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ISTANBUL 2 (our day with a guide, Oct. 8, 2009)

Our guide (Atilla Ershan) met us at 8:30 AM at our hotel with a comfortable van and a driver. We started at the SW old city walls and ended at Taksim Square around 5:30 PM. These photos cover that time period. After dinner in Beyoglu, we walked (not intentionally) all the way back to Sultanahmet — about 5 kilometers — arriving back at our hotel about 10:30 PM. It was a great (but looong) day. (Adjust your screen brightness as necessary.)
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  • 1-The Fortress of the Seven Towers is located at the south end of the Old City's land walls, where they meet the sea walls. Three towers were added to the original four in order to protect the Treasury.

    1-The Fortress of the Seven Towers is located at the south end of the Old City's land walls, where they meet the sea walls. Three towers were added to the original four in order to protect the Treasury.

  • 2-Seven Towers

    2-Seven Towers

  • 3-Seven Towers

    3-Seven Towers

  • 4-Seven Towers. The round towers served as dungeons at one time. We accessed this walkway along the ramparts by ascending a winding, dark, dank, and dangerous staircase inside the tower.

    4-Seven Towers. The round towers served as dungeons at one time. We accessed this walkway along the ramparts by ascending a winding, dark, dank, and dangerous staircase inside the tower.

  • 5-Seven Towers. We came down this exterior stair — no handrails.

    5-Seven Towers. We came down this exterior stair — no handrails.

  • 6-Seven Towers. We came down this exterior stair — no handrails.

    6-Seven Towers. We came down this exterior stair — no handrails.

  • 7-Seven Towers. The emperor entered the city through this, the Golden Gate (4th century CE). From here, the main street extended to Divan Yolu, at the entrance to Haghia Sophia.

    7-Seven Towers. The emperor entered the city through this, the Golden Gate (4th century CE). From here, the main street extended to Divan Yolu, at the entrance to Haghia Sophia.

  • 8-Commercial area in front of the Kariye Museum in the western district of the city.

    8-Commercial area in front of the Kariye Museum in the western district of the city.

  • 9-The Kariye mosque was converted to a museum in 1948. When constructed in the 4th century as the Church of St. Saviour in Chora, it was outside the walls ("chora") of Constantinople.

    9-The Kariye mosque was converted to a museum in 1948. When constructed in the 4th century as the Church of St. Saviour in Chora, it was outside the walls ("chora") of Constantinople.

  • 10-Kariye Museum. The interior walls and ceilings are entirely covered with more than 100 religious mosaics and frescoes dating from 1320. The church was turned into a mosque in the 16th century and the frescoes were plastered over. A program to restore the mosaics and frescoes was begun in 1948.

    10-Kariye Museum. The interior walls and ceilings are entirely covered with more than 100 religious mosaics and frescoes dating from 1320. The church was turned into a mosque in the 16th century and the frescoes were plastered over. A program to restore the mosaics and frescoes was begun in 1948.

  • 11-Kariye Museum: fresco of Anastasis (the Resurrection) in the parecclesion (side chapel) of the church. Christ has just broken down the gates of hell and is pulling Adam and Eve out of their tombs. Behind stand John the Baptist, David, and Solomon.

    11-Kariye Museum: fresco of Anastasis (the Resurrection) in the parecclesion (side chapel) of the church. Christ has just broken down the gates of hell and is pulling Adam and Eve out of their tombs. Behind stand John the Baptist, David, and Solomon.

  • 12-Kariye Museum. The Virgin and child, painted dome of the parecclesion (side chapel) of Chora Church.

    12-Kariye Museum. The Virgin and child, painted dome of the parecclesion (side chapel) of Chora Church.

  • 13-Kariye Museum. A close-up of the Virgin and child (painted dome of the parecclesion of Chora Church).

    13-Kariye Museum. A close-up of the Virgin and child (painted dome of the parecclesion of Chora Church).

  • 14-Ahrida (אכרידה‎) Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Istanbul. Located in Balat, the former Jewish quarter, it was built by Jews who immigrated to Turkey 550 years ago from the city of Ohrid in what is now Macedonia. Unfortunately, we couldn't go inside, as the synagogue was closed for Sukkot.

    14-Ahrida (אכרידה‎) Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Istanbul. Located in Balat, the former Jewish quarter, it was built by Jews who immigrated to Turkey 550 years ago from the city of Ohrid in what is now Macedonia. Unfortunately, we couldn't go inside, as the synagogue was closed for Sukkot.

  • 15-Ahrida Synagogue is known for its boat-shaped tevah (reading platform). It is the only synagogue in Istanbul at which Sabbatai Zevi, founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement, prayed.

    15-Ahrida Synagogue is known for its boat-shaped tevah (reading platform). It is the only synagogue in Istanbul at which Sabbatai Zevi, founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement, prayed.

  • 16-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

    16-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

  • 17-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

    17-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

  • 18-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

    18-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

  • 19-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

    19-A street in Balat, the former Jewish Quarter.

  • 20-Rustem Pasha Mosque, 1561 to 1563, designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha.

    20-Rustem Pasha Mosque, 1561 to 1563, designed by Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan for Grand Vizier Rüstem Pasha.

  • 21-Rustem Pasha Mosque is famous for its large quantities of exquisite İznik tiles, in a wide variety of floral and geometric designs. The tiles cover the façade of the porch, the mihrab, minbar, walls, and columns.

    21-Rustem Pasha Mosque is famous for its large quantities of exquisite İznik tiles, in a wide variety of floral and geometric designs. The tiles cover the façade of the porch, the mihrab, minbar, walls, and columns.

  • 22-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

    22-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

  • 23-Rustem Pasha Mosque. These tiles exhibit a tomato-red color characteristic of the early Iznik period (1555-1620). No other mosque in Istanbul makes such a lavish use of these tiles.

    23-Rustem Pasha Mosque. These tiles exhibit a tomato-red color characteristic of the early Iznik period (1555-1620). No other mosque in Istanbul makes such a lavish use of these tiles.

  • 24-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

    24-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

  • 25-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

    25-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

  • 26-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

    26-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

  • 27-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

    27-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

  • 28-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

    28-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

  • 29-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

    29-Rustem Pasha Mosque, İznik tiles.

  • 30-Tahmis Ave, along the outside edge of the Spice Bazaar.

    30-Tahmis Ave, along the outside edge of the Spice Bazaar.

  • 31-New Mosque, 17th Century

    31-New Mosque, 17th Century

  • 32-Golden Horn, cruise ships, Bosphorus

    32-Golden Horn, cruise ships, Bosphorus

  • 33-Galata Bridge and Tower

    33-Galata Bridge and Tower

  • 34-Galata Bridge and Tower

    34-Galata Bridge and Tower

  • 35-Cruise ships docked at Tophane

    35-Cruise ships docked at Tophane

  • 36-Ortaköy, Bosphorus Bridge, Greek Orthodox church.

    36-Ortaköy, Bosphorus Bridge, Greek Orthodox church.

  • 37-Abba Niv and guide Atilla Ershan negotiate Ortaköy's narrow streets, lined with cafes and boutiques, almost under the shadow of the suspension bridge.

    37-Abba Niv and guide Atilla Ershan negotiate Ortaköy's narrow streets, lined with cafes and boutiques, almost under the shadow of the suspension bridge.

  • 38-Ortaköy, Baroque mosque

    38-Ortaköy, Baroque mosque

  • 39-Ortaköy. This Baroque mosque (1855) has its own quay.

    39-Ortaköy. This Baroque mosque (1855) has its own quay.

  • 40-Ortaköy—Mosque, quay, and bridge

    40-Ortaköy—Mosque, quay, and bridge

  • 41-Ortaköy.

    41-Ortaköy.

  • 42-Ortaköy mosque.

    42-Ortaköy mosque.

  • 43-Ortaköy.

    43-Ortaköy.

  • Ortaköy.

    Ortaköy.

  • 45-Ortaköy from Çamlica Hill

    45-Ortaköy from Çamlica Hill

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    8-Commercial area in front of the Kariye Museum in the western district of the city.
    9-The Kariye mosque was converted to a museum in 1948. When constructed in the 4th century as the Church of St. Saviour in Chora, it was outside the walls ("chora") of Constantinople.
    10-Kariye Museum. The interior walls and ceilings are entirely covered with more than 100 religious mosaics and frescoes dating from 1320. The church was turned into a mosque in the 16th century and the frescoes were plastered over. A program to restore the mosaics and frescoes was begun in 1948.