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The Aya Sofya, passing by on the way to the docks to catch the boat for a day cruising the Bosphorus from Istanbul to the Black Sea.    |
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| In the background, Galata Tower, built by the Genoese in 1348 as part of their fortifications. Under the Ottomans, it was used as a fire tower. Now restored, it has a restaurant on the top and an observation deck for some of the best views of Istanbul. |
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| Dolmabache Palace, built in 1856 by Sultan Abdul Mecit. It was built during the decline of the Ottoman Empire and had to obtain loans from foreign banks to finish it. That did not stop his extravagant opulence - there is a Bavarian crystal and brass horseshoe staircase and a 750 bulb, 4.5 ton crystal chandelier. |
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| Fortress of Europe, situated at the narrowest point on the Bosphorus, built by Mehmet II in 1452 before his invasion of Constantinople. |
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| Lunch with CJ and Cindy |
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| 19th century housing built on the waterfront of an ancient village, once invaded by the Cossacks who crossed the Black Sea in the 1600's. |
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| Back where we started... |
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| The Blue Mosque, which takes it's name from the 21,000+ blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior, is one of the most famous religious buildings in the world. Constructed in 1619 by Sultan Ahmet, he build 6 minarets instead of the customary 2 or 4, the only other one with 6 being the shrine in Mecca. He was forced to send his architect to Mecca to build a 7th so as to not be equal. |
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