GREAT PLACES ON A BUDGET Some delightful sites
in Istanbul
THE BLUE MOSQUE BUILT IN 1609
IRWIN PATTERSONIn Turkey
I
stanbul is the city that links Europe and Asia, the fabulous capitol of the Ottoman Sultans and the heart of an empire that stretched from the gates of Vienna to the Persian Gulf. Honeymooners will enjoy exploring Istanbul’s bazaar, spice market, historical places and taking a ferry trip up the Bosporus.
The historical area is highlighted by the Blue Mosque, pictured above, and its six minarets, built in 1609 and free to walk through. Tourists named it the Blue Mosque because of the beautiful blue kutaya tiles covering the interior. Note the traditional rugs on the floor, the mihrab niche on the wall to give direction for prayers towards Mecca, and the mimbar or staircase to the right that serves as a pulpit. The courtyard is large and the dome and thin minarets are typically Turkish rather than Persian.
Across from the Blue Mosque is St. Sofia nestled amid pretty gardens. Founded by Justinian in 537 as a church and later converted into a mosque, it is now a museum and is being restored.
Beside the Blue Mosque is the Hippodrome, a chariot-racing track built in 203 following a model of the Circus Maximus in Rome. One of the sultans filled in the Hippodrome but you will see an obelisk and the serpentine column on the grassy surface.
Nearby is the Topkapi Palace, right, once the residential, administrative and political seat of the empire of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th century to the mid-19th century. Tours are available to see the imperial council hall, the queen mother’s room, entertainment room and much more. The rooms are beautifully decorated with the type of furniture and couches of the day. One of the buildings displays porcelain. Some were gifts, some were designed to suit Islamic tastes, and some have precious sockets inlaid in gold.
The Bagdat Pavilion outdoor courtyard offers a view of Istanbul and the water craft below. The Grand Bazaar, pictured, closed Sundays, has more than 3,600 shops and is worth a trip if just to browse. If you follow back streets from here to the spice market, you will come across small local mosques and shops on the side streets that add to the atmosphere. Tours can be taken from Istanbul up the Bosporus to the Rumeli Hisar Castle, built by the Ottomans in 1452, with interesting summer residences to be seen from the boat.
Good food is served at the Pudding Shop, a clean self-service restaurant on the north side of Sultan Ahmet Square on the tram line near the Blue Mosque. If you follow the tram line down the hill past St. Sofia, you will come to the Galata Bridge. From here you will notice, off in the distance, Taxim Square with its modern towers.
IRWIN'S TIPSContact your travel agent or for tours contact TREK Escapes, 223 Carlton Street, Toronto, M5A 2L2 416.922.7584 or visit www.trekescapes.com.
The Ottoman Hotel, Kadyrgam Cad No: 85,34490, Kadyrgam Sultanahmet, Istanbul, is a 20-minute walk from the Blue Mosque. Phone 0212.517.4203. Fax 0212.517.3512. Visit www.ottomanhotel.com.
There is a visa fee payable at the Istanbul airport to enter .
Money belts worn under clothing are a secure way to carry your passport, airline tickets, credit and bank debit cards, cash and other valuable papers.
The currency is called Turkish Lira, and 10 million are equal to about $9.00 Canadian. Visit www.tourismturkey.org.shops
Irwin Patterson is a photojournalist, travelogue slide show presenter/speaker in schools, libraries, and seniors' residences, and is a former travelogue television host-producer. He may be reached by e-mail at irwin000@sympatico.ca.
www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | April 9, 2007
