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Byzantium & Ottoman Relics
We begin our tour of the Sultanahmet district, the heart
of old Istanbul, at Saint Sophia*. Built by Emperor
Justinian in the 6th century AD, this church is one of the
marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates
the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics,
including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses.
Next we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the
exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the
17th century, it is the only imperial mosque with six
minarets. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in the
palace of İbrahim Pasha, grand vezir to Sultan Süleyman
the Magnificent, houses exhibits from many eras, but is
most famous for its collection of Ottoman carpets. The
Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100,000
spectators and featured objects from all corners of the
empire. Of these, an Egyptian obelisk and a bronze
sculpture of three entwined serpents from Delphi survive.
proceed to Topkapı Palace*, which, from
the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle residence
of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabolous
Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapı Palace is
now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry,
including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in the
world, Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably one of
the world’s finest collection of early Chinese ceramics,
much of it gifts from other rulers. Interestingly, some of
the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change
color in the presence of poison. We also visit the
Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry.
But perhaps the loveliest features of Topkapı Palace are
its courtyards with their ancient trees, and it is easy to
imagine the sultan strolling here far from the cares of
state and empire. The Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest
and grandest of Istanbul’s imperial mosques. It dates from
the 16th century heyday of the Ottoman Empire, and was
designed by Sinan, the greatest architect of his day and
originator of the Classical Ottoman style of architecture.
Of the 2,000 structures Sinan designed, Süleymaniye Mosque
and its complex of charitable institutions rank among the
most important. The Grand Bazaar, was the commercial heart of the old city
and its 4,000 shops are full of treasures – including
carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and
leather goods. Wandering through the Grand Bazaar, indulge
in some shopping, Ottoman style.
*On Mondays, when Saint Sophia is closed, we visit
the Chora Church, famed for its mosaics and frescoes.
*On Tuesdays, Topkapi Palace is closed.
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