Istanbul was our first visit to an Islamic city and we were there during Ramadan. It was a great learning experience and we really enjoyed the city.
We stayed 'on the beaten path' to start - literally - there's a walking path that links three of the most significant sites in Istanbul and the sites are a very short distance apart.
Our first stop was Hagia Sophia. It was built as a Catholic church in the 6th century and was converted to a mosque in the 15th century. The result is a building that includes both Christian and Islamic elements.
Next up was the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles used in the interior. It is an amazing building and it was interesting to see how it differed from a church.
The last of our three stops on the beaten path was Topkapi Palace. It was built in the 15th century and was home for 400 years to sultans who ruled over lands that now include Turkey.
We then stepped off the beaten path but not too far - just across the street to the Basilica Cistern. The cistern was built almost 1,500 years ago to provide a permanent water supply to the areas that now make up Istanbul. The cistern isn't used anymore and only has a few feet of water in it but it could store 100,000 tons of water.
Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting but it's also a time of celebration. Fasting is done during daylight hours and there is a fast breaking meal at sunset each day. Mosques, parks and streets are decorated with lights and everyone is out in the evening with family and friends.
Ramadan occurs at a different time each year. It was in August in 2011 so we got to see how it's celebrated in Istanbul when we visited in late August.
Ramadan wasn't the only celebration taking place while we were in Istanbul. Vanessa's birthday was on our last day in Istanbul. Dogum gunun kutlu olsun - may your birthday be blessed!
Last but not least we want to say a big thank you to our friends at the Sirkeci Konak Hotel where we stayed in Istanbul. They were a big reason why our stay in Istanbul was a wonderful experience. When we arrived, they were very welcoming and provided the best orientation to a city that we've ever had. They invited us to a fast breaking dinner where we enjoyed Turkish dishes. They also gave Vanessa a birthday gift. We've stayed in plenty of hotels during our travels but the staff at the Sirkeci Konak are the best we've ever met.
Blake and Vanessa
We stayed 'on the beaten path' to start - literally - there's a walking path that links three of the most significant sites in Istanbul and the sites are a very short distance apart.
Our first stop was Hagia Sophia. It was built as a Catholic church in the 6th century and was converted to a mosque in the 15th century. The result is a building that includes both Christian and Islamic elements.
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| Hagia Sophia |
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| Inside |
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| Stone floor at entrance worn by centuries of use |
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| Mosaic of Virgin Mary and Jesus between two Islamic plaques |
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| Mihrab (part of the mosque) with Virgin Mary and Jesus above |
Next up was the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles used in the interior. It is an amazing building and it was interesting to see how it differed from a church.
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| In the courtyard in front of the Blue Mosque |
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| The amazing interior |
The last of our three stops on the beaten path was Topkapi Palace. It was built in the 15th century and was home for 400 years to sultans who ruled over lands that now include Turkey.
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| Intricate tiles cover rooms in the sultan's residence |
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| Meeting area - nicer than any boardroom we've been in! |
We then stepped off the beaten path but not too far - just across the street to the Basilica Cistern. The cistern was built almost 1,500 years ago to provide a permanent water supply to the areas that now make up Istanbul. The cistern isn't used anymore and only has a few feet of water in it but it could store 100,000 tons of water.
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| Columns lit up in the cistern |
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| Vanessa's photo art - note the ceiling reflected in the water below |
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| Medusa's head used as a base for a column |
Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting but it's also a time of celebration. Fasting is done during daylight hours and there is a fast breaking meal at sunset each day. Mosques, parks and streets are decorated with lights and everyone is out in the evening with family and friends.
Ramadan occurs at a different time each year. It was in August in 2011 so we got to see how it's celebrated in Istanbul when we visited in late August.
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| Blue Mosque at night |
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| Carnival in front of Blue Mosque |
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| Getting together after sunset |
Ramadan wasn't the only celebration taking place while we were in Istanbul. Vanessa's birthday was on our last day in Istanbul. Dogum gunun kutlu olsun - may your birthday be blessed!
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| Birthday lunch - nothing fancy but hey we're in Istanbul! |
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| Birthday present - a scarf from the Grand Bazaar |
Last but not least we want to say a big thank you to our friends at the Sirkeci Konak Hotel where we stayed in Istanbul. They were a big reason why our stay in Istanbul was a wonderful experience. When we arrived, they were very welcoming and provided the best orientation to a city that we've ever had. They invited us to a fast breaking dinner where we enjoyed Turkish dishes. They also gave Vanessa a birthday gift. We've stayed in plenty of hotels during our travels but the staff at the Sirkeci Konak are the best we've ever met.
Blake and Vanessa
