Miniaturk. It’ll take about 40 minutes to reach Eminonu. Choose any of the #47 bus to Eminonu and then take a tram to Sultanahmet. Miniaturk brings an end to our holiday in Turkey as tomorrow we leave Istanbul for Dubai.
The last point of interest for our visit to Turkey before we head to Dubai tomorrow is Miniaturk. It is a miniature park situated at the shore of Golden Horn. Miniaturk is one of the world’s largest miniature parks with 15,000 m2 of model area containing models in 1:25 scale. It contains model structures from and around the country magnificently built and if seen from photograph looks real. The entry fee cost ₺10.
From Pierre Loti there is no direct route to Miniaturk thus we took a taxi costing ₺20. Miniaturk is somewhere across Pierre Loti. Although I’ve read in Tripadviser there is boat service from Eminonu to Pierre Loti to Miniaturk, all locals and bus drivers we asked are not aware of it.
Elevated view of Miniaturk.
Turkish Parliament.
No, no no. The highrise in the background are real life-size apartments.
Those cute & adorable kids with their adorable teachers too. Ehmm.
Hippodrome in the foreground, the Blue mosque beside and in the background Hagia Sophia.
Hagia Sophia.
The Hamam besides Sultanahmet Park between Blue mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Cross section of the Basilica Cistern with the two Medusa heads clearly visible.
Our day 22 itinerary are attractions around our hotel, Star Holiday Hotel which is within short walking distances. From Sultanahmet (Blue) mosque, we headed to Hagia Sophia. We do not know why, but even on this third visit to Istanbul, we have no inclination to go inside. Not that the ticket queue is terribly long, we could easily be the first due to the close proximity of our hotel but the urge isn’t there. The difference this time, there is a tulip carpet in-front of it reputed to be the world’s largest. So it will just be pictures of the exterior.
(Update: We finally visited Hagia Sophia in 2017. Read it here.)
Walking route from Blue mosque to Hagia Sophia. It is actually just across Sultan Ahmet park.
Queues like this is common getting into Hagia Sophia. Credit : reiendaa.blogspot.com
Hagia Sophia from across Sultanahmet park.
Spring flowers blooming.
Another angle of Hagia Sophia.
World’s largest ‘Tulip Carpet’ in-front of Hagia Sophia.