Sunday the 19th was dedicated to an archaic area known as Sultanahmet. This neighborhood hosts one of the most beautiful, religious and historic sites in the world, the Hagia Sophia. It was first built as a church during the reign of Byzantium Emperor Justinian I and later converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed with the fall of Constantinople. The grandeur of the building was simply breathtaking. Even under renovation, one could be lost in its authenticity, its architectural finesse and its artistic achievement.
Another monumental and historic site was the Topkapi Palace. This palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for roughly 400 years before Kemal Attaturk abolished the seat of the Caliphate. Topkapi is home to many religious relics including pieces believed to be owned by Mohammad and his companions. The treasury of Topkapi palace is a display of the richness of the empire and includes diplomatic gifts, spoils of war, and a collection of arms used by the Ottoman military during the timeframe of the empires duration.
Our final stop in Sultan Ahmed was the Blue Mosque, also known as Sultanahmet Mosque. Out of the three cites, this monumental building served not simply as a tourist attraction but also as a practical religious site. The Mosque was built in the early 17th century under the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. It is considered one of the last great mosques of the classical period primarily due to its beautiful blue tile interior.
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