TurkeyHagia Sophia41°0’31” N 28°58’47” E
August 24, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Another one of those places where neither books nor documentaries do justice to what this place actually is. Even with restoration work ongoing, this is a spectacular building. It's especially hard toRead more
TurkeyHagia Sophia41°0’31” N 28°58’48” E
August 24, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Originally, Hagia Sophia was completely covered inside with art. However, given the Islamic proscription of human faces in art, it was all covered over when this was converted to a mosque. Now that itRead more
TurkeyTopkapı Palace41°0’46” N 28°59’3” E
August 24, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
The residence of the sultan and headquarters for the Ottoman Empire from the 15th century through WW 1 when the Ottomans were on the losing side.
The first pic is the main gate. Next are 3 examples ofRead more
TurkeyTopkapı Palace41°0’46” N 28°59’1” E
August 24, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Most of us have envisioned what a harem is. Me too, until today. Now I have visited an historic one. It is most luxurious.
The first pic is in the sultan's chamber. Next is the central courtyard.Read more
TurkeyOrtaköy41°2’29” N 29°1’34” E
August 24, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
A late afternoon boat trip on the Bosporus Strait. Remember that Istanbul is the only city on 2 continents. The Bosporus Strait is the line between Europe and Asia.
The first picture is Hagia SophiaRead more
TurkeyAkaretler41°2’25” N 29°0’3” E
August 25, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Summer palace on the shore of the Bosporus. It's hard to fathom that a place as large and ornate as this is not the main residence and administration center for the empire. Topkapi fills that role. InRead more
TurkeyTaksim Square41°2’10” N 28°59’3” E
August 25, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Main meeting point in Istanbul and center for night life. That's the first 2 pics. There is also a pedestrian shopping street that begins here. That is the third pic. The Galata tower, like Taksim isRead more
TurkeyCağaloğlu41°0’40” N 28°58’4” E
August 26, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
This is the big and famous bazaar of Istanbul. The first picture is one of the gates. Then several pictures are from inside to give a sense of the building and the place. This is my first bazaar/soukRead more
TurkeyCağaloğlu41°0’42” N 28°58’14” E
August 26, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Several glimpses of the old town section of Istanbul away from the main sights. The first two are of the Spice Bazaar, aka Egyptian Bazaar. Similar, but smaller and newer, the spice bazaar was greatRead more
TurkeyHagia Sofia41°0’29” N 28°58’50” E
August 26, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
For all you church history buffs, it is my understanding that this is where the council of Constantinople was held, but I haven't been able to verify that. This is one church that was not converted toRead more
