Istanbul, Turkey #009

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Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.  This place was amazing!​

Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, and is now a museum (Ayasofya Müzesi) in Istanbul, Turkey. On one side of Sultanahmet Park, Hagia Sophia dominates the skyline with its red walls and minarets. It was originally built in 360 AD and for more than a thousand years was a Christian church. It belonged to the Orthodox Catholics for the whole time, except for a 57 year period between 1204 and 1261 when it was a Roman Catholic cathedral.

Travel to the Blue Mosque On the other side of Sultanahmet Park, the red is juxtaposed with the blue. Although technically called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, most people just refer to it as the Blue Mosque because of the colour of its interior tiles. The enormous structure was completed in 1616 - long after Hagia Sophia fell into Islamic hands.

There are so many choices for Turkish carpets. I found the buying experience here fun and not too high pressure for the sale. The only challenge too many beautiful rugs at affordable prices. A traditional cup of tea a warm welcome!

A full 30-minute movie with 400 photos put to music is included in this download.  Check out the sampler up above - it's worth it !!!