TURKEY'S MAGICAL HIDEAWAYS
May 22 - June 7, 2009
Page Two
Istanbul
Basilica Cistern -
This vast underground water cistern
from the Byzantine period was laid out by Emperior Justinian in 532 AD.
The cistern's water was provided from the Belgrade Woods,
which lie 12 miles north of the city, via aqueducts built by the Emperor.
Heading toward Hagia Sophia Museum. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia face each other
across gardens known as the Sultanahmet Square. Hagia Sophia was a Christian church until the conquest of
Constantinople
in 1453 when Mehmet the Conqueror claimed it for Islam.
It was a mosque until 1934 when Ataturk made it a museum.
Interior dome of Hagia Sophia
Interior view of Hagia Sophia. The scaffolding is in use to help preserve the structure. Turkey is earthquake
prone. Calligraphic roundels are prominent features of Hagia Sophia. The second level is full of amazing
Byzantine era mosaics.
The marble jar was brought from Pergamon (ancient Greek city in Turkey) during the reign of Sultan Murad III.
Originally from the Hellenistic period, it was carved from a single block of marble.
Judgment Day: Jesus enthroned between the Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist
- Mosaic from around 1261
Jesus enthroned - 11th century mosaic
in Hagia Sophia
Alexander the Great Sarcophagus in the Archaeological Museum, a marble tomb from late 4th century BC,
thought to have been built for King Abdalonymos of Sidon (ancient Syria). Called the Alexander Sarcophagus
since Alexander the Great is depicted on it winning a victory over the Persians. The Istanbul Archaeology Museum
consists of three museums, Archaeological Museum (main building), Museum of the Ancient Orient and the
Museum of Islamic Art (Tiled Kiosk).
It houses over one million objects that represent almost all of the eras
and civilizations in world history.
Start of a cruise on the Golden Horn and Bosphorus Strait. Looking across at the modern European section
of Istanbul and the Galata Tower, a stone tower that has dominated the skyline of this area since 1438.
Dolmabahce Palace, Ottoman Palace built in 1856, built by a sultan with loans from foreign banks.
Nancy and Jerry (California), Bob (California), and Carole (Michigan) on our Bosphorus cruise with
the Turkish flag and the modern European side in the background
Ortaköy Mosque, in Besiktas, Istanbul, is situated at the waterside of the Ortaköy pier square, a popular location on the
Bosporus.
The original Ortaköy Mosque was built in the 18th century.
The current mosque, which was erected in its place,
was ordered by the
Ottoman sultan Abdülmecid and built between 1854 and 1856.
This area has a mosque, a synagogue and a Greek Orthodox church in one district.
Yeni (New) Mosque at the waterfront area where we borded our cruise boat and returned to shore.
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