Enjoying the Peace & Quiet at the Museum

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Geo: 41.0245, 28.9881

Today was the first official day of the tour. After breakfast we had a walking tour. Most of it I had already seen and heard before. We began at the Hippodrome at the German Fountain. It was built in Germany and then reassembled in Istanbul. It was made to commemorate the visit of Emperor Wilhelm II's visit to Turkey in 1898. The inner part of the dome is covered in golden mosaics and eight marble columns. Further along the Hippodrome we came to the Obelisk of Thutmose III. This was bought to Turkey from Egypt by an emperor. It was three times the size, but only this third remains. Then we saw the Walled Obelisk, which was built in the 10th century and originally covered in gilded bronze plaques.

We then walked across to the Blue Mosque and through it again. Then the rest of the group went to the Hagia Sophia. Instead of going there I went to the Archaeological Museum because I had not been there before. I agreed to meet Jess later on for lunch while she went to the Hagia Sophia.

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Photos

01 Inside
Looking up inside at the dome of the German Fountain which is cvoered in many tiny mosaics.

02 German Fountain
The octagonal dome and marble columns.

03 Close up
A close up of the base of the Obelisk of Thutmose III.

04 Serpent Column
The Serpent Column with its missing head.

05 Walled Obelisk
Once covered in gilded bronze plaques.

06 Sign
Sign on the Walled Obelisk.

07 Obelisk of Theodosius
The base of the obelisk and some of the cartouches on its sides.

08 Inside
Inside the Blue Mosque.

09 Ceiling
The domes of the ceiling of the Blue Mosque.

10 Looking up
Looking up at the ceiling.

11 Dome
One of the domes inside the Blue Mosque.

12 Looking up
Looking up at the side of the mosque.

13 Looking up
Looking up at the ceiling.

14 Dome
One of the many domes.

15 Huge
This mosque is huge, comparing it to the men on the carpet.

16 Windows
Colourful stained glass windows.

17 Inside
Blue everywhere.

18 Outside
Standing outside and looking up at the mosque and two of its minarets.

19 Looking through
Looking through the arches some of the domes can be seen.

20 Hagia Sophia
View of the museum as we left the mosque.

21 Blue Mosque
View of the mosque as we walked towards the Hagia Sophia.