Our Uncharted Lives: Istanbul

Having gotten our bearings on the city the first two days, we ventured out on our own the third day in Istanbul. We started with the Topkapi Palace which took most of our day to visit.

The Topkapı Palace was the main residence of the sultan and his court. It was initially the seat of government as well as the imperial residence. Even though access was strictly regulated, inhabitants of the palace rarely had to venture out since the palace functioned almost as an autonomous entity, a city within a city. The palace is a complex made up of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. At the height of its existence as a royal residence, the palace was home to as many as 4,000 people. Needless to say, there was a lot to see.

Entrance Gate

The kitchens

The library

View of the Bosporus from the palace

The Audience Chamber

The view looking at the mosques in Istanbul.

Such an amazing ceiling

We did the audio tour of the palace (inside the Harem)

Door decorated with mother of pearl

Courtyard of apartments of the Queen Mother

SO much blue tile.

Stained glass windows

View from the outside, the windows wide open

Kate in the Courtyard of the Favourites

Next, we ventured onto the Basilica Cistern. This underground complex is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The cistern, located just southwest of the Hagia Sophia, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. Before being converted to a cistern (a reservoir for water), a great Basilica stood in its place.

This cathedral-size cistern is an underground chamber approximately about 105,000 square feet in area - capable of holding 2,800,000 cubic feet of water.

Huge fish

The ceiling is supported by a forest of 336 marble columns, each 30 feet high, arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns each spaced 16 feet apart. One of the columns is engraved with raised pictures of a Hen's Eye, slanted branches, and tears. This column resembles the columns of the Triumphal Arch of Theodosius I from the 4th century (AD 379-395). Ancient texts suggest that the tears on the column pay tribute to the hundreds of slaves who died during the construction of the Basilica Cistern.

Located in the northwest corner of the cistern, the bases of two columns reuse blocks carved with the visage of the Medusa. The origin of the two heads is unknown and there is no written evidence that suggests they were used as column pedestals previously. Tradition has it that the blocks are oriented sideways and inverted in order to negate the power of the Gorgon's gaze.

According to popular myth, Medusa was one of the three Gorgons, the terrifying female creatures from Greek Mythology. Legend has it that Medusa, with her hair of snakes, could turn anyone who looked at her into stone, and therefore images of Gorgons were used to protect great buildings.

Another version of the story claims that Medusa was the only mortal Gorgon, a beautiful girl with long hair and dark eyes who had long been in love with Perseus, the son of Zeus. Athene, also in love with Perseus, turned Medusa's hair into snakes in a jealous rage. From then on, every person Medusa looked at was petrified. After learning of Medusa's curse, Perseus beheaded her, taking her head to war with him and turning his enemies into stone. It is said that many Byzantium era sword handles and columns were engraved with her head upside down.

Outside of the Basilica Cistern lies the remains of the "Million Stone". The Million Stone was always put in the center of the city and distances to all corners of the Byzantine Empire were once measured starting from this point. The stone was erected under the reign of Constantine the Great around 4th century AD, marking the starting point of an extensive road network.

The top of the Basilica Cistern

We had been in Istanbul last summer and one of Kate's favorite sites was the Blue Mosque. We had some time left in the day so we headed over for a few more pictures. The Blue Mosque is the only mosque in Istanbul with 6 pillars, instead of 4. It is one of the most beautiful and recognizable monuments in Istanbul.