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Hagia Sophia is a familiar landmark of Istanbul. The cathedral was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian between 532 and 537 and is considered the prime example of Byzantine architecture. It is famous for its huge dome. After Byzantium was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, the city became Muslim and Hagia Sophia became a mosque. It was very dark inside. My main impression was of its immense size and the incredible height of the roof. There are some beautiful mosaics as well. I believe it has now become a museum.
Taking a cruise on the Bosporus is definitely a must for travelers in Istanbul. First of all, it is beautiful, with the intense sparkling blue of the water and the brilliant sunshine. Then, there are the palaces, mansions and small villages along the way. Most of all, there is a feeling of excitement when you realize just where you are, poised between Europe and Asia on your way to the Black Sea!
During our 2001 visit to Istanbul, we spent a few hours at Topkapi Palace and saw these two beautiful buildings. In the first photo is the Treasury and in the second, a Byzantine church which now functions as a concert hall.
In 2001 when we visited Turkey, we saw the new bridge over the Bosporus at Istanbul for the first time.
In Istanbul in 2001, we saw this lovely turbe or mausoleum where the Turkish sultan, Ahmet III, is buried. It is just one of many examples we have seen in our travels of beautiful Islamic architecture.
Nothing can be more mysterious than the harem of the Turkish sultans at Topkapi palace in Istanbul. Here was located the very centre of palace intrigue. And to consider all the beautiful women who, once sequestered here, could never leave, makes one shiver.
Taking a cruise on the Bosporus, as we did in 2001, is definitely a must for visitors to Istanbul. First, it is beautiful, with the intense sparkling blue of the water and the brilliant sunshine. Then, there are the palaces, mansions and small scenic villages along the way. Most of all, there is a feeling of excitement when you realize just where you are, poised between Europe and Asia and on your way to the Black Sea!
Today, on September 11, 2009, it would be appropriate to post a photo taken eight years ago on 9/11. The Blue Mosque, pictured above, was close to where we were walking on the way to our hotel in Sultanahmet when we were approached by a man waving his arms in an agitated manner. He could not speak much English, but we were able to make out that something terrible had happened in the USA that involved airports or airplanes. We hurried to our hotel and discovered what had happened.
Our vacation plans had involved two weeks in Syria, but when we heard what President Bush had to say about Syria in connection with the tragedy, we decided it would be wise to cancel and remain in Turkey instead. The staff at our hotel were horrified by what had been done and assured us that it was definitely not the way of Islam. We thoroughly enjoyed our five weeks in Turkey, but when we returned in 2006, there was a noticeable difference. People were polite but lacked the warmth we had seen on previous visits. The change, we were told later, was due to the widespread disapproval in the country of the war in Iraq.
Nothing can be more mysterious than the harem of the Turkish sultans. Here was located the very centre of palace intrigue. And to consider all the beautiful women who, once sequestered here could never leave, makes one's heart shrink.
