The City of Domes

The Grand Covered Bazaar contains 4000 shops. Talk about a shoppers paradise.
Topkapi Palace is the residence of the Ottoman Sultans full of imperial treasury and Islamic relics. I have never seen such huge diamonds,rubies and emeralds.

The Harem displayed the way of life for the women and children......Not very safe if you were the mother of the prince who was in line for the throne. Women would plot to distroy the baby boys who were closest in line the be the next Sulton.

The underground Cistern was built by the byzantine Empire and contains 336 columns. This is the best preserved of many cisterns under the city of Istanbul which still contains water and fish.

In the back corner a pillar with the statue of Madusa's head was found. Many stories have been circulated as to the reason it was "hidden" underwater.

Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.

The upper hall of the basilica.

The Blue Mosque is famous for its blue Iznik tiles and has 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. It is gorgeous, even at night.