We were among the first few who arrived at
Topkapı Palace and proceeded to get our
Istanbul Museum Pass. It cost 85 TRY and allowed us entry into 12 museums around Istanbul, including
Hagia Sophia and
Chora Museum.
Model of Topkapı Palace
Wintry
Just couldn’t help but imagine the amount of palace intrigue that happened behind this gate for almost 500 years.
View of a bridge across
Bosphorus.
Framed
Although it was my third time in Topkapı Palace, this was my first time inside the
Harem.
Loved the amazing Ottoman calligraphy.
After almost three hours at Topkapı Palace, we hopped over to
Hagia Irene, the first church built in Constantinople.
It was surreal having the whole place to ourselves.
Lunch was
köfte and
şiş kebap at
Sultanahmet Köftecisi. Was surprised that there was no crowd at all and it may have something to do with
the bombing.
Of course we have to visit
Hagia Sophia when we are in Istanbul.
Still awed, despite the scaffolding.
Showing its history as both a church and a mosque.
Comnenus Mosaic
Sultanahmet Mosque was closed for visit during prayers' time and we made a detour first to the rather compact
Mosaic Museum at Arasta Bazaar.
Cat at Arasta Bazaar:-
Sultanahmet Mosque was reopened after
Asr prayers.
We found our spot and enjoyed the peace.
Checking photos.
For the cats, it's feeding time.
After a brief stay at
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, we got ourselves lost in the labyrinth of
Kapalıçarşı or Grand Bazaar.
Walking back, we couldn't help but stop for balik ekmek again. Yummy
Ended the day with a stop at
Dem, one of the many hip cafes around
Karaköy. Pretty glad that we stayed a stone's throw away from here.
To be continued...