Istanbul - Part 3 (INDIA)

The photos attached to this posting were taken on the day on which we had the benefit of a tour guide.  We started at the Blue Mosque, then to the Haiga Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace.  There may be some artsy photos (like the one above) in between the site visits.

The main gate to Topkapi Palace.  (More of Topkapi Palace at the end of the photos for this blog. Also, note the armed military guards at the entrance to the gate.  They were also posted throughout the grounds of the palace.)  The guide turned us around at the entrance since the line of people to get in was in the hundreds.  We returned to Topkapi Palace at the end of the day.

View of the Golden Horn from the grounds of Topkapi Palace.

Dome of the Hagia Sophia

The Blue Mosque

In the courtyard of the Blue Mosque, where the men would do their ablution (mostly, wash their feet) before entering the mosque.

5the century B.C. obelisks which are at the site of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, where there used to be chariot races.

Base of the obelisk.

Inside the courtyard of the Hagia Sophia

Mosaic in the portico of the Hagia Sophia

Ceiling of the portico

Interior of the dome of the Hagia Sophia  (Obviously, the original Christian center mosaic was removed.)

The explanation of what this is, is in the next photo.

The mosaic in the apse of Hagia Sophia.  (The best photo I could take, since no flash photography is allowed inside the Hagia Sophia, or the Blue Mosque.)

The imam delivers his talks from the mid-point of these stairs.  Only the prophet Mohammed can use the top canopy section.

Formerly used for ablutions when the Hagia Sophia was used as a mosque.

Upper logia of the Hagia Sophia

Well preserved and undefiled mosaics in the upper logia of the Hagia Sophia.

On the grounds of the Hagia Sophia.  The guide informed us that this lintel has six of twelve sheep which were to symbolize the Apostles.

The Basilica Cistern (like an underground cathedral!) was used to bring water to the area around the Hagia Sofia.

The Basilica Cistern is truly something you need to experience and see for yourself how elaborate and evocative the environment is.

There are 2 heads of Medusa which are at the bases of 2 columns and are deliberately placed on their side or upside down to avoid bad luck.  No one knows how or why they got to be in the cistern

One of the very few decoratively carved columns in the cistern.

One of the entry ways leading to the Grand Bazaar.

The main portal to the Grand Bazaar.

Not so exotic children's clothes at one of the stalls in the Grand Bazaar.

Notice the "hans" above the shops.  They were used as inns for travelers to the bazaar.  They are now used for storage.

An unusually empty side street off the Grand Bazaar.

My next posting will be photos from Topkapi Palace...and yes, I did get to see the dagger!