Visiting Istanbul

Saint Sophia

The red building of Aya (Hagia) Sophia or Holy Wisdom was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (532-537 CE) in the restoration of the city after the NIKA revolt. This was the first massive building to position a circular dome on the square base, and is considered one of the great architectural works of the world. Some of the columns used in the building were brought from the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, others reportedly from Baalbek. Construction lasted five years with over 10,000 laborers, but the building served as the city’s Cathedral for 900 years, the greatest city in wealth and size ever seen. Upon completion, Justinian was said to have cried with pride: O Solomon, I have surpassed thee! The church was changed to a mosque in 1453 by Mehmet II, and became a museum in 1935. In this history is a microcosm of Turkish past, Hellenistic to Christian, to Moslem and eventually secular.

The architecture reflected the class structure distinctions of the period. The marble section on the main floor was the site of the crowning of the Byzantine Emperors. The center doors to the nave were used only of the Patriarch of the Church, whereas the side doors were used by the less perfect souls of the church. The Ottoman Turks opened the side aisles and destroyed the distinctions.

The Blue Mosque

Across (southwest) from the Saint Sophia, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I was built and is today popularly known as the Blue Mosque. Built between 1609-1616, some feel it was to pull attention from Justinian’s marvelous structure. It is a unique building, made with blue Iznik tiles and it is the only mosque with six minarets. Ahmet sent workers to Mecca to build, but did not neglect his own city. An interior features iron stabilizing stretcher bars that ensure the building will survive earthquakes, a feature tested by at least twenty sizeable quakes so far!

The Hippodrome

The 400 meter Hippodrome is an open U shape facing Aya Sophia, and was built in 203CE by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus. The opening of the U was the beginning of the important land roadway called the Via Egnatia. The Hippodrome was the site of the 30,000 slaughtered in the NIKA revolt. This was the largest Hippodrome ever built, with some reports suggesting it was made to seat 100,000 people (though disputed by most). The Hippodrome contains several items of interest:

The Obelisk of Thutmose III:  Brought from Karnak, Egypt by Theodosius the Great (erected 390 CE), this obelisk is a reminder of the Egyptian Pharaoh who defeated a coalition of Canaanite rulers at Megiddo in 1468 BCE. He built other obelisks, which were removed from Egypt, and can now be seen in Rome, London, and New York. The scenes on the marble base of the obelisk represent Theodosius and his family.

The Serpentine Column: The bronze column originally commemorated the Greek victory over the Persians (479 BCE) from the temple of Apollo in Delphi.

The Fountains of Kaiser Willhelm II: Built at the end of the C19th CE parts of the original fountains still remain. Wilhelm II was the one who created the breach at Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, and dedicated three buildings to Jerusalem, along with this monument of his travels in the Hippodrome.

Topkapi Palace

This palacial complex was nerve center of the Ottoman Empire, and served as the residence of the Sultan from the C15^th to the C19^th CE. It housed the harem of the Sultan, and was home to the original Ottoman courts.

Land Walls

A 6.5 km. Stretch of wall built in 5^th century by the Emperor Theodosius II runs from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn.

Bosphorus Suspension Bridge

This is Europe’s largest suspension bridge, and the only one to connect two continents. It was opened in 1973. Construction cost was paid from tolls in just 28 months.

The Grand Covered Bazaar (The Kapali Carsi)

This bazaar, which dates from the 15th century, is composed of more than 4000 shops and is one of the favorite shopping places of tourists. The Blue Guide Istanbul calls it one of the most fascinating and picturesque markets in the world (p170). It is a city within the city. Bargaining is customary. Expect to see jewelry, carpets, and ceramic plates, copper an brass ware, clothing etc. Remember that the export of genuine antiquities is forbidden.