Istanbul Old City: Basilica Cistern - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar

 

The largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Used to supply water to its inhabitants in the ancient past which was carried from 20 km away via aqueducts. Two medusa heads, lying upside down and sideway under two columns are the focal points.

 

A popular tourist site, sits next to the Hagia Sophia, and continues to function as a mosque today. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque has five main domes, six minarets, and eight secondary domes with traditional Ottoman architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period.

 

Hippodrome of Byzantine for chariot races

 

The Church of Divine Wisdom, a fifteen hundred years old splendid monument, is a must see in Istanbul, built to be the world’s largest place of worship by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. First a Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Basilica, later an imperial mosque and now a museum. The lofty interior, stunning surviving mosaics and the massive dome, which seems to float unsupported and gives the church its amazing sense of space. An unforgettable experience awaiting you.

Egyptian Spice Bazaar People come from around the world to explore the 350-year-old bazaar is a popular central place to purchase herbs, spices and spice mixes, tea, dried fruit, dried meat, and other delicacies. A must-visit for all first-time visitors to Istanbul, especially foodies.

 

This beautiful square and a great place to make a stop, relax and take photos of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

 

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is high on most tourists' itineraries, and for a good reason. This enormous site is the largest covered market in the world with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m², attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily...