The Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmet Mosque was built by the 14th Ottoman
Sultan Ahmet I in the 15th Century. It's arguably the greatest and most
magnificent mosque in Istanbul.
Inside the Blue Mosque grounds
Mosque Interior
The spectacular interior is breathtaking.
The Ceiling
Blue Mosque at Night
Around 9pm each evening the Blue Mosque is lit up with
a splendid colored light show accompanied by music. Afterwards it's
lighted by white lights as shown here.
View of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque
These impressive structures dominate the Istanbul skyline.
This image was shot from the Galata Tower.
Hagia Sophia
A view framed of the Hagia Sophia through the gates to the Blue Mosque.
Hagia Sophia
This massive example of Byzantine architecture was built
in 537. For 916 years it was a church until istanbul was conquered.
As a church it's the fourth largest Cathedral in the world. It was then
a Mosque for 481 years. Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey,
directed that it be made a museum. The interior was restored before
it was opened in 1935 to the public.
Entry to Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophi Interior
The interior is beautifuly decorated with frescos and mosaics.
Hagia Sophia Interior
The huge wooden medallions contain Islamic inscriptions.
Removing the Cross
In this image you can see the two areas on either side
of the diamond that are defaced. Each was a cross prior to being converted
to a Mosque.
Deisis Mosaic
All the mosaics required restoration as they were covered
in plaster when Hagia Sophia was converted to a Mosque.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Ataturk was the founder of the Republic of Turkey.
Yerebatan Cistern
This underground cistern is the largest of sixty cisterns
built in Istanbul during Byzantine times. The cisterns served as water
storage to allow the city to survive log seiges. This cistern is 18
meters high and has about 10,000 square meters of area..
Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III
At the entrance to Topkai Palace
Inside Topkai Palace
Ornate facades are common througout the palace.
Harem
The harem was the home to the Sultan's entire family.
Blue Tiled Facade
This was the entry to the Circumcision Room!
Water Faucet
The drainage flowed into the adjacent pool.
Harem Interior
Waterfront
This image was shot from the boat PhotoMann rode up the Bosphorus Straight
which separates Asia from Europe. It connects the Marama Sea and the Black
Sea.
Suleymaniye Camii Mosque
This mosque complex of Suleyman the Magnificent dominates
the skyline. This second largest mosque in Istanbul is a testimony to
the greatest ruler of the Ottoman Empire.
Yeni Cami Mosque
PhotoMann found an active market in front of this mosque.
Carpet Vendor
The major annoyance while in Istanbul was the carpet
vendors. They would try to befriend you on the street with the sole
purpose of getting you to their shop. After a while you gets so aggravated
that you start ignoring anyone who talks to you on the street. PhotoMann
doesn't like to be rude but some of their tactics pushed him to the
limit!
The Covered Bazaar
The massive maze of streets and shops in the Covered
Bazaar can be disorienting. There are 18 gates/entrances. A map is mandatory
if you want to get back to where you started.
Walking across the Galata Bridge
This traditional Turkish drink vendor is working the
Galata bridge. The Suleymaniye Camii mosque is on the horizon.
Bosphorus View from Topkai Palace
PhotoMann was interested to learn that the Bosphorus is entirely
International waters but under the control of Turkey. It was made
so by the Montraux Treaty of 1936. International shipping passes through
without hindrance.
Suggested Istanbul Travel Guides
(Order Through Amazon Books - Click on the book name)
Insight
Pocket Guides Istanbul
The Insight Pocket Guide series of books is my favorite
for short stays at any destination. The book highlights the must see
destinations in full day and half day itineraries. This includes detailed
maps and suggested walking routes. This guide is a must have especially
for a short visit.
Eyewitness
Travel Guides: Istanbul
Eyewitness guides provide great detail on sights and history. It's
a great reference especially with it's fantastic three dimensional
cutaway views of sites and monuments to point out all the details.
It makes finding things much easier than merely having a bunch of
words and a map.
Lonely
Planet Istanbul
As with most Lonely Planet guides, this Istanbul edition
is an invaluable resource for planning your journey. It offers you
the most up-to-date information about where to go and where to aviod,
how to get there and get around, where to stay at a reasonable rate.
The guide provides everything you'll need to know for a rewarding
visit.
Fodor's
Pocket Istanbul
A lively, graphic, full-color guidebook to Istanbul. The
author provides solid travel reporting on every region including what
to see and do plus recommended tours. It's rating system identifies
the not-to-be-missed sights.
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