The third day in Istanbul we went out for a cultural adventure in the old peninsula. Istanbul is an expensive city which we realised after paying all the museum fees (and not using a museum card).

The first stop was the Topkapi Palace and its surrounding nature. Inside we also saw the famous Harem and private living quarters.

Hagia Sophia was number two on the list.  Both its architecture and history is enchanting. From being a church it was 1453 turned into a mosque when the ottoman empire conquered Constantinople, and now it is a museum. According to Wikipedia: “Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and to have “changed the history of architecture.” It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520.”

And as usual, after walking a lot good food is required. This time the restaurant’s  own speciality; Omar’s Kebab. Nothing special (compared to the iskendar kebab the day before of course) and pretty expensive, about 120 RMB.

Full of energy we went underground to my favority visit, the underground cistern, which is a vast underground water storage tank.  It is believed to have been built in 532 AD and was known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period. After the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks, it was forgotten of and nobody knew that it existed. Re-discovered in 1545, it was used to water the gardens of Topkapi Palace. On of the most famous sights within the cistern is the pedestal with the two Medusa heads carved into it.

Last on our list was the place that I believe my mother would have liked most of all, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market!

After all touristy stuff we met up with my good friend and his friend for dinner on a roof terrasse.

a delicious grilled Sea Bass that was a bit difficult to eat towards the end…(not sure if the Raki was involved their)

View of the busy small streets you can find everywhere.

before heading home after a few beers we of course had to try the local speciality made of intestines. Beverage for the was youghurt.

top right corner you can see the intestines that they later will prepare for the sandwich.