Istanbul

HOME Istanbul, Turkey

Napoleon is supposed to have said once that if the universe had a center, it was Istanbul. With its long and checkered history, with the collision of continents and religions, Istanbul reeks of the intrigues and derring dos of a past era.

Architecture dominates. The Blue Mosque, built 5 centuries ago in response to the much older Ayasofya, is a brooding mass with perfect proportions, a feat that shakes you. Walk into the Ayasofya and its soaring dome causes wonder. Or go underground into the Cistern and marvel at the engineering feat of so many years ago.

It is hard to get pictures of these structures that show their true impact, because of obstructions and their sheer size. But click on the thumbnails below to get some idea of their scope.

See also Tips for Travelers

The Blue Mosque, with a portion of Topkapi Palace, see from the ocean in the evening light.	Skyline of the old city of Istanbul.	Seen against the setting sun.
Completed in 537 a.d., Ayasofya was the greatest church in Christendom until the 16th century. In 1453 it was turned into a mosque, and is currently a museum, with God and Allah coexisting peacefully inside it.	One of Ayasofya's corridors, that snake up to the top galleries. For perspective, the Statue of Liberty will fit inside the church.	A portion of the church's roof.
Looking down from a gallery.	Ayasofya at night.	This little boy is dressed like a prince and parading the Blue Mosque grounds because of impending circumcision.
The Blue Mosque, completed in 1617, will bring you to your knees - because of the sheer architectural feat. It's name is Sultan Mehmet Mosque - it is called Blue Mosque because of the tile work inside.	A view of the interior. Those are original chandeliers, and used to have oil lamps.	Another view of the interior.
A window in one of the buildings in Topkapi Palace.	One of the pavilions at Topkapi.	View from Topkapi - the waters of the Golden Horn, Bosporus and Marmara Sea mix at this spot.
A whirling dervish at one of the restaurants near the Blue Mosque.	Minarets lining the Golden Horn.	One of the rows of columns in the Yerebatan Cistern, built some 1500 years ago to store water.
A fort on the banks of the Bosporus, about midway between the Marmara and Black seas.	The old city in the evening light, viewed from Kadikoy on the Asian side.	A tourist viewed through one of the fountains at Topkapi.