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  3. ISTANBUL 2009

ISTANBUL 1 (Sultanahmet) October 6-7, 2009

These photos are from the first two days of our trip, Oct 6-7, during which time we did not leave the old city (the peninsula of Seraglio Point and Sultanahmet). Our hotel, the Adamar, is located centrally in the eastern part of the Peninsula, midway between the Golden Horn on the north and the Sea of Marmara on the south, and an equal distance (a little over a kilometer) from the Sea of Marmara on the east. We arrived at the hotel after dark, and first saw the major buildings at night. (Adjust your screen brightness as necessary.)
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  • 20. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace. Built between 532 and 537 AD, it was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until completion of Seville Cathedral, 1520. In 1453, Hagia Sophia was converted into the Aya Sofya Mosque (minarets were added); and in 1935 it was declared a museum.

    20. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace. Built between 532 and 537 AD, it was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until completion of Seville Cathedral, 1520. In 1453, Hagia Sophia was converted into the Aya Sofya Mosque (minarets were added); and in 1935 it was declared a museum.

  • 27. The Blue Mosque is significantly newer (1609-1616), seen here from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace. The mosque's six minarets were considered a sacrilegious attempt to rival the architecture of Mecca.

    27. The Blue Mosque is significantly newer (1609-1616), seen here from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace. The mosque's six minarets were considered a sacrilegious attempt to rival the architecture of Mecca.

  • 28. Hotel location, area map.

    28. Hotel location, area map.

  • 29. Beyoglu, Golden Horn, and cruise ship terminal from hotel roof.

    29. Beyoglu, Golden Horn, and cruise ship terminal from hotel roof.

  • 30. Golden Horn and cruise ship terminal from hotel roof.

    30. Golden Horn and cruise ship terminal from hotel roof.

  • 31. Cruise ships docked along the north shore of the Golden Horn.

    31. Cruise ships docked along the north shore of the Golden Horn.

  • 32. Beyoglu—on the European side, but north of the Golden Horn. The Galata Tower (conical roof) is on the left.

    32. Beyoglu—on the European side, but north of the Golden Horn. The Galata Tower (conical roof) is on the left.

  • 33. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) seen from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace.

    33. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) seen from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace.

  • 38. The Blue Mosque seen from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace.

    38. The Blue Mosque seen from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace.

  • 39. The Blue Mosque from our hotel roof terrace.

    39. The Blue Mosque from our hotel roof terrace.

  • 40. Suleyman Mosque on the horizon, looking NW along Professor Ismail Gurkan Street from our hotel roof terrace.

    40. Suleyman Mosque on the horizon, looking NW along Professor Ismail Gurkan Street from our hotel roof terrace.

  • 41. From our hotel, it's a very short walk down this block of Yerebatan Street to the Basilica Cistern, an early and spectacular feat of engineering.

    41. From our hotel, it's a very short walk down this block of Yerebatan Street to the Basilica Cistern, an early and spectacular feat of engineering.

  • 045,049. Abba Niv at the Basilica Cistern. 6th century water reservoir, one of 18 cisterns built around the city by Roman emperor Justinian to form an underground waterway. The domed roof is supported by 336 columns, some scavenged from destroyed buildings around the city.

    045,049. Abba Niv at the Basilica Cistern. 6th century water reservoir, one of 18 cisterns built around the city by Roman emperor Justinian to form an underground waterway. The domed roof is supported by 336 columns, some scavenged from destroyed buildings around the city.

  • 52. Basilica Cistern. 70m wide by 140m long, it could hold 80,000 cubic meters of water.

    52. Basilica Cistern. 70m wide by 140m long, it could hold 80,000 cubic meters of water.

  • 53. Marble Medusa head column base. This is one of two classical column bases in the cistern.

    53. Marble Medusa head column base. This is one of two classical column bases in the cistern.

  • 55. Abba Niv, showing the size of the Medusa column base.

    55. Abba Niv, showing the size of the Medusa column base.

  • 57. Medusa column base. This head rests on its side.

    57. Medusa column base. This head rests on its side.

  • 58. Divan Yolu Street (tram line) is the main thoroughfare in the old city. It was laid out by Roman engineers and runs west from the Hippodrome. This is the eastern terminus.

    58. Divan Yolu Street (tram line) is the main thoroughfare in the old city. It was laid out by Roman engineers and runs west from the Hippodrome. This is the eastern terminus.

  • 059. Inscription over the entry gate to Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

    059. Inscription over the entry gate to Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

  • 60. One of four minarets at Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

    60. One of four minarets at Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

  • 65. Sultan's Loge, Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

    65. Sultan's Loge, Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

  • 68. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya). Two huge marble lustration urns were brought from Pergamon during the reign of Sultan Murad III. Originally Hellenistic, this jar is 2m tall and was carved from a single block of marble.

    68. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya). Two huge marble lustration urns were brought from Pergamon during the reign of Sultan Murad III. Originally Hellenistic, this jar is 2m tall and was carved from a single block of marble.

  • 69. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior, seen from the mezzanine, about 15m above the main floor. The interior height (floor to top of dome) is 55.6m (182 ft).

    69. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior, seen from the mezzanine, about 15m above the main floor. The interior height (floor to top of dome) is 55.6m (182 ft).

  • 74. Looking from inside Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) and across its domes to the Blue Mosque and its six minarets.

    74. Looking from inside Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) and across its domes to the Blue Mosque and its six minarets.

  • 75. A Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) dome.

    75. A Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) dome.

  • 76. The six minarets of the Blue Mosque, seen from Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

    76. The six minarets of the Blue Mosque, seen from Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

  • 77. The Blue Mosque from Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

    77. The Blue Mosque from Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

  • 78. Many Christian mosaics were plastered over by iconoclasts in the 8th century, but were uncovered after Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) was declared a museum by Ataturk in 1935. This "Entreaty" mosaic dates from 1261. The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist are imploring the intercession of Christ Pantocrator for humanity on Judgment Day.

    78. Many Christian mosaics were plastered over by iconoclasts in the 8th century, but were uncovered after Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) was declared a museum by Ataturk in 1935. This "Entreaty" mosaic dates from 1261. The Virgin Mary and John the Baptist are imploring the intercession of Christ Pantocrator for humanity on Judgment Day.

  • 79. This plaque describes the preceding mosaic.

    79. This plaque describes the preceding mosaic.

  • 80. Comnenus mosaic, 1122. Virgin Mary in center in a dark blue gown, the Child Christ on her lap. He gives his blessing with his right hand while holding a scroll in his left hand. On the left, emperor John II Comnenus holds a purse, symbol of an imperial donation to the church. Empress Irene is on the right, offering a document.

    80. Comnenus mosaic, 1122. Virgin Mary in center in a dark blue gown, the Child Christ on her lap. He gives his blessing with his right hand while holding a scroll in his left hand. On the left, emperor John II Comnenus holds a purse, symbol of an imperial donation to the church. Empress Irene is on the right, offering a document.

  • 81. This plaque describes the preceding mosaic.

    81. This plaque describes the preceding mosaic.

  • 86. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior. The interior of the dome is undergoing restoration.

    86. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior. The interior of the dome is undergoing restoration.

  • 88. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior and calligraphic roundels.

    88. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior and calligraphic roundels.

  • 89. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior.

    89. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior.

  • 90. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior. The interior height (floor to inside top of dome) is 55.6m (182 ft).

    90. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) interior. The interior height (floor to inside top of dome) is 55.6m (182 ft).

  • 92. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), one of many of the simpler column capitals.

    92. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya), one of many of the simpler column capitals.

  • 94. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) column capital.

    94. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) column capital.

  • 101. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) minaret.

    101. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) minaret.

  • 105. Southwestern entrance mosaic, 944 CE. The Virgin sits on a throne without a back, her feet on a pedestal. The Child Christ sits on her lap, giving his blessing and holding a scroll in his left hand. On the right, emperor Constantine presents a model of the city to Mary. On the left, emperor Justinian I offers a model of Hagia Sophia. The medallion monograms MP and ΘY are an abbreviation meaning Mother of God.

    105. Southwestern entrance mosaic, 944 CE. The Virgin sits on a throne without a back, her feet on a pedestal. The Child Christ sits on her lap, giving his blessing and holding a scroll in his left hand. On the right, emperor Constantine presents a model of the city to Mary. On the left, emperor Justinian I offers a model of Hagia Sophia. The medallion monograms MP and ΘY are an abbreviation meaning Mother of God.

  • 106. Plaque for Southwestern entrance mosaic.

    106. Plaque for Southwestern entrance mosaic.

  • 107. Mausoleum of Selim II, 1577.

    107. Mausoleum of Selim II, 1577.

  • 109. Mausoleum of Selim II, 1577.

    109. Mausoleum of Selim II, 1577.

  • 110. Domed ceiling, Mausoleum of Selim II.

    110. Domed ceiling, Mausoleum of Selim II.

  • 112. Iznik tile, Mausoleum of Selim II.

    112. Iznik tile, Mausoleum of Selim II.

  • 114. Interior entry door, Mausoleum of Selim II.

    114. Interior entry door, Mausoleum of Selim II.

  • 115. Entry door, exterior, Mausoleum of Selim II.

    115. Entry door, exterior, Mausoleum of Selim II.

  • 116. Tavukhane St, Sultanahmet. On the way to the Hippodrome, obelisks, and the Blue Mosque.

    116. Tavukhane St, Sultanahmet. On the way to the Hippodrome, obelisks, and the Blue Mosque.

  • 117. Luggage store and hotel on Tavukhane St in Sultanahmet.

    117. Luggage store and hotel on Tavukhane St in Sultanahmet.

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    31. Cruise ships docked along the north shore of the Golden Horn.
    32. Beyoglu—on the European side, but north of the Golden Horn. The Galata Tower (conical roof) is on the left.
    33. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) seen from the Adamar Hotel roof terrace.