Scenes from Istanbul

#Bucketlist this: Turkey

 

The city of Istanbul is as much informed by its past as it is by its present. It sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it straddles both the continents – split by the Bosphorus, much of the ancient city, Independence Avenue and Taksim Square sit on the European side, while the Asian side is a glimpse into how the locals live and the gateway to the rest of the country.

In its secular leanings, it is a modern place, with a population that reflects the respect of all faiths. In its mosques and museums, we see a respect for these works of architectural art that, at one time, were spurred by faith. Painstaking reconstructions and renovations are constant at such holy places as the Hagia Sophia who, in her some 1,400 years, has been the most important Greek Orthodox Basilica, a Mosque and currently, a museum. Muslim rulers of the past saw the wisdom (in fact, Hagia Sophia in Greek translates to church of the Holy Wisdom) in retaining religious symbols, mosaics and paintings, and when Hagia Sophia became a Mosque in the 1400s, architects either gently removed or plastered over Christian depictions and artefacts. Now, many have been unearthed and on glorious display, a testimony to how faith can drive art.

The Blue Mosque, which faces Hagia Sophia in the Sultanahmet district of the old city, is its equal, if not perhaps as an architectural marvel (the dome at Sophia has withstood earthquakes and fires, after being shored up by architects in the 7^th Century), but in its stunning blue ceramic tile work.

The city is a hot spot, for travel and for travel experts alike. Raffles, the global luxury hotel group, has chosen Istanbul for its latest luxury property, while the Four Seasons recently opened its second outpost there.

The architectural marvel that is the dome at Hagia Sophia

Inside Hagia Sophia, where chandeliers and archways share the spotlight

The Blue Mosque, with its infamous six minarets

 

Going underground in the city’s ancient cisterns

 

The simple beauty of Turkish coffee, as served at Panelli Restaurant, in Istanbul’s Spice Market

 

 

The visual and tasty delight that is Turkish Delight, at the Spice Market

 

The entry gates to Topkapi Palace

Dolmas, or stuffed grape leaves, are a regional specialty. Here, we find them at Kantin Restaurant

Pears done chef Şemza Denizsel’s way, at Kantin Restaurant

Dockside at Lacivert Restaurant, along Istanbul’s Bosphorus river

 

After dark drama at 360 Istanbul, a restaurant on the pedestrian hotspot Istiklal (or Independence) Avenue, perched on the penthouse floor of a 19^th century building, for 360 degree views of the city