Istanbul 2005

[questa]

Inspired by Anshjain97's fantastic report about Istanbul, I would like to share some of my photos of this city with everyone as well. These were taken 10 years ago and there have been changes in Turkey since then. I hope Ansh doesn't mind me posting alongside the current thread...different eyes see things differently.

The Blue Mosque

[anshjain97]

Great start- did you get in the Blue Mosque when crowds were low?

Would love to see how Istanbul looked 10 years ago!

And of course I don't mind!

[questa]

The Aya Sofia

Inside Aya Sofia huge construction scaffolding was in place as repairs were being done. I have put this pic in to give an idea of the scale of the building compared to the people on the ground.



The Empress Zoe did good works for the people and (I think) became a saint. My then newborn grand daughter has that name, so I took these for her...one with a flash, one without.





I love archways







There is a marble column which has a hole in it. Those who can place their hand in the correct manner and twist it to touch a stone in the hollow receive a special blessing or something. Naturally only men's hands are big enough to reach the stone.



From the days when this was a mosque, this was the place that indicated the direction of Mecca



and this was the staircase to a raised platform from where the Imam preached his sermon.

[bjd]

What I find so impressive is that the current St Sophia church/mosque/museum was inaugurated in 537. I can't begin to imagine construction of such arches and the huge dome with contemporary building techniques.

[questa]

They built slowly and expected it to last 1000 years. Today they are driven by finishing by due dates and budget over-runs and expect it to last maybe 80 years.

I was in awe of the architecture and asked how did they do it. The guide said same as today...they take the knowledge of the time (Roman arches) and extend the techniques as far as they dare.

[questa]

Homes around Sultanahmet

[anshjain97]

Looking at the current Hagia Sophia, I wonder how elaborate/opulent the previous versions were- the ones which were destroyed by earthquakes/riots.

[nycgirl]

I'm always amazed at how colossal Hagia Sophia is when I see photos that show the tiny people on the ground floor.

The homes in Sultanahmet look charming. I like the colorful paint jobs.

[bixaorellana]

SO interesting, Questa! Beautiful photos, too.

I'm intrigued by the fact that the Mecca-pointing altar(?) was left in place. Was it just too beautiful to get rid of, or was it re-installed later as a historical artifact?

As I looked at your first pictures of the Sultanahmet houses, I admit I was rather thinking "ho-hum -- concrete block houses look the same as the Mexican ones", although I did admire how the roofs are more practical than those here. But wowee on the exotic clapboard ones! They are truly exotic. I like how the block apartment building you interspersed managed to reference the older style.

[questa]

Chora Church


Built in he 11th century and decorated in the 14th, the Church of St. Savior in Chora , usually called Chora Church, contains one of the best-preserved collections of Byzantine mosaics and frescoes anywhere.

Again, the restoration crews were busy here and I was limited in where I could go. Only a few areas were open and the guide had gone back to our bus so I have no details on these works.

[Deleted]

I really like the wooden houses but I can imagine them going up in a blaze of glory.

The artwork on that last church is really impressive.

[bixaorellana]

Revisiting this thread, Questa, & realizing that I did not comment on the last fabulous section. That is particularly reprehensible as it is responsible for my own rabid desire to see Chora while in Istanbul. My friend in Istanbul seemed somewhat lukewarm about it, but decided to accompany me and wound up being completely blown away. The whole middle section is still closed off, but supposedly as the fewest mosaics. (sour grapes) My pics are still on the memory card, but I hope they come out even a fraction as well as yours did.

[questa]

Moving right along...these are a few pics from the Topkapi Palace. There was so much to see so I will just add to other people's pics.
Way in...



This building was the 4 kitchens. The chimneys are beautifully brick built







Students join tourists for a rest in a cool place



This tap was just outside the Sultans' meeting room. When they were discussing private subjects the tap was turned on hard and the sound of the water drowned out the voices. This prevented people waiting on the porch from overhearing anything.



Some tiles...











One entry to the Harem, which we will see next post.



Walls and ceiling in Sultans' room





Ventilation along the corridors

[bixaorellana]

This is wonderful, Questa! You know that I missed some of Topkapi, so your excellent pictures and commentary are a special treat for me.

[Deleted]

Nice to see extra details.

I'm thinking that there must be some organised tours to see ceramic tile workshops in Turkey. The workmanship deserved to be showcased.

[questa]

Yes, Bixa. I wish I had taken more pics of the set up there for you. The pavilions in the gardens, terraces and fountains.
Also more of the things in the museum...coming up in next post.
I have quite a few of the Harem.

[bixaorellana]

Questa, I don't know if you saw my Topkapi report. I did catch pavilions and terraces, but not the museum nor the harem: anyportinastorm.proboards.com/thread/7498/topkapi-palace-istanbul

[questa]

Unfortunately, Bixa, I was suffering from 'artefact overload' and only took these 3 pics in the museum section.



(I collect little elephants)

I was very disappointed that the famous 'Emerald Dagger' is locked away. Here is a link that shows it with its story.

www.internetstones.com/topkapi-emerald-dagger-museum-hollywood-heist-film-palace-35-cm-sultan-mahmud-i-nadir-shah.html

[nycgirl]

Such beautiful tiles in Tokapi Palace. Nice to see all of your different perspectives of the same places. I'm loving this wealth of Turkey reports.

[questa]

Finally...a few pics from the harem.







The main resting area. Very beautiful with a streams of water that ran in open courses across the floor (You can see one now covered)







And of course, the beautiful tiles

[Deleted]

Ah... great. Thanks for adding these.

[bixaorellana]

Absolutely gorgeous, Questa!

I didn't notice/realize that there was a watercourse in front of that basin when I was there. Most interesting. Your tile photos are fabulous. In the first one, you captured everything to the left of a closeup picture I took. I loved that seeing that.

Looking back through this great thread, I see you got an important picture from Chora Church that I missed even seeing on my visit there. It's the last one in your Chora series -- the death of the Virgin. Christ is shown holding the soul of Mary, represented as a little baby.

[mossie]

Beautiful tiles

[lugg]

Thanks Questa - beautiful photos , I especially like the series of houses.