The Old City – April 3

Posted byBillPosted inUncategorized

My tour group, consisting of an Indian couple from Kuwait, myself and a guide, started the day by going to Topkapi Palace.

Middle Gate – Topkapi Palace

After passing through the outer gates and gardens, everyone wants to see the harem quarters.

Entrance to the Harem (eunuch’s quarters to the right)
The Harem’s Imperial Hall – The sultan’s mother ruled inside the harem and had the main seat in the hall. The sultan’s seat was lower and off to the right.
The Sultan’s Throne in the Imperial Hall in the harem
The Sultan’s Chambers adjacent to the Imperial Hall

Since assassination was a possibility, various sultan’s would only spend part of the evening in the harem (Sultan’s Chamber and adjoining bedroom) before going back to his more secure private quarters in the main palace.

The Sultan’s Chambers
The Women’s Mosque in the Harem
The old Topkapi Castle church – After converting the Hagia Sophia from church to a mosque, the palace church was used for storage so the removal of Christian symbols wasn’t a priority.
The Hagia Sophia – the main floor is reserved for Muslim worshippers and the second floor is for tourists, however these arrangements seem to change every decade or so.
Emperor Alexander (c. 912) – Hagia Sophia
The Second Floor – Hagia Sophia
Christ flanked by Constantine IX Monomachos and Zoe (c. 1028-1034 and 1042-1055) – Hagia Sophia
Virgin and Child flanked by John II and Irene (c. 1118-1134) – Hagia Sophia
Virgin and Child (c. 867) – Covered with drapes as it is located at the very front of the mosque, but you can get a picture of it from the second floor.
Jesus (c. 1261) – Hagia Sophia
Mary (c. 1261) – Hagia Sophia – When the church was converted to a mosque, they plastered over the Christian mosaics with white plaster.
John the Baptist (c. 1261) – Hagia Sophia
Virgin and Child flanked by Constantine and Justinian (early 10th Century) – Hagia Sophia – Southwest vestibule
Sultan Ahmet Mosque/The Blue Mosque (built 1609-1617) – It used to be a lot bluer inside in the past, but tiles and designs have been replaced over time.
Sultan Ahmet Mosque/The Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Mosque/The Blue Mosque
Sultan Ahmet Mosque/The Blue Mosque
The Hippodrome – Pedestal for the obelisk Holding a laurel wreath for the winner.
The Hippodrome – Obelisk pedestal – Nobles holding bags of money for the race winners.
Bosphorus Bridge
Dinner cruise and show on the Bosphorus

One thought on “The Old City – April 3”

  1. Sure, the Sultan was at risk of assassination in the harem, but it was totally worth it!

    The Hagia Sophia is insanely beautiful, and what an engineering/construction marvel! Weird that they left so many Christian symbols, but I guess Islam doesn’t deny that Christ was a prophet.

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