We left the Opera Hotel around 8:15 and headed to the Hagia Sophia Holy Wisdom), which is now a museum. During the time of the Byzantines, this was a great structure was a Christian Church. It was constructed in the 6th century.
On the way, we drove along the Sea of Marmara, which tranlstaes to 'marble'
sea, because the islands in the sea have marble quarries. You can see many large cargo ships. In the distance are the Princes Islands. During the Roman and Byzantine eras, princes (and princesses) who behaved badly were sent into exile there. Not too shabby I say as I can only imagine the view from there.
As we made our way up to the Hagia Sophia, we passed the Blue Mosque.
As you arrive at the gate to the Hagia Sophia, you are in a beautiful square that, during Roman time, was the Hippodrome, that reportedly seated 80,000 spectators for chariot races.
Here I am near the top of the Hippodrome, in the square that is between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque (behind me).
You enter the Hagia Sophia from the Western door. you can see here the minaret (added after hate Muslim Conquest) and the flying buttresses that support the elliptical dome.
There are ongoing excavations around the site. There were two previous churches here. This is a fragment of the frieze that was part of the church constructed by Constantine. (Note the lambs.) this structure was destroyed by rioters from the Hippodrome. Some 32,000 rioters were slaughtered.
This is the Emperor's door on the western facade. Note the beautiful mosaic above the door. There are 4 doors on either side of the of the Emperor's Door. Since the conquering Ottoman's mother was a Christian, he ordered all Christian symbols be white-washed over rather than be painted. This is how they survived.
Part of our group around the huge baptismal fount.
A map of Byzantine-era Constantinople.
This baptismal font was brought to the Hagia Sophia from Param. It has two snakes on it, which represent health.
A view of the space from the Empress Logia.
A mosaic of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ, and St John.
The mosaic of Emperor Justinian, Christ, and the Empress.
Once the Hagia Sophia (Ayasophia) was converted to a mosque, the east-west alignment had to be altered slightly so that the Muslim altar would face Mecca, which is southeast of Turkey.
The coronation of Byzantine (Roman) emperors took place here.
The impressive Blue Mosque.
This fountain along the Hippodrome was given by the Kaiser of Germany to the Sultan of the Ottoman Turks.
The Egyptian obelisk.
The base of the Egyptian Obelisk.
The column from Delhi along the Hippodrome. It once had three serpents at the top but through the ages they were broken off for souvenirs. One is in the British Museum.
These carpets are in a museum along the Hippodrome. It was fascinating to see this collection of Islamic art.
The sesame seed bread man. I thought it was an urban sombrero at first. The bread is very good!
The Turkish Cultural Foundation charted a boat to take us on a cruise around the Bosphorus.
A view of the European side of the Bosphorus.
Nice boat!
This is a mosque along the European side of the Bosphorus.
This fortress was part of the defense system of the city. It was built in 91 days.
This is the second suspension bridge which links the European side of Turkey to the Asian (Anatolian) side of Turkey. 20 kilometers or so beyond this bridge is the Black Sea.
Funny sign alert! We ate a great lunch at the Villa Bosphorus. I have not been taking pictures of our meals, but my fellow travelers promise they will share what they capture.
Nur (pronounced Noor) is an apprentice at the Ebristan, where Ebru (Turkish marbling is taught). Below are two samples of her work. We each made an Ebru and got a certificate of completion!
This is a lighthouse in the Bosphorus that has been renovated and is now a bar and restaurant. A very cool place to have an Ephes (beer) or three.
I'll post an album of all the pictures taken upon my return to the States.
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Location:Beytül Malcı Sk,Beyoğlu,Turkey
