Turkey Travel Part X: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace & Blue Mosque
Filed under: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Turkey Travel
Day 8
Sunday, 20 Oct 2019
Journey to Istanbul
In the morning of 20 Oct 2019, writer and tourmates left Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and travelled 400 km south-west to Istanbul, the largest city of 15 million people in Turkey.
Arrival in Istanbul City
On arrival in Istanbul City, we crossed Bosphorus Bridge over Bosphorus Strait from Asian side to European side at 12 noon on 20 Oct 2019. The bridge was built in 1973, the first one to be built across Bosphorus Strait.
Writer and tourmates crossed the Bosphorus Bridge that links the Asian side to the European side in Istanbul City on 20 Oct 2019.
Lunch Time
After crossing the bridge, we went to a restaurant, Sultan Kosesi Restaurant, to have lunch.
Visiting Hagia Sophia Museum
Immediately, after lunch we went to visit three places of interest, viz. Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya Museum, Topkapi Palace Museum and Blue Mosque in the city of Istanbul.
Pictorial map below shows the location of the three famous places in Istanbul City the writer and tourmates would visit after lunch on 20 Oct 2019.
Group photo for remembrance at Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul City
Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine Cathedral
Hagia Sophia was a Byzantine cathedral from 537 until 1453. Then it was an Ottoman mosque from 1453 until 1931. Finally, it is a museum since 1935.
Side view of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
Entrance of Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya Museum in Istanbul, Turkey
Writer and wife were in the Hagia Sophia Museum on 20 Oct 2019.
Quranic Writings
In Hagia Sophia Museum, there were two large circular boards with quranic writings hanging on the vaults above the prayer niche(mihrab).
There were another two large circular boards with quranic writings hanging on the vaults above the back of the nave in Hagia Sophia Museum.
The inner part of a large dome above the nave of Hagia Sophia Museum was written with quranic verses.
Upper Gallery
The ceilings of the upper gallery of Hagia Sophia Museum were richly painted with motifs.
Marble-Stone Ramp
There was a ramp covered with smooth marble-stones for visitors to go up to the upper gallery of Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya Museum.
Prayer Niche(Mihrab)
View of the prayer niche(mihrab) in the background as seen from the upper gallery of Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul.
Marble Wall
On the upper floor of Hagia Sophia Museum there was a marble wall of the 6th. Century separating the Emperor’s private chambers from the meeting chamber for church members.
Coloured Mosaic Murals
In the upper gallery there were several coloured mosaic murals on the walls with pictures of Christian religious figures. But they were partially removed when the cathedral was transformed into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire in 1453.
Here are some of the vandalized mosaic murals.
(i) The damaged mosaic mural of Christ with a book flanked by John and Virgin Mary or “Deesis”
(ii) The damaged mosaic mural of “Deesis” should have been like the picture below.
(iii) The lower part of the mosaic mural of Virgin Mary with her child, Emperor John II and his wife, Eirene, was damaged.
(iv) Similarly, the lower part of the mosaic mural of Christ, Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos and Empress Zoe was damaged when the Ottoman Empire took over the cathedral in 1453.
Untouched Columns
Some columns in Hagia Sophia Museum were untouched by the Byzantine Empire, as shown below.
(i) A column in Hagia Sophia Museum was untouched when the Ottoman Empire took over the cathedral in 1453.
(ii) Another column in Hagia Sophia Museum was untouched when the Ottoman Empire took over the cathedral in 1453.
Removal of Christian Images
Christian images were removed from all the pillars and walls in Hagia Sophia Museum since the Ottoman Empire ruled Turkey in 1453.
(i) A Christian image was removed on the pillar in Hagia Sophia Museum when the Ottoman Empire ruled Turkey since 1453.
(ii) Another Christian image was removed from another pillar in the museum since the Ottoman Empire ruled Turkey in 1453.
(iii) A column with a cross was removed from Hagia Sophia Museum and left outside the cathedral since the Ottoman Empire ruled Turkey in 1453. A cross is a symbol of Christianity.
(iv) Many parts of Hagia Sophia with Christian symbols or images were excavated in the compound of the cathedral when it became a museum in 1935.
Minarets
When the Ottoman Empire took over the cathedral, Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul, in 1453, it was transformed into a mosque with minarets being erected.
Topkapi Palace Museum
At 2.50 p.m. we left Hagia Sophia Museum and walked to a palace nearby. It is known as Topkapi Palace where the Ottoman Empire rulers stayed from 1478 until 1853 and high ranking officers stayed from 1853 until 1924. Since 1924 the palace becomes a museum for visitors to see.
View of Topkapi Palace Museum and Marmara Sea in the distance as seen on a printed entrance ticket.
Imperial Gate is the main gate or first gate that allows visitors to enter Courtyard 1 of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.
Gate of Salutaion is the second gate of Topkapi Palace that allows visitors to enter Courtyard 2.
Imperial Kitchens with chimneys in Courtyard 2 of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey
Imperial Council Hall, Harem, Imperial Stables and Imperial Kitchens are located in Courtyard 2.
Imperial Kitchens with chimneys are in Courtyard 2 of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey
Harem or women’s quarter in Courtyard 2 of Topkapi Palace
Imperial Council Hall in Courtyard 2 of Topkapi Palace was a place for informal gatherings of senior ministers presided over by the Sultan.
Informal gatherings of senior ministers presided over by the Sultan were held in Imperial Council Hall.
A colourful, gilded wall in the Imperial Council Hall of Topkapi Palace
Smart-looking guards on horses can be seen in Courtyard 2 of Topkapi Palace
Gate of Felicity is the third gate that allows visitors to enter Courtyard 3 of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.
Audience Hall, Imperial Treasury, Library of Sultan Ahmet III and Library of Manuscripts are located in Courtyard 3.
Audience Hall or Chamber of Petitions is in Courtyard 3 of Topkapi Palace.
Library of Sultan Ahmet III or Inner Palace Library in Courtyard 3 of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.
Interior of Library of Sultan Ahmet III in Topkapi Palace
A model of a learned man in the Library of Sultan Ahmet III in Topkapi Palace
In Courtyard 4, there are Mecidiye Kiosk, Sofa Mosque, Wardrobe Room, Tower Gate, Circuncision Chamber, Chamber of the Physician, Bagdad Kiosk and Revan Kiosk.
Mecidiye Kiosk
Mecidiye Kiosk in Courtyard 4 was built by Sultan Abdulmecid(1823-1961) in the 18th. Century for enthronement ceremonies and Sultans’ temporary residence in Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey.
Wardrobe Room
Wardrobe Room in Courtyard 4 of Topkapi Palace was used by Sultan Abdulmecid(1823-1861) whenever he visited the palace.
Twin Tower Gate
Twin Tower Gate is the back gate of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, and opens into Bosphorus Strait.
Breathtaking View
A breathtaking view of Bosphorus Bridge and the Strait of Bosphorus as seen from Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey
Visiting Blue Mosque
The last place we visited for the day was a large mosque known as Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque which was opened in 1616 as shown in the photo below. This photo was taken at the mosque.
Blue Mosque is near Hagia Sophia Museum
We walked a few hundred metres from Topkapi Palace to Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque. The mosque is near Hagia Sophia or Ayasofya Museum.
Front of Blue Mosque
Prayer Hall
The large prayer hall in Blue Mosque has many columns supporting five main domes and 8 smaller ones. The hall has a capacity of 10 000 worshipers.
Exit and Entrance Door
The exit and entrance door of Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
Courtyard
The courtyard of Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Visitors relaxing in the courtyard of Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmed Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Square
At 5.10 p.m. we left Blue Mosque and walked in an open-air area adjacent to the Blue Mosque. It was known as Hippodrome of Constantinople which was developed by Byzantine emperor, Constantine VII(905-959 AD). It was used for chariot racing and other entertainments. Besides, a few monuments were erected there to adorn the place which is now known as Sultan Ahmet Square.
Below are some of the monuments left in the square.
(a) Obelisk of Pharaoh Tutmose III(1481-1425 BC)
This obelisk was brought over from Egypt and erected in the square by a Roman emperor, Theodosius I(347-395 AD).
(b) Walled Obelisk
This obelisk with the missing gilded bronze plaques was built and erected by a Byzantine emperor, Constantine VII(905-050 AD).
(c) Serpent Column
This column with three entwined snakes with missing heads was brought over from Greece and erected in the square by a Byzantine emperor, Constantine VII(905-959 AD).
Later, we checked in and had dinner at a hotel, Golden Tulip Hotel, in Istanbul City.
Previous Page / Home / Next Page
Places visited during Turkey Tour(13-22 Oct 2019):
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities Asklepion Ephesus Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine Sultanhani Caravanserai Pasabag Valley Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque Bosphorus Boat Cruise Spice Bazaar/Grand Bazaar
Turkey Travel Part XI: Bosphorus Strait Boat-Cruise
Day 9
Monday, 21 Oct 2019
Last Day of Turkey Tour
Monday, 21 Oct 2019, was the last day of our tour in Turkey before we flew back to our country, Malaysia.
Boat Cruise on Strait of Bosphorus
The first thing we did then was to cruise in a boat on the Strait of Bosphorus enjoying the cruise and sights of the strait.
Bosphorus Strait
Bosphorus Strait is 31 km long separating the European side from the Asian side in the City of Istanbul, Turkey. Besides, it links the Black Sea in the north to Marmara Sea and then Mediterranean Sea in the south.
Boat Cruise Route on Bosphorus Strait
The pictorial map below shows the orange-coloured route on the Strait of Bosphorus our boat took to see the important bridges and historical buildings on its shores at close range.
Cruise Boat, “Istanbul City”
At 10.30 a.m. we boarded a boat called “Istanbul City” at a waterfront of the Strait of Bosphorus.
Cruise Boat Owner
The owner of the boat soon brought us around for a sightseeing tour of the Strait of Bosphorus in Istanbul.
Writer and wife together with tourmates were enjoying the boat ride and sightseeing of the Strait of Bosphorus on 21 Oct 2019.
Importance of Bosphorus Strait
Bosphorus Strait or Strait of Istanbul in Turkey is an important waterway between Europe and Asia, and Black Sea and Marmara Sea.
In World War I(1914-18), the Allied Powers fought against the Ottoman Empire to take control of the Strait of Bosphorus, Marmara Sea and Strait of Dardanelles, but they failed in 1916.
Bosphorus Strait Measurements
The photo below shows Bosphorus Strait that links the Black Sea in the north and Marmara Sea and then Mediterranean Sea in the south. Its length is 31 km, minimum width 700 metres and maximum depth 110 metres.
Three Bridges Across Bosphorus Strait
There are three bridges spanning the waterway as shown in the photos below.
(i) Bosphorus Bridge or 15 July Martyr’s Bridge was the first bridge to be built between Europe and Asia. Built in 1973, it is 1560 metres long.
(ii) Faith Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the second bridge built to link Europe and Asia, was opened in 1988. It is 1510 metres long.
(iii) Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the third bridge that connects Europe and Asia, was opened in 2016. It is the longest bridge among the three of them. Its length is 2164 metres.
Galata Bridge
Galata Bridge in Istanbul spanning the Golden Horn estuary is 490 metres long. Opened in 2003, it links the traditional place and the place where most of the non-Muslims, foreign merchants and diplomats live and work.
Importance of Boats
Boats in the Strait of Bosphorus between Europe and Asia have been an important public transport for many commuters, tourists and vehicles for many years.
Boats of different kinds use the Strait of Bosphorus every day. Small ships pass through the strait, too.
A ferry carrying passengers, tourists and vehicles past our boat in the Strait of Bosphorous in Istanbul, Turkey.
New and Old Buildings
While sailing on our boat, “Istanbul City”, in the Strait of Bosphorus, we saw new and old buildings on its shores.
Below are photos showing historical buildings on the shores of Bosphorus Strait.
(i) Dolmabachce Mosque which was built in 1855
(ii) Ortakoy Mosque which was built in1856
(iii) Dolmabahce Palace which was opened in 1856 and home to 6 sultans of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 until 1922
(iv) Ziya Kalkavan Vocational & Technical Anatolian High School
(v) Kuleli Military High School which was established in 1845
Promontory
We saw from the Golden Horn estuary two monumental buildings, viz. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia Museum on a promontory.
Lunch-Time
After an hour of boat-cruise in the Bosphorus Strait, we stopped at a restaurant, Imperial Galata Restaurant, located under Galata Bridge and had lunch.
Happy Moment
At the restaurant, our tour-manager, writer and tourmates toasted to each other for having, successfully, visited almost all the places of interest in our Turkey tour on 21 Oct 2019.
Writer’s Last Lunch in Turkey
My last lunch in Turkey at Imperial Galata Restaurant in Istanbul on 21 Oct 2019
A Visit to Two Famous Bazaars
After lunch, we walked across Galata Bridge spanning the Golden Horn estuary in Istanbul to visit two famous markets, Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar.
Anglers on Galata Bridge
While crossing the bridge, we saw many local anglers fishing from the bridge.
An angler’s pail of fish caught in the Golden Horn estuary.
Camilica Mosque or New Mosque
On the way to Spice Bazaar, we saw from Galata Bridge a new large mosque which was opened on 4 May 2019. Known as Camlica Mosque or New Mosque, it is the largest mosque in Turkey.
Previous Page / Home / Next Page
Places visited during Turkey Tour(13-22 Oct 2019):
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities Asklepion Ephesus Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine Sultanhani Caravanserai Pasabag Valley Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque Bosphorus Boat Cruise Spice Bazaar/Grand Bazaar
Turkey Travel Part XII: Spice Bazaar & Grand Bazaar
(continued)
Day 9
Monday, 21 Oct 2019
Visiting Two Large Bazaars of Istanbul
After lunch at Imperial Galata Restaurant, we walked across Galata Bridge and went to two large bazaars known as Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul City.
The location of the two bazaars are shown in the pictorial map below.
Spice Bazaar
Opened since 1664, Spice Bazaar is the second largest bazaar after Grand Bazaar in Turkey. It houses over 80 shops selling spices, Turkish Delights, jewellery, souvenirs, dried seeds, nuts and fruits, and many more. It is a tourists’ favourite place.
Main Entrance of Spice Bazaar
The photo below shows the main entrance of Spice Bazaar.
Tourists Throng Spice Bazaar
Tourists throng Spice Bazaar every day. It is a market place where goods ranging from spices to jewellery are sold.
Writer and wife together with tourmates visited Spice Bazaar on 21 Oct 2019.
Shops in Spice Bazaar
The following photos below show shops selling the Turkish products in Spice Bazaar.
(i) A Spice Bazaar shop selling a wide variety of Turkish edible products
(ii) Different kinds of spices for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(iii) Boxes of Turkish Delights with different flavours for sale at a Spice Bazaar
(iv) A wide variety of sweet Turkish Delights for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(v) Dried seeds, nuts and fruits for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(vi) A wide variety of dried flowers and fruits for making tea for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(vii) Dried seed, nuts and fruits for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(viii) Boxes of Turkish tea with flavours of apple, orange, rose, cinnamon, pomegranate, honey and ginger for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(ix) A souvenir shop at Spice Bazaar
(x) White table-cloths, bar-napkins, tea-towels, etc. for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(xi) A Spice Bazaar’s gift shop
(xii) An ice-cream seller tricked a customer in getting the ice-cream the latter asked for at a Spice Bazaar shop
(xiii) Beef for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
(xiv) A Spice Bazaar shop selling “kebab” which is bread stuffed with slices of meat, salad and some sauce
(xv) Photo below shows “kebab” for sale at a Spice Bazaar shop
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
Grand Bazaar was the next Turkish bazaar we visited. It is a couple of hundred metres from Spice Bazaar.
Grand Bazaar was established in 1461. Now it has over 60 covered streets lined with over 4000 shops selling a wide variety of products ranging from spices, dried nuts and fruits, souvenirs to handbags and jewellery. An average of 300 000 people visited the bazaar, daily.
Entrances into Grand Bazaar
There are many entrances into Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Below is one of them.
Another entrance into Grand Bazaar
Turkish National Flag
A Turkish national flag hanging in one of the covered streets in Grand Bazaar
Shops in Grand Bazaar
Below are photos taken at Grand Bazaar on 21 Oct 2019 showing many kinds of Turkish products sold by the shops.
(i) Colourful dried fruits for sale at a Grand Bazaar shop
(ii) Handbags for sale at a Grand Bazaar shop
(iii) Jewellery for sale at a Grand Bazaar shop
(iv) Colourful scarves for sale at a Grand Bazaar shop
(v) Nazars that ward off evil eye, talismans, amulets, etc. for sale at a Grand Bazaar shop
(vi) Colourful Turkish lanterns for sale at a Grand Bazaar shop
(vii) T-shirts for sale at a Grand Bazaar shop
(viii) A cafe at Grand Bazaar
Chinese Dinner at The Wox Restaurant
After a couple of hours at the two large bazaars in Istanbul, we went to a Chinese restaurant called “The Wox” in Sultanahmet for our first Chinese but last dinner in Turkey. It is about 1 km from Grand Bazaar.
“Home Sweet Home”
After dinner, we checked in at Turkey’s New Airport in Istanbul and flew back to Malaysia, our homeland, after midnight on 22 Oct 2019.
It was a safe journey home, thanks to Turkish Airlines.
Return Air-Flight Route
Map showing the air-flight route back home from Istanbul, Turkey, to KLIA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 22 Oct 2019
Acknowledgement
Writer and tourmates would like to thank Chiu Travel Agency in Malaysia for the memorable tour in Turkey.
Thanks, too, to Brian Wong, our tour-manager, Cenmal, our Turkish tour-guide, and Metun, our Turkish coach-driver. Without them, our successful tour would not be possible.
Writer and wife thank all our tourmates for the wonderful time we have together during the Turkey tour from 13-22 Oct 2019.
THE END
Places visited during Turkey Tour(13-22 Oct 2019):
Trojan Horse/Ancient Troy Cities Asklepion Ephesus Hierapolis/Pamukkale Travertine Sultanhani Caravanserai Pasabag Valley Uchisar Valley/Kaymakli Underground City Gerome Valley/Turkish Night Show Hot Air Balloon/Lake Golu/Anitkabir Hagia Sophia/Topkapi Palace/Blue Mosque Bosphorus Boat Cruise Spice Bazaar/Grand Bazaar