Cut and paste from wikipedia:
Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya, from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia) is a former Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the cathedral of Constantinople except between 1204 and 1261, when it was the cathedral of the Latin empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1934, when it was secularized; it was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.[1]
Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and to have "changed the history of architecture."[2] It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 CE on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and was in fact the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site. (The previous two had both been destroyed by riots.) It was designed by Isidore of Miletus, a physicist, and Anthemius of Tralles, a mathematician.[3]
Beautiful mosaics done in gold tiles:
Bizaare mix between an ancient church and mosque. Notice the mihrab (the gold thing in center stage) is slightly off center so that it points to Mecca. It was put it after this became a mosque.
The Sultan would sit in this thing, keeping him mysterious and powerful.
The mihrab:
Modanna and child above the Mihrab.
Looking pretty dopey here, but in this photo, I’m carrying EVERYTHING i brought with me on this trip. except the camera. The British tourists are taking the picture with my camera. Im wearing a schoolbag with some underwear and socks etc. in it. I bought those new white shoes in the Bazaar and threw the old ones away.
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Cut and Paste:
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Sultan Ahmed Mosque (
Turkish:
Sultanahmet Camii) is a historical mosque in
Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the capital of the
Ottoman Empire (from 1453 to 1923). The mosque is popularly known as the
Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.
It was built between 1609 and 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. Like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction.
My pictures are no good, because there are actually 6 minarets, and you only see 4 here.
oh, okay, here are all 6. seems to be that since the Hagia Sophia was once a church, they needed to build a big awesome Mosque right next door to challenge the magnificence of the other one. Now both are well known, studied and explored. Since this one is still a mosque, one has to take his shoes off and be quiet etc.
Close up of the tiles that decorate the interior:
I’m behind the fence with the other tourists, while if your coming to pray, you just go right on ahead up front and do your thing:
Washing up outside before prayer:
Inside the courtyard.
I just came across this, I thought it was kinda cool, because Christians and Muslims DO worship the same God yknow...
Cut and paste:
Pope Benedict XVI's visit and silent prayer
Pope Benedict XVI visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque on 30 November 2006 during his visit to Turkey. It marks only the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship. During his tour, the pontiff turned towards Mecca in a gesture of Muslim prayer and conducted "Silent Prayer." Having removed his shoes, the Pope paused for a full two minutes, eyes closed in prayer, standing side-by-side with Mustafa Çağrıcı, the Mufti of Istanbul and Emrullah Hatipoğlu, the Imam of the Blue Mosque. [7]
The Pope “thanked divine Providence for this” and said: “May all believers identify themselves with the one God and bear witness to true brotherhood.” The Pontiff augured that Turkey “will be a bridge of friendship and collaboration between East and West” and he thanked the Turkish people “for the cordiality and sympathy” they showed him throughout his stay, saying, “he felt loved and understood.”
Topkapi Palace, primary residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman empire from the 15 to 19 century. Beautiful buildings and fascinating artifacts (no pics allowed on the weird relics). Among the more bazarre things here are possibly the skull and arm of St. John the Baptist (apparently there are many skulls around claiming to be this) and some clothes, teeth, and beard shavings of the last prophet Mohammed. Yay!
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Fancy rooms for sultans, his mom, and the concubines.
The Royal pooper. Now would be a good time as any to explain the facility I used in the Grand Bazaar. I really had to go, and I ended up doing my business in a tiny mosque in the middle of the Bazaar district. they way they do it is to squat over a hole, not unlike this one, let it go, and then wash off using a tiny watering can (no TP, the 1000+ year old plumbing can’t handle it). awesome.
Bathroom.
This area of the palace was for the eunuchs.
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Grand Bazaar in Istanbul contains over 1500 stores and sees 250k to 400k visitors daily! This particular photo was taken in what is known as the Spice Bazaar, one of the coolest parts. Lots of curries and candies and pickpockets too! Something like 63 streets make up the Bazaar part of town, and they are crowded and crazy.
As I mentioned before, bargaining/haggling was an integral part of their society. As an obvious tourist, the starting price seemed to always be about double for me. Fortunately, I like doing it! My biggest achievement: I bought a nice dress coat, the asking price was 270 Turkish Lyra (200-ish US/CHF) and I got it for 65 TYL (45-ish US/CHF) after 10 minutes of haggling. Im sure a Turkish person could get it for even half that. On the flip side I got ripped off by paying too much for some orange juice on more than one occasion and my cab fair into town from the airport was about twice what it could have been. Its a learning experience ;). I got a really good fair on the way back to the airport! :)
This guy has a crappy job. Carry those bras to the...
Bra store!!!! :)
The Basilica Cistern:
Cut and Paste from wikipedia....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern
The Basilica Cistern (Turkish: Yerebatan Sarayı - "Sunken Palace", or Yerebatan Sarnıcı - "Sunken Cistern"), is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey. The cistern, located 500 feet (150 m) west of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
Located in the northwest corner of the cistern, the bases of two columns reuse blocks carved with the visage of Medusa. The origin of the two heads is unknown, though it is thought that the heads were brought to the cistern after being removed from a building of the late Roman period. Tradition has it that the blocks are oriented sideways and inverted in order to negate the power of the Gorgons' gaze.
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Lots of stray animals in Istanbul.
Cats:
Dogs:
Chickens:
Ugly chickens:
Disco Chickens:
Turkish water pipes in Turkey! This guy's name is actually Volcano. He worked at the backpackers hostel and was especially cool and helpful. His job must be very stressful.
Hanging out at the hostel. the folks on the left were from Bern! The guy on the right was a Dubliner, and it was St Patty's day!!! The other girl was Canadian.
This is Berk, he was a foreign exchange student that had lived with Diane and Kenny. This was the first time I met him, actually. Obviously we got a long just fine.
Chocolate from switzerland is always appreciated.
Turkish coffee has an incredible amount of sludge at the bottom. A turkish guy can read your fortune in the sludge pattern. Berk said my fortune was: I was going to get drunk on Raki, the turkish signature drink (see above pic). I dont remember what happened after that.
We know someone who has a nicer vision of this car back home. 
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