Wednesday, April 15, 2026

My Most Recent Trip - Magical Turkey - Part 1: Istanbul

 My Most Recent Trip - Turkey

Although I trust God to take care of me in all of my travels, I was a little apprehensive about going to Turkey especially with the things that were going on in the world.  It was October 2025 and things had settled down after the first attack on Iran.  I knew Turkey had many Muslims, but did not realize it was the state religion and that 99.8% Muslim.  Considering the friction over the years, I wondered how I would be treated or even how safe it would be for me as an "American."  I did try to follow one piece of travel advice -that may be needed in other locations as well - don't look like an American.  So I tried to look more European.  :)  Just in case.  You don't want to put a target on your back - especially traveling alone.  Of course as soon as they would hear my talk, they would know I was American.  My disguise may have worked - no flashy clothes - or my fears were unfounded, but I felt safe everywhere I went.  In many countries they depend on tourism for much of their economy, so keeping tourists safe is a priority.  They just see as a $$ and want to get as much of it as possible.  I have a story about that I may share in a later post.  My posts will follow locations and not necessarily in chronological order.  

Istanbul

The first and most magical city perhaps in the entire world because of its importance in history.  It has been the home of several major empires in particular the Roman and Ottoman Empires.  It has also been a major part of several of the world's religions including Christianity and Islam.   On the last day of my tour, the others had done a different order, I had a private tour with the most amazing tour guide in Istanbul, Arif Gokhan Rakici.  He provide so much information and expertise as a guide.  I highly recommend him.  

We started with the the most symbolic place and amazing place in Istanbul and where all of these important components of its history met is the Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia


 









A famous inscription by a Viking Visitor.  


The hidden faces of Icons.  The Muslims worshipping below are not allowed to be in the presence of images other than Allah. 



The oldest mosaic in the church and the most detailed with the smallest mosaic squares.  



The back door. 


Topkapi Palace

Next door to the Hagia Sophia is the Topkapi Palace.  An amazing complex of buildings that was the center of the Ottoman Empire and home to the Sultans of Istanbul.  It includes several buildings that are now museums hosting the treasures of this era.  
















A glimpse of my guide.  









Below is a view from the Seven Hills Hotel rooftop. A famous view in the city that I highly recommend. They have food to attract the birds.

The tall retaining walls are Ottoman. Largely the remains of the Palace of Justice, which was built by the Fossatis in the 1850's, it burned down in 1933.



The image below displays the Obelisk of Theodosius, located in the Hippodrome of Constantinople (now Sultanahmet Square) in Istanbul, Turkey. 
This monument is an Ancient Egyptian obelisk originally commissioned by Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC. It was transported to Constantinople and re-erected by Roman Emperor Theodosius I in 390 AD. The obelisk is constructed from a single block of pink Aswan granite and stands approximately 20 meters tall. It rests upon an elaborately decorated marble base that depicts scenes of the Emperor and his court at the Hippodrome. 


The image below shows the Serpent Column, an ancient bronze monument located in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, Turkey. Origin: Created in 479 BC to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Plataea, it originally stood at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.  Relocation: Emperor Constantine I moved the column to Constantinople (modern Istanbul) in the 4th century AD to adorn the Hippodrome



This is the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul.  The mosque is renowned for its hand-painted blue tiles and its six distinctive minarets. It is located in Sultanahmet Square, directly opposite the historic Hagia Sophia. 








The image below shows the German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi), a historic landmark located in Sultanahmet Square (the former Hippodrome) in Istanbul, Turkey. Commemoration: It was a gift from German Emperor Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdulhamid II and the city of Istanbul, inaugurated in 1900 to commemorate the second anniversary of the Kaiser's visit in 1898. 


The Grand Bazaar

 below is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with construction dating back to the 15th century.  It features over 60 streets and more than 4,000 shops selling a vast array of goods including carpets, jewelry, ceramics, and spices.  The Bazaar is a major tourist attraction in Istanbul's Fatih district.  It was officially opened in 1461, making it a central hub of commerce in the city for centuries. 





This image shows the historic main entrance gate of Istanbul University, located in Beyazıt Square in Istanbul, Turkey. 



The image shows the Column of Constantine, a monumental Roman column located in Istanbul, Turkey.  It was erected in 330 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great to commemorate the dedication of the new capital city, Constantinople. 

The image below depicts the historical Fatih Mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey.  Originally built between 1463 and 1470 by order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the current structure is a reconstruction completed in 1771 following a devastating earthquake in 1766. 



 

My final night in Istanbul and Turkey, I went back to the Seven Hills Hotels to get some sunset pictures.   On the way there I had an interesting experience, but it was worth the trip.  





Final Thoughts:  Aside from visiting Jerusalem, Rome, and Cairo, Istanbul has to be one of the most important and awe-inspiring cities I have ever visited.  The combination of history, religion, and mystery makes it one of my favorite cities ever.  Even though I saw most of it, I still want to go back and feel the history.  Below is a final shot outside in line waiting to go into the Hagia Sophia looking at the entrance to the Topkapi Palace.  

Thank you, Istanbul!



More from the amazing country of Turkey in future posts.  Thanks for veiwing.  



1 comment:

  1. Another amazing travel experience! BTW, I think you did look European in the photos!

    ReplyDelete