(Community Matters) My first full day in Istanbul, Brent & I engaged a guide to show us through the old city of Istanbul, Sultanahmet. We saw the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (aka the Blue Mosque), the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace and the Spice Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, so to our misfortune, our guide took us to the Istanbul Handicraft Center for a “lecture” on Turkish rug history and exhibitions (ugh, horrible, liars). Later, to watch Whirling Dervishes then dinner at my hotel.
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (built 1609 – 1617) represents two centuries of both Ottomoan and Byzantine development. The Hagia Sophia (dedicated in 360) was a former Orthodox basilica, converted to a Mosque and secularized as a museum in 1935. When the Ottoman’s conquered Istanbul under Sultan Mehmed II, thankfully he had great appreciation for art and a respect for the images of the Mary and Jesus. He had the iconic murals & mosaics white washed and plasted, so they were preserved, and later restored. I was blown away by the size of the dome and the lack of gothic style columns – an engineering miracle for its time.
The Ottoman Sultans reigned from Topkapi Palace from 1465 to 1856, eventually replacing it with a European style palace, Dolmabache Palace in Bosporus.
Whirling Dervishes – its a mystic “dance” which follows Islamic folk beliefs from the 13th century. We watched this at the former home of Dede Efendi.
Istanbul Handicraft Center – a total rip off and charlatan of a place. Fortunately, another friend recommended their friend of many years who lives in Turkey and sales Turkish rugs. I met with Hakan Evin today. He’s the real deal – even showed me a couple of rugs very similar to what I already own and told me facts and figures I had already corroborated as true. Stunningly fair prices. He’s coming to the states early next year for a show and likely to Austin. Imperiootomono.com
I’m staying in Sultanahmet, which is on the European side of Istanbul.
Community Matters 