We've had a REALLY busy day here in Istanbul!
We enjoyed our breakfast at the cafe that's part of the hostel, then walked to Topkapi Palace. The place is huge! We toured the Harem first because we heard that the lines get long. It was incredible. This is where the Sultan's wives and concubines lived. The whole grounds are comprised of pavilions and courtyards. We also walked through the treasury that displays the Sultan's collection of treasures and gifts.
After Topkapi we went to Hagia Sophia. It's more than 1400 years old! The inside is incredibly large. The whole thing was built over 2 earlier churches and then the Ottoman's converted it into a mosque. It's staggering to see the inside. The highest dome is 184 feet high! I'm pretty sure that both Mesa's and my mouths dropped when we entered!
From here we walked across the park to the Blue Mosque. I've been wanting to see this place in person for so long! It was beautiful. It gets it's name from the mainly blue Iznik tilework. When it was built (between 1609-1616) it provoked some hostility because it's splendor was considered a sac-religious attempt to rival the architecture of Mecca.
After this stop we walked out to the Hippodrome. This is now a public garden. It was originally the site of a 3rd century stadium that held 100,000 people and was typically used for chariot racing. This is also the site of the bloodiest event in Istanbul's history when rival chariot-racing teams developed into revolt. 30,000 were trapped inside and died.
After a little lunch we walked to the Grand Bazaar. Unfortunately things were closing up so we walked over to the Beyoglu side, by the Galata Tower. We were hoping to go up to the top of it, but you can't unless you have a dinner reservation. So that was a little disappointing. Instead we walked up and down Istiklal Street. It's a beautiful pedestrian street that leads up to Taksim Square. We had a nice night with all the shops and bars.
Now back at the hostel and calling it a night!
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