Crossing the Golden Horn, Turkey (english version)

Let's start from Taksim Square, it is consider the beginning of modern Istanbul. A square full of history of strikes, movements... You can see the Monument of the Republic opened in 1928, just at the back of the metro station is the Ataturk Cultural Centre. Right now you can't have any demonstration here, but you can in the area and they end up here too; you'll see policemen around for sure.

This is the Monument of the Republic

For us it is also the beginning of Istiklal Avenue, it's not a street I would recommend, there are only shops, but it is also a place to wander around to get to our final destination. You should know two things about Istiklal: it will never be empty and you should see/get on the historic tram built in 1956. It's not bad to get to the end of the avenue and its cost is as any other public transportation, but the truth is that with the amount of people walking around and that ignore the tram's bell, it's not fat. At Istiklal Avenue you mix tradition with modernity, in its surroundings there are lots of restaurants and pubs.

With the nostalgic tram

At the end of this avenue you'll find a street going down which would lead you to Galata Tower, it is full of small and themed (musical instruments, towels, souvenirs) shops. Half way that street to your right you'll find Galata Tower. This tower was built in 1348 and for many years it was the highest building in the city. Today you can still enjoy its skyline from the Golden Horn (although it is more hidden). It wouldn't be rare queuing to get in, you can go up to the seventh floor with the elevatir where you'll find a nice restaurant, if you keep going up there is a cafe and a 360 degrees terrace... What a view!

Sunset from Galata Tower with

Suleymaniye Mosque

To finish this trip, you just need to cross Galata Bridge, its views, its vibe and the constant smell of fish while you cross the Golden Horn. The bridge you stand on was built in 1992 taking the place of the old bridge built between 1909 and 1912. In the lower part of the bridge there are lots of restaurants and at the end, getting to Eminönü you find boats that serve fish sandwich, from the far they look like carousels. A walk while the sun is setting, because the light is beautiful at that hour, is impressive; in any way, the walk is a must because of its beauty.

Galata Bridge with Aya Sofya and Blue Mosque

Yarin.

Different views from Galata Tower

Sultanahmet area, Turkey (English version)

At last I did some tourism in Istanbul, after nearly a month we had some visitors, that is the best time to take the chance and visit things around.

Probably most of you would have a touristic skyline of Istanbul: mosques, minarets, Bosphorus, Golden Horn crossed by the Galata Bridge. Well, that is what I was looking for after all this time. So take your confortable shoes and start by deciding how much and how long do you want to take visiting the buildings that make this particular skyline. Luckily, most of the touristics sightseing are very close to one another, but there is so much to see, it is so huge that "luckily" is translated into: "Well now I know what public route I should take tomorrow".

The first thing you have to take into accountance is that mosques that are used for prayers would be closed during those times (Blue Mosque, Little Aya Sofya, Suleymaniye, New Mosque...) and that Aya Sofya has a closing time. The second thing would be that you'll probably have to queue for a while; we didn't because there was a public holiday and less people around (this is around the 24th of september).

Aya Sofya with its 1500 years of history is an impressive building. It is surrounded by gardens and in front of it is the Blue Mosque. Built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian as a church in the year 537, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and in 1935 Ataturk turned it into a museum. There are multiple places to stop for hours just to look at the mosaics, the doors, the views... It is curious to find the sultan's signatures around a Christ mosaic.

Once out, we had the opportunity to take photos by the Kaiser Wilhelm's Fountain while prayers were finishing at the Blue Mosque. Both buildings are very different inside and out. One is a museum while the other one is mosque. We just couldn't agree on which one we liked best. When we entered the Blue Mosque, women had to cover their heads and wear tunics if needed and we all took our shoes off (this ritual is repeated in every mosque out of respect). The building was order by Sultan Ahmet I, now you won't see the blue tiles that once gave the mosque its name. The vibe is completely different but still impressive.

In the same area you find the Basilica Cistern. This underground structure was also an idea of Justinian the emperor in 532. The position of the 336 columns has an hypnotic effect. These columns are simple except from the "column that cries". There are also two columns with a Medusa's head, none of them in the position you would expect. 

Last, there is within the area a small mosque called Little Aya Sofya built in 527 (before Justinian decided to built Aya Sofya) as a church and around 1500 was turned into a mosque that is used up to date. Smaller and simpler than the other two, it keeps its solemnity, a peaceful place.

Yarin

Christ and the signatures

Blue Mosque from Aya Sofya

Blue Mosque on the inside

 Blue Mosque at night

Aya Sofya at night

Little Aya Sofya

Both Medusa's head at the Basilica Cistern