{"id":2285,"date":"2016-08-29T22:59:42","date_gmt":"2016-08-29T14:59:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=2285"},"modified":"2017-09-22T00:42:33","modified_gmt":"2017-09-21T16:42:33","slug":"20160829istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2016\/08\/29\/20160829istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 11 of Turkey Vacation: Istanbul on August 29th, 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

First day in Istanbul.
\nThe plan of the day was to visit the major attractions of the city of Istanbul, that is, Hagia Sophia and Topkap\u0131 Palace and Sultan Ahmet Mosque (which was closed by the time we reached there). <\/p>\n

We woke up in the morning with a wonderful but tiny view of Sea of Marmara through the rooftops of neighboring windows. I didn\u2019t expect at all that our room would come with sea view.
\n

\"Sea<\/a>

<\/br>Sea of Marmara from Hotel Window<\/p><\/div>
\n
\nThe images in this post are hosted on Imgur. Email me should there be any display problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Shoe<\/a>

<\/br>Shoe Factory Workers near Our Hotel<\/p><\/div>
\nWe found our hotel among some shoe factories, with the neighboring streets filled with vendors carry carts of leather shoes.<\/p>\n

It was a 900-meter walk from our hotel to the major attractions, during which we enjoyed the colorful streets of Istanbul old city.
\n

\"Buildings<\/a>

<\/br>Buildings in Istanbul Old City<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Buildings<\/a>

<\/br>Buildings in Istanbul Old City<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Streets<\/a>

<\/br>Streets in Istanbul Old City<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Hippodrome of Constantinople<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Marmara<\/a>

<\/br>Marmara University Republican Museum Entrance<\/br>We were off to some major attractions, and skipped it.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\nFirst we arrived at Hippodrome of Constantinople, which was a giant plaza with historic columns.<\/p>\n

The Hippodrome of Constantinople (Greek: \u1f39\u03c0\u03c0\u03cc\u03b4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u039a\u03c9\u03bd\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c0\u03cc\u03bb\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, Hipp\u00f3dromos t\u0113s K\u014dnstantinoup\u00f3le\u014ds) was a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Walled<\/a>

<\/br>Walled Obelisk<\/br>In the 10th century the Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus built another obelisk at the other end of the Hippodrome. It was originally covered with gilded bronze plaques, but they were sacked by Latin troops in the Fourth Crusade. The stone core of this monument also survives, known as the Walled Obelisk.<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Serpent<\/a>

<\/br>Serpent Column<\/br>The Tripod of Plataea, now known as the Serpent Column, cast to celebrate the victory of the Greeks over the Persians during the Persian Wars in the 5th century BC. Constantine ordered the Tripod to be moved from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and set in middle of the Hippodrome. The top was adorned with a golden bowl supported by three serpent heads, although it appears that this was never brought to Constantinople. The serpent heads and top third of the column were destroyed in 1700. All that remains of the Delphi Tripod today is the base, known as the “Serpentine Column”.<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Obelisk<\/a>

<\/br>Obelisk of Theodosius<\/br>Theodosius the Great in 390 brought an obelisk from Egypt and erected it inside the racing track. Carved from pink granite, it was originally erected at the Temple of Karnak in Luxor during the reign of Thutmose III in about 1490 BC. Theodosius had the obelisk cut into three pieces and brought to Constantinople. The top section survives, and it stands today where Theodosius placed it, on a marble pedestal. The obelisk has survived nearly 3,500 years in astonishingly good condition.<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Walled<\/a>

<\/br>Walled Obelisk before Marmara University Republican Museum<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"German<\/a>

<\/br>German Fountain<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Hagia<\/a>

<\/br>Hagia Sophia from Sultanahmet Square Fountain<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sultan<\/a>

<\/br>Sultan Ahmet Mosque<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Fountain<\/a>

<\/br>Fountain in Sultanahmet Square<\/p><\/div>
\nThen, somehow, we wandered east into the tomb section of Hagia Sophia, which houses the tombs of the famous Sultans that once ruled this nation.
\nThe tomb section is part of Hagia Sophia but opens to the public free of charge.<\/p>\n

Tomb Session of Hagia Sophia<\/span><\/h3>\n

Here I used the descriptions of the official information board in the tomb section.<\/span>
\n

\"Tomb<\/a>

<\/br>Tomb of Sultan Selim II<\/br>The first burial construction in the graveyard of Hagia Sophia made by architect Sinan in 1577.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tomb<\/a>

<\/br>Tomb of Sultan Selim II Dome<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Entrance<\/a>

<\/br>Entrance to Tomb of Sultan Selim II<\/br>The most decorated exterior in the tombs.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tomb<\/a>

<\/br>Tomb of Sultan Murad III<\/br>The construction of the building initiated by architect Davud Agha but competed by chief architect Ahmed Agha in 1599. Although it appeared quite plain from the outside, its interior was decorated with the most beautiful samples of 16th century coral-red Iznik tiles.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tomb<\/a>

<\/br>Tomb of Sultan Murad III Dome<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tomb<\/a>

<\/br>Tomb of Princes<\/br>The architect and the building date of the tomb are believed to be Chief Architect Sinan and the end of the 16th Century. There are simple pen-work decorations on the inside of the tomb. Four princes and a daughter of Sultan Murad III were buried here.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Dome<\/a>

<\/br>Dome of Tomb of Princes<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Former<\/a>

<\/br>Former Baptistery Building in Hagia Sophia and Tomb of Sultan Mustafa I and Sultan Ibrahim<\/br>The Baptistery was thought to be older than Hagia Sophia itself.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Dome<\/a>

<\/br>Dome Decorations in Former Baptistery Building in Hagia Sophia and Tomb of Sultan Mustafa I and Sultan Ibrahim<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Lateral<\/a>

<\/br>Lateral Spaces in Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tomb<\/a>

<\/br>Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III<\/br>The building was constructed by the architect Ahmed Agha in 1608. Its interior was decorated with 17th century Iznik Tiles.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tomb<\/a>

<\/br>Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III<\/br>I think the nets in the room point to the direction of Mecca.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Islamic<\/a>

<\/br>Islamic Symbols on Tomb of Sultan Mehmed III<\/p><\/div>
\nTo summarize the tomb section, husband\u2019s coffins were always bigger and better decorated (with a hat above) than wives\u2019 coffins.<\/p>\n

After that, we were at the gate of Topkap\u0131 Palace.<\/p>\n

\"Dog<\/a>

<\/br>Dog Resting outside Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/br>It seemed that the Turkish Authorities even bothered to tag these homeless dogs.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Spire<\/a>

<\/br>Spire of Hagia Sophia<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sultan<\/a>

<\/br>Sultan Ahmet Fountain<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sultan<\/a>

<\/br>Sultan Ahmet Fountain<\/br>Above the drinking fountains and niches on each fa\u00e7ade and sebil are large calligraphic plates bordered with blue and red tiles. Each plate bears stanzas of a 14-line poem dedicated to water and its donor by Seyyid H\u00fcseyin Vehbi bin Ahmed, the chief judge of Halep and Kayseri. It is read clockwise around the fountain, beginning at the northern sebil. The last stanza of the poem the northwest fa\u00e7ade is a chronogram composed by Ahmed III.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\nThere were four courtyards of Topkap\u0131 Palace, the first courtyard opened freely to the public while the other three were ticketed areas. While at the first courtyard, we visited Hagia Irene first (with our museum passes) before heading into inner Topkap\u0131 Palace.<\/p>\n

\"Imperial<\/a>

<\/br>Imperial Gate into First Courtyard of Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>\n

Hagia Irene<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hagia Irene (Peace) is one of the three shrines which the Emperor devoted to God’s attributes, together with Hagia Sophia (Wisdom) and Hagia Dynamis (Power). I didn\u2019t find Hagia Dynamis on Google Maps, but obviously Hagia Irene was much less in size and magnificence than the famous Hagia Sophia. Today, the Hagia Irene serves mainly as a concert hall for classical music performances, due to its extraordinary acoustic characteristics and impressive atmosphere.
\n

\"Hagia<\/a>

<\/br>Hagia Irene Exterior<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Hagia<\/a>

<\/br>Hagia Irene Exterior<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Trees<\/a>

<\/br>Trees in First Courtyard of Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Hagia<\/a>

<\/br>Hagia Irene Interior<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Since Hagia Irene charged entrance fees, there were few visitors in it. So when I first step into its inner court, there was a feeling that I was back in the under-saturated darkish scenes in Assassin\u2019s Creed Revelations.<\/p>\n

Sadly, there were a few things stopping me from going further into fantasy, that the stairs up in Hagia Irene were all blocked, and there was this safety-net spanning the entire hall blocking what could otherwise be a wonderful view inside an ancient shadowy church.<\/p>\n

\"Dome\"<\/a>

<\/br>Dome<\/br>Through a not-so-clean net though.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Apse<\/a>

<\/br>Apse of Church with Cross<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Hagia<\/a>

<\/br>Hagia Irene Interior<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Back<\/a>

<\/br>Back Yard<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Stairs<\/a>

<\/br>Stairs up<\/br>Off visitor limits though.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Remains<\/a>

<\/br>Remains of Fresco in Hagia Irene<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Passage\"<\/a>

<\/br>Passage<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

After that we entered (second courtyard of) Topkap\u0131 Palace.<\/p>\n

Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Tree<\/a>

<\/br>Tree Grown out of Another Tree<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Canopied<\/a>

<\/br>Canopied Throne<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Eaves<\/a>

<\/br>Eaves of Audience Chamber<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Trees<\/a>

<\/br>Trees in Third Courtyard of Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Eaves<\/a>

<\/br>Eaves of Audience Chamber and Plants<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ender\u00fbn<\/a>

<\/br>Ender\u00fbn Library Exterior<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ender\u00fbn<\/a>

<\/br>Ender\u00fbn Library with Its Fountain<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Privy<\/a>

<\/br>Privy Chamber<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Most buildings in the third courtyard were converted into museums with exhibits. Among the exhibits were Islamic art, treasures of the kingdom (like the beard of Prophet Abraham, If I remembered correctly), keys to the holy city of Mecca. I didn’t take any photos, which meant photography mustn’t be allowed for those exhibits.<\/span>
\nAfter that we entered the fourth courtyard, with some nice views of the Bosphorus Strait.<\/p>\n

\"Bosphorus<\/a>

<\/br>Bosphorus from Topkapi Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Bosphorus\"<\/a>

<\/br>Bosphorus<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Wardrobe<\/a>

<\/br>Wardrobe Chambers<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Grand<\/a>

<\/br>Grand Kiosk Exterior<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Passage<\/a>

<\/br>Passage to G\u00fclhane Gate<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sofa<\/a>

<\/br>Sofa Kiosk<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Pool<\/a>

<\/br>Pool in Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Lotus<\/a>

<\/br>Lotus Pool<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Baghdad<\/a>

<\/br>Baghdad Kiosk<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sofa<\/a>

<\/br>Sofa Kiosk<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sofa<\/a>

<\/br>Sofa Kiosk Interior<\/br>Where Sultans would watch sporting events performed by the pages of the Ender\u00fbn, hold talks and meetings.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sofa<\/a>

<\/br>Sofa Kiosk Ceilings<\/br>Where Sultans would watch sporting events performed by the pages of the Ender\u00fbn, hold talks and meetings.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sofa<\/a>

<\/br>Sofa Kiosk Exterior<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Fountain\"<\/a>

<\/br>Fountain<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Hexagonal<\/a>

<\/br>Hexagonal Windows of Privy Chamber<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Pool<\/a>

<\/br>Pool and Fountain in Fourth Courtyard<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Baghdad Kiosk<\/span><\/h4>\n

Built to commemorate the Baghdad Campaign of Murad IV after 1638.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

<\/br>Windows of Baghdad Kiosk<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Baghdad<\/a>

<\/br>Baghdad Kiosk Ceilings<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Windows<\/a>

<\/br>Windows of Baghdad Kiosk<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Galata<\/a>

<\/br>Galata Tower across Golden Horn<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Circumcision Room<\/span><\/h4>\n

In 1640 Sultan Ibrahim I added the Circumcision Room (S\u00fcnnet Odas\u0131), a summer kiosk (Yazlik Oda) dedicated to the circumcision of young princes. Its interior and exterior are decorated with a mixed collection of rare recycled tiles such as the blue tiles with flower motifs at the exterior. The most important of these are the blue and white tile panels influenced by far-eastern ceramics on the chamber facade, dated 1529. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Silverware<\/a>

<\/br>Silverware in Circumcision Room<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Circumcision<\/a>

<\/br>Circumcision Room Ceilings<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Windows<\/a>

<\/br>Windows of Circumcision Room<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Golden<\/a>

<\/br>Golden Horn from Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Eaves<\/a>

<\/br>Eaves of Baghdad Kiosk<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\u0130ftar<\/a>

<\/br>\u0130ftar Kiosk before Galata Tower<\/br>I went a little bit creative in processing this photo.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Gate<\/a>

<\/br>Gate of Felicity<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Target<\/a>

<\/br>Target Column in Honor of Selim III<\/br>To commemorate the Sultan of shooting a jug at 898 meters away.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Imperial Council<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Imperial Council (D\u00eev\u00e2n-\u0131 H\u00fcm\u00e2y\u00fbn) building is the chamber where the Imperial Council\u2014consisting of the Grand Vizier (Vaz\u012br-e Azam) and other council ministers (D\u00eev\u00e2n Heyeti)\u2014held meetings.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Grilled<\/a>

<\/br>Grilled Windows of Imperial Council<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Decorations<\/a>

<\/br>Decorations in Imperial Council<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Dome<\/a>

<\/br>Dome of Imperial Council<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Seats<\/a>

<\/br>Seats in Imperial Council<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Porch<\/a>

<\/br>Porch outside Imperial Council<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

There were more exhibits of royal arms in the second courtyard, which we briefly visited before entering the Harem.
\nThe Harem required a separate ticket than Topkap\u0131 Palace, but was also covered by our museum passes.
\nThe tour of Harem actually began with Dormitories of the Halberdiers with Tresses, which was housing quarters for the guards of the Palace, and after that it was Harem itself.<\/p>\n

Dormitories of the Halberdiers with Tresses<\/span><\/h4>\n

The halberdiers wore long tresses to signify their higher position.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Dormitories<\/a>

<\/br>Dormitories of the Halberdiers with Tresses<\/br>One giant bed where they slept next to each other.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\nWell, such sleeping arrangement did bring back my kindergarten memories. For adults, at least I was expecting bunk beds.
\n

\"Mosque\"<\/a>

<\/br>Mosque<\/br>If I remembered correctly.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Pipe<\/a>

<\/br>Pipe Rooms<\/br>There were recreations of officials making and enjoying pipes. I was surprised to find that there used to be officials specifically charged with making pipes.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Bath<\/a>

<\/br>Bath “Lockers”<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Bath\"<\/a>

<\/br>Bath<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Dome<\/a>

<\/br>Dome of Bath<\/br>Decorated with star-shaped openings.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Bath\"<\/a>

<\/br>Bath<\/p><\/div>
\nAfter that we entered the proper Harem.
\n

\"Hall<\/a>

<\/br>Hall of the Ablution Fountain<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Decorations<\/a>

<\/br>Decorations of Tiles in Karaa\u011falar Mosque<\/br>This one depicts some Islamic holy city, if I remembered correctly.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Decorations<\/a>

<\/br>Decorations of Tiles in Karaa\u011falar Mosque<\/br>This one depicts the holy city of Mecca.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Decorations<\/a>

<\/br>Decorations of Tiles in Karaa\u011falar Mosque<\/br>This one depicts the Islamic afterlife, if I remembered correctly.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Decorations<\/a>

<\/br>Decorations along Harem Passage<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Apartments<\/a>

<\/br>Apartments of the Queen Mother Dome<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Paintings<\/a>

<\/br>Paintings in Apartments of the Queen Mother<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Couch<\/a>

<\/br>Couch for Queen Mother<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Imperial Hall<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Imperial Hall (H\u00fcnk\u00e2r Sofas\u0131), also known as the Imperial Sofa, Throne Room Within or Hall of Diversions, is a domed hall in the Harem, believed to have been built in the late 16th century. It has the largest dome in the palace. The hall served as the official reception hall of the sultan as well as for the entertainment of the Harem. Here the sultan received his confidants, guests, his mother, his first wife (Hasseki), consorts, and his children. Entertainments, paying of homage during religious festivals, and wedding ceremonies took place here in the presence of the members of the dynasty.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Throne<\/a>

<\/br>Throne in Imperial Hall<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Imperial<\/a>

<\/br>Imperial Hall<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Windows<\/a>

<\/br>Windows in Imperial Hall<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Queen<\/a>

<\/br>Queen Mother’s Observation Room of Imperial Hall<\/p><\/div>
\nI guess Islamic doctrines didn\u2019t like having women in somewhere as solemn as the Imperial Hall, so the Queen Mother would observe the activities in Imperial Hall at this little room right next to it. This could be especially significant in certain periods of time when the Sultans were just teenagers and the kingdom\u2019s actually ran by their mothers.
\n

\"Dome<\/a>

<\/br>Dome and Chandelier<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Columns\"<\/a>

<\/br>Columns<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Throne<\/a>

<\/br>Throne and Chandelier<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelier<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelier and Windows<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Dome\"<\/a>

<\/br>Dome<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Privy Chamber of Murat III<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Privy Chamber of Murat III (III. Murad Has Odas\u0131) is the oldest and finest surviving room in the harem with the second largest dome, having retained its original interior. It was a design of the master architect Sinan and dates from the 16th century.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Dome\"<\/a>

<\/br>Dome<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Windows\"<\/a>

<\/br>Windows<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Furnace\"<\/a>

<\/br>Furnace<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Twin Kiosk<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Twin Kiosk \/ Apartments of the Crown Prince (\u00c7ifte Kas\u0131rlar \/ Veliahd Dairesi) consists of two privy chambers built in the 17th century, at different times. The building is connected to the palace and consists of only one storey built on an elevated platform to give a better view from inside and shield views from the outside.
\nThe interior consists of two large rooms, dating from the reign of Sultan Murat III, but are more probably from the reign of Ahmed I. The ceiling is not flat but conical in the kiosk style, evoking the traditional tents of the early Ottomans. As in tents, there is no standing furniture but sofas set on the carpeted floor on the side of the walls for seating.
\nThe crown prince (\u015eehzadeler) lived here in seclusion; therefore, the apartments were also called kafes (cage). The crown prince and other princes were trained in the discipline of the Ottoman Harem until they reached adulthood. Afterwards, they were sent as governors to Anatolian provinces, where they were further trained in the administration of state affairs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Windows\"<\/a>

<\/br>Windows<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ceilings\"<\/a>

<\/br>Ceilings<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Windows\"<\/a>

<\/br>Windows<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Courtyard<\/a>

<\/br>Courtyard of the Favourites<\/br>The favourites of the sultan (G\u00f6zdeler \/ \u0130kballer) were conceived as the instruments of the perpetuation of the dynasty in the harem organisation. When the favourites became pregnant they assumed the title and powers of the official consort (Kad\u0131nefendi) of the sultan.<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Pool<\/a>

<\/br>Pool Overlooked by Courtyard of the Favourites<\/p><\/div>
\nIt seemed that all the pools in the Palace were waterless after being converted to a museum. Guess it must be quite expensive to maintain the pools.
\n

\"Rooms<\/a>

<\/br>Rooms above Courtyard of the Favourites<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Women's<\/a>

<\/br>Women’s Mosque in Harem<\/br>Much less decorated than the other men\u2019s rooms in the Harem.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Women's<\/a>

<\/br>Women’s Mosque in Harem<\/br>Much less decorated than the other men\u2019s rooms in the Harem.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

After that, we visited the kitchen sections of Topkap\u0131 Palace, which housed dinning equipment that were mostly diplomatic gifts from foreign nations.<\/p>\n

\"Perimeter<\/a>

<\/br>Perimeter Passage with Columns in Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Passage<\/a>

<\/br>Passage in Palace Kitchens<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tower<\/a>

<\/br>Tower of Justice<\/br>Highest structure in the Palace.<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Stone<\/a>

<\/br>Stone Relief in Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ceiling<\/a>

<\/br>Ceiling Decorations by Gate of Salutation<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Gate<\/a>

<\/br>Gate of Salutation into Second Courtyard of Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Hagia<\/a>

<\/br>Hagia Irene Exterior<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Having visited Topkap\u0131 Palace, our next stop was Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Unfortunately, it was prayer hour, so we went to Hagia Sophia instead.<\/p>\n

Hagia Sophia<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Exterior<\/a>

<\/br>Exterior Walls of Hagia Sophia<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Remnants<\/a>

<\/br>Remnants of the Theodosian Hagia Sophia<\/br>The church built by the Emperor Theodosios II on a basilica plan covered by a wooden-roof was opened for worship in 415. It was destroyed by fire during the Nike Revolt against the Emperor Justinian. A Lamb Relief, which represents the Twelve Apostles of Christ and decorates the monumental entrance of the building and other remnants, was discovered in 1935.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

During our visit, half of Hagia Sophia was under renovation.
\nPerhaps it\u2019s due to the amount of visitors, perhaps it\u2019s the scaffolding, or perhaps it\u2019s just the interior being brightly illuminated as we approached dusk, I didn\u2019t have as much of an Assassin\u2019s Creed feeling in Hagia Sophia than in Hagia Irene.
\nSo during the next hour or so I was frantically digging for that feeling. Perhaps that explained why I took so many photos of the chandeliers that I wished I could fly between<\/del> stand on.<\/p>\n

\"Apse\"<\/a>

<\/br>Apse<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Plate<\/a>

<\/br>Plate with Islamic Symbols next to Apse Mosaic of Virgin and Child<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Pulpit<\/a>

<\/br>Pulpit before Islamic Symbol Plate<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Inner<\/a>

<\/br>Inner Hall<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Inner<\/a>

<\/br>Inner Hall<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Line<\/a>

<\/br>Line of Chandelier of Hagia Sofia<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelies\"<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelies<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Reading<\/a>

<\/br>Reading Room through Grills<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelies\"<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelies<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelies<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelies and Columns and Islamic Plates<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelies<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelies and Islamic Plates<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandeliers<\/a>

<\/br>Chandeliers before Islamic Symbols Plate and Mosaic of Virgin and Child<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelier<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelier in Hagia Sophia Corridor<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelier<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelier in Hagia Sophia Stair Passage<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Slopes<\/a>

<\/br>Slopes up to Second Floor<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Light<\/a>

<\/br>Light Shining through Windows of Hagia Sophia<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Lights<\/a>

<\/br>Lights by Column<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Columns<\/a>

<\/br>Columns and Islamic Symbol Plates<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandelier<\/a>

<\/br>Chandelier Posts Extending from Second Floor<\/br>As I recalled walking on them for numerous times in Assassin\u2019s Creed.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Fresco<\/a>

<\/br>Fresco in Hagia Sophia Reflecting External Sunlight<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Hexapterygon<\/a>

<\/br>Hexapterygon on Pendentive<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"De\u00ebsis<\/a>

<\/br>De\u00ebsis Mosaic of Christ, Virgin Mary and John the Baptist<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Decorations<\/a>

<\/br>Decorations of Pendentive and Columns<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Comnenus<\/a>

<\/br>Comnenus Mosaic<\/br>Of Emperor John II Comnenus and Empress Irene as donors on the sides of Virgin Mary.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Empress<\/a>

<\/br>Empress Zoe Mosaic<\/br>Of Constantine IX Monomachus and Empress Zoe as donors on the sides of Christ.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\nSo to conclude the Mosaic\u2019s on the second floor, Emperor X and his wife Y donated money to the church, so they got to stand on the sides of Christian saints and be memorialized.
\n

\"Sun<\/a>

<\/br>Sun Shining through Windows of Hagia Sofia<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sultan<\/a>

<\/br>Sultan Ahmet Mosque from Hagia Sophia Window<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Columns<\/a>

<\/br>Columns and Chandeliers behind Side Apse<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Islamic<\/a>

<\/br>Islamic Symbol Plates<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Islamic<\/a>

<\/br>Islamic Symbol Plates and Windows and Columns<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Dome<\/a>

<\/br>Dome and Semi-Dome<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandeliers<\/a>

<\/br>Chandeliers in Side Passage<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Columns<\/a>

<\/br>Columns at Hagia Sophia<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandeliers<\/a>

<\/br>Chandeliers in Passage<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Chandeliers<\/a>

<\/br>Chandeliers in Passage<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Southwestern<\/a>

<\/br>Southwestern Entrance Mosaic<\/br>Emperor Constantine presenting a model of the city to Mary, and Emperor Justinian I, offering a model of the Hagia Sophia.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Baptist<\/a>

<\/br>Baptist Tank<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Open-Air<\/a>

<\/br>Open-Air Area by Baptist<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Wudu<\/a>

<\/br>Wudu Area for Hagia Sophia as Mosque<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ablution<\/a>

<\/br>Ablution Fountain<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Having left Hagia Sophia, we walked towards Galata Bridge, much like how the locals would spend their dinner times.<\/p>\n

\"Trams<\/a>

<\/br>Trams in Istanbul<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Garbage<\/a>

<\/br>Garbage Bin Being Replaced in Istanbul Downtown<\/br>I was quite surprised as the modest garbage bins I usually saw were just tip of the iceberg.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Minarets<\/a>

<\/br>Minarets of Sultan Ahmet Mosque<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Streets<\/a>

\"Streets<\/a><\/br>Streets of Istanbul<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Sunset over Galata Bridge<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Galata<\/a>

<\/br>Galata Bridge and Galata Tower<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sunset<\/a>

<\/br>Sunset from Golden Horn<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Sunset<\/a>

<\/br>Sunset from Golden Horn<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Galata<\/a>

<\/br>Galata Bridge and Galata Tower<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Gull<\/a>

<\/br>Gull Flying over Golden Horn<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ships<\/a>

<\/br>Ships in Golden Horn<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ships<\/a>

<\/br>Ships in Golden Horn<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Gulls<\/a>

<\/br>Gulls Flying above Yeni Mosque<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"People<\/a>

<\/br>People Fishing on Galata Bridge<\/br>With Galata Tower among the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Gulls<\/a>

<\/br>Gulls Flying over Emin\u00f6n\u00fc Harbor<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

I remembered the award winning photos of boy jumping from Galata Bridge, and it seemed that every Turkish teenager boy was born-divers. By the time we reached Galata Bridge, we happened to be bumping into two diving boys.<\/p>\n

\"Local<\/a>

<\/br>Local Boy Diving at Galata Bridge<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Local<\/a>

<\/br>Local Boy Diving at Galata Bridge<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Local<\/a>

<\/br>Local Boy Diving at Galata Bridge<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Apart from the divers, Galata Bridge was lined with mid-aged men fishing (and selling their catch).<\/p>\n

\"People<\/a>

<\/br>People Fishing on Galata Bridge<\/br>With Galata Tower among the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ships<\/a>

<\/br>Ships at Emin\u00f6n\u00fc against Sunset<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Gulls<\/a>

<\/br>Gulls Flying over Golden Horn<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"West<\/a>

<\/br>West Istanbul in Sunset<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"West<\/a>

<\/br>West Istanbul in Sunset<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Topkap\u0131<\/a>

<\/br>Topkap\u0131 Palace from Galata Bridge<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

By the time we reached Galata Bridge, the sun had already set behind the hills of West Istanbul, all we could see was its remaining glows setting the clouds in fiery colors.<\/p>\n

\"Gulls<\/a>

<\/br>Gulls Flying in Sunset over Golden Horn<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ships<\/a>

<\/br>Ships at Emin\u00f6n\u00fc Harbor against Sunset Glow<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"West<\/a>

<\/br>West Istanbul in Sunset<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Ships<\/a>

<\/br>Ships at Emin\u00f6n\u00fc Harbor before S\u00fcleymaniye Mosque<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"West<\/a>

<\/br>West Istanbul in Sunset<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tour<\/a>

<\/br>Tour Boat Passing beneath Galata Bridge<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Golden<\/a>

<\/br>Golden Horn Metro Bridge Under Sunset<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"S\u00fcleymaniye<\/a>

<\/br>S\u00fcleymaniye Mosque under Sunset<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Something else amazing was that, the airspace near Galata Bridge seemed to be swamped with gulls flying that\u2019s unrivaled even to the bird pavilion in a zoo. There were gulls anywhere, on rooftops, on docks, on ships and in the air. China\u2019s National Security Agency would declare a curfew should such gatherings of birds take place in China.<\/p>\n

\"Gull<\/a>

<\/br>Gull Flying near Galata Bridge<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Gulls<\/a>

<\/br>Gulls near Galata Bridge<\/br>Never before did I see the sky so swamped with gulls.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

After that, we roamed for 10 more minutes being taking the tram back to our hotel, and called it a day.<\/p>\n

\"Traffic<\/a>

<\/br>Traffic through Galata Bridge<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Tram<\/a>

<\/br>Tram Passing Kemeralt\u0131 Street<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Kemeralt\u0131<\/a>

<\/br>Kemeralt\u0131 Street at Night<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Plane<\/a>

<\/br>Plane Contour on the Ground<\/br>Not so often to see street art on the ground.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Istanbul<\/a>

<\/br>Istanbul Tram Tophane Station<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"K\u0131l\u0131\u00e7<\/a>

<\/br>K\u0131l\u0131\u00e7 Ali Pa\u015fa Mosque at Night<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Traffic<\/a>

<\/br>Traffic near Tophane Tram Station<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"Istanbul<\/a>

\"Istanbul<\/a><\/br>Istanbul Tram Entering Tophane Station<\/p><\/div>
\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

First day in Istanbul. The plan of the day was to visit the major attractions of the city of Istanbul, that is, Hagia Sophia and Topkap\u0131 Palace and Sultan Ahmet Mosque (which was closed by the time we… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[172,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2285"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2755,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285\/revisions\/2755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}