After nine days in Turkey, six of them in Istanbul, I must admit that Istanbul has surprised me. Istanbul is a really lively and warm city with an special charm. There are always a lot of people walking along its streets, which made me feel quite comfortable.
And the other 3 days we visited Cappadocia, a region of central Anatolia, where nature has created really amazing shapes. It's really worth walking between this strange shapes and enjoying the other secrets this region hides.
In our last day in Istanbul we came back to the Grand Bazaar, where we saw the lamps of the following picture. Before going to the Grand Bazaar, we began the day visiting the impressive mosaics of St Saviour in Chora. Afterwards, we went to Eyüp and came back to Eminönü, where we ate a fish sandwich.
In our last day in Istanbul we came back to the Grand Bazaar, where we saw the lamps of the following picture. Before going to the Grand Bazaar, we began the day visiting the impressive mosaics of St Saviour in Chora. Afterwards, we went to Eyüp and came back to Eminönü, where we ate a fish sandwich.
Visits of the day:
- Theodosian Walls
- St. Saviour in Chora *
- Fener
- Eyüp Mosque *
- Golden Horn
- Grand Bazaar (revisited) *
- Eminönü (revisited) *
- Sultanahmet (revisited) *
*Strongly Recommended
Backstreets near Taksim
Taksim in Police's Day
Taksim is a large square, a main transportation hub and a popular destination for both tourists and the native population of Istanbul. It serves as the main transfer point for the municipal bus system and It's the starting point for buses to the two Airports. İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), a long pedestrian shopping street, starts in this square.
Going through Sultanahmet
I took this photograph inside the tram when we were passing near Haghia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern in Sultanahmet. Steep streets are very common in Istanbul
Theodosian Walls
Extending for a distance of 6,5 km from the sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn, Theodosian walls protected Constantinople against invasions for more than a thousand years, until it was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453
Church of Saint Saviour in Chora
Like in other byzantine churches of Istanbul, it was added a minaret to this church. There is no good public transport to reach St Saviour in Chora, but It was worth visiting it to admire its mosaics
Domes of Chora, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of a Byzantine church in Istanbul
Figure of Christ from the Anastasis fresco in the parecclesion. Some of the very finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes can be found in Chora
When I looked at this mosaic carefully I became astonished because I realized how difficult is to create this wonderful and fine mosaics
This mosaic is in the lunette over the doorway to the esonarthex and portrays Christ as “The Land of the Living”
Walking through Fener
From Chora we walked along some streets of the Fener district of Istanbul, which was home to most of the Greeks who remained in the city after the fall of Constantinople in 1453
One really cobbled and sloping street of Fener
One building of Fener with the Golden Horn in the background, on the right
One building of Fener with the Golden Horn in the background, on the right
Eyüp
Eyüp mosque in Istanbul is always really crowded because here is buried Eyüp Ensari, Mohammed's standard bearer
From Eyüp to Eminönü in ferry
I really enjoy the views of Istanbul from the ferry while it sailed from Eyüp to Eminönü like, for example, this one of Sülemaniye Mosque under this such lovely day
Eminönü
Eminönu is a really lively area of Istanbul, especially in this point, where one of the entrance of the Spice Bazaar is
We couldn't leave Istanbul without tasting one fish sandwich. It was tasty but I didn't like that the fish had bones
Eminönu is also crowded because it's the port from which ferries depart to many destinations and also for trips along the Bosphorus
The narrow streets around the Spice Bazaar shows the authentic spirit of old Istanbul. It's the quarter's shops and markets
Grand Bazaar
Zincirli Han is one of the prettiest hans in the bazaar. Here a piece of jewellery can be made to your own choice of design
Sultanahmet in the evening
Spectacular view of the Blue Mosque in the evening, with its six minarets looking at the sky of Istanbul
Haghia Sophia is even more beautiful at night. The best image to end our trip in Istanbul
Finally, clicking on the next link, you will find links to the posts of the other days we spent in Istanbul and Cappadocia and a summary of what we visited.
You can see more pictures of these days I spent in Istanbul and Cappadocia clicking on the links below:
- Last day in Istanbul
You can see more pictures of these days I spent in Istanbul and Cappadocia clicking on the links below:
Finally, other great cities and countries I have already visited are:
- Barcelona
- Berlin
- New York and Washington
- London
- Dublin in Irleland
- Saint Petersburg
- Rome and The Vatican
- Paris
- Florence in Tuscany
- Lisboa in Portugal
- Madrid
- Venezia
- Dubrovnik in Croatia
- Tortuguero, Caribe, Arenal, Monteverde and San José in Costa Rica
- Marrakech in Morocco
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