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| Then we visited the Hagia Sophia. It was at first a religious center during the Byzantine period, then converted into a mosque after the arrival of the Turks, and is now a museum. It was interesting to see the Christian and Islamic symbols co-existing in the same building. |
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| Istanbul was one of the most often besieged cities in the world. This city was called Constantinople for a thousand years until it was taken by the Turks in 1453. This morning we began our sightseeing with the visit to Yerebatan Sarayi , translated as Basilica Cistern or Underground Palace. To secure permanent water supply during besiegement, people in Constantinople built many underground cisterns. Water was brought in from far away sources through aqueducts. Two Medusa heads were placed upside down to support two columns � probably by Christians. Water in this cistern was collected rain water, and many carp were swimming in the pool. |
| We walked back to our hotel through the historic site of the Roman Hippodrome. As opposed to the Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome was the people�s center, and today only the Egyptian Obelisk and two other columns remain. |
| Washing feet before entering mosque |
| In the afternoon our bus took us over the bridge to the European side of Istanbul, where we visited the Chora Museum. Originally built as a Christian church, this building was also converted into a mosque by the Turks, but later when it was made into a museum, all Islamic elements were removed. |
| We ended the afternoon at the Grand Bazaar. With alleys going in every direction, one can easily get lost. |
| Day 2 |
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