Istanbul – City of the World’s Desire

Pictures and Report by Anil Mohan
Bellevision Media Network

10 May 2010:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Why in the world would you want to leave your comfy, secure and normal life and subject yourself to the wild unknown of our planet? To me, the answer seems obvious. The planet is a fantastic place, with an amazing amalgam of cultures and people.

When the stresses of the urban world conquer my spirit, I like to pack my bags and set off for someplace enchanting and lose myself in the sights and smells of a new place. I found my calling while skipping TV channels on a lazy Monday evening. I had chanced upon an ad on an International News Channel about 2010’s European City of Culture. Portrayed as an old and mystical city as well as a modern and vibrant place, I knew at once this was the city I wanted to escape to. The City of the World’s Desire. The city was Istanbul.

Weeks later, I found myself at the arrivals terminal at Ataturk International Airport.

What follows next is a brief description of all the places I visited. Hope you find it fascinating.

Istanbul’s most prominent attractions are of the architectural variety, a selection of formidable and historical structures that make sightseeing in Istanbul educational as well as visually rewarding. Sightseeing in Istanbul offers attractions such as the Hagia Sophia, a huge museum and former cathedral that is adorned with stunning mosaics. Another iconic Istanbul attraction is the Blue Mosque, with its graceful minarets and tiered domes. The 1st century Sunken Palace is supported by hundreds of underground columns, an essential Istanbul landmark.

Hagia Sophia is famous for its impressive size, remarkable architecture and beautiful mosaics. It was built as a cathedral in the 6th century and remained the most important church in Christianity for over 900 years. In the 15th century it was converted into a mosque, adding the minarets and fountains. It functioned as mosque for the next 481 years until the founding of the secular Turkish Republic in 1934 when it was declared a museum. Hagia Sophia is one of the greatest buildings in the world, and the vast interior, with its huge dome, is extraordinary. The interior contains different features from its time as a cathedral and then as a mosque, including incredible mosaics, icons and marble columns and Islamic calligraphy inscriptions on the dome.

Sultan Ahmet Camii, is commonly known as the Blue Mosque, with its magnificent domes and six graceful minarets, is one of the most striking and immediately distinguishable structures on the Istanbul’s skyline. Constructed as a rival to the Hagia Sophia in 1609, it is one of the finest examples of architecture and is still used by hundreds of worshippers. The interior is splendidly decorated with thousands of blue and white tiles embellished with traditional flower patterns, and it is this special feature that gives the mosque its name. Its design of successively descending smaller domes, soaring columns and 260 stained glass windows leaves a lasting impression of graceful accord and open space. At the back of the mosque is a Carpet museum exhibiting antiques from all over Turkey.

Sunken Palace, is also known as the Underground Cistern or Yerebatan Saray, this cavern was built by Constantinople the Great around 532 AD and is held up below ground by 336 columns. Once a set for the James Bond film, From Russia with Love, the cavern today sees tourists crossing over 2 acres of 12 inch deep water, on wooden walkways, to take in the occasional art exhibit or marvel at the intricate design on the columns themselves. Located in the northwest corner of the cistern, the bases of two columns reuse blocks carved with the visage of Medusa. The blocks are oriented sideways and inverted for reasons unknown.

Galata Tower was erected as a bastion for the walls of the 14th century colony of Galata. The tower offers a panoramic view of the old town. Today it is a sought-after conference venue, offering fine dining at the resident restaurant. According to historians, an early aviator named Hezarfen Ahemet Celesi flew using artificial wings gliding from the tower to over the bosphorous shores on the Anatolian side, nearly six kms away.

After a breathtaking week in Istanbul, I flew back home with sweet memories of my stay. I have decided that I will go back again and see what more Istanbul has to offer. Hope you enjoyed reading this article. Thanks to my friend and colleague Mr. Victor D’Souza for encouraging me to write this article for Bellevision.

This is our life, and we only live once - so as they say "Carpe Diem!" ("Seize the day!")