Originally posted by RobA_Oz Lucky you, having the place to yourself. When I was there a couple of years ago, it was teeming tourists, not rain. You're right about it being a fascinating place. I'd go again tomorrow if there weren't so many other places I haven't been, and even maybe then. I've had a fascination with the Ottoman Empire for a while, and going to Turkey was a long-unfulfilled ambition.
By the way, isn't it called the Sultanahmet mosque (also called the Blue Mosque)? When I first saw the photo, I thought it was the Hagia Sofia, which is nearby.
This one and the Blue Mosque are about 25 minutes apart by foot...They are two different places.
The mosque above:
The Blue Mosque:
Hagia Sofia:
The Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia are really close to each other but they are not the same thing. The Hagia Sofia was an old Christian church built in the mid 500AD time frame... it was later converted to a mosque.
There are a lot of the mosques that look alike to be honest. I don't know for sure but I think they borrowed a lot of the same architecture...but I am not really up to speed on the history of everything. There is thousands of years worth of stuff right here...it's just insane how much stuff there is... if you are at all a history buff then by all means this place can keep you busy for a few years.
The mosque in the original post sits on a hill and looks out over the original Istanbul. The second shot is the view off the back porch so to speak. You can see Galata Tower in the background...
As far as there being a too many places that I haven't been yet... I have been to a bunch but this one is a good one for sure! I feel the same way though... so many places, so little wallet....