Turkey
Istanbul. Such an interesting place to visit! I am in awe of the Hagia Sophia, The Suleymaniye Mosque, and maybe my favorite place in the world to just get lost...the Grand Bazaar.
Topkapi Palace
Home to the Sultans from the 15th to the 17th centuries. It is a huge complex consisting of numerous courtyards,
Hagia Sophia
6th Century Orthodox church, now used as a mosque will impress you with the incredible spires and 180 foot tall dome and 104 columns.
.This church is the 3rd version as the first 2 burned down in the 5th and 6th centuries.
The Blue Mosque
Officially known as Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it impresses with 210 foot minarets. Built in the early 17th century with 5 primary and 8 secondary domes, it is tiled on the interior with blue tiles.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Imposing structure on a hill overlooking the city and the river, this 16th century mosque was the largest mosque in the city for over 450 years, until it was surpassed by the Grand Camlica Mosque in 2019.
Built by Suleiman the Magnificent, the minarets are over 200 feet tall, and the dome is 174 feet high.
Not as popular as Hagia Sophia or The Blue Mosque, and a little out of center, I enjoy this mosque better for quiet contemplation.
Other sites
After seeing the main sites in Istanbul, your visit should not be over. There is so much more to see.
The Grand Bazaar is a must see, of course. But, also places like The Galata Tower, and the Hippodrome obelisks.
