Istanbul

This weekend, a three day weekend, and it was off to Istanbul.

Landed at the alternative airport, got dropped off at Taksim Square in the new, modern part of town, and then walked into the old town. This is the view as you cross the Galata Bridge.

The Hagia Sophia is built right on the highest point on the spit of land that juts into the Bosphorus. Built in the time of Justinian, at the height of the Byzantine Empire, it has been a Christian Basilica, an Orthodox church, a mosque and now is a museum.

Mosques have minarets. I learned that they were used for the call to prayer. Today, it's done through speakers and microphones. The buttresses were added on later to help support the building.

The Hagia Sophia is meant to be absolutely stunning, and the size and grandeur does take your breath away.

I find that inside is a "puzzle" as there are half domes within half domes.

A later addition to the interior are these large "medallions" attached in the corners with the names of Islamic religious leaders. The Hagia Sophia has been a multi-purpose building.

Because in the Muslim religion, there are not to be representations of people, the original mosaics have been plastered over. However, some of them were removed during the "iconoclastic period" when religious leaders felt that portraying the divine in picture form made them "idols/icons."

Some survived.

This one is from a later time.

I notice that the quality of details of the face were better. Improvement in artistic technique. I have to admit, that I actually am starting to like Byzantine art.

Ok, I admit that I am a bit of a photo geek and take my share of photos. But some people take it to far. I have to take a picture of this man, who is taking a photo of a photo exhibit. Really?

Right across the street from the Hagia Sophia is the cistern that was built in the 6th century AD during Justinian's reign. 336 columns in the area of two football fields to hold 27 million gallons of water. AWESOME.

In 1741, the sultan built the Cagalougu Hamam as a gift to the city.

This is a picture from their website, but I had to show it. Sauna room first, then I laid on this heated slab of marble in the middle of the room and got worked over and then scrubbed down (HARD). My guy, Myron, was peeling these balls of black dead skin. I was a bit embarassed. Then an awesome soap bath.

The Sultanahmet (AKA The Blue Mosque) sits next to the Hagia Sophia. They don't actually face each other, but are side by side. In both, they were designed to you enter facing east.

The courtyard to the Sultanahmet with the main entrance for those entering for prayer.

Ablution, the ritual cleaning of feet.

We visitors (as well as those coming for prayer) are required to take off our shoes. So much of Islamic life is lived with bare feet. I couldn't do it.

When I travel, I don't go to the fancy restaurants, but I like eating food of the street. I love the fish sandwiches.

So, I've always wondered why kebabs are always "doner". Doner means "spin." And I've never seen the kebab before it was cooked before. Here it is. Who knew?

The grand sights of Istanbul are in the Sultanahmet district, across the Golden Horn is the "new district". Historically, this is where foreigners lived and it's where all the embassies are located, but most of them have moved to Ankara as that is now the capital.

The Galata Tower is built on the highest point of the new district. It was built by the Genoese during the period when they were given ownership of land and waterfront on the other side of the Golden Horn.

The Bosphorus is a busy waterway. I took a cruise up the Bosphorus and this tanker followed right behind us.

There are two bridges that cross the Bosphorus. Bridges that connect Europe and Asia.

At the north end of the Bosphorus, at the opening to the Black Sea!

Looking south down the Bosphorus towards Istanbul.