Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
The Ayasofya Camii (also: Hagia Sophia, meaning “Holy Wisdom”) is a very well known mosque and former Christian church in Istanbul, Turkey. Today it is serving as a museum. It is still in restauration phase but the vast domes are impressive and it is very interesting to see the differences between the religions in this building: the images of Christianity removed and replaced against words.
When it’s hot in Istanbul, Turkey there aren’t too many places to go to. The Yerebatan Sarnıcı or Basilica Cistern is one of those. Located close to the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque the sunken palace offers a good refreshment. It dates back to the year 532 and the pillars of the cistern are today illuminated in different colours reflecting on the water.
One of the must-sees in Istanbul, Turkey is Topkapı Sarayı – the Topkapı palace. It is located in Sultanahmet, not far away from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia on a land tongue between the Golden horn and the Marmara sea. It has been built after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II.
The Sultan Ahmet Camii (“Blue mosque”) of Istanbul, Turkey is located directly opposite to the Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet. It received its inofficial name because of the blue tiles on the interior walls. It was built from 1609 on and stil serves as a mosque. If you compare it directly to the more famous Hagia Sophia you will find that it is much more beautiful – from the outside (with plenty of minarets) and inside. It looks like a mystic castle.