Istanbul: Where East Meets West
Situated between east and west is a city with a rich history and culture that has changed hands countless times over the years. The capital of Turkey, Istanbul, (previously known as Constantinople, you know the song!), straddles the border between Europe and Asia, and has a vibe all its own.
We visited Istanbul as part of the “Capital of Two Empires” excursion on our Norwegian Cruise Line Viva Mediterranean cruise. Most cities you wake up already docked, but this time we were treated to gorgeous views of the city as we slowly made our way through the Sea of Marmara to port at the mouth of the Bosphorus Strait. We were able to see iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Blue Mosque (more on that later) and Galata Tower (one of the world’s oldest towers).
We worked our way through the city towards the Sultanahmet district. Even though it was a Monday afternoon, the streets were alive with energy as people went about their business. Shops and restaurants were full of people shopping and eating. We got more excited as we watched.
The Sultanahmet district did not disappoint. We took in the sites as our guide explained the historic significance of the area, and pointed out sites like Topkapi Palace, Suleymaniye Mosque and more. We took in the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia the angle we weren’t able to see from the water and continued to explore.
We descended into the Basilica Cistern (aka Yerebatan Sarayi… the Sunken Palace), an ancient cavernous, underground space that covers around 10,000 square meters. It has an 80,000 ton water storage capacity and has a walkway that lets you weave through the enormous pillars taking in the amazing architecture and stonework. Surprises like the head of Medusa and local art are placed along the path.
Next we headed back up into the light to check out the world famous Blue Mosque. The interior was beautiful and spacious. There were intricate carvings, artwork, calligraphy and the famous blue stained glass that gives the mosque its name.
We made our way to a delightful carpet store where we were treated to a demonstration of the double knot technique that makes Turkish rugs so prized, a carpet show and some delicious apple tea.
Our last stop was the historic Grand Bazaar. The Bazaar has 22 gates, and it isn’t hard to see how someone could get lost in the maze of shops. Vendors lined every hall, selling everything including carpets, jewelry, perfumes, souvenirs, ceramics and spices.
Istanbul somehow does a great job of mixing of history, religion, and culture, while also existing as a modern metropolis. This is definitely a city with many layers that we did not get to explore enough of. It was a great entry into Turkiye though, so we’ll be back.
