Here are some pictures from Istanbul. I was there for a 12 hour lay-over on my way to Hong Kong so I got to see some of the sights. It was amazing to see the Mosques and the old buildings. I went inside the Blue Mosque and it was really beautiful. I also went to the Grand Bazaar for shopping and to the Basilica Cistern, which brought water to the city from the Belgrad Forest 19 kilometers away. It was hidden for a long time and then later re-discovered still full of water and a lot of fish. People living above used to put a fishing line through holes in the ground in order to catch the fish and that was one of the ways it was re-discovered.
I love seeing this small Mosque nestled amongst the neighboring buildings.
Inside the Grand Bazaar.
Another inside shot of the Grand Bazaar. There were many long hallways like this one. This place was enormous.
Here is one of the entrances to the Grand Bazaar. I was able to get some great deals shopping here including a new purse and leather coat for me and a nice leather belt for Thierry.
Another Mosque I saw in passing. This one has a beautiful Cemetery.
Pillar in the Basilica Cistern.
These two pillars have heads at the bottom that they believed were taken from statues and used to prop up the pillars. They were not originally carved into the pillars but were just placed at the bottom of pillars that were too short.
Check out the ceiling. It is amazing how well it has held up to time.
Inside the Basilica Cistern.
Information sign for the Basilica Cistern.
This pillar was originally located in Egypt but was giving to the city of Constantinople as a gift. It is the oldest piller in Istanbul/Constantinople.
Inside the Blue Mosque.
This is an inside shot of the Blue Mosque.
Hagia Sophia, used to be several churches but is now a museum.
Exterior view of the Blue Mosque.
1 comment:
A great sultanahmet trip.
And a great holiday
Thanks for your sharing.
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