We left the windows open and got a wonderful cool breeze throughout the night for good sleeping. It was a little noisy however with the seagulls cackling all night. Then we were definitely awoken at 4:28am with a very loud call to prayer. Then 30 minutes later a loud single clap of the thunder came from no where.
We got up to have breakfast at 7am at the hotel lobby dining room. There was a very nice selection of foods and drinks. We met Mehmet at 8:30 for a walk up hill to the Haghia Sophia. The walk did not take long and the day is absolutely gorgeous with low humidity, nice breeze and partly cloudy.
We got in the front of the tour line for the Haghia Sophia (the wisdom of God) where Mehmet had already purchased tickets for us.
Not only was the structure impressive from the outside but also the immensity of it inside was quite spectacular. The first Sophia was built around the year 350. The Third Sophia which was which is what we saw was dedicated in the year 537. It remained a Christian chuch until 1453 in which it was converted to a Mosque when the Ottoman Army of Sultan Mehmett II defeated the Christians.
There were many Christian mosaics visible throughout the structure including Christ, Mary Mother of God and Jesus child, John the Baptist, Archangel Michael, etc. Because they could not restore all of the mosaics they decided to plaster over it for future generations to potentially restore. Many of the crosses in the marble were removed or covered over.
Mehmet did it again and we enjoyed an unobstructed view of the whole inside.
the second story was for the women.
The Seraphim in the four corners had their faces covered with a gold star shaped plate. They were fierce looking as they should be, being the warriors of God. One face was left uncovered for tourists to see.
A beautiful mosaic of Mary and Jesus.
Jean, Frank, Leslie, Carl, Belinda, Paul, Margaret, and Tom on the second story balcony.
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| Mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus between Justinian and Constantine |
We then took a short walk to the Topkapi Palace which was constructed between 1459 and 1465 by Mehmet II who had just conquered Constantinople. The palace seemed like a smaller version of the Forbidden City but obviously with an Ottoman perspective. The palace was self-contained within the walls with a large harem, kitchen, library, school, several courtyards, and pavilions. The palace now houses a precious jewel and treasury exhibition.
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| Haghia Eirene at First Courtyard of Topkapi |
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| Topkapi Palace Gate |
The rooms of the women.
The room of the young princes. You can see water bowls on the inside of the window on the right hand side, this is to attract birds.
Courtyard.
Beautiful frescos.
From the balcony on the outside.
Lovely stone walkway.
Mehmet explaining about the eunuchs role and way of life in the Palace.
More stunning work.
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