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

Come See Turkey, Day 3: Hagia Sophia

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, the church of divine wisdom. 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. Of particular importance is their adding the four tall minarets to help balance the weight of the main building's walls and dome. Speaking of that dome, it takes my breath away to look at it today; what emotions it must have inspired 1500 years ago when it was new, I cannot even begin to grasp.

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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 Topkapi. Though renovated over the centuries, much of the original complex remains. And to my delight, they grow many, many tulips...

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

One Last Day in Istanbul...

I strolled up famous İstiklal Avenue, one of the great walking/shopping/window-shopping streets in Europe, enjoyed a quick ride on the historic little tram, took one last look at Galata Tower, then crossed the Golden Horn for final photos of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia as the sun set...

TravelMorgan Stone GretherIstanbul, Turkey, Come See Turkey 2014, Hagia Sophia, İstiklal, tourism, travel
One Last Day in Istanbul...