We arrived at Ataturk Airport and had to buy a VISA before we could go through passport control. It was 20 US dollars, exact change only. We had arranged with our hotel to be picked up. The driver pointed out a few sights on the way to the hotel.
We stayed at the Hotel Golden Horn Sultanahmet. We received a discount for booking 90 days in advance as well as paying the bill in Euros, instead of Turkish Lira. We had an interior room with twin beds. It was very small. After checking in our room, we headed off for some sightseeing.
We were within walking distance of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. We started towards the Blue Mosque first, thinking that it was the Hagia Sophia (jet lag). We were told it was closed for prayer, and if we wanted to look at some rugs.
We finally found the Hagia Sophia.
Hagia Sophia was built between 532 and 537AD by Emperor Justinian. It was the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople for 900 years. It was the greatest architectural achievement of the Byzantine Empire because of its marble and mosaics.
The Ottomans took Constantinople in 1453 and Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror converted it into a mosque. It remained a mosque for 5 centuries.
In the 1930's, during the early days of the Turkish Republic, it was converted into a museum.
Later that day, we went to the Blue Mosque.
The Blue Mosque was built between 1609-1616. The people of Istanbul call this the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Travelers call it the Blue Mosque because of the mostly blue ceramic tiles used to decorate the interior.
Because it is still used as a mosque, we had to take off our shoes and cover our heads to enter.
We also visited Topkapi Palace. It was raining and very cold. I didn't get any pictures.
Topkapi Palace was built in the 1470's by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror as the administrative center of his empire. The large complex included offices, military barracks, a council chamber, and a reception center.
A century later, Suleyman the Magnificent turned it into the sultan's residence. Topkapi was the adminstrative palace for Ottoman sultans for more than 400 years. In the mid-19th century, a European style palace was built on the Bosphorous--Dolmabahce Palace.
Great pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.