istanbul

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ISTANBUL
Istanbul is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on 2 continents. The Bosphorus bridge spans Europa and Asia. Istanbul has about 12.8mill people, was the former capital of Byzantine ( 660 BC ), Latin and Roman empire, Constantinople was formed 330 AD, fell 1453 to the Ottomans which forcibly resettled Muslims, Christians and Jews into the city thereby creating a cosmopolitan society.
In the middle ages, it was the largest city in the world. The current republic was proclaimed 1923 by Atatuerk.
Not so well known facts: Most of the Tuerks are muslims/ sunnis. The " hijab" ( female head gear) is banned in universities and public/ government buildings as this is a strictly secular country - on paper at least. Most winterdays: only 3 hours true sunlight. Istanbul sits on a faultline, largest massive earthquake was 1509 triggering a tsunami which killed over 10000 people. Prediction of massive earthquake of greater than 7.6 before 2040 is 60%. Large scale massacre against Armenians (1.5 mill ) and other minorities during the 1st world war.
We stayed at a 5 star hotel with my room size not allowing me to open the suitcase but in the hallway. Opening the closet, I had to climb on the bed 😊
Traffic is something else. True free style. Close to Vietnam style. I can not believe that our busdriver did not bang up the bus. It took a long times to get from one place to the other.
I had a great time visiting the aquaduct and cistern basilica in which water was collected for the city. Built before the ottoman empire. The Hagia Sophia has a massive dome of 31 m or 102 feet, built in 532-537 in Byzantine architecture, was the largest cathedral in Europe for over 1000 years until it was converted to a Mosque in 1465 after the defeat by the ottomans. It was converted to a museum in 1930. The Grand Bazar was built in 1461. There is also a phenomenal spice market in which I got many different kinds of tea and turkish delight for the next party at home - heavy though 😞
Monika, herzlichen Glueckwunsch zum 60. Geburstag!!!!

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