TravelMorgan Stone GretherTopkapi Palace, Turkey, Come See Turkey 2014, tourism, Istanbul, travel

Come See Turkey, Day 3: Topkapİ Palace

TravelMorgan Stone GretherTopkapi Palace, Turkey, Come See Turkey 2014, tourism, Istanbul, travel
Come See Turkey, Day 3: Topkapİ Palace

In the middle of day three of my Come See Turkey trip, we visited the Topkapi Palace. When the Ottomans conquered the city 500 years ago, they rebuilt the ruined Roman imperial palace and administration complex into what would eventually become called Topkap or Cannon Gate. Though renovated over the centuries, much of the original complex remains. And to my delight, they grow many, many tulips.  

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TravelMorgan Stone Gretherhagia sophiaTurkey, tourism, Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, cathedral, church, Come See Turkey 2014, travel

Come See Turkey, Day 3: Hagia Sophia

In the middle of the third day of my Come See Turkey trip, we explored the magnificent Hagia Sophia, aka the Ayasofya. What was once the Romans' first Christian cathedral and then a mosque under the Ottomans, it is now a very popular museum (and deservedly so). And though it stands as an astonishing testament to Roman architecture, it would not be standing at all if not for Ottoman architects maintaining it...

TravelMorgan Stone Gretherhagia sophiaTurkey, tourism, Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, cathedral, church, Come See Turkey 2014, travel
Come See Turkey, Day 3: Hagia Sophia
TravelMorgan Stone Grethermosque, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Turkey, Come See Turkey 2014, tourism, Istanbul, travel

Come See Turkey, Day 3: Sultan Ahmet Mosque

On my third day in Istanbul for my Come See Turkey trip, we stopped by for a quick visit to the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, often called the Blue Mosque because of the bright turquoise tilework in the building's interior. So lovely...

TravelMorgan Stone Grethermosque, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Turkey, Come See Turkey 2014, tourism, Istanbul, travel
Come See Turkey, Day 3: Sultan Ahmet Mosque
TravelMorgan Stone GretherBalat, Istanbul, Come See Turkey 2014, Turkey, mosque, cats, travel

Come See Turkey, Day 3: Balat Neighborhood

On the morning of my third day on my Come See Turkey trip, we left the hotel in Karaköy, crossed the Galata Bridge, and explored the Balat neighborhood in Istanbul. I'd say this area is best described as colorful, beautiful decay. Every nook and corner provides another great photo opportunity. I could have stayed there all day, but of course many other adventures awaited...

TravelMorgan Stone GretherBalat, Istanbul, Come See Turkey 2014, Turkey, mosque, cats, travel
Come See Turkey, Day 3: Balat Neighborhood
TravelMorgan Stone GretherSümela Monastery, Turkey, Come See Turkey 2014, Trabzon, travel

Come See Turkey, Day 4: Sümela Monastery

On the fourth day of my Come See Turkey 2014 adventure, we ventured to Trabzon to see the Sümela Monastery. Built in 386 CE by Roman monks, the monastery is a series of buildings, like a small village, carved right into the side of a huge cliff. A good word for it would be breathtaking. Though many sections were rebuilt a number of times over the centuries, the overall site remains intact. Thankfully many ancient frescoes still cover some areas top to bottom with wild images and colors. A fascinating look back directly into the early Christian era...

TravelMorgan Stone GretherSümela Monastery, Turkey, Come See Turkey 2014, Trabzon, travel
Come See Turkey, Day 4: Sümela Monastery