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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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.
