Today was our day to see the big sights. We started the day by walking past the Hippodrome. We saw all three of the columns: Serpent, Constantine, and the Egyptian Obelisk. We were very lucky to have the use of a pocket guide Ingrid lent us for the trip; we read each section when as we were looking at the monument. Thanks, Ingrid!
Because it was prayer time (seems like it always is) the Sultan Ahmet Camii, Blue Mosque, was closed until later. In the meantime, we headed across the park to the AyaSofya. From the outside, it is really amazing. Once inside, Lenny and I were working to imagine about how it would have looked when it was originally constructed. I can see how it was the most amazing sight. Huge ceiling. Amazing tiles and mosaics. It would have been stunning. Sadly, it is now in great disrepair and we had a hard time imagining the full splendor. I am very glad that they are doing a large restoration project. (this is partially due to funding from the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture)
After the AyaSofya, we were able to go into the Blue Mosque. It is much smaller in size, but in better condition (it is still a functioning mosque). This was our second time being inside of a mosque (the first was in Israel). One thing that I noticed, in comparison with the AyaSofya, is that the mosque was very ornate, but not pictures of scenes or specific images as the church was. There were tiles with patterns covering almost every inch of the walls, but they were just tessellations of geometric shapes.
We finished out the touring with a trip to the Yerebatan Sarayi, Basilica Cistern, which is an underground cistern built to supply water to Emperor Justinian’s palace and gardens in the 532. Two of the more famous, and impressive columns, feature sculptures of Medusa’s head. It is believed that these were brought here from the ancient city of Chalcedon. The last tour stop of the day was the Spice Market for some Turkish Delight. You just can’t come here for a visit and skip a food named after the country! We learned that we like the ones with nuts in them. Yummy.
We finished out the touring with a trip to the Yerebatan Sarayi, Basilica Cistern, which is an underground cistern built to supply water to Emperor Justinian’s palace and gardens in the 532. Two of the more famous, and impressive columns, feature sculptures of Medusa’s head. It is believed that these were brought here from the ancient city of Chalcedon. The last tour stop of the day was the Spice Market for some Turkish Delight. You just can’t come here for a visit and skip a food named after the country! We learned that we like the ones with nuts in them. Yummy.
In the Spice Bazaar
If we were mere mortals, that would be the end of a day. But…. I am married to Lenny! So, we got cleaned up at the hotel and headed out for the evening! Tonight we met up with Sam, a friend of Jayme and Emily’s who has been living in Istanbul for a few years. It was great to get to ask him a few questions that we had been wondering about. Lenny also whooped Sam in a game of backgammon, which is a huge national pastime here. We were home by 2:20 a.m.
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