Istanbul - Where East Meets West

[ckii96]

Sultanahmet Camii


Sultanahmet Camii, or more commonly known as the Blue Mosque, is probably the most photographed mosque in the world. It earns the nickname of Blue Mosque from the Iznik tilework decorating its interior.

The Blue Mosque was built between 1609 to 1616 under the commission of Sultan Ahmet I.

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#1 - A building in symmetry must be photographed symmetrically.

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#2 - A closer look at the symmetrically arranged building features.

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#3 - Emphasizing on the symmetry again.

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#4 - Building symmetry on floodlights.

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#5 - The Blue Mosque under floodlights in twilight.

[ckii96]

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#6 - The Blue Mosque with its six minarets under floodlights during the night.

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#7 - The corridor of the Blue Mosque.

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#8 - A local young pretty lady I've asked to pose for me inside the Blue Mosque.

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#9 - The interior is filled with tinted glass and lightings.

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#10 - The symmetrically arranged domes of the Blue Mosque.

To be continued... :)

[qqmeng]

very strong culture identity... interesting.

[one_nito]

Very, very, Islamic. As most people in M'sia, I think, already know symmetry is one of the most obvious characteristics of Islamic art. The other one of course is the absence of any representation of the human form. So we get to see a lot of geometrical forms and designs. And ck managed to capture the very essence of Islamic art. Good work, ck, and more power to you.

[ckii96]

very strong culture identity... interesting.
Thanks. :)

Very, very, Islamic. As most people in M'sia, I think, already know symmetry is one of the most obvious characteristics of Islamic art. The other one of course is the absence of any representation of the human form. So we get to see a lot of geometrical forms and designs. And ck managed to capture the very essence of Islamic art. Good work, ck, and more power to you.
Thanks for your kind compliments. :)

[ckii96]

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia, the "Church of Holy Wisdom," was built more than 1400 years ago. The main dome is more than 30m in diameter supported by four pendentives. In the 15th century, the Ottomans converted it into a mosque. It serves as a museum today.

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#11 - Hagia Sophia overseeing the fountain in the park.

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#12 - Hagia Sophia by night.

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#13 - One of the pendentives supporting the main dome.

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#14 - The interior is lighted up by chandeliers all around.

[ckii96]

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#15 - The upper gallery of Hagia Sophia.

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#16 - The mosaic of Virgin Mary on one of the pendentives right above the mihrab.

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#17 - Mosaic of Virgin Mary with Emperor John II Comnenus and Empress Irene.

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#18 - Mosaic of Christ flanked by Emperor Constantine IX and Empress Zoe.

To be continued... :)

[ShaolinTiger]

Excellent pictures and description.

I've always wanted to go to Turkey but haven't quite made it yet!

[AhMah]

Wow! Postcard print quality pix
...very nice

Did you go to Ephesus?
It was the best part of Turkey for me, besides Pamukkale

[ckii96]

Excellent pictures and description.

I've always wanted to go to Turkey but haven't quite made it yet!
Thanks for the compliments, ST. :) I do hope that you'll make it there some day. Turkey is really full with photography subjects. It's well worth a visit. :)

Wow! Postcard print quality pix
...very nice

Did you go to Ephesus?
It was the best part of Turkey for me, besides Pamukkale
Thanks, AhMah. I was in Ephesus, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and the Red Valley during my trip to Turkey 10 years ago. Istanbul was just a stopover for me during this trip. However, it was still a week stay in Istanbul. :)

[ckii96]

Basilica Cistern

This Byzantine Basilica Cistern was built in 532 A.D. It is an underground water cistern. The roof of the cistern is supported by 336 columns of more than 8 m high.

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#19 - Some of the 336 columns holding up the roof.

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#20 - Another part of the cistern with the supporting columns.

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#21 - Symmetrically arranged columns of the cistern.

[ckii96]

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#22 - One of the few columns with 'eyes' all round.

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#23 - One of the two Medusa head bases used to support the columns, showing the evidence of plundering by the Byzantines from earlier monuments.

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#24 - The water cistern is filled with life.

To be continued... :)

[alancheong7]

Good coverage but prefer Turkish countryside.

[ckii96]

Good coverage but prefer Turkish countryside.
Thanks alan. :) I was on a Turkey round trip 10 years ago, so I stayed for the whole duration in Istanbul.

[ckii96]

Kariye Camii

Kariye Camii, also known as the Church of St Saviour in Chora, is located along the old city wall west of Istanbul city centre. Although the church doesn't have a very attractive appearance from the outside, it houses some of the finest Byzantine mosaics and frescoes within. The present church was built in the 11th century.

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#25 - The outer appearance.

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#26 - Mosaics and paintings on one of the domes at the outer narthex.

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#27 - Paintings on the ceiling of the outer narthex.

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#28 - Southern dome of the inner narthex with mosaics depicting Christ and his ancestors.

[ckii96]

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#29 - Painting on the ceiling of the inner narthex.

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#30 - Another painting on the ceiling of the inner narthex.

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#31 - The northern dome of the inner narthex showing Virgin Mary.

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#32 - Mosaics of Virgin Mary.

[ckii96]

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#33 - Mosaic of one of the twelve apostles of Christ.

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#34 - Another apostle of Christ on mosaics.

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#35 - Frescoe of Christ.

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#36 - A frescoe showing the story from the bible.

To be continued... :)

[ckii96]

Dolmabahçe Sarayi

The Dolmabahçe Palace was built in 1856 under the commission of Sultan Abdul Mecit. This was the time when the Ottoman Empire was in decline and the construction of the palace was only possible with the financing from foreign banks.

There are two main parts of the palace. The Slamlik consists of the state rooms and the enormous Ceremonial Hall; whereas the Harem houses the private rooms of the Sultan and his entourage.

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#37 - The clock tower of the palace.

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#38 - The Imperial Gate which was once used exclusively by the sultan his ministers, and it is now the main entrance to the palace.

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#39 - A gate along the palace wall.

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#40 - The park in front of the palace.

[ckii96]

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#41 - The palace main building.

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#42 - An event which looks like a wedding reception being set up at the courtyard right in front of the palace building.

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#43 - The workers were busy with the event preparation.

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#44 - Part of the Crystal Staircase made from Baccarat crystal.

[ckii96]

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#45 - One of the state rooms in the Slamlik.

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#46 - One of the halls in the Harem.


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#47 - The ceiling of the bathroom was built to induct sunlight through the opennings.

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#48 - Another type of bathroom ceiling directing the sunlight for natural lighting.

To be continued... :)

[ckii96]

Topkapi Sarayi

Sultan Mehmet II started building the Topkapi Palace in 1459 and it was completed 6 years later. However, Sultan Abdul Mecit I abandoned Topkapi Palace in 1853 when the Dolmabahçe Palace was built.

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#49 - The armed guard at the entrance to the palace.

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#50 - The gateway to the palace is a Disneyland castle look-alike.

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#51 - One of the entrances to the hall at the Divan.

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#52 - The elaborately decorated ceiling of the Divan.

[ckii96]

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#53 - The arched walkway of the Iftariye Pavilion.

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#54 - Colourful tiles at the Iftariye Pavilion.

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#55 - Bosphorus through the arches at the Konyali Restaurant.

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#56 - The arched walkway at Pavilion of the Holy Mantle.

[ckii96]

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#57 - The kitchens.

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#58 - A China porcelain bowl being exhibited in the kitchens.

To be continued... :)

[ckii96]

Kapali Çarşi

If you Google for 'Grand Bazaar,' you'd probably end up with Kapali Çarşi on the top 10 of the search list. There are probably more than a thousand shops and stalls in the labyrinth-like streets with painted vaults of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

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#59 - Those are the chimney-like structures on a building near to the Grand Bazaar.

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#60 - One of the many entrances to the Grand Bazaar.

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#61 - One of the streets with painted vaults.

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#62 - Another street of the labyrinth-like Grand Bazaar.

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#63 - A narrow street inside the Grand Bazaar where there are cafés for the tired shoppers.

[ckii96]

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#64 - A row of tabs at a common washing basin.

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#65 - The Turkish delights for those with sweet tooth.

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#66 - More Turkish delights.

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#67 - Some ceramic bowls for your home décor.

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#68 - A ceramic bowl with the motifs of whirling dancers at a Sema ritual.

[ckii96]

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#69 - The Devil's eyes.

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#70 - A carpet with blue flower pattern.

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#71 - A tea set for serving the fruit tea, especially apple tea.

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#72 - Belly dancing costumes for those who fancy it.

To be continued... :)

[transit2]

All are nice shots! I haven't go there before. It is a culture rich country in the gateway between East and West.

[ckii96]

All are nice shots! I haven't go there before. It is a culture rich country in the gateway between East and West.
Thanks transit2. :)

[ckii96]

Mesir Çarşisi

Although not as big as the Grand Bazaar, Mesir Çarşisi, or known as Spice Bazaar, has a lot of spices and all kinds of tea leaves awaiting you to have a shopping frenzy.

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#73 - The main building of the Spice Bazaar.

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#74 - The narrow street inside the Spice Bazaar.

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#75 - Colourful spices and all kinds of flovoured tea leaves.

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#76 - Stall after stalls selling the spices and tea leaves.

[ckii96]

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#77 - Yet, another stall selling spices.

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#78 - Chunks of Turkish delights awaiting to be sliced.

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#79 - There are many stalls here selling all kinds of Turkish delights.

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#80 - Apart from food, some other souvenir stuff can also be found at the Spice Bazaar.

To be continued... :)

[takader_lagi]

wowwie..nice pics bro..good composition..can see the perspective view..

[ckii96]

wowwie..nice pics bro..good composition..can see the perspective view..
Thanks bro. :)

[ckii96]

The Cruise Up the Bosphorus

It was a great pleasure taking a cruise up the Bosphorus as I didn't have to walk so much but I could enjoy the views under the comfort of the sea breeze. It is very interesting as the ferry sailed between Europe and Asia. I was on European land sometimes, and then minutes later, I was on Asian land.

The trip started at the ferry terminal at an area in Istanbul called Eminönü. I bought a round trip ticket and I was all ready for the cruise. I had about an hour to spare before the ferry left, so I walked around Eminönü and found an interesting mosque which the people referred to as New Mosque.

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#81 - The New Mosque (Yeni Camii).

Opposite the Eminönü Port is where the distinctive Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) stands, outstanding amongst the other buildings.

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#82 - The Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) at the background of a ferry on the Bosphorus.

There are many nice buildings and mosques along the two sides of the Bosphorus; the European side and the Asian side.

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#83 - A mosque on the European side of the Bosphorus.

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#84 - One of the suspension bridges linking Europe and Asia.

[ckii96]

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#85 - The Fortress of Europe.

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#86 - A very old and poorly maintained house at the pier of a small town.

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#87 - Villas along the European shore of the Bosphorus.

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#88 - A cruise boat on the Bosphorus.

[ckii96]

The ferry's final stop of the Bosphorus Scenic Tour is a small town on the Asian land called Anadolu Kavaği. When the ferry arrived at its terminal pier, it was almost lunch time. I alighted from the ferry and strolled around this beautiful town.

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#89 - Restaurant chefs cooking seafood at Anadolu Kavaği.

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#90 - Most of the seafood stuff are grilled or deep-fried.

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#91 - Some of the seashells being served for lunch.

When I walked further towards the less beaten track, I found a very nice restaurant-cum-guesthouse set beside the water. I decided to settle down for lunch here and occupied a table just by the pier.

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#92 - Lunching under the breeze from the Bosphorus.

[ckii96]

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#93 - Green salad served as part of the set lunch I ordered.

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#94 - The Turkish bread is a mandatory item in any meal. I like the crispy crust and the spongy flesh.

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#95 - Part of the main course served, the deep-fried mussels and calamari rings.

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#96 - Another part of the main course, a grilled whole sea bream.

[ckii96]

I took a strolled on the path I took to come to this restaurant, heading back to the pier to board the ferry.

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#97 - I was free like a bird again, heading back to Eminönü.

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#98 - The view of the city is back in sight again with the Süleymaniye Camii and Yeni Camii.

To be continued... :)

[ckii96]

Süleymaniye Camii

The Süleymaniye Camii (Süleymaniye Mosque) in Istanbul is in fact the most important mosque due to the magnificent ruler and the great architect, Süleymaniye the Magnificent and Sinan, respectively. However, this mosque is always overshadowed by the most prominent mosque in Istanbul, Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque).

Süleymaniye Camii was built from 1550 to 1557 on top of a hill as an imperial mosque in the grounds of the old palace, Eksi Saray.

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#99 - The mosque framed in arches of the main courtyard.

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#100 - The mosque as viewed through the main courtyard entrance, the Muvakkithane Gateway, and an arch.

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#101 - The main dome and the two sky-scrapping minarets.

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#102 - The main dome of Süleymaniye Camii.

[ckii96]

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#103 - The arches surrounding the main courtyard of the mosque.

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#104 - The domed and arched corridor of the main courtyard.

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#105 - The mosque interior with a sense of soaring space.

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#106 - The height of the dome from the floor is exactly double its diameter.

[ckii96]

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#107 - The main dome is supported on four pendentives.

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#108 - The interior is lit by giant chandeliers hanging from the dome and pendentives.

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#109 - This is a side aisle of the mosque.

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#110 - The details of a pendentive supporting the main dome.

To be continued... :)

[ckii96]

İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri

The Istanbul Archaeological Museums (İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri) is a must visit place if you are interested to see the artifacts from the ancient Roman period, the Byzantine period, the Ottoman period, and even the prehistoric period. The plural is not a misspelling but an indication of the multiple museums in the same compound. One ticket is all you need to visit all the museums, so it is quite purse-friendly and well worth the Yeni Türk Lirasi (New Turkish Lira) spent.

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#111 - The main museum building has two wings with 4 floors of exhibition area.

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#112 - The outdoor café inside the courtyard museum.

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#113 - Visitors can enjoy looking at the outdoor exhibits in the courtyard.

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#114 - A Roman marble statue without the head.

[ckii96]

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#115 - A head without the body. How will it look like if it's place on the body of the previous statue?

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_116.jpg
#116 - A panel carving with colouring.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_117.jpg
#117 - Shaking hands has been around for ages, but most people nowadays have forgotten the true meaning behind it.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_118.jpg
#118 - Marble statue of a lady without the head.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_119.jpg
#119 - Even the fruit basket is so elaborately carved.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_120.jpg
#120 - The models in the ancient time had already set certain standards for modern modeling today.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_121.jpg
#121 - An interesting spiral staircase linking the floors.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_122.jpg
#122 - A clay jar from the prehistoric period.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_123.jpg
#123 - Even the prehistoric people knew about adding value to the artifact by decorating it.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_124.jpg
#124 - A marble staircase linking the floors of exhibition area.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_125.jpg
#125 - A mosaic floor for the houses in the Byzantine period.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_126.jpg
#126 - Bits and pieces of a mosaic floor.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_127.jpg
#127 - Carvings on the Alexander Sarcophagus depicting the war between Alexander the Great and the Persians.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_128.jpg
#128 - A replica of the carvings with colours.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_129.jpg
#129 - Carvings on another sarcophagus depicting the scene of vineyard workers harvesting the grapes.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_130.jpg
#130 - The symmetrical Çinili Pavilion building.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_131.jpg
#131 - An Iznik ceramic plate.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_132.jpg
#132 - Hexagonal Iznik tiles.

To be continued... :)

[ckii96]

On the Streets of Istanbul

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_133.jpg
#133 - The hotel I put up in Istanbul.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_134.jpg
#134 - A brightly painted building on the street.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_135.jpg
#135 - Colourful clothing.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_136.jpg
#136 - Colourful scarfs on sale.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_137.jpg
#137 - A typical eatery on the street.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_138.jpg
#138 - Lunch.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_139.jpg
#139 - The tram in Istanbul is the most convenient way to move around.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_140.jpg
#140 - A slim building painted black.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_141.jpg
#141 - A bread shop.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_142.jpg
#142 - A jewellery shop.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_143.jpg
#143 - A sloping street.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_144.jpg
#144 - A fast food outlet.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_145.jpg
#145 - Sweets and desserts.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_146.jpg
#146 - Baklava.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_147.jpg
#147 - Baklava with pistachio garnishing.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_148.jpg
#148 - Tea break.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_149.jpg
#149 - Fruit stalls at the transportation hub.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_150.jpg
#150 - Red and juicy watermelon.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_151.jpg
#151 - Peach hawker.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_152.jpg
#152 - Green apples.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_153.jpg
#153 - Green grape seller.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_154.jpg
#154 - Cherry hawker.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_155.jpg
#155 - The Metro is another convenient way to travel around.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_156.jpg
#156 - Cosy Metro train car.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_157.jpg
#157 - Feast on the street.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_158.jpg
#158 - Full of joy.

To be continued... :)

[ckii96]

The People Who Posed for Me in Istanbul

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_159.jpg
#159 - The hotel restaurant waiter who posed for me at the kebab station.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_160.jpg
#160 - Two gentlemen who are manning the kebab station near the Spice Bazaar.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_161.jpg
#161 - Two young ladies who man the local fast food outlet near Eminönü.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_162.jpg
#162 - A Turkish ice cream seller who asked for USD2.00 after I have taken his photo. I knew he was joking.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_163.jpg
#163 - The two gentlemen who asked me to have their portraits taken.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_164.jpg
#164 - The other gentlemen who asked me to take his photo with his cousin at the Spice Bazaar.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_165.jpg
#165 - A shopkeeper at the Spice Bazaar who asked me to take his portrait.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_166.jpg
#166 - A policeman and a lady waiting to get across the road at a traffic light on the way to Grand Bazaar.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_167.jpg
#167 - An old lady selling the bird feed beside the New Mosque (Yeni Camii).

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_168.jpg
#168 - A young girl selling fancy spinning tops to tourists at the Blue Mosque.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_169.jpg
#169 - A young couple at a junction of the main streets in the city.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_170.jpg
#170 - A hunk doing the catwalk at the same junction.

[ckii96]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_171.jpg
#171 - Catwalk on the street of Istanbul.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_172.jpg
#172 - Oops! The are certainly not Turkish. I guess they are Koreans.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_173.jpg
#173 - A political party leader campaigning for the election. It's so sweet of him giving out roses to his supporters.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/ckii96/Travel/Istanbul/Istanbul_174.jpg
#174 - A boy at the ghetto who asked me to shoot his hip-hop dancing pose.

The End. :)

[karheng]

What surprised me first is how you managed to take those photos in the blue mosque when they did say photography is not allowed? :?

[ckii96]

What surprised me first is how you managed to take those photos in the blue mosque when they did say photography is not allowed? :?
Photography is allowed during non-prayer time. I even brought a tripod in for my shots, but just bear in mind not to damage the carpet. Other than that, everybody was happily snapping away. :)

[karheng]

oh ic...i was told that no photography was allowed by previous travellers..heheb THanks..

[ckii96]

oh ic...i was told that no photography was allowed by previous travellers..heheb THanks..
Sometimes misinformation do get around. :D