The Blue Mosque was intended by the city’s Turkish
conquerors to rival the Hagia Sofia in magnificence and many believe that they
succeeded. Approach the mosque from the
front and notice the small dome surmounting the front gate, meant to draw your
eyes heavenward. Beyond is a flight of stairs to another gate surmounted by
another dome and beyond that gate another dome covering the mosque courtyard
and the ablutions fountain in the center. A large dome covers the entire mosque
and is surrounded by minarets. The interior is beautifully decorated with blue
İznik tiles, from which the mosque takes its name.
The Hippodrome
The Hippodrome was the venue of chariot races between the
two sporting factions of the Byzantine era, the Blues and the Greens. The race
fans had a tendency to riot when feeling discontented with a ferocity that
would put some modern soccer uprisings to shame. Many of the statues that once
adorned this edifice have long since disappeared, particularly during the sack
of 1204 by the 4th Crusaders. But the ancient Egyptian obelisk,
carved in the 15th Century BC and brought to the city by the Emperor
Theodosius in the 4th Century remains. Also note the Serpentine’s
Column, taking for the Temple of Delphi,
and the Column of Constantine, erected in the 10th Century.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar was founded in the mid 15th
Century and has been a shopping Mecca
ever since. There are plenty of tourist trap places in the confusing labyrinth
of streets, called after the types of shops there (Street of the Jewelers,
Street of the Mirror Makers, etc.) But it is possible for the careful shopper
to find bargains for jewels, rare coins, and precious gems. There are also good
buys to be had for fur, leather, and a wide variety of handicrafts.