Istanbul

9/5/01-9/7/01

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#21 shows the Fountain of Ahmet III (18th Century Sultan), situated in front of the Hagia Sophia. #s 22-24 show the Hippodrome area, once a stadium for 100,000 people in the third century, AD  All that remains here are the Serpentine Column (brought from Delphi, 479 BC) and the Column of Constantine.  The four bronze horses now at St. Mark's in Venice were also here at one time but they were pillaged during the Fourth Crusade. #s 25-28 show the Basilica Cistern, a huge underground water cistern, dating from the sixth century.  The cistern supplied water to the palace.  The cistern roof is held up by 336 columns and visitors traverse it on walkways to the sound of classical music.  Fish can sometimes be seen in the water.  #s 27-28 show columns resting on Medusa's head bases.

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#s 29-36 show the interior of the Hagia Sophia.  It contains numerous mosaics and has been a church, mosque and now a museum. The dome is 184 feet tall--its height and diameter were a stunning achievement for the sixth century.  This church replaced one that burned down in 532 AD and was built in only five years.

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Later in the day, on our way to the Grand Bazaar (# 40), we stopped at an upscale Turkish carpet store.  Carpet stores are everywhere in Turkey and this one was exceptionally nice with hundreds of wool and silk carpets.  One of the clerks demonstrated a Turkish flying carpet in #37.

Istanbul Photos Continued

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