Kathleen's Blog: Day 36 Istanbul Turkey

June 24

Today we spent the day in Istanbul. This is a lovely city to sail into, with all its churches and mosques visible as you are coming into port. They are all built facing the east as the sun rises.

We visited St. Sophia's Church, had a Turkish hand made rug demonstration, wandered around the Grand Bazaar, visited the Blue Mosque and ended the day with a visit to the Topkapi Palace and Harem.

I enjoyed Turkey and would just go back for the jewellery and hand made rugs alone. Our day was spent on the European side of the city.

St. Sophia, the Church of Holy Wisdom was the first mosque in Istanbul. it was built by Constantine the Great in the 6th century, it was then converted into a mosque by the Sultan Mehmet in 1453. The building became a museum in 1936. They have been restoring part of building since 1981, they worry that it will fall apart in a earthquake. St. Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and 4th largest church in the world, its dome sitting at 55 meters high.

The Grand Bazar was overwhelming. Over 4,000 colourful shops fill this covered market place; the largest in the world. Its origins can be traced back to the 1400's. You can easily get lost in the place. There was mostly jewellery, cashmere, souvenir, shoe, rug and leather stores. It was packed with people.

The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 and 1617. It takes its name from the glow of all the blue and green tiles inside. It has six minarets and the dome sits at 42 meters high. When you go in you have to take off your shoes (we were provided with a carry bag), and you are given a covering for your hair (women), and a long dress to put on if your legs and shoulders are uncovered (Men and Women). Men and woman are separated into different areas for praying. The interior is carpeted.

Topkapi Palace, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built on the ruins of Constantine's Imperial Palace. It was the residence of the sultans and the seat of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years. It is home to the Spoonmaker's Diamond, which, at 86 carats, is the fifth largest in the world.

In the palace's Harem Quarter, 800 concubines once lived (about 100 at a time) all hoping to catch the Sultan's eye. The Sultan's mother had the power to choose the girls for her son's pleasure. The concubines rooms were cramped, however the sultans mother and favoured concubines had a lavish room. A hierarchy system existed amongst them, and I can imagine there would have been a lot of intrigue. The concubines and their children were well educated. Other than the Sultan, the only other men allowed in certain sections of the Harem Quarter were eunuchs. The Harem was in use until the mid to late 1800's.

Sailing into Istanbul.

St. Sophia

Inside St. Sophia

The little glass cups that now cover electric lights used to contain burning oil before we had electricity. The scaffolding on the left has been there for the restoration since 1981.

A silk rug being woven.

A silk rug with a light behind it. A rug this size takes approximately 13 months to make by hand. The weavers spend two hours a day on each rug.

Rug show. There were about 20 different rugs piled on top of each other by the end. They use natural dyes like pomegranate, and bugs. Apparently the black is the hardest colour to dye. During the demonstration we were given a Turkish pretzel, some apple tea, and a shot of ouzo.